Tips & Tricks

Traveling Full Time while on Maternity Leave

February 10, 2018 by Christine Leger

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How can a Canadian travel full time while on Maternity Leave

Canada is one of many developed nations that pay their citizens to take time off and raise their babies.

It wasn’t long ago that society expected new moms to squirrel away in their homes, nesting and cuddling with the new baby until she emerged a year later, wise and ready to work. Times have changed and so has the idea of what to do while on maternity leave.

Taking your new baby on the road is no different than raising your baby at home; people will still judge you for every single move you make, you will never be able to make everyone happy, and baby will still cry in the middle of the night and sleep all day. All the gear needed to care for a baby in its first year of life can be reduced to the bare minimum when taking needs vs wants into consideration. Does the baby really need 20 different blankets? We have a whole section dedicated to babies and toddlers travel needs.

Travel is just parenting but with a prettier backdrop

How to finance a year of travel while on maternity leave; A little bit of background information.

Spain allows for 16 weeks leave at full pay with 1-year job security. It is a little more complicated in Germany (as most things are), but mothers are not allowed back to work until 8 weeks postpartum ( 12 weeks in cases of C-sections, multiple births or premature births) and is paid by the employer and must be at least the same amount of a 13-week wages average or of the last 3 months before pregnancy. In Norway, it is 46 weeks of parental leave at 100 percent of pay, or 56 weeks at 80 percent of pay. Up to 14 weeks of this leave can be taken by the father. Australia seems to be the simplest, as their maternity and paternity leave scheme is paid at the National Minimum Wage – currently $622.10 per week before tax.

While we are discussing specific Canadian policies, please take all advice as universal suggestions and modify them according to your nation’s timeline.

The basic rate for calculating Employment Insurance Maternity Benefits in Canada is 55% of your average weekly insurance earnings. In 2018, the maximum yearly insurance earnings are $51,700. Which means the average maternity leave on Ontario is $547 per week.

What does this all mean? It means that as long as you have worked 600 hours in the 12 months prior to having your baby, you can earn up to $547 per week while on maternity leave. Now, up to $28,444 is a far cry from your regular salary, it is a guaranteed income while you recover from birth and raise your baby for the first year. Canada is also toying with the idea of stretching this period to 18 months. This doesn’t mean you will earn more each month, just that your same annual earnings will also be stretched out; to the tune of 33% per month after the first 15 weeks.

Mom isn’t the only one able to take advantage of these benefits. After the first 15 weeks, it turns into Parental Leave. This is where Dad comes in. Mom can choose to split her time up with Dad throughout the year in whichever way works best for the family.

Consider what your pre-baby income actually pays for; Rent/mortgage payments and everything associated with that, plus car payments, food, and insurance. Take away the 2 largest forms of debt and you have more than enough spending money to travel the world, and comfortably too.

What to do you mean, take it away? I mean, sell your car. Sublet your apartment or rent out your house. Even if you aren’t making any real profits from these actions, you aren’t losing money, which still makes you a winner.

Families around the world are constantly writing about how they have sold everything and took the year off to travel. Imagine doing that, and still having a paycheck to fund your activities.

In this theoretical world, you make the maximum; $547 a week. This is $28,444 per year. Yes, that doesn’t sound like much, but you now have ZERO expenses outside of traveling.

Where to visit on your year of travel during Maternity Leave

Let’s not go too crazy here. There are a few countries that are expensive and your money will be gone in no time. Switzerland and England come to mind. For the purposes of generalities, I would discourage you from traveling too long in Europe, North American or Australia. And absolutely avoid it during high season, where accommodations and transportation have been known to double in price, in comparison to low season.

Now that we’ve covered where you can’t go, let’s mention a few places where you can go. For starters, South America is always a great place to visit. Africa, Asia, and Polynesia are also great continents to spend a year visiting. There is so much to see and do here, that your year will pass by in a heartbeat. These economies also tend to favor the Canadian (or American) dollar, in that your hard earned Maternity check will go that much further.

Stay safe, stay healthy

Research required vaccinations and age limits for those vaccinations. If a country has a malaria outbreak and your baby is too young to get the shot, maybe move that country to the bottom of this list, until it is safer for the whole family to visit.

Can’t wait? Children live and thrive all over the world. There are many natural, healthy ways to protect against many kinds of illnesses if you look hard enough. Do the research, talk to your doctor and know the science.

Try to visit a large city every once in a while and get frequent baby wellness checkups. Have adequate travel health insurance and a copy of the Canadian Immunization Booklet. Not all countries offer the same immunization timeline, so keeping track of the schedule you want them to follow is the best way to make sure everything is on track and nothing is skipped. I have asked many doctors and nurses, here in Germany and back in Canada, and they all agree; vaccination schedules are based on the perceived likeliness of contracting the illness or disease. These likelihoods differ around the world, hence the scheduling differences. There are very few vaccinations that are age sensitive.

10 great reasons to travel full time while on maternity leave

1 – Quality time as a family. Spending every waking hour for 365 days is a great way to reacquaint yourself with your partner, learn how to be a new family and just spend time together.

2 – Partner gets to bond with the child. Many fathers feel the pressure to stay at work, even when they are entitled to time off to be with the new baby. By taking a year’s sabbatical, both parents get to have equal access to the child. They both can create and nurture a bond that will last a lifetime.

3 – When else will you get this much time off again. While most employers only give 2-3 weeks vacation paid per year, this is literally the only time you will ever get 52 weeks off.

4 – In a perfect world, being exclusively breastfed is the best way to travel with a newborn. This is due to the amount of immunity they get from the milk as well as the reduced risk of water/food contamination.

5 – Travel before they cost a fortune. Most accommodations and attractions start charging at the age of 3. Flights require children to have their own seats at age 2. By traveling within their first year, you are greatly reducing the cost of just about everything you do. They are practically free.

6 – Travel before they become mobile. Once the children are mobile, they will want to explore on their own and have opinions on your traveling style. Traveling while on maternity leave guarantees your baby will immobile.

7 – You aren’t buying nearly as much “stuff”. This is for many reasons, mostly because there is nowhere to put it, but also, this is when #adulting starts to come in. You are less likely to spend money on “useless” consumables like beer/wine or spa treatments. Always have a budget “useful” beer and wine though.

8 – Once mortgages and cars are taken care of, traveling for a year may actually be the cheaper option.

9 – The photos will be so adorable, you’ll want to cry. You should be warned though, this isn’t how one makes friends on Facebook. Set up an Instagram account for your travels and give it to your kid when they are older.

10 – Most important reason of all … no household chores! Hotels, apartments, home shares, any accommodation style you choose, will have some sort of housekeeping option. What I wouldn’t give to be free of cleaning my toilets every weekend.

Still don’t believe it can be done? Check out this news article about a London nurse that did just that.

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Child’s Guide to Surviving Flying with Parents

January 28, 2018 by Christine Leger

Navigating Flying with Parents

Hey, kids. Are you flying with parents or other nutty family members? This is your guide to surviving, and maybe enjoying “Travels with Parents”.

This guide explores what YOU, the traveling kids, can do that will help you bring the fun stuff your parents will forget to remind you to bring, after all, they are forgetful. No?

Are they going to remember to pack your favorite game? You aren’t going to make it easy on them by just telling them which game. No no. You need to make them sweat from the day they planned this family vacation, to the moment you all land on that tarmac and arrive at your destination.

Here are 6 ways you can help your parents fly with dignity:

Choosing a flight

Whether it be Mom or Dad, there is always that one parent that takes it too far with the budget travel. Help keep that cheapskate far far away from the family travel booking department. You want a flight that benefits you and your ability to either run through the airport fueled by sugar or get your beauty sleep just about anywhere, you are a growing young person. Who wants to wake up for a 3 am flight. Flights during nap time or just before bedtime, now that’s more like it. I don’t want my snack schedule messed up.

Ask mom for all your kid freebies, airlines love to give kids free things… like free seat assignments and carry-ons. I can never have too many carry-ons of toys, books, and airport snacks.

Getting comfy on the plane | Seats to Pick

While the seats with no one in front of them have more leg room, I can’t kick anyone, and the armrest doesn’t rise out of the way, so I can’t fight my sister for them, so that won’t work for me. On the other hand, that bassinet baby sitting next to me is probably going to cry when turbulence arrives and it will probably wake me up each and every time.

The middle and window seats are a must. I have to sit in the window, or the middle, or the window. #sorrynotsorry Either way, I’m going to need to pee a hundred times in the next two hours and you’re going to have to get up each time to let me out. Sister will probably have to go toilet too, just not at the same time. #peepeehappens

I know you’re probably going to put my seatbelt back on while I am sleeping, but can we just pretend you aren’t, just for a few minutes. That thing drives me crazy and I can’t turn and whip around like I want to. Speaking of comfortable, I am going to need a few extra pillows. I know what you’re going to say, I am just going to throw them on the floor in the end and probably will never use them, but maybe I will. Maybe, I will use them to keep my arms up and cushion me from the hard armrest. You never know.

Eating and Drinking well | Flying with Parents

Keep it Clean

I don’t know how, or why, but my hands and face will become so sticky and dirty by the time I am ready to sleep, you will wish you brought more wipes. Maybe it was all those snacks that you didn’t see me eating. Or the markers that sister was sucking on while you were drinking your grape-juice, but it’s all over our hands now and I don’t want to mess up my clean clothes. Wait, sister was sucking on markers! I need to yell it as loud as I can so everyone knows, especially the people sleeping!

That cookie on my face? I’m saving it for later

I know you said I’m having a big kid meal like the grown-ups, and normally I would jump at the chance to eat chicken because it’s my favorite thing ever… but that other kid’s Macaroni and Cheese looks even better. Yes, I have never tried it before, and yes I hear you, it’s full of sugar and garbage that I don’t need before bedtime, but come on!! He has one, why can’t I? What do you mean they didn’t bring enough on board? You did register me as a child, didn’t you? So what’s the problem, can’t they count? Oh, I see. They can’t. Ok fair enough, chicken it is then. The dessert is going to be awesome right!? Dessert!!!!??

By the way, I am going to be so hungry and thirsty on this flight, that I am going to go through all of the snacks you packed for me, in about half as much time as you predicted. I don’t know if it’s the dry air or the sheer boredom of it all, but I am getting HANGRY!

This is probably the time where you lay off the grape-juice, mom. You’ve already had two and it’s only been an hour. And I’m definitely gonna be in trouble for making a childhood empty threat of violence, and the “Your stupid” remark. I love you.

Keeping me Sane | OR | Keeping me Less Insane

How exactly are you going to shut me up, keep me calm and respectful in this giant tin can full of strangers? Flying with Parents is hard. They must not sleep because I don’t want them to. I want to watch a movie, thumb through a few of my favorite books, get new stickers and toys for being such a great little helper when my sister tossed her plate across the aisle (true story), we are going to sing a bunch of songs – most of which you don’t know but mindreading is a real thing and I expect you to figure it out quickly.

Going for walks and looking out the window is great too, I guess. I’m not a fan of the way some people are looking at me though. It’s not my fault I’m so damn cute. Wait, WHAT DO YOU MEAN I’M LOUD, I AM NOT LOUD!!!?

Maybe a few toys can help? Check out Best Travel Toys and Airplane Activities for Babies & Toddlers

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How To Find Cheap Accommodations For Families

January 24, 2018 by Christine Leger

How to find and book cheap accommodations. Whether you are alone or with your family, you don't want to pay more than you need to. Find 30 tips to get the best value hotel possible.

Traveling with kids is not always about finding the cheapest deals, but getting the BEST VALUE for your money. There are a few steps to finding the cheapest accommodations, and it isn’t always finding the first hotel with the lowest price.

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Best Packing Tips More Organized + Less Stressed

December 17, 2017 by Christine Leger

How to organize your luggage for travel

Travelling can be stressful when you feel like you’re living out of a suitcase. Packing strategies for travel can seem simple on paper, but once it comes time to implement, it can seem a little daunting. Attempting to fit a 10-day vacation’s worth of clothes and travel essentials for a family of 4 into a single suitcase sounds crazy but is 100% possible. These are my best packing tips to feel more organized + less stressed.

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Organized packing for travel / Best packing tips

These are the actual tips we use to pack my suitcase and how we only pack a single suitcase for the family when we travel.

1. PACKING CUBES

Packing cubes have changed my life! We use them for clothing organization and storage. They save so much space and keep me organized! This way you can pack MORE clothes in smaller spaces!

Our go-to secret best way to pack a suitcase for 2 weeks with the family is definitely in the packing cubes. Considering there will be a laundry day somewhere during our trip, this means we need a minimum of 5 days worth of clothing, plus PJ’s and swim gear. Each child gets their own cube, Medium size, and this is exactly the right amount of space for their little clothes. Adults get two cubes each; a large cube for bottoms and a medium cube for tops. We have a collective Toiletry bag, a small packing cube for all of our swim clothes and another small cube for all electronic cables.

The packing cubes we have tried and continue to use – Best Packing Cubes

The best way to pack pants is to roll neatly into their own packing cube. This way, you aren’t likely to get wrinkles in the wrong places from folding them incorrectly. If the cube is packing properly and inserted into the suitcase correctly, the cube should hold it’s shape and trousers will unroll and look the same as they went in – neatly pressed and wrinkle-free.

2. COMPARTMENTS

We use smaller bags to separate the rest of our suitcase. If your packing cubes don’t come with small cubes, they can easily be found at any drug store or Walmart/Target. These are the ones we use, they are from Amazon and are technically called Shaving Kits – anything else costs twice as much and have AWFUL designs on them.

This saves time and space! You can pack more into the smaller bags and fit them into the little crevasses in the suitcase. Also, your bags will be that much more organized when you are going through TSA.

3. GROUP BY FUNCTION

We separate the compartments by function. We have a bag just for medication, a bag for toiletries, a bag for swimwear, a bag for my technology [phone charger, camera, USB cords, etc]. This way I ALWAYS know where everything is and I’m never searching in my suitcase.

This way, if we are hotel hoping, I can easily pack a different cube for each hotel instead of per person, and therefore eliminate how many cubes get opened per night. If there was more than one suitcase, grouping by function also helps organize the car before anything gets unpacked and brought up to the hotel.

4. MAXIMIZE YOUR PERSONAL ITEM

You’re allowed a carry on and a personal item, but this doesn’t have to be just a purse. You can actually bring a duffel bag as your personal item which gives you WAY more space to pack into!

The children have their own backpack and it holds anything they might need on the plane, airport and car ride.

My backpack holds a book, tablet, headphones, wallet and travel documents. If I am feeling particularly productive, I might pack my laptop into my bag or my carry-on. My actual purse is either collapsed into my suitcase or folded up into the front pocket of my carry-on.

5. PURSE INCEPTION

When the kids were younger and I needed a diaper bag, plus my personal item, and my computer, I needed a special way to bring it all on the plane with me that didn’t require someone to grow another set of arms. I realize that babies are allowed a diaper bag at no extra charge, even when they are lap-babies but just because you can bring a bag, doesn’t mean you should.

This is when “purse inception” comes into play. I pack my smaller purse inside of my duffel bag and then I will fill that purse as well. My duffel has what I actually want on me during the flight- a phone charger, headphones etc- plus any diaper bag needs for the baby, and a change of clothes for the both of us.

Don’t think mom needs a change of clothes? When the baby has a blow-out 20 minutes into a 2-hour flight, you will think differently. I had never thought of this before and was thankful that I made the last minute decision to add it to my bag because it was definitely a life-saver.

6. PACK AN EMPTY BAG

I did this when I flew with the kids to Canada and I knew I would be coming back with a lot of shopping. This can be done either by only filling your suitcase halfway or packing everything into a carry-on suitcase and placing that into your regular check-in bag.

We will also pack an empty bag (like a beach bag) on top of the stuff in the suitcase. This way you can have this bag to use during your trip!

7. PACK OUTFITS NOT OPTIONS

Definitely, the best way to pack a suitcase to save space is to pack outfits, and not options. We tend to want to pack options during a trip, but this takes up so much room in your suitcase! I pack specific outfits and then I’ll also pack an extra outfit or two for in case I want to feel more comfortable or the kids force me to change early (even parents need a spare change of clothes).

This is also how I pack the children’s clothes – match tops with bottoms for the first 5 days, and make sure they at least go with each other for after laundry day.

8. STICK TO A COLOR PALETTE

Sticking to a colour palette ensures that you can wear more of your pieces together. You can bring less when everything matches! Our bottoms are usually blue or grey jeans, and a fun/patterned top. Our shoes always match our bottoms and tops can easily mix and match with any bottoms we bring.

Since the children prefer sweaters when the weather turns chilly, we don’t have to worry about mismatching. Myself, however, I prefer cardigans and thus I have to watch carefully which shirt I match with which cardigan. This makes the packing process a little longer but then I know my two cardigans will go with any top I choose to wear that day.

9. WEAR YOUR HEAVIEST LAYERS

We wear the heaviest layers in transit, things I know we will want to have during the trip but take up a ton of room in the suitcase. A sweater, boots and travel pants in the car, jacket on your lap to act as a blanket should the driver lower the temperature (never wear a puffy coat under your seatbelt. It’s a matter of safety, not just comfort).

Flights also tend to be cold so this is perfect for what to wear on a flight! Boots, during winter travel, tend to be easier to take on and off for TSA as well as during the flight, so I prefer this option as well.

10. ELIMINATE WHAT YOU CAN

I tend to plan my looks to be similar and I am not a very high maintenance person anyways. Depending on the location, I may pack a hair straightener but for the most part, I travel in a ponytail, as so does my daughter.

I won’t pack a blow dryer because hotels have one, same with baby diapers – pack enough for the first few days and buy a pack after arriving. Amazon can even deliver items to your hotel room. Try to eliminate what you can!

Sometimes I bring my computer so I can write and edit while travelling but I also look at the amount of time I have available to do these things. If we are planning on having long days, without any breaks in the middle, I won’t bother bringing the laptop since I know it will never be used. Instead, I bring a spare SD card in case mine gets full or I buy one while on vacation.

Travel tip: Know where you can replace any gear that gets lost or stolen. Have an idea of which stores carry which items and specs you need – or have them written down. Know which stores carry your brand of diapers and/or baby food, as well as anything else you plan on needing while on vacation

How to Plan a Toddler Friendly Itinerary

December 6, 2017 by Christine Leger

There are a lot of things to considering when creating a family itinerary with little ones in mind. How much time will you be at each destination, what are the day to day plans, and how will you get to and from each attraction? Keeping itineraries simple and logistically easy. This is relevant for all families travelling to Europe, not just those with kids in tow. Check out our tips for creating a toddler-friendly itinerary.

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Time Frame

Slow down

The most important rule about travelling with the kids, and the first one that all burnt-out parents forget, is to slow down. Kids are small, sensitive little humans and can get overwhelmed very easily. Lower the expectations of the day’s itinerary and you will be pleasantly surprised by how much better they behave.

Move less, stay longer

If it’s your first trip to Europe with kids, “most popular” is a good thing. Destinations that see plenty of tourists have the infrastructure for families and this means more choice in terms of both accommodations and activities.

Keep the itinerary simple with as few accommodation changes as possible. One of the challenges of travelling with young kids is that they need so much stuff — don’t exacerbate the issue by having to repack and move all time.

Plan on spending at least 2-3 nights in any single location. The beauty of day trips is not lost on the children.

Select Accommodations Wisely

Consider if you really need separate sleeping areas, a kitchen, and central location, because this all comes with a price. Knowing what you need in an accommodation will greatly reduce the stress once it comes down to actually searching for it. Just like buying a house, know what you NEED vs what you WANT, and decide how much are you willing to pay for it.

Downtime

The children can be easily burnt out with all of the day-to-day activities. Having a day scheduled just for kids activities, or relaxing by the beach/pool, can be enough to recharge their batteries and complete the rest of the vacation.

Mom and Dad can always use a relaxing day as well; take our trip to the French Riviera for example. We visited for 7 days and we alternated between beach days and day trips. They knew what to expect and behaved accordingly.

How long on the road

How long you are “on the road” encompasses a few factors; how long you will be physically travelling in order to reach your destination, how long will you be out of the hotel each day, and how much time will you be travelling all together?

Crossing a large number of time zones, like you would when travelling from North America to Europe, you will want to make the pain and suffering of Jet Lag worth it, so anything short of 10 days is not recommended.

Know what your children are able to comfortably handle on a daily basis, as well as how long can they stay still in the car, train or airplane, before needing a break to stretch their legs.

Plan a route

Flexibility

Having a flexible schedule means the kids will be more at ease, and therefore you will be more relaxed while travelling. If attractions are not date or time sensitive, have a more “play it by ear” schedule.

Take our trip to Hamburg, for example. We had a bucket list of places and activities that we wanted to see. According to Google Maps, we had a rough estimate of how long each would take to accomplish successfully. Keeping this “guestimate” in mind, we scheduled approximate times that we would aim to arrive and leave that attraction. Accounting for meal breaks, walking distance and scheduled play time, we had our 12 hour day planned out. Some attractions were done early, and others were done later. We also took our priorities into consideration and made sure our MUST visits were earlier in the trip, with a healthy mix of Mom/Dad activities mixed in with kid-centered activities to keep them focused and agreeable. Flexible yet scheduled.

Flight/Train times

From home to the next major gateway airport – London, Berlin, Amsterdam – consider making this your first stop in Europe. Afterwards, use budget transit like local airlines (Ryan Air) or trains to reach the final destination. Keep an eye on luggage policies and transfers.

Also, when booking transportation as opposed self-driving, it is important to mind the time of day that you will be travelling. Is it during nap time? Will they eat the provided meals or do you need to pack a special dinner? Will it be busy at the airport/station and therefore require more time to get through security

No plans on travel days

Travel day will be the worst day of everyone’s vacation. Emotions are high, tempers are short and everyone is exhausted. Simply plan to arrive in one piece and everything else is gravy. Go to the pool, walk around the town looking for treats and just relax. There will be plenty of time to explore in the morning.

Also, things can and will go wrong when too much is planned. If there is traffic along the highway, someone forgets their lovey on the table and you need to turn back 2 hours to retrieve it (this may or may not be based on a real-life experience) and everything in between.

Our motto; Plan for the worse and hope for the best. Don’t have any promises and no one can be disappointed.

Research and have a plan B

Research research research. Know everything there is to offer on every street corner. Locate every eatery near and around your attractions and know where you can buy last minute kids supplies (like snacks or diapers). Once you have researched everything you think you may need to know about your destination, karma will treat you well and everything will go perfectly. And if it doesn’t, it still won’t feel like an emergency because you are prepared for it.

Having a plan B works the same way. If an attraction suddenly is closed today, move on like it was never a problem. Have a little speech ready to give the kids in case they are disappointed but only make promises you are in control of. If the beach is closed is because a dignitary is visiting last minute (it happens), then find another beach or public pool or something else they are equally excited about.

Manage own stress

Once you have managed your own stress, the children will be more likely to follow suit. Remember, they are only mimicking what they see in you. Take a breath, bring some wine, have a little alone time, whatever you need to become and remain calm.

Day to day itinerary

Prepare

Make note of every attraction open and close time, special free days (avoid those like the plague – it will be packed with tourists and locals), as well as travel time from each location to the next.

Prepare your day bag and the children’s bag well in advance and try not to take anything out of it before the big day. Read up on what is needed for each destination if they differ – beach to city touring to a hike in the woods. For a location-specific packing list, check out our products and packing lists here.

Activities based on kids’ mood

If your kids are like mine, they like hands-on and dislike anything quiet. They like museums only if they can have an audio guide and spend most of their time either finding the next station or reiterating what the guide told them (at least now I don’t have to rent my own). We know this, so we aren’t going to plan anything expecting a different result.

Our kids, daughter especially, hate Disney Princesses. When we go to Disneyland Paris, we avoid character greetings and stick to character meals instead. We get to see characters, kids don’t need to waste their time in line and they need to eat anyway so why not.

Prioritize activities, especially when short on time

Have your list of MUST see and WANT to see. Schedule your must’s earlier in the vacation and hope you will have time for your wants. Sometimes activities need to be moved from Day 1 to Day 2, and maybe even to Day 3. By scheduling your priorities first, you lessen the risk missing them.

Don’t expect too much focus or concentration

Keep museums are short and sweet and don’t expect too much from the kids. Especially while small, they have a mind of their own and are not always cooperative.

Plan naptime and make the most of it

If a museum or other non-kid attraction is on your bucket list, visit them when you will get the most out of it. Nap times are the perfect time to visit quiet and “boring” places. Not all of these will be stroller friendly but a baby carrier can more than compensate for this problem.

Plan to Buy Supplies in Europe

Many travellers with kids agree, don’t pack more than you need and save that space for more important items. Diapers and formula are important, but kids live at your destination. They need to buy supplies somewhere. Pack enough supplies to last the first few days, enough to get your barrings, and plan on replenishing once you get there.

Decide on Stroller vs Carrier

Research your destination and determine if it is stroller friendly. Technically, all locations are stroller friendly, just like everything is “walking distance” but what are you willing to do in order to get your stroller down into the Metro station. Will your umbrella stroller survive the cobblestone sidewalks? Check out our guide on best travel strollers for families in Europe and see if what you own will survive the journey.

If you don’t own a stroller, what kind of carrier will you be bringing? Can it handle the 10 hour days? Will you be able to take the child out easily and by yourself? Can your back handle carrying the child for that long? There is much to decide and only you can make that choice for your family.

Plan meal times and locations

These things take time from your day, and the kids will always want to add their opinion. If you decide beforehand, checking out the menu options and know that there is something there for everyone, then the kids will not have a choice. “We are going here for lunch” statements, instead of “Do you think this is a good restaurant for us?”.

Make time to play

In between all of the attractions, events, and restaurants, make sure there is time for the kids to just be kids.

While we were in Strasbourg, on our walk from one location to another, we ran into a nice gentleman with a bubble station ( I want to call him a panhandler, because he was accepting money for his “services” and was selling his bubble sticks on site). We took the time to let the kids play in the bubbles, and even make a few of their own, before continuing on our walk. They enjoyed the break and would have caused a major fight if we walked past and didn’t stop.

From Hamburg, not Strasbourg, but you get the idea

Expect meltdowns

Meltdowns always happen. Sometimes you can see them coming and sometimes they just come out of nowhere. Some would like to say it’s because parents aren’t listening to the needs of their children and allowed the chaos to build to this point, and others (like myself) would say sh&% just happens and you can’t always see the trigger until after the fact.

Have a plan between parents on how to deal with meltdowns. Who is leaving the attraction to deal with the child and who will stay inside with the remaining children, or will everyone leave?

Give the children a way to communicate their stress and give them ways to cope with it. Travel itself is stressful but it needs to be done in order to reach the destination, let them know what to expect and come up with activities to distract them from the stress before it becomes a tantrum ( we like to call these distractivities, ’cause I’m clever that way).

Alone time?

Just because the kids are in bed at 7 pm doesn’t need you to need to be too. Alone time is a perfect way to calm oneself, discuss the days to come and the days passed, with your partner, and just relax with a glass of wine.

There is also the chance that one parent, or both, want to visit something that just isn’t suitable for children. Have a plan to switch “babysitting duty” or hire someone to watch the kids while both parents have a little alone time in the city. There are plenty of sitters available that will meet you at your hotel to watch them while they sleep (though I suggest you warn the children of the switch beforehand and install a nanny-cam, you never know). Join a local toddler group on facebook and ask for plenty of reviews before making the final choice.

Some cities even have a drop in daycare or day camp option for the slightly older children. This can give parents a few hours of peace before picking them up. Travelling with another family or extended family can have its benefits this way as well.

When we were in Berlin, my parents and my sisters family joined us. It was just a quick 20-minute walk to the bank, but those 20 minutes were the quietest and most relaxed 20 minutes that hubby and I experienced since moving to Germany 2 years prior. Or when I travel with my mom and she watches them while I go down the street to order dinner. It’s the little things that count, and they are always appreciated.

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For more toddler-friendly tips and tricks for surviving vacation and travelling, check out our page Tips and Tricks.

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Tips for Traveling in Europe with Kids

December 1, 2017 by Christine Leger

Kids have a mind of their own on the best of days. Planning a successful vacation with the children doesn’t have to be painful or expensive when their needs are taken into consideration and certain accommodations are made. Speaking from years of experience, here are some great tips on how to successfully travel in Europe with kids

Traveling in Europe with Kids

Traveling in Europe with kids isn’t like traveling in Asia or in North America. There are a ton of things to do, right next to each other, and it can be overwhelming at times. Making a “battle plan” for the day’s activities is the best way to keep nerves calm, see what you want to see and save time/money at the same time. Here are our tips for traveling in Europe with kids.

Slow is best.

Take your time in each location. Going too fast only adds to the kids’ burn out and overstimulation. Try not to visit too much in one day; Google locations has a great little review section where people mention how much time they have spent or would recommend you allocate to each activity/experience. Take these into consideration.

Plan downtime

Plan a few things just for the kids, either by visiting a kids’ museum or visiting a playground. This is when the kids get to blow off some pent-up energy and just be themselves. You will soon find that the more you allow them to do, the more willing they are behave while fulfilling mommy and daddy’s bucket list.

Don’t always go to the cities

Not every vacation needs to be in a large city. While we have done our fair share of city-scaping, taking time to explore the countryside also has its benefits. A nice resort on the beach, hiking the trails or skiing with the family; there is something for everyone.

They will be jetlagged for a few days.

Don’t plan too much for the first day or two. Learn more about how to deal with jetlag by clicking here.

Bring your own snacks

Having a little bit of home not only reduces costs while on vacation but lower the children’s anxiety. While in a strange place, with strange sights and sounds, having that familiar snack can ease their nerves and settle them down just long enough to accomplish a task or two.

Budget airlines are not always the best option

While finding the best deal on a flight around the world sounds like the greatest accomplishment of your planning stage, there are unforeseen drawbacks to saving money. The departure times and layover lengths, for example, may get the vacation going on a rough start. Do they provide in-flight entertainment and are drinks provided? The devil is in the details.

Check-in online

Checking in online means you don’t have to wait in the drawn-out queue at the airport to print your boarding passes and drop off your bags. Going Carry-on only? Even better, no lines for you today.

Also, checking in online means you can choose your families seats and ensure you are all together and in an area of the plan that you feel most comfortable. We don’t want to be too far away from the toilets, or too close either.

1 checked bag per family

This both saves money and a headache. Most budget airlines allow guests to purchase carryon only seats and add a number of checked bags to the reservation. By booking this way, you can have your 4 seats, and only one checked bag.

The headache comes from waiting at the carousel for your luggage and lugging them around the city and to your hotel. By only having one checked bag, you alleviate that stressor. Now one parent can focus on the children and the other on the bag, instead of both parents pulling double duty.

Carry-on only when you have kids that can help

For every child that is capable of pulling their own carry-on bag without assistance, for the duration of the journey, they should be allowed to do so. This will help lower the cost of checked bags, as well as free mom and dad’s hands for more important things, like duty-free packages.

Taking the train? Carry-on only

The storage compartments in trains are not the largest, and they do not hold much. The overhead bins, on the other hand, are made to hold a carry-on suitcase and can fit just about one piece per seat. This has the added advantage of never being too far away from its owners, making theft or damage less likely (though never impossible)

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a life saver. Having everyone’s clothes neatly divided into cubes means no more rummaging and giant messes in the suitcase. One can also easily transfer the contents from the suitcase to the hotel dressers easily.

Go from this…

to this

Use a stroller that is small and compact, but durable

Not all strollers were created equally. Some are made for day to day activities, some for less active families and even others for more off-roading needs. A compact, flat, durable stroller can be hard to find, and even harder on a tight budget but we have never regretted getting a proper travel stroller. The smaller and more compact, the less likely of it being damaged in transit, and will also fit in your hotel room that much better.

Baby carrier

When all else fails, have a baby/toddler carrier. Not all buildings are meant to allow strollers and even less have free, guarded stroller parking. If the stroller needs to be left at home, or in the hotel room, having a backup to managing the little ones is imperative.

Refillable water bottle

Instead of buying a new bottle each day, simply purchase a good, possibly collapsible water bottle and refill it in the hotel room each morning.

Cities like Zurich and Rome have perfect tasting drinking water, free of charge, right from the town’s fountains. Don’t be caught buying water when you don’t have to.

Traveling in Europe by Train with kids

Traveling Europe by train is the easiest and fastest way to get from one major city to another. And a quick transfer can get you to those more remote locations with just as much ease. Train travel means you don’t have to worry about cramped spaces, bathroom breaks or nap time – everything is at your disposal. There are, however, a few considerations and planning procedures that need to be taken before embarking on such a scheduled adventure.

Seat reservations

Get seats in the compartment or near the door to keep an eye on the luggage. Furthermore, the earlier you book, the cheaper they are. Just like airline tickets, everything is based on supply and demand, and prices get increasingly more expensive the closer you get to your travel date. Seats also become increasingly harder to find, in a group.

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Bring your own snacks

This goes back to my earlier point of cutting cost and having comfort food for the kids. Being prepared for the unexpected delay also serves as a reason to at least stash a few snacks for a “rainy day”.

Stations are not all stroller friendly

While Europe is chock full of train stations, very few of them are stroller or handicap friendly. They will have the odd freight elevator but when multiple platforms are common in the larger cities, or tunnels that run under the train tracks in remote locations, lugging a stroller on your own is not comfortable and not always practical. Know which stations and platforms are accessible and plan accordingly.

Activities and headphone splitters

Have a few activities in your proverbial back pocket to keep the little ones happy. Be it colouring books, a game of tic tac toe or even a pack of stickers, anything to keep them happy for just a few minutes longer.

As for the headphone splitters, sometimes technology fails us and the kids need to share. A pair of headphone splitters will help settle most arguments – once they have decided what to watch, of course.

While tablets and iPods can only pair with one set of Bluetooth headphones, there are a few brands out there that allow their headphones to be converted to wired headphones, then attached to a headphone splitter. Our personal favorite is the Kidz gear Bluetooth headphones – they come with a set of AUX cables so you don’t need to buy anything extra.

Getting around in Cities in Europe with kids

Once you have arrived, it is time to find your hotel and get out into the city. City vacations are different than “off the beaten path” vacations. There are significantly more people around you, making transit and travel time a real concern, as well as distances needing covering in order to reach each activity/attraction. These tips are for getting around in cities in Europe with kids.

Taxi from hotel to airport

The majority of international airports aren’t actually within the city limits. Taking public transit may be the cheapest form of transportation, but it could be the longest option. Take into consideration how the kids are feeling after the journey, how you are feeling, and how will everyone manage the luggage and personal security while in transit. While a taxi isn’t the most economical choice, it may be your best choice. Check your options before heading out so you know what to expect when arriving.

Kids under 5 get free metro in most cities

Once you are in the city, public transit becomes the fan favorite mode of transit. The kids love the freedom of sitting in their own chair and looking out the window. Grab a 24hr or more city card for the adults and remember that all kids under 5 get to ride free with their parents – be sure to ask the selling agent about these rules, as they may assume the age of the children and charge you more than necessary.

Metro stations not very stroller friendly

While taking the local tram is the best way to get to and from a location, the stations themselves may not be amazing. Check out the transit maps for locations of handi/stroller friendly stations and make appropriate modifications to your schedule. Do you get out a few stops early so you have access to an elevator, will you collapse the stroller and take the stairs, maybe use a carrier while visiting that section of the city? Know before you go.

Plan ahead if separated from the kids

If the kids are old enough to walk on their own, without holding hands, make sure they know what to do if they get separated. Even the younger ones should have a little information on their person just in case they wander away.

As our friend Special Agent Oso taught us, there are 3 steps to finding help; 1 – stay put. Moving around after getting lost only makes it that much harder for someone to find them. 2 – ask a grown-up for help. Preferably someone with a badge (if they are in a store, an employee, or police officer), but a parent can also be approached – this means they can ask anyone that has a child with them. 3- Tell them “my name is… and I’m lost”.

Smaller children need to know the difference stranger-danger and helpful-citizen. What information are they allowed to tell and what do they keep to themselves. Preferably, all they are allowed to say is their name and their parent’s name. If they know a phone number, this is also great to give but a note in their pocket or safety-tattoo on their person is best at this age.

Booking family-friendly accommodations in Europe

Hotels and other forms of accommodations in Europe are not the same as in North America. We were used to standard rooms with two double beds and that was it. In Europe, there are a great number of variations and different types of accommodations outside the chain-hotel brand. Some have 1 double bed, some have 3 single beds, and some have bunk beds, it all depends on your needs and how much you are willing to pay for that Perfect room.

Most hotel rooms are small and have occupancy restrictions

Rooms don’t have an excess of space. With so many tourists and only so much room to build, Europeans are used to everything being a little smaller. Homes are smaller, yards are smaller, hotel rooms are smaller. This is normal, so don’t expect your $200-night room to look like the Presidential Suite.

Also, when they state that only 4 people can stay there, this is law, not personal preference. According to the fire code, they are only allowed so many persons in each room and they are very strict. Babies count as a person; be sure to check if and how many children are allowed on top of this occupancy restriction. On booking.com they state specifically if 1 child is allowed free of charge when using an existing bed. This means you are not charged for the extra body, but they will not provide a spare bed. A baby bed can be requested, and they may charge for this service.

Apartments are generally best, as they have 2 rooms; Bedroom and living room

Apartments, still reserved through Booking.com, have proven to be the best choice financially and physically, for families. There are separate rooms for the children to sleep, meaning mom and dad aren’t forced to bed at 8 pm, and there is an optional kitchen. When a kitchen is available, breakfast is not included, but this also means you can feed the kids what they like without paying for a buffet full of foods they don’t like.

Not all hotels have an elevator.

If your party requires an elevator, check the fine print for all bookings. Chain-brand hotels typically have an elevator or two but they tend to cost more than local hotels and apartments.

If a stroller is required, consider leaving it in the car or behind the front desk while not in use.

Lose Your Passport Abroad? What to Do

November 18, 2017 by Christine Leger

What happens if you lose your passport in another country

We all have that friend; the one that would lose their head if it weren’t screwed on tight. That friend that misplaces things and still can’t manage to learn their lesson. And sometimes that friend goes on vacation and manages to lose their wallet and travel documents while daydreaming of spending the day on the beach soaking up the rays. So what happens if you lose your passport in another country?

Since they can’t waltz into the nearest DMV and have ID replaced, there are steps a traveler needs to cover in order to have everything registered and replaced before moving on to the next location.

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Tips Before Traveling

“Failing to plan is planning to fail” – set yourself up for success and you shouldn’t have a problem. Follow these tips for before traveling preparedness and your chances of running into difficulties after a robbery are significantly lessened.

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Always empty your wallet of non-essential items/cards before leaving. Do you really need your state/provincial health card while in Germany? No. Leave it at home.