Traveling in Europe with Kiddos

Hi B.,
it is great that you are planning on visiting the Czech Republic. I am actually from there, my parents live just outside of Prague. If you will get a chance to go, Prague is beautiful, but there are other places to visit like the town of Cesky Krumlov in the southern Bohemia and also Karlovy Vary which is a spa town in the western part of the CR. There are pretty mountains in the north called Krkonose, the town of Spindleruv Mlyn is very nice.
About Germany, Bavaria is beautiful. Last spring we took a car road trip through Germany to Croatia, it was great and beautiful.

I have two girls 6 and almost 4 and I traveled with them every year since they were born, it is an ordeal. But it is all worth it once you get there. I am just thinking about having a carseat for your baby and also for the 4-year-old so that she can sleep in the car. Lightweight stroller is very handy for the airport and later on. Wipes can be now bought in the supermarkets even in the CR, but have an extra pack of different sizes ziploc bags, not yet so common overseas.
Some people don't travel without portable DVD player, can be great on the plane, have the battery charged before. To use it later on you have to have a charger and the thing (sorry, I cannot remember the name) that converts to the European electrical outlet.

Have a great trip!!!
L.

We're taking our 1 yr old to London next week, and I know we'll take a blow up bath tub for her, but that's about all I know. And our very lightweight, easy MacLaren Volo stroller.

A very lightweight stroller. Try the MacLaren Volo. It's folds one-handed and has a shoulder strap. We've only traveled in the US with it, but have taken it on public transportation with no troubles. It folds so small you hardly notice it in the trunk of a car.
You're very brave taking the kids to Europe! I don't think we'll go back until ours are 10 and 12! :-)

Hi, we went to Europe in '98 with our first child when he was almost 3, and again in '03 when he was 8 and our second son was almost 3. What we tried to do was to keep nap times as normal and regulated as possible. Also, always carry water and snacks. We took an umbrella stroller instead of the big one, because it was easy to fold up when getting on trains, subways, and buses quickly was important. We also had a backpack child carrier that we could use on rough terrain where we walked alot. Mostly, it comes down to planning, and remaining calm at all times. I mention that because even the best-laid plans can go awry, lol. We were pick-pocketed in Paris, France, while trying to tug luggage through a turn-stile in the subway. One thing that will help you is that you seem to be staying in only two different places while you are there. We stayed in 3 different cities while we were there in '98, and that's not counting the overnight train both ways between Paris and Munich. I know this seems to be going on and on, but that reminds me of another good piece of advice, lol. If you do need to take an overnight train anywhere, get first class tickets. Otherwise, you'll share your cabin with other people you don't know, and the 1st class cabins have their own sink. Well, I hope this helps, and I hope I haven't overwhelmed you with information.

D.

Hi B.,
I have traveled with kids in tow to Europe. Actually it was my Hubby and I and our DD who at the time was almost 2 years old. We flew to Nice then traveled by train to Tuscany back up the Amalfi Coast to Nice . It was a 2 week trip. My advice is to pack light and bring small books for the kids. I had purchased some small inexpensive items and packed them for my daughter so that it was new and fun for her to go through throughout the trip. The trip was especially hard when traveling by train if you have a stroller. We have been to Europe twice and both times their elevators were broken and their escalators were broken too. It made it difficult when your trying to go up and down and through platforms at the train station some of those steps are 40+.
I don't want to be discouraging I just want you to have a heads up. On the up side Germany is much cleaner than say Italy or France. Traveling by car is pretty easy- Most car rental places have car seat s available in case your not bringing yours.

Do you have any questions? I may or may not have the answers but I would sure like to help in any way I can. There are some books on traveling Europe with the kids- I have the one for Italy.......somewhere around here.

ok-- I hope this helps-

Elaine

We went with an 18 month old and a 6 year old...if the older one is potty trained, take the potty covers and if you have room, take one of those fold up potties...also, do not go to Venice...horrible for strollers...get an umbrella stroller for each kid...you walk so much!!! the kids do so much better if each is in an umbrella stroller...these work better than a full stroller for space!!!

WOW! I was sure I would never see Europe again until my son was at least 12. I have to tell my husband that we can do this and it is not impossible.