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Traveling to Europe for 2 weeks w/ 4 yr old-opinions please

alrighthamiltonalrighthamilton member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+
Hello. I have the opportunity to travel to Prague and the surrounding areas, and to take a cruise of the Danube with stops in 2016. This will be a 14 day trip. My daughter will have just turned four at this time. Am I nuts to consider taking her? I won't go without her, and I would love for both of us to have this adventure. But right now, I can't imagine taking her anywhere (she'll be 2 in a few weeks). Just taking her to the museum yesterday was a disaster. She is my only child, and I'm pretty much clueless about kids. I have no idea if this trip with her is wise or not. We would be going with extended family and friends, a fairly large group which is why deposits are being taken soon. The only other "child" would be my 15 year old cousin. Thanks for any input.
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Re: Traveling to Europe for 2 weeks w/ 4 yr old-opinions please

  • Barefoot84Barefoot84 member
    Take her! It's the best gift you can give her. She'll love the experience. You might have to skip on certain activities so she can have some rest time, but it'll be worth it. Go go go!
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  • ashiscuteashiscute member
    I agree with Lala that you need to check with the company for the river cruise.  Some are not family friendly.  But what a great opportunity!
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  • alrighthamiltonalrighthamilton member
    Thanks for the encouragement. And for the advice on checking possible age restrictions for the river cruise-that would have never occurred to me. I don't know why I'm so intimated by traveling with her, but I think we will go on this trip and plan for a some shorter plane rides/trips leading up to it so she is more comfortable with a long trip.
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  • sschwegesschwege member
    We aren't leaving until September, but we are taking DS who will be 20 months (lap child) and DD who will be 4 years old to Ireland for two weeks.  So I definitely don't think your idea sounds nuts!  But I will let you know when we get back, haha!
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  • SunAndRainSunAndRain member

    Go!

    My friend is an expat with her 4 children ages 2-9. They travel Europe extensively.

    Prior to that they lived in Israel with 2, ages 2 and 5 and traveled extensively in the Middle East (Egypt, etc)

    I noticed that when I took my daughter to bustling NYC she was much calmer and was happy to sit in her stroller as I pushed her down the city blocks. I was nervous that she would fight to try to get out but I think she was just so busy taking everything in.

    Also, the first time I flew with DD as a toddler was more difficult that the four times I flew with her when she was an infant combined...and one of those trips was to Europe.  The second toddler trip was smooth sailing.  I believe on one hand she knew a bit more what to expect and on the other hand I was a bit more prepared for her level of activity (cause I certainly had enough stuff to keep her busy both times!).

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  • LSU628LSU628 member
    Do it! There is a HUGE difference between a 2 and a 4 year old. At 4 my daughter is pretty independent and can be trusted to do certain activities by herself. I just flew by myself this past week with the 2 kids and they did way better than I could have ever imagined. DD played with her Leap Pad and DS watched, colored, played with the brochures in the seat pocket or slept. The overwhelming white noise on the plane knocks both of my kids out. Will you be bringing a car seat on the flight for your LO? My kiddos tend to sleep better on the plane in their seat than on my lap or their own seat (DD). By 4 your LO will have memories and be able to remember the trip. Just make sure to plan things that your LO will enjoy and not just make the whole trip what the adults would enjoy and you should have an amazing time. I'm jealous!
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  • sarahandeddiejune212008sarahandeddiejune212008 member
    Yes! You'll be amazed at the difference 2 years will make. I think that sounds like an amazing adventure for the two of you.
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  • sunnyday016sunnyday016 member
    I would definitely take her! I know it is hard to imagine now, but she will be SO different when she is 4. 
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