Traveling with a six-month-old is nothing short of an education in patience and adaptability. What I once considered a routine part of my adventures—balancing buffet breakfasts and chasing sunsets—has been transformed by the arrival of a tiny, squealing traveler in my life. After returning from a challenging three-week holiday in Spain and France, I’ve learned that vacationing with an infant is a whole new ball game.
Despite my seemingly cheerful social media posts, the reality was far from restful. The journey was packed with delightful experiences, from sun-drenched days to active explorations, but relaxation was elusive. The truth is, the most significant benefit of this holiday might be the perspective gained in hindsight, rather than any immediate sense of rejuvenation.
A friend asked, “Your pictures looked so lovely, but were things really that perfect?” Indeed, while the trip was enjoyable and full of memorable moments, it was far from relaxing. My daughter charmed locals and kept her fussing to a minimum, yet her parents faced a series of challenges.
In reflecting on my missteps, I realize that one major error was my previous disdain for package holidays and kids’ clubs. I had always viewed them as uninspired and overly predictable. However, in hindsight, this perspective seems shortsighted. Packing and unpacking through multiple hotels, setting up a travel cot, and transporting what felt like an entire nursery proved more cumbersome than anticipated.
Initially, I was smug about avoiding airports and queues by choosing a ferry for one of our cross-border trips. We believed that combining boats and trains would be more environmentally friendly and less stressful. Unfortunately, the reality of multiple train journeys—complete with heavy luggage—revealed that rail travel was not as ideal as we had imagined. It was just a different kind of exhausting.
The frequent travel days—transitions between accommodations—became a significant challenge. Previously, I enjoyed observing the changing landscapes during travel, but with a baby in tow, these journeys became grueling. Early and late departures, often necessary to secure cheaper tickets, disrupted our baby’s routine and added to the stress.
The lack of essential baby facilities, such as changing rooms, further complicated our travels. Lugging 50kg of baby gear, navigating steep stairs to vacation rentals, and enduring endless transfers made me question the wisdom of a multi-destination holiday. In contrast, travelers who opted for all-inclusive resorts enjoyed seamless experiences. Their children were entertained at kids’ clubs, and they relaxed by the pool, leaving me to ponder the benefits of a more straightforward holiday approach.
In conclusion, the package holiday model, once dismissed as mundane, now seems to offer significant advantages for traveling families. Its simplicity and convenience might just be the key to a less stressful vacation experience with young children.