do you have any tips for me (entertaining/packing/other)? We're going to Austria, Slovenia and Croatia in 2 weeks for 2 weeks. I've been reading some tips on tripadvisor.com but figured I'd ask here as well.
See if deliciousbaby.com has any reco's for those countries. I got great tips from that site when I took DD to Paris. Besides that, try to pack light and pick up what you need there if you can, unless you find things are much more expensive in those countries. That's what I've done for all our travels, with the exception of Cuba. .
Make sure your stroller is light weight and easy to fold if you are bringing one (to get in/out of cabs/subways, etc.). Better yet, if your kid still will ride in a carrier (like and Ergo), leave the stroller at home.
We took our 2 year old to the Netherlands, Croatia, and Finland last summer for three weeks. We didn't take a stroller at all (she wouldn't sit in one for more than 15 minutes), but we did take our Ergo. It was great, but just realize that most museums will make you check it when you go in.
Are you planning to take a travel crib? We bit the bullet and bought the Babybjorn travel crib light, and it was SO worth the money. We did have to check it, but it came through just fine.
We only brought a carry-on of clothes for each of us, but by staying in several places that had washing machines (we rented a few apartments and stayed w/relatives), it worked out great.
If your child isn't potty trained, we found out that pullups are WAY easier to deal with in cramped bathrooms/on planes. Though we didn't have any problems finding changing stations almost everywhere we went.
We had a great time in Croatia, though we only spent 4 days there, all in Dubrovnik. If you want to know more about that city, just ask.
Oh, and if you're taking a car seat on the plane for your LO and you plan on flying Croatia Air (or any of their domestic subsidiaries), I HIGHLY suggest you get their carseat policy in writing and take it with you. I had emailed customer support long before we left and thought everything was ok. I didn't print off the email though, and on our flight from Zagreb to Amsterdam, they wouldn't let us use the carseat OR even let her sit by herself in the seat *we paid for*. I had to hold her on my lab unrestrained for just over an hour. I was peeved.
PP had great tips. I just wanted to add some toys that we find really helpful when we travel. The best thing is toddler apps for the iPod or iPad -- there are lots of cute ones and they keep DS amused for hours! I always bring some new books and little toys and dole them out when needed (usually on the plane and at restaurants). Books that are interactive are great. One really good one is AlphaBugs (sorry, can't remember the author). It's not huge or heavy but it has tons of things to pull, open, etc. I've also found some great travel-sized puzzles that DS loves.
I also bring a few empty snack cups and a small set of plastic silverware. I keep them in my daypack. That way, we can run into a grocery store and grab a yogurt or some snacky food whenever DS gets hungry.
Re: xp: if you've been to Europe with a toddler
I find that when we are on the continent, it's good to bring a travel booster (we love our jeep bag/booster: https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Travel-Anywhere-Booster-Everyday/dp/B002IVTUVE) as a lot of restaurants do not have high chairs (I found Germany to be the biggest non-high chair country).
Make sure your stroller is light weight and easy to fold if you are bringing one (to get in/out of cabs/subways, etc.). Better yet, if your kid still will ride in a carrier (like and Ergo), leave the stroller at home.
I have NO tips since I've never even tried a domestic flight with DD. But, I wanted to wish you luck!!! Hope you have a great trip!
I think what the PPs said makes a lot of sense. Pack light, take your LO's favorites/soothing things so the transition will be smoother.
We took our 2 year old to the Netherlands, Croatia, and Finland last summer for three weeks. We didn't take a stroller at all (she wouldn't sit in one for more than 15 minutes), but we did take our Ergo. It was great, but just realize that most museums will make you check it when you go in.
Are you planning to take a travel crib? We bit the bullet and bought the Babybjorn travel crib light, and it was SO worth the money. We did have to check it, but it came through just fine.
We only brought a carry-on of clothes for each of us, but by staying in several places that had washing machines (we rented a few apartments and stayed w/relatives), it worked out great.
If your child isn't potty trained, we found out that pullups are WAY easier to deal with in cramped bathrooms/on planes. Though we didn't have any problems finding changing stations almost everywhere we went.
We had a great time in Croatia, though we only spent 4 days there, all in Dubrovnik. If you want to know more about that city, just ask.
Oh, and if you're taking a car seat on the plane for your LO and you plan on flying Croatia Air (or any of their domestic subsidiaries), I HIGHLY suggest you get their carseat policy in writing and take it with you. I had emailed customer support long before we left and thought everything was ok. I didn't print off the email though, and on our flight from Zagreb to Amsterdam, they wouldn't let us use the carseat OR even let her sit by herself in the seat *we paid for*. I had to hold her on my lab unrestrained for just over an hour. I was peeved.
Just something to think about.
PP had great tips. I just wanted to add some toys that we find really helpful when we travel. The best thing is toddler apps for the iPod or iPad -- there are lots of cute ones and they keep DS amused for hours! I always bring some new books and little toys and dole them out when needed (usually on the plane and at restaurants). Books that are interactive are great. One really good one is AlphaBugs (sorry, can't remember the author). It's not huge or heavy but it has tons of things to pull, open, etc. I've also found some great travel-sized puzzles that DS loves.
I also bring a few empty snack cups and a small set of plastic silverware. I keep them in my daypack. That way, we can run into a grocery store and grab a yogurt or some snacky food whenever DS gets hungry.