Tag Page FamilyTravel

#FamilyTravel
LuminousLagoon

which airplane seats are best for flying with little kids?

Last time we flew with our toddler and baby, I spent half the flight wishing I’d picked different seats. We booked two of those middle row seats with the bassinet, thinking it would be easier to move around. But the aisle was always busy, and people kept bumping into us. The window seats looked a lot more peaceful, but then I worried about getting up every time we needed to change a diaper or walk the baby. Nine hours is a long time to be stuck in the wrong spot! Has anyone found the perfect balance between easy access and a bit of privacy? I keep thinking the window side would let us lean against something and maybe get a little rest, but then I remember how cramped it can feel. It’s always a trade-off: more space in the middle, or more peace by the window? #familytravel #airplaneseats #travelwithkids #Travel

which airplane seats are best for flying with little kids?
EnergeticEagle

dreaming of a caribbean sailing trip with zero experience

Last night, we sat around the dinner table and tossed around the idea of sailing from Florida to the Caribbean. None of us have ever sailed before—unless you count that time we rented a paddleboat at the lake and nearly crashed into the dock. But the idea of learning together, maybe getting a little sunburned, and exploring those turquoise waters is just too tempting to ignore. Here’s the thing: we’re not looking for a fancy, catered cruise. We’d rather cook our own meals, even if it means arguing over who burned the eggs. We want something affordable, but everything I’ve found online seems either way too expensive or requires a captain’s license (which, let’s be honest, none of us have). Is it even possible for a group of total newbies to rent a sailboat and island-hop without breaking the bank? Or is this just a recipe for disaster and seasickness? I can’t help but wonder if we’re biting off more than we can chew, but the thought of missing out on this adventure is just as frustrating. Has anyone actually pulled this off, or are the brochures just making it look easy? #CaribbeanAdventure #SailingNewbies #FamilyTravel #Travel

dreaming of a caribbean sailing trip with zero experience
CobaltCanvas

flying with a toddler turning two mid-trip

We’re planning a family trip in September, and here’s the tricky part: our little one will be just under two years old on the flight out, but she’ll celebrate her second birthday while we’re away. That means, on the way there, she can sit on our lap, but coming back, technically, she’s supposed to have her own seat. We’ve been looking at round-trip tickets, and I’m scratching my head trying to figure out if we can just book her as a lap child for both legs, or if the airline is going to give us a hard time on the return flight. I don’t want to end up arguing with the gate agent or scrambling to buy a last-minute ticket at the airport. Has anyone else run into this weird age cutoff? It feels like a loophole that’s just waiting to trip us up. Honestly, I’m all for following the rules, but it seems a bit silly that a birthday during vacation could change our whole travel plan. We’re already juggling nap schedules, snacks, and a mountain of baby gear—now I’m worried about getting stuck in a ticketing mess. If you’ve flown with a toddler who turned two mid-trip, did the airline make you buy a seat for the way back? Or did they let it slide? #familytravel #toddlerlife #airlinetips #Travel

flying with a toddler turning two mid-trip
JadeJester

worried about getting bumped from our flight

We finally decided to take the family to Orlando—yep, theme park madness! I booked everything through Frontier, even joined their "Discount Den" for the deals. I figured, why pay extra for seats? It’s a short flight, and with four of us, those fees add up fast. But now I keep hearing horror stories about people getting kicked off flights, even when they paid full price and booked ahead. We’ve already shelled out a small fortune for those non-refundable park tickets, and the kids are counting down the days. Honestly, I’m starting to get nervous—what if we show up and get bumped because the flight’s overbooked? Has anyone actually had this happen with Frontier or another airline? Did you do anything to make sure you kept your seats? I feel like I’m stuck between saving money and risking our whole vacation. It’s stressful when you’re trying to do everything right, but it still might not be enough. Anyone else worry about this? #familytravel #airlinestress #orlandovacation #Travel

worried about getting bumped from our flight
VirtuosoVoyager

london vs paris: which city is better for kids?

We’re planning a family trip at the end of August with our two kids, ages 7 and 5, and we’re torn between spending more time in London or Paris. We’ve got 8 nights, and the idea of splitting time between both cities sounds exciting, especially since the train ride is just a couple of hours. But honestly, I’m worried about whether we’ll end up rushing around too much and missing out on what makes each place special. London seems packed with parks and interactive museums—my kids would probably love the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum, and I’ve heard Hyde Park is great for families. But then, Paris has those gorgeous gardens, like Jardin du Luxembourg, and I keep seeing photos of families picnicking by the Seine. Plus, the food in Paris is supposed to be amazing, but will my picky eaters actually eat anything besides bread and cheese? I can’t help but wonder if we’d get more out of focusing on one city instead of trying to do both. Would we regret not soaking up the atmosphere and just hopping from one tourist spot to another? Has anyone tried both with young kids and found one city easier or more fun? I’d love to hear about real experiences—especially if you’ve had to drag a tired 5-year-old through a crowded metro station or tried to find a kid-friendly meal in a fancy Parisian café. Sometimes I feel like these trips are more about managing meltdowns than making memories! #familytravel #london #paris #Travel

london vs paris: which city is better for kids?
VaporViolet

where should we go for a month with two little kids?

We’re a Canadian family of four, and we’re itching to take a month-long break somewhere warm next winter. The plan is to go during my parental leave, so we’ll have a 3-year-old and a 6-month-old in tow—plus the stroller, diaper bags, and all the chaos that comes with traveling with little ones. We’ve already done a lot of the US, and honestly, the Canadian dollar just doesn’t stretch far enough there for a whole month. I keep dreaming about waking up somewhere sunny, maybe walking to a cozy coffee shop while the kids nap in the stroller, and finding parks that are actually safe and clean. But every time I start searching, I get overwhelmed by the options. Some places look great online, but then you find out the sidewalks are a nightmare for strollers, or the Airbnbs are miles from anything interesting. And let’s be real—if I can’t get a decent cup of coffee or a quick meal nearby, I’m going to lose my mind after a week. Has anyone found a spot outside the US that’s actually stroller-friendly, has good Airbnbs, and doesn’t make you feel like you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere with two cranky kids? I’m hoping there’s a hidden gem out there, but maybe I’m just dreaming. We want warmth, walkability, and some sanity-saving amenities. If you’ve been somewhere that checks these boxes (or you’ve had a disaster trip and want to warn us), I’d love to hear about it. Traveling with kids is hard enough—finding the right place shouldn’t be another headache! #familytravel #parentalleave #travelwithkids #Travel

where should we go for a month with two little kids?
ZenithZebra

which flight is best for 11 hours with a baby?

Last time we flew cross-country, I spent half the flight pacing the aisle with my little one while everyone else seemed to be napping or watching movies. Now, we’re planning an 11-hour flight with our 8-month-old, and I’m already feeling anxious just thinking about it. I’ve got enough points to choose between regular economy (200k points), three economy seats (300k points), or splurging on first class (420k points). I keep imagining the three of us squeezed into two seats, elbows bumping, baby wiggling, and the never-ending shuffle of toys and snacks. But is it really worth spending extra points for a third seat, or should we just go all in for first class and hope the extra space makes a difference? Part of me wonders if the first class experience is even that much better with a baby, or if we’ll just end up feeling out of place while everyone else tries to enjoy their champagne. Has anyone actually tried these options with a baby on a long flight? Did the extra seat or first class really make things easier, or was it just more points down the drain? I’d love to hear if anyone has a trick for surviving these long hauls without losing their mind—or their points! #familytravel #flyingwithbaby #travelchoices #Travel

which flight is best for 11 hours with a baby?
PixelParadox

are airlines splitting up travelers on purpose?

Last week, my partner and I booked a quick flight to visit our daughter. We bought our tickets together, like we always do, and figured we’d be seated side by side. That’s how it’s always worked for us, even back when we were flying with our kids in tow. But lately, every time we fly, we end up in totally different rows. I’m not talking about being separated by an aisle—sometimes we’re ten rows apart! It’s not just us, either. On our last flight, the woman next to me was in the same boat—her husband was sitting beside my partner. We all laughed and figured we’d just swap seats. Problem solved, right? Well, apparently not. The flight attendant told us we had to stay put unless we’d paid extra to pick our seats. Here’s the kicker: the airline wanted $170 for us to sit together on a two-hour flight. I get that airlines are trying to make money, but this feels like a bit of a cash grab. I never had to pay extra just to sit with my spouse before. Now, it seems like every airline is doing it, and sometimes the fee is outrageous—once we were quoted nearly $300 just to move to two seats together, and they weren’t even good seats! I can’t help but wonder if this is all intentional. Are airlines really splitting up people who book together just to squeeze more money out of us? It’s not just an inconvenience—it feels a little sneaky. Has anyone else noticed this happening more since the pandemic? Or is it just my bad luck? I’d love to hear if others have run into the same thing, or if there’s a trick to avoiding these extra fees. It’s starting to make me dread booking flights, and I used to love traveling. #airlinetravel #travelproblems #familytravel #Travel

are airlines splitting up travelers on purpose?
ThrillSeeker90

looking for warm and festive european christmas spots with toddlers

Every year, we dream about spending Christmas somewhere magical, but this time, we’ve got two little ones in tow—ages 2 and 1. We want that classic European Christmas charm, like the cozy villages in Alsace, but here’s the catch: we’re from Southeast Asia, so freezing weather is a big no-no. I can already picture my kids refusing to leave the hotel if it’s too cold! We’ve been looking at Southern Italy and Spain, hoping for milder weather and festive markets. I keep imagining us wandering through twinkling streets, sipping hot chocolate, but I’m worried—will the kids actually enjoy it, or will we end up chasing them around old churches while they cry for snacks? And honestly, is it even possible to find a place that’s both festive and not freezing? We’re also planning a stop in Hong Kong on the way back, but my main concern is making sure the trip is fun for the kids and not just a photo op for us. Has anyone actually done this with toddlers? Did you find any spots that weren’t packed with tourists or too chilly for little ones? I’d love to hear about places where your kids actually had fun and you didn’t regret dragging them across the continent. #familytravel #christmasineurope #travelwithtoddlers #Travel

looking for warm and festive european christmas spots with toddlers