Planning for our (first ever) family holiday abroad

May 6, 2011

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The passports are here, the tickets arrive today. We’re in the final countdown to our first ever family holiday abroad. And I haven’t got a clue what I need!

If you asked me about camping, I could do you a list 😉 (My camping list is the most found page on this blog. Go figure.) But travelling, on a plane, to another country? Beyond those passports and tickets, I’m really not sure where to start.

Travelling. I’m told we can take a pushchair right up to the door of the plane, and will get it back at the other end. We don’t use a pushchair. I could probably do with a lighter weight wrap or sling though – the girasol is kind of heavyweight even in this weather.

We need sun stuff. Big and I have sun shrugs already from Lion in the Sun and the kids still fit into last year’s hats. But they need new sunsuits, and I think that I won’t get away with my usual tactic of long sleeves, hats and shade to keep them sunsafe – we’re going to need sun lotion too. I’m a bit worried about what is the safest – minimal chemicals, maximum effectiveness. So I’m looking at GreenPeople’s range and thinking that should be just up my street. Organic and Fairtrade, and hopefully just right for us.

So that’s the sun covered, I hope. What else do I need? I’m looking for some nice breastfeeding outfits for myself – even at 18 months Smallest is still feeding through the day and evening, times when we’re likely to be with other ppl and therefore my sloppy pjs won’t really cut it. But I don’t want anything mumsy – am beginning to approach my pre-baby weight (yay!) and would like to look like it!

And what can we take to amuse them? Do I need to worry about charging devices if we take their Nintendos? (I’m very much hoping that the booklet with the tickets will explain some of this stuff.)

Finally, although actually of very high priority, I need to sort out how we stay in touch. The idea of a week abroad with no access to twitter or t’internet has me hyperventilating. How will I blog? (And breathe. And breathe.) How does all this roaming work? Is it going to cost me (another) arm and leg? Would be very grateful for anyone’s input, though I’ll be researching it online later.

So, those are my top concerns atm, and I look forward to any suggestions that you have 🙂

Post submitted to the BM carnival held over at Me the Man and the Baby.

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Comments

18 responses to “Planning for our (first ever) family holiday abroad”

Tammy
6 May 2011
Hi! You will need plug converts for the ds, you can pick up assigned from boots and most supermarkets. A universal adaptor should work in most countries.
Depending where you are going you may find that there is free wifi available locally. Wherever we have been we have always managed to find wifi without paying for it, places like mcdonalds and starbucks often have free networks you can use.
Have a wonderful trip!
Reply
1. Jax
  9 May 2011
  Thanks Tammy, we’ll look into the free wifi idea. So far we’ve discovered the hotel has pay for wifi in public areas, but no idea what the rates are.
  Reply
chrisotherwise
6 May 2011
Hi Jax,
Sounds exciting! Which country are you going to? Amongst other things, I’d say:
– Take *plenty* to do at the airport – DS, book, phone, etc. You might be there a long long time.
– Get a Powermonkey (http://www.powertraveller.com). It will charge a DS or a phone twice and is tiny. Highly recommended.
– Different credit/debit cards carry vastly different fees for use abroad. Often there is a fee of ¡ò1 or more for each transaction however small. Having some local cash with you can be really useful.
– If you’re going from a London airport and taking the car then there are several services that will meet you at the departure door, take your car and park it while you’re away. Then they meet you at the arrivals door when you get back. It is absolutely wonderful to get back from a long plane trip and *not* to have to queue for a bus to long-stay parking with all your luggage. Because they park the car some way from the airport, prices are usually very reasonable.
Chris.
Reply
1. Jax
  9 May 2011
  Loads of useful tips there Chris, thank you! Country is Spain, though not the mainland, one of the Canaries. Will look into those links.
  Reply
Alison
6 May 2011
Yes, you’ll need adapters to plug DS chargers in.
But really, internet access? Why don’t you make it a ‘proper’ holiday from everything? 😉
Reply
1. Jax
  9 May 2011
  For oh so many reasons…
  Reply
The Mad House
6 May 2011
Yes you need adapters for the eltronics, well you can get plug adapters, other than that there is not much difference in a UK hol to one abroad
Reply
1. Jax
  9 May 2011
  I think it might be the idea of there being a plan journey involved that’s making me nervous. No chance of just giving up and running for home if we aren’t having fun.
  Reply
Midlife Singlemum
6 May 2011
Here are a few of my top travel tips:
1. When you get to the airport, check in your lugguage and go straight through passport control and security to the departure lounge. There are plenty of shops there and things to see, food to buy (expensive so better to bring a picnic – drinks may not be allowed through though). You will have done all the queuing up and waiting while the children are still fresh and excited.
2. There are long walks to the departure gates. Encourage the toddler to run around as much as possible and walk – run even with a friendly game of ‘chase’, to the gate. The idea is to tire him out and he will sleep on the plane.
3. You are allowed to take baby bottles of milk on the plane (tell them it is his special formula). Security will make you taste it to show that it is really milk. I took 4 bottles even though we only used one. Planes can be very dehydrating and the baby must drink; plan in case you are delayed a few hours (it could happen) and the drinks at the airport cost a lot.
4. Take extra nappies – as I said above, plan in case of delays.
Enjoy and take a week off the blog and twitter – that’s what holidays are for!
Reply
1. Jax
  9 May 2011
  Great tips, thanks. Especially the one on tiring out the toddler 😉
  Reply
Griffman
6 May 2011
You will defanitly need to take something to entertain the kids if their ds dies because sometimes they die and you are stuck with nothing to do and you also will need a charger because I highley doubt one charge will last you the whole trip
Reply
1. Jax
  9 May 2011
  Thanks, will bear that in mind.
  Reply
spudballoo
6 May 2011
Ooooh exciting!!! I would take a bag with some ‘new’ bits/toys/magazines that only come out on the plane.
Have a lovely time, where are you going? x
Reply
1. Jax
  9 May 2011
  Canary island. Bag with bits sounds like an excellent plan.
  Reply
Lucy M
6 May 2011
Planes are cramped, especially when getting off them with everyone standing in the aisle trying to assemble all their personal belongings. I have breastfed successfully on a plane, great for settling fractious babies – think about clothing as you won’t have much wriggle room or privacy, and water for you to drink (although you may have to buy that after the security checks). It’s been a while, but I think I used a ring-sling for the flight – very poppable. I think a wrap would have been too tricky, maybe you’re more skillful than me but I always needed space to wrap and that’s just not available on a plane. I have a white Solarveil meitai, I forget what brand, not as supportive as thicker slings but packs extremely small into its own hood and is cool and sun-protective, which you’re welcome to have if you fancy.
Each person (except soa) can take on board their own bag (check the allowed size), in which you could get them to pack activities (no little bits to get dropped and roll away under the seats) – ds/mp3 player, book or two, puzzle book (and pen!!!), “I Spy at the Airport” http://www.ispymichelin.com/ – has to be done!, a jumper, sweets/snacks (something to suck on ascent/descent), maybe a small blanket/fleece coat – always comforting to be able to doze with something over you if you need to, wipes, tissues, paracetamol (in meltlet/tablet form, not liquid), plastic bags for rubbish.
Toilets: try and get everyone to go pre-flight. Do not make the mistake, as I once did, of giving a child a bottle of eg Oasis just before or on the flight – she downed it in one, pretty much, and then asked to go to the loo no less than four times on the two hour flight, every time an agony of queueing with a squirming child down the aisle of the plane. Plain water only!
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, possibly that you can slip off (your feet may swell slightly). Think about the change in climate where you will be landing – pack eg sunhats/sunglasses/suncream close to the surface. Or anoraks if rain is forecast at your destination.
Have all your documents together in an easy access pouch or bag or something – you would not believe how many times you need to show them.
Consider taking car-seats as required – unfortunately hire car-seats get a bad reputation, and after a very bad experience in this country, I never took the risk again. There doesn’t appear to be any legal obligation on car rental companies to supply up-to-date car-seats, or to fit them for you. :o(
erm…have run dry! Where are you going?
Reply
1. Jax
  9 May 2011
  Lucy, that was fantastic, thank you! I wouldn’t have thought about the easy access clothing, and the plain water tip is another good one. We’re off to the Canary islands, and I’m ever so nervous. Will drop you a mail about the meitai, sounds like a really good idea.
  Reply
Katy
7 May 2011
Remind me to bring a light sun-friendly MT for you to try on Wednesday 😉
Reply
1. Jax
  9 May 2011
  Thanks Katy, that would be great.
  Reply