7 minute read
Fun in the Sun for Everyone
A traveling family’s guide to successful sun vacations, whether you’ve got a baby on board or the whole multigenerational crew.
By Caitlin Kenny
I swim up to the pool’s edge for a sip of rosé, the condensation on my glass glistening under the afternoon sun. Nearby, in the shade, my husband cuts a slice off the enormous wedge of Salers cheese we bought at the market that morning. Surrounded by plane trees and rustic stone walls in the backyard of the private villa we booked in southern France, it’s just us — until I hear a babble from the baby monitor. Our eight-month-old is up from his nap, and it’s time for this trio to head out for more exploring.
Before having my son, travel was a huge part of my life, for work, vacation and adventure. And, like many parents these days, it still is. “Families are traveling everywhere,” says Miami-based travel advisor Shaiy Howard. “Since the pandemic, people are just trying to go — whatever their budget, they’re trying to do it.”
Though taking off can be more complicated (the miles-long packing lists, the messed-up sleep schedules and, oh boy, the flights), the memories always outweigh the struggles. So, whether you’re dreaming of heading south or ocean-hopping, here are some expert tips for cutting the stress of family travel.
FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS
For your first trip with your newest travel buddy, an all-inclusive resort is a great option — because the less you need to coordinate, the better. “Some all-inclusives even have diapers, playpens and baby food,” says Howard, “because they know that trying to pack and make sure you have everything is stressful in itself.” When my son was taking bottles, having a sanitizer waiting in our room at Sensira Resort & Spa, in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, was a godsend. On another Mexican trip, we stayed at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta, where there is a dedicated baby concierge who arranged all the baby gear. It’s a good idea to call or email in advance (or ask your travel advisor to) to confirm what the resort has on hand.
To keep a toddler (or two) busy, look for a resort with a splash pad, waterslide or dedicated activities like crafts and shows. During our stay at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, there were daily picnics with appearances from Toy Story’s Woody, Frozen’s Elsa and more.
Some resorts have clubs for kids as young as six months with nurseries and special play areas, such as Southern California’s Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, while others offer babysitting services, like the Dominican Republic’s Eden Roc Cap Cana.
And don’t overlook conveniences for yourself: “Smaller resorts are great because you often get better service,” says Winnipeg-based travel advisor Cindy Gaudet. Indeed, at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit (Nuevo Vallarta is one of Gaudet’s favorite hot spots for young families), getting breakfast — and coffee! — delivered to our suite every morning made up for the fact that our son woke up much earlier than I’d typically like to on vacation. Another must-have: “A balcony,” says Gaudet. “When the baby is sleeping, at least you can sit outside.”
FOR OLDER KIDS
Cue the core memories: As kids get older, they can better appreciate and enjoy cities and urban travel. The French Riviera and Barcelona have both been big hits for Gaudet’s clients with big kids, while Howard is currently planning a trip to Dubai for a family. Beaches, parks, museums and aquariums — look for a destination with a combination of indoor and outdoor kid-friendly attractions.
Wherever you go, Gaudet recommends building hype with your kids in the lead-up, so they have something to look forward to. For her own trip to Paris with her seven-year-old granddaughter, Gaudet went online to show her what to expect: “She had the whole visual: how many hours the plane ride would be, where we were staying. Her aspiration of the trip was seeing the Eiffel Tower, and she had that excitement of doing it.” Gaudet also recommends taking a Google Maps tour around your accommodation to check for parks, cafés, grocery stores — all things that come in handy with kids.
Of course, faraway destinations mean longer flights. “Try to do a night flight so they’re sleeping most of the time,” says Howard. And if you’ve got siblings on board, resist the urge to consolidate snacks and activities (books, games, a tablet). Instead, give them each their own backpack. “That way, they’re not bothering each other,” says Howard. “Packing things separately cuts down on some of the bickering.”
FOR MULTI-GENERATIONAL GROUPS
“There’s something for everybody on a cruise,” says Gaudet, pointing to day camps for littles, and cooking classes, art galleries, live music and more for parents and grandparents. The wide array of activities means that everyone gets a chance to craft their own itinerary, while still leaving room for bonding: “Mealtimes are always a way to catch up and have quality time together,” says Gaudet. Plus, on a cruise, you get opportunities to explore at each stop. For families, Gaudet recommends calm ports of call where you can walk around without necessarily committing to an excursion, such as Saint Kitts, Saint Thomas, Turks and Caicos, and Sint Maarten. She also makes sure to book cruises that don’t involve tendering, meaning there’s no smaller boat needed to get you from the ship to the dock. “Say little Johnny is tired and needs a nap, you can just walk back to the ship, instead of being stuck,” she explains. With smaller rooms on cruises, you can split up kids between adults — just make sure to request nearby or adjoining rooms (your travel advisor can often help through their connections, says Howard). And to get a real look at a cruise and see if it’s right for your family, go online, says Gaudet. “If you want to see a cabin, it doesn’t matter what ship — someone has a YouTube video.”
Don’t Forget to Pack…
Three not-so-obvious lifesavers for traveling with kids
TRACKING DEVICES
“Pre-AirTag era, I lost so many things at airports,” says travel advisor Shaiy Howard. She recommends popping tiny trackers in checked luggage, your stroller and kids’ backpacks to help you keep tabs on everything.
AirTags, US$99 for four, apple.com
CHILDREN’S MEDICATION (AND MEDICAL INSURANCE!)
Pack a few over-the-counter meds and make sure your insurance is up to date so you’re ready for fever, allergies, motion sickness, viruses and more. “Who’s to say my kid isn’t going to get an ear infection because it didn’t drain properly?” says travel advisor Cindy Gaudet. “That can ruin a whole holiday.”
BLACKOUT TENT
A great travel investment: a blackout tent that fits over a mini crib or toddler cot. It’s especially handy if you’re sharing a room so that you can keep the lights on while your little one snoozes.
SlumberPod with Fan, US$199, slumberpod.com
