https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:12:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler/page/2#post-1209116 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:31:33 +0000 sarac 1209116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You should absolutely do it! I was nervous to take my toddler on a vacation, and it turned out to be one of the funnest family experiences we've ever had. I'm so sad that she won't remember it when she gets older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler/page/2#post-1208844 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:22:07 +0000 Adira 1208844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beehive: Thanks!! Jealous you went to London and Ireland! I want to go somewhere, haha! I should just do and see what happens! Xander's easy-going, I can't imagine him having too many issues! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler/page/2#post-1208819 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:14:02 +0000 Beehive 1208819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: We traveled to Italy (Venice) when LO was 5 months old and London and Ireland when he was 10 months old, so again not a toddler but happy to answer any questions about logistics! It worked out amazingly well both times, and LO had no problems adjusting to the new time zone. We tried to make sure his first nap was in the hotel, and his second was pretty much always on the go (either in a stroller or carrier). Venice would have been impossible with a stroller (we used the carrier), but I think Rome would probably be fine. Italians were incredibly friendly, and loved cooing over the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1208544 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 12:07:29 +0000 lamariniere 1208544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mjane: @SugarplumsMom: we looooved Porto, almost more than Lisbon :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1208207 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 10:25:30 +0000 mjane 1208207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: We are in Lisbon and love it! Have yet to live through a winter here but lived here last summer and moved from the east coast (of the US) this fall. People love Porto, so though I haven't been I can't speak to it, but I will put in a plug for Lisbon. It's beautiful, cheap, surprisingly great food, lots of English spoken/understood, good art and walking, and the weather is good for Europe (about 20 degrees warmer than NY, on average, I think... maybe not quite as warm as Seville, but really great in my book!). It is close to Sintra and Évora, great day trips or overnight trips. If you want more thoughts, about traveling here with kids or about the city/Portugal, message me on my wall. I'd be happy to email! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207790 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 05:36:41 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1207790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mjane: Would you recommend visiting Portugal in Feb? What city is best? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207788 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 05:23:54 +0000 mjane 1207788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: yes, it's really lovely here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207770 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 03:23:20 +0000 lamariniere 1207770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mjane: OOooh!! We went to Portugal last year when our son was 15 months (Lisbon and Porto). It was a great, low key destination for travel with a toddler. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207230 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 17:11:34 +0000 mjane 1207230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: We're in Portugal. Wish there were others here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207225 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 17:06:48 +0000 lamariniere 1207225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mjane: where are you? I'm always curious about the other Bees who live in Europe. We are in Austria. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207204 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 16:41:06 +0000 mjane 1207204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oh, also, I've heard Italy is super child-friendly in terms of actual friendliness/enthusiasm for kids, but not child-friendly in terms of elevators/having high chairs at restaurants, etc. Maybe other people have had a different experience? We're going in December, so I can report back... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207203 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 16:40:00 +0000 mjane 1207203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: We live in Europe with a baby :) Moved here a couple of months ago from the east coast. </p> <p>We are traveling a bit now and have lots of friends from previous times visiting/working here who have traveled all over, some with babies and some with toddlers. I have lots of thoughts, but the main one is that it's doable, if like others have mentioned, you lower expectations for how much you'll see, AND if you rent an apt instead of a hotel. Airbnb is so amazing! We feel like we can go anywhere with our munchkin as long as we have our ergo and an apartment! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207199 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 16:38:45 +0000 Sunshine710 1207199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did 3 Europe cities this past August when DS was 13.5 months. We stayed in 1 hotel and then rented 2 apartments which worked really well. He took most naps in his stroller which I didn't want to happen but it ended up working just fine. People thought we were crazy but we wanted to travel so we just did it. We're so glad we did, as the little guy was a champ and we have the best memories. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207155 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 15:58:21 +0000 Maysprout 1207155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went when LO was 12 months old. We were mainly visiting family so we stayed a lot with them but we also went to Italy for a few days and stayed in b&amp;bs. It all worked out and was a nice trip. I preferred small cities to big ones with LO because she liked to walk around and it was just less hectic and people were nicer about LO being around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1207060 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 14:35:54 +0000 Boogs 1207060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went with a 2 year old and I'm back and alive to tell the tale! ;) We didn't go to Italy, but I'll tell you breaking up the flights made is more manageable for us. How old will you LO be when you try to go? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1206770 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 10:08:03 +0000 Adira 1206770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: Yeah, maybe a sight-seeing trip like that would make more sense when he's older. Maybe I can convince Hubs to do another Caribbean vacation instead, haha. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1206746 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 09:46:52 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1206746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: DH had a business trip to Italy last summer for two weeks, and we thought about taking Chloe. We decided against it because the idea of her sitting on a plane for 13 hours didn't seem like fun.</p> <p>I have family that lives in northern Italy, and it would have been nice to see them!</p> <p>My husband said Milan is incredibly family friendly, but he didn't go anywhere south. I'd imagine Rome would be hard and boring. I know my toddler wouldn't care about the Vatican! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1206700 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 09:11:31 +0000 Adira 1206700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: I know!! I already told her I was going to drill her for all the details! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1206484 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 23:04:36 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1206484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: ask shopaholic... She did this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1206307 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 20:41:32 +0000 emahlee 1206307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We traveled with my then 10 month babe to France for three weeks and had a blast. We adhered to his schedule as much as we could. Lucas was on two naps then and we'd have a leisurely morning, either staying in or just taking a stroll at the farmer's market for croissants and cheese, until after his first morning. Lucas would nap in his stroller or carrier in the afternoon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1187278 Thu, 31 Oct 2013 07:55:03 +0000 regberadaisy 1187278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pinata: Gahhhhhh Omg jelly!!!!!! You have to hike the trail. When are you going? Hopefully it's open. There is a restaurant in Manarola over looking the Riviera that has the most amazing seafood antipasto we have ever had. And we consider ourselves to be amateur foodies.<br /> I will dig through my email and send you a link to this apartment rental site that rents out apartment in each of the villages. We had this awesome little apartment with a view of the Riomaggiore into the Riviera. It was so amazing. We were only there for two nights but if we stay longer I would have rented an apartment that has a a kitchen. </p> [attach=1325/13/mvjbbd.447x600.ct1.jpg] [attach=1325/13/mvjbbe.600x447.ct2.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1187205 Thu, 31 Oct 2013 07:28:58 +0000 Mrs. Pinata 1187205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: We're going to stop through CT on our way from Florence to Milan (where we fly out of on our way back). What do you recommend as "must sees/dos" and what would be a good place to stay? I can't believe we're going to Italy! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1187202 Thu, 31 Oct 2013 07:28:03 +0000 Mrs. Pinata 1187202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My SIL and her husband live in Italy for the year and we figured out how to make ff miles work so we can visit them in the spring. DS will be almost 2 at that point. Since we can only go for a week, we thought about the 24 hour travel day on the way there and a long one back, plus the 7 hour time difference and decided since we would want to SEE things, it would be best to leave DS at home with my parents, who are comfortable taking care of him. It's kind of terrifying to be away from him for (a total of) 8 nights! Eek! But, I think he will be better off staying in a comfortable environment and we'll be able to sight see without an over-tired toddler who has jet lag. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1186704 Wed, 30 Oct 2013 21:01:06 +0000 travelgirl1 1186704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Not really in Spain because of the siesta - everyone was going home to nap :happy: Also a lot of that trip was visiting family, not sight seeing. We had to go to a wedding though, which was a nightmare with A, because of the heat. Both trips I kept her on Eastern time, and honestly, it worked out great. We got up at noon and she ate dinner at about 10pm. I think you could totally do a sightseeing trip, but babywearing would probably be your best bet. I don't know which cities in Italy you're thinking of, but I imagine Venice, for example, would be a nightmare with a stroller. I've backpacked around Europe and if I imagine doing it with a LO in tow yes it would be a challenge and require a lot more planning but it's doable, for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1186286 Wed, 30 Oct 2013 19:08:07 +0000 sarac 1186286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tagged along on a work trip with my husband to New Orleans when my daughter was 20 months old. So, not international, but still, a big trip. I would not have planned this trip just for the sake of it. We had a lot of fun, but we'll save our real trips for when she's old enough to walk around on her own and to remember it.</p> <p>We had a wonderful, time, though. We spent all of our time just walking around exploring the French Quarter and the surrounding neighborhoods. My daughter sleeps well in her stroller, so that was easy. A major hassle was eating - eating three meals a day in fancy restaurants was not fun. We had little snacks in our room, but she was not hugely into them in general. We did love to raid the fruit bowl in the mornings. But I'd suggest getting a room with a mini fridge and trying to have milk and cereal for the mornings and simple sandwiches with fruit for lunch. Or whatever your equivalent is - just anything to cut down on the number of times you're asking your toddler to sit politely in a restaurant.</p> <p>I'd also suggest keeping plans fairly loose and unstructured. After a few days we were all kind of sick of the heat, the noise, the smells - everything. So we just bailed on our afternoon plans, went back to our room, and spent a few hours watching cartoons and eating snacks. It was really refreshing. If I'd had some big plan already set up or paid for, we might not have taken the break, and we'd probably all have been miserable by nighttime.</p> <p>Have fun! This was one of the funnest things we've done as a family. It showed me that my daughter is a great traveler IF she gets her needs for calm and downtime met. Same as me, really. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1186083 Wed, 30 Oct 2013 18:23:00 +0000 QueensBee 1186083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are also hoping to plan a European vacation when LO is around 15 months old! Of course, I have no tips or advice because we haven't done it yet, but this is our current plan...</p> <p>When we travel, we prefer to stay in countryside towns. Our favorite parts of traveling are food, wine, local culture, and scenery. So, we hope to rent a cottage or house off of VRBO.com and we will just relax there for a week or so. We hope to visit local restaurants, bakeries, vineyards, the farmer's market, go on some walks, visit other local towns, and take it easy. Personally, I would't want to be sightseeing crowded tourist attractions with a toddler. I'm sure it can be done but I want to relax on vacation. :happy: </p> <p>Ha, maybe we will see you and Xander in Italy! We could do a babysitting date night swap! :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1185865 Wed, 30 Oct 2013 17:14:28 +0000 chopsuey 1185865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a few opportunities to go to Europe in 2014. Dh wants us to all go, but I haven't decided if I wanna put myself through it. Dd will be 3 years old and DS will be 1.5. Will let you know how it goes if we go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1185802 Wed, 30 Oct 2013 16:52:45 +0000 wheres_c 1185802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we stayed with friends.<br /> LO was still in the nap in the car phase and we were driving around the english countryside, so that really worked for us.</p> <p>I agree that most European cities are not that stroller friendly. I had to carry lo in one hand, a bag in the other, and a stroller in my third hand for all the steps in the london underground.</p> <p>I think the italian cities might be challenging, but the coast or smaller towns would be doable. The Spanish coast or the South of France could work well too...</p> <p>Costa Brava and Costa Del Sol also Minorca, Majorca, Malta, Tenerife have some nice hotels with childcare....I remember making a ton of friends when I was about 4 at a kids club in Minorca and the South of France.<br /> They usualy hire British 20something ladies as their childcare and its a rigerous screening process. That would allow you some alone time too!</p> <p>My FI hasnt really seen Europe, I got preggo a few weeks after he became a citizen and got his passport.<br /> He would love to go to Paris or Italy, but I wont do those with LO....<br /> Our first family europe trip will probably be camping in a small town in Holland (Venlo/Baarlo) then taking a side trip to Fantasialand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1185306 Wed, 30 Oct 2013 14:40:39 +0000 looch 1185306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the most difficult part is the logistics of what you want to see. For example, the public transportation is rather simple to navigate, but when you want to go into the Colosseum, you might have to take your toddler out of the stroller. If they are napping, do you wake them up? Do you wait? IIRC, there are a lot of stairs, so you have to find a place to leave the stroller, and bring your bag, possibly carrying your child, etc etc. That's the stuff you have to be prepared for and also adaptable to!</p> <p>If you don't have a rigid schedule, I think anything is possible, but realistically, with my son and his schedule dependence, taking him somewhere like that is setting my son up to fail.</p> <p>So for now, we stick to things that are kid friendly. Another option is something like Europa-Park, if you've been to Disney, it is a total let down, but it could be fun, and it's in Germany. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/europe-vacation-with-a-toddler#post-1185270 Wed, 30 Oct 2013 14:32:48 +0000 lamariniere 1185270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in Europe with a toddler :-) and travel around quite a bit. I think it really depends on your expectations. The jet lag can be brutal, the last time we went back and forth between here and the US it took DS a full week to get on schedule. As for other logistics, I think it depends on what your travel style is...a few big cities, time in the countryside, if you do hotels or rent an apartment, how much site seeing you want to do, etc. Time of year can also be a factor. My son never really slept at all in his stroller, so we always had to go back to the hotel/apartment for naps, so we didn't get to see and do as much, but our expectations are also lower when we travel now. If you are looking at Italy, I have heard it is really kid friendly, so it's a good start. We haven't yet been with DS. </p>