Travelling to Majorca with 7mth and 3yr old

[Fidgetsmum]

Off in 3 weeks. Double buggy would be MASSIVELY helpful out there as both children can nap. But has anyone taken there chunky old double buggies abroad? I keep hearing stories of buggies getting knackered by the baggage people. I could take a McLaren but it's just one seat, hardly reclines so really, not ideal.

Also, eating in restaurants - I'm guessing as they're family friendly, they'd have highchairs etc. I know, I know. It's only Majorca. But it's been a Looooooooong time since I left the house and engaged with normal society/went abroad since having kids and I just want my precious week away to NOT be filled with worries.

Any other advice on travelling to Majorca with my two little fidgets?

[BB100]

Double buggies are very impractacle in streets in Spain as many are very bumpy and narrow. We bought two cheap holiday buggies and we pushed one each. You might be ok in a complex with a double but you won't get very far outside with one.

It would also be helpful to take a spanish dictionary just in case you have to get medication. A doctor prescribed eye and ear dops for my children and I couldn't read the instructions. I nearly put ear drops in my sons eyes and he would now be blind if it wasn't for hubby stopping me in time. Most doctors in Majorca tend to speak perfect English though so that's not a worry. The medication in Spain tends to be more effective in Spain because they don't undergo the same regulations as here. So things like mozzie relief cream will have some steriod in it and so will give quicker relief than the rather weak stuff we get at home. You can also buy antibiotics over the counter without a prescription. Most of the Spanish use their pharmacies as their local GP so pharmacists ae very knowledgeable and helpful.

The shops are also filled with English branded products so you won't have a problem getting baby food, nappies, etc although they will be more expensive than Spanish brands. I don't remember the restaurants not having highchairs.

The only other thing I would definately recommend is to pay for excess waiver on the travel insurance. It can be agonising if the little ones get ill and you have to decide whether to pay ?50 for each child every time you call the doctor. If you have to visit the hospital try to avoid going during seista because that's when the locals tend to go and means a long wait.

Sorry for dwelling on the negative but those tips have proved invaluable to us when we go abroad with our little ones. Taking a few precautions ensures you'll have a great holiday.

[Fidgetsmum]

BB100. That's exactly the sort of advice I was hoping for. Thanks very much. Funnily enough, I just mentioned that perhaps we just get another cheap buggy (we already have a McLaren (basic model) and each push separately.

We also saw these pop up cabana things for the beach, which apparently people have used as an impromptu place for a nap for their kids.

[The Nappy Lady]

Hola from sunny Mallorca!

We are in Puerta Pollenca right now, it is very child friendly, plenty of high chairs & indulgent waiters! If you eat out fairly early 7.30 ish there are usually plenty of seats but it gets busy later so book your high chair in advance to avoid disappointment if planning on eating out later.

I always take my own medical kit with sachets of Calpol, throat spray etc so if any of us feel ill we can hopefully treat it right away even if it's a weekend. Every member of the family should have a European Health Insurance card - if you google you can get it on line for free. This entitles you to free medical treatment whilst away if needed - keep it with your passports & take with you if going to a doctor or hospital.

Spar here sells Cravendale milk which is the same as at home & keeps best in the hot climate. Spanish milk is best avoided we find!

Bring Sun Sense factor 50 for the children, it's 4 hours water resistant & brilliant - pharmacy on Northcross Rd sell it. It is really blistering here today so we are using UV suits on them too during the main part if the day.

As the previous poster said it's easy to get other stuff out here so don't worry too much. I do agree about the pavements & double buggys - 2 singles would be better for sure.

We have a wonderful friend, Spanish lifeguard who babysits for us if you are around Alcudia or Puerta Pollenca I can highly recommend her!

[The Nappy Lady]

It's our 5th year here in a row....you'll love it!

[BB100]

Yes buy sun cream at home as it is more expensive in spain. However, mozzie stuff is cheaper in spain. I usually buy a large spray of insect killer and a plug-in with tablets as soon as I get there.

The European Health insurance card is ok if you really have to go to the hospital but if you use your health insurance the doctor will usually come to your apartment which saves a lot of time and aggrevation.

[arrozdoce]

we've just come back from Pollenca, too, with our 7 mnth old and 3 yr old, and went to soller a couple of yrs ago ...am very jealous, would go back to majorca in an instant-- im sure you'll have a great time, they seem very geared to tourists, but not in a bad way.

Would agree about tiny streets for pushing buggies down...we took a maclaren and a ergo carrier...and just switched my 3 yr old into the buggy if she was wilting a bit or needed a nap.

I don't know if you formula feed, but formula there was sooo expensive there for some reason...should have taken a box in our luggage.

i don't really have much more useful advice, but have agreat time...im sure we'll be back there next year if all goes well.

[Fidgetsmum]

Yet again. The ladies of EDF have come up trumps. Thanks very much indeed for all the advice. Have started to relax already! Molly, I'll be in touch by PM if that's ok as weirdly, we're going to be staying just outside Pollenca! Just looking for restaurant recommendations I guess.

[BB100]

The best places to eat is often where the locals go. Don't ask the Spanish who work in the hotel because they will send you to the popular English places which won't necessarily offer the best food. Ask Spanish people who work in the local supermarket, etc where the best places they eat at. This system has never let me down. We always end up in some back street with the most delicious food at the cheapest prices.

[Fidgetsmum]

BB100 - that's exactly what we're looking for. A proper Spanish restaurant where the Spaniards go. Have asked on the forum if anyone has the Michel Thomas Learn Spanish course on CD that I could borrow - that'd help those supermarket conversations!

[The Nappy Lady]

Can recommend several fantastic restaurants, including one that has a children's play area - it's a joy.

I find there are really good options for the children too at the Spanish restaurants, lovely fresh fish, vegetables etc rather than some very poor choices at the regular tourist haunts.

Will post some later for you.

[Fidgetsmum]

Brilliant - thanks Molly. And thanks for the PM. About to respond.

[Polly D]

Nappies in Spain are much more expensive than here too.

[Fidgetsmum]

Ok. Thanks Polly D, I'll be packing as many as I can fit in then.

[BB100]

I was sent this by mumsnet which might be useful:

Setting off for the airport

So, first things first...

Find out in advance if the airport has a children's play area. EauRouge

Leave home earlier than you think you need to - there's nothing worse than being in a traffic jam and worrying that you'll miss your flight. As dull as airports are, it's better to be there early and be the first to check in than screeching up to parking like a bat out of hell and trying to drag small children at Usain-Bolt-speed through the terminal. Sidge

Bags and baggage

Travelling light? Not bloomin' likely with children in tow. But you can still travel smart...

Make your child take responsibility for their own toys and tat by carrying it in a rucksack. TastyMuffins

Get a backpack to use as your carry-on instead of a little wheely case, it's one less thing to carry. EauRouge

A Trunki is a must. When DD was smaller it was a godsend when she was tired or we needed to move fast. She sat on it and got pulled along. CoffeeIsMyFriend

You will end up carrying said Trunki and small child, instead of small child looking cute excitedly pulling Trunki. If they do pull it, they will take out plenty of other travellers' kneecaps/toes. cherub59

Little backpack each, much better. strandednomore

I don't trust car-hire child seats and like to bring my own, but if you haven't got a spare one just turn up at the airport with a strong binbag and a roll of parcel tape, and package up the car seat your child arrived in when you get to check in. CointreauVersial

Take only what you can carry yourselves in case you have to walk to the airport, take a train or bus, or something unexpected happens. LeMousquetaireAnonyme

Clothing and clobber

Mumsnetters won't leave home without...

Small blankets to sit on or wrap around. wigglesrock

Take twice as many nappies as you think you'll need. kittensliveupstairs

Keep spare clothes for the DC in a ziplock bag, that way the soiled/vomited on clothes can go in there after changing. mousymouse

Dress your children in a similar colour - easy to spot in the crowd (bright peach is unusual and very 'spotable'.) LeMousquetaireAnonyme

Calpol sachets are a mega-must. MissBetsyTrotwood

Dress small kids in pyjamas before overnight long-haul flights. TastyMuffins

Try to make sure the kids aren't wearing anything with metal, unless you like the idea of a two-year-old sparking off a security alert. ilovemydogandMrObama

Pack a favourite teddy - airports can be a bit scary for toddlers, so a little bit of home can help. EauRouge

Always shove a tutu, princess shoes and a fairy wand in the outside pocket of your suitcase. Invaluable when you're stuck for eight hours at an airport because of a hurricane and they've lost your other bags. Might not work if you have teenage boys. strandednomore

Pushchairs and slings

The distances inside airport terminals can seem interminable, so Mumsnetters say...

Airlines will now either let you take your pram to the gate and then unload it again at the arrival gate or have airport prams. Do check and take advantage of this, as babies get heavy being carried with so much walking around. ComradeJing

Take a baby in a baby carrier rather than a buggy. This can allow the baby to sleep as well as allowing you to negotiate steps and around other people if required. You can take it on the plane and won't have to worry about whether the buggy will be at the gate at the other end. Spoo

Get a sling or carrier for kids under two, as at some airports the pushchair is only returned with the luggage after you had to queue at immigration for an hour. mousymouse

Food and drink

Hungry, thirsty (or bored) little travellers? Mumsnetters recommend...

Take a picnic, and then more snacks for the plane. Remember you can't take much in the way of drinks through security, but take bottles to drink prior to security, then empty them and buy fluids airside if you need refills. Sidge

Get small, fiddly snacks to keep 'em occupied. mousymouse

Another vote for fiddly snacks - raisins kept DS amused for ages! Slugsandsnails

High-status snacks. Crisps less likely to send mine hyper. MissBetsyTrotwood

Reserve cartons of formula for the flight beforehand at the airside Boots, if there is one, pack sterile bottles, collect once past security. fraktious

Distraction and letting off steam

The waiting-for-your-gate part of the airport experience can drag on (and on, if your flight's delayed) so be prepared...

A portable DVD player is a godsend. MrsChemist

I take a netbook and headphones instead of portable DVD, as they can also play games, draw, feed Moshi Monsters when in range at the airport/hotel etc. befuzzled

Have a stack of pound coins for the 'machines' in the airport, eg the ones that sell the bouncy balls and Barbie tat. wigglesrock

I always take Crayola Colour Wonder pens and pads, they don't go on clothes just the paper - it is a brilliant invention. CoffeeIsMyFriend

Wrap any bribery-type stuff in wrapping paper with loads of sellotape to make it more exciting - and the whole fix last longer. MissBetsyTrotwood

Spend more on sticker books than you did on your entire holiday, it will make your journey easier! Eaurouge

Beach ball. Invaluable for tiring out kids at airport departure lounges so they'll sleep on long-haul flights. If everyone waiting to board your flight sees you exercising your kids they'll appreciate your efforts even if they don't sleep. But obviously not for use at the crowded departure gate or in the quiet corners where people are sleeping. TastyMuffins

Let the children run and unload their steam in the airport, not on the plane. LeMousquetaireAnonyme

Being willing to walk around for as long as their little legs will let them works well - hopefully, they will be tired out when they get on the plane and sleep! Sirzy

At last! Your gate is called

Cue mad scramble, but seasoned travellers say...

Don't head for your departure gate too early - there's naff-all to do and they can be quite a distance from toilets. But, conversely, don't leave it until they are calling for you by name to board as you won't be overly popular with the flight crew. Sidge

Board the plane last! There are no prizes for getting on first, all that happens is you are stuck in a confined space for an extra 30 minutes, when you could be at the gate letting them have that final run round. Georgieminx

Make a loo stop the last thing you do before boarding. StarlightMcKenzie

Remember some airports are massive, and you may need to get a bus to the plane. We stayed in the main departure area until the final call, only to find we were miles from the gate and ended up being driven out to the plane. Cue planeload of not-very-impressed passengers. northernruth

And finally...

Pack the children into the suitcases and just wear eight changes of clothes. It's a bit uncomfortable, but you don't notice so much after your fifth G&T. The rest of your stuff can fit into your hand luggage. babyheave

For more travelling-with-children tips, head to Mumsnet Travel. And please share your travel tips on Mumsnet Talk and holiday recommendations in Mumsnet Reviews.

[Fidgetsmum]

That's excellent! Better add all this to another list then....

[The Nappy Lady]

Hmmm, if flying with EasyJet I'd say head to the gate when the number comes up because;

It can be a long walk with small children (but good if they walk it as helps to wear them out)!

No seat allocations, but you will get priority - after Speedy Boarders, but before everyone else. Dont pay for sperry boarding if travelling with little ones as you don't need it. You want to be at the gate in time to board with all the other families though so you can make sure you are sitting together as a family. If you board late the airline are obliged to ensure a child is with a parent but you & hubby may get split up & you may find yourself sitting next to a hacked off person who has had to have a friend moved to make room for you & your child - not good!!

For your 3 year old, a film on your iPhone or iPad etc with over ear headphones could make for a lovely easy flight! Otherwise a holiday sticker or colouring book works well I find.

Get plenty of lollipops - the chuppa chuppa type. Hide them in a place you can get to them easily & only bring out as the plane speeds up for take off or starts descent for landing. Get children to suck as hard as they can - or bottle/breastfeed baby. It helps with painful ears a lot. Usually worse at landing than take off I find.

If you can manage a basic set of spare clothes for both children in your hand luggage it's helpful on the off chance they throw up etc. If travelling late then take PJs & change them on the plane or after landing so if they fall asleep on the way to your hotel/villa you can easily pop them into bed.

Equally, if arriving in the day put sun cream on them before you go & take swim gear in hand luggage, then 1 of you can whizz them off for a swim whilst other parent unpacks & gets sorted (this saves my life as I get nagged about going to the pool from the instant we arrive)!!

Xx