Looking for recommendations for first holiday abroad with baby

[MrsC]

Hi

We want to go on holiday this summer, and dont see why having our darling little one should stop us! (in fact, we cant wait to go on our first holiday together!)

What we do obviously need to do though, is find somewhere practical we could all enjoy.

He will be about 5 months old when we are looking to go. Im guessing self catering would be the best option, but clearly in an area where we can get around easily, but also enjoy the delights and local facilities of a regular holiday where possible as well (some sunshine/ pool/ little cafes/restaurants etc)

I know this isnt a travel agency website - and we will ask them- but we would really appreciate any tips from anyone who has actually stayed somewhere along these lines with their baby and would really recommend it!!???

Were not too paranoid about the flight but not wanting to tempt fate either- so the closer the better if anyone knows a good place in Spain, France etc were thinking that would be perfect

Thanks in advance :-)

Mrs C x

[womanofdulwich]

This is a brilliant time to travel with a baby and I would say go as far away as you dare, it is much harder when they are 1-3 years old.

But we went to Australia at this age as I could get more than 2 weeks holiday before going back to work and my partner negotiated extended leave.

I think it depends on where you have been before but Spain and Italy are great with babies.

enjoy.

[lorraineliyanage]

Turkey is a great place to travel with kids, it's very child-friendly there. If you want recommendations for places, PM me and I'll send you details. We went in May last year with out 6 month old. The flight is a manageable 4 hours

[Vickster]

Have a look at the website Baby Friendly Boltholes. Loads of great ideas both at home and abroad. We have personally been to Villa Pia in Umbria, and The Saints in Corfu (Terrace House) both of which were fantastic. Happy to answer any questions about either if they take your fancy.

We also went to South Africa last year at around Easter when my son had just turned one. Overnight flight with a bassinet meant it was very easy and negligible time difference makes it a good option.

[Fuschia]

All inclusive in Egypt... 5 1/2h away... had fab time with our 6yo and 7m old twins

[Bishberro]

If you're looking for something really easy then we went to Majorca when our son was 5 months old. May/June or September weather isn't too hot, short flight and he was young enough that he slept in his pram every night in restaurants while we had dinner. Would recommend Hotel Soller in Port de Soller or Hotel Melia in Cala D'or. To be honest at that age, you can get away with going anywhere you fancy as they're so portable and will just sit or sleep during the flight. Enjoy it while you can!

[njc97]

As everyone says, 5 months is a great age to travel. They sleep on the flight and you can take them out for dinner in a pram and let them sleep. We went to seville via malaga with our boy at about 5 months. He was perfect and we had a great time.

One question - why self-catering? Other than if you need to give him formula (and ended up taking loads of sma ready-mixed bottles, expensive but convenient).

[bonaome]

I'd recommend the Gran Melia Volcan in Lanzarote http://www.solmelia.com/hotels/spain/lanzarote/gran-melia-volcan-lanzarote/home.htm It's 5*, has access ramps everywhere so you never have to worry about buggy access, the rooms are big and have a kettle/fridge for sterilizing/keeping milk/formula/baby food. We got a portable steam sterilizer which worked well. They're happy to supply cot, baby baths etc. It's in Playa Blanca (a reasonably classy port) opposite the marina and there's shops, cafes and restaurants along the boardwalk - all buggy accessible. There's a couple of supermarkets which sell baby food etc. There's a beach and a more tacky resort nearby (10mins flat walk with the buggy) though the very little ones end not to mix brilliantly with sand - e.g. if crawling by the time you go. You can go independently, but its much easier and perhaps not much more to go package via the likes of Soverign http://bit.ly/dzv2Ex and I'm sure other package agents go too. Good facilities in the hotel, nice pools - including a false beach, nice bar etc. Hotel restaurants were expensive (but very good we were told) so we just put the little on in her buggy and headed off along the boardwalk each night - she slept through the lot most of the time. And when she didn't it didn't matter because it's Spain where children are actually regarded as a) a blessing and b) part of the community. So no snootiness / relucatance to accommodate her at all - lots of leaning into the pram and saying Hola and Que tal.

Check out Trip Advisor for anywhere you put on your shortlist (bear in mind some bad reviews can be as motivating a factor to go as some glowing ones when you check who's written them etc).

Finally - for the plane ride ... they can't equalise the pressure in their ears themseleves and it freaks them out, so they go nuts and scream the place down. Giving them a bottle / feed them milk helps as the sucking / swallowing motion helps the ear pressure to equalise.

[pommie]

greece, rhodes to be exact and place called Pefki Islands resort is lovely.

[Bobbaz]

Anywhere is fine I'd say at 5 months, but for ease I'd pick somewhere in Europe to keep the flight times down and I would base the decision on whether or not to go self catering on whether or not you're weaning your little one yet. If you need pureed food then self catering is definitely easier than say all-inclusive where you're limited to a buffet or having to eat only at certain times when the restaurant is open. When we took our baby away I would also buy sterilising tablets so you can just fill up a sink with cold water and drop a tablet in, so if you're just using bottles hotel or self catering is fine.