Holiday Planning
Here we go top tip no.1 your first holiday with your young family!!
A few things to consider:The family: How old are the kids and where do you and they fancy?
In my 14 years experience many young families, ie babies and toddlers, need a holiday which hasn't really got a long flight time, that's why places like Menorca are really popular. Menorca is a really pretty island and totally perfect for that 2 and half hour flight, totally family friendly, the rug rats will love it and so will you, great weather easy to get to ..or Majorca also is such a family friendly place also really easy to get to with more and more flights with budget airlines is also quite easy on the old wallet:
When booking always check your holiday insurance small print: you wouldn't believe what they do and don't cover these days, so check very carefully before you just say yes to it. Sometimes you may find your bank account might provide this service all in, so check before you book it could save you pennies, but never never never travel without holiday insurance..would you drive your car without insurance? No well don't fly or lie in the sun without it either!!
When travelling with small babies make sure you check in for your holiday flight early. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the holiday experience from the moment you leave the house. Check in normally opens 3 hours before departure depending on destination (long haul is earlier). If you can pre book your seats at the travel agent then do it - if you are travelling with a family its one headache less.
Your cabin bag has to be a certain size; check with the airline you are travelling with for their restrictions if unsure. Make sure you have everything you need for the toddlers and babies should the flightbe delayed ie baby milk, toys, nappies, medication. There are still certain restrictions on liquids, so check with the travel agent/flight carrier before you travel; normally they have a website and baby milk is normally ok BUT CHECK because honestly any liquids more than 50mls and not in a clear plastic bag will be taken off you at check in/security! AND it's one piece of hand luggage only, not a laptop and a bag, one or the other at the moment. (this may change?).Your baby buggy can normally go to the gate. It will have a tag put on it ready for the aircraft hold, however don't be surprised if certain airports or check-in's insist you check it in there and then for security reasons, but normally you can take it down to the gate then it goes in the hold.
Cabin crew will always offer you a blanket and pillow if they have them (not sure about budget airlines) as priority because you have little babies, its a nice touch and you would normally get this after take off and hand it back in prior to landing for safety reasons (not because you might nick it ha ha). If you don't get offered then ask for it as soon as your sat down before someone else grabs them. If the baby is under two years of age then you will automatically get a infant seatbelt. Don't worry if you don't know how to use this, the cabin crew know what they are doing. With a baby you won't get an inflight meal for the little fella or princess so come prepared (standard on charter flights these days)..
Jo xx