Last Updated on July 10, 2023
Travel has been difficult this past year due to COVID. We were fortunate enough that we were able to travel to Boston to visit my family at the end of May and celebrate Isabella’s first birthday. However, we were desperate to have a true ‘beach break’ this summer. We also wanted to take advantage of the remote work norm created by COVID and try our hand at a ‘work-cation‘*, especially since JC doesn’t have so many vacation days. Finding a location that was safe to travel to (and open to travel from Germany) was not too hard. Many countries in the EU had opened their borders for the summer. Finding an Airbnb where we could envision ourselves staying (and working) for three weeks was more difficult. And finally, finding a place that fit those requirements plus was baby friendly was even more challenging. Read below for why we finally chose Greece (again) as our family summer vacation destination and how to successfully plan a summer vacation with a one-year old toddler.
* ‘work-cation’ (noun) – Working remotely from a vacation destination, with rising popularity during corona. e.g. ” I took a one-month work-cation in Mallorca.”
Read More: How to Travel With a Baby | Tips & Tricks
How to Plan a Summer Vacation with a Toddler: Choose Your Destination Carefully
Look for Toddler and Family Friendly Locations
Last September, we traveled with Isabella when she was three months old to Thessaloniki and Agia Triada. We chose a beach vacation at the time as opposed to a city destination, road trip or mountain trek because we knew a beach trip was inherently more laid back than the others and easier with a baby. For this trip as well, we knew we wanted to go somewhere ‘beachy’, but we had to make sure that it would also be a suitable location for a one-year old. She is much more active now than she was at three months and needs more amusement. We also know that she doesn’t have the best table manners when eating out, so any destination with fine dining was off the table. Somewhere known for bars and nightlife? What’s that? [Did you hear that I have a one-year old?!] The Greeks, in our experience, are also incredibly friendly and accommodating to young children, which is a huge plus.
Read More: How to Have a Beach Vacation in Thessaloniki | Agia Triada, Greece
What to Consider When Booking Accommodation
Book an Airbnb or Hotel with a Pool if Possible
When we chose our summer vacation destination this year, we made the decision largely based on the Airbnb. We usually choose the location and then the Airbnb. But in this case, since we were spending three weeks there, plus working, we needed to make sure we would be comfortable. We knew we wanted to be (1) close to the beach and (2) to have a pool. Due to COVID, Isabella had not started swim lessons last year in Berlin as I had planned. However, we had the sneaky assumption she was going to love the pool. And we were right! The pool at our Airbnb was especially great for toddlers because it had a small staircase descending into the water. Isabella was able to sit in the pool on these steps on her own and feel totally comfortable. (She likes to do things on her own, miss independent). It was also great to have the pool, because, on the other hand, she was not a huge fan of going into the ocean. The waves were a bit too scary for her and the water a little too cold. A suggestion therefore would be if you cannot find a pool, make sure the ocean you are going to is warm and wave-free! If you are looking for an amazing toddler friendly Airbnb with a pool, be sure to check out where we stayed in Crete.
Read More: How to Have An Amazing Summer in Crete, Greece | Everything You Need to Know
Find Accommodation with Animals Nearby
Isabella LOVES animals. Every time she sees a dog on the street she squeals with delight. So when we read that our Airbnb had cats and chickens running around, we knew she would love it. If your hotel or Airbnb doesn’t have animals onsite, maybe see if there is a farm nearby where you can visit. In Greece, you can find cats everywhere (including at restaurants), which is great diversion for a toddler. And if you are in Crete, be sure to check out Taverna Drimos, which has ponies, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks, in addition to a very well-priced and good restaurant.
Stay in the Same Location for a Longer Period of Time
Pre-baby, we took trips like our vacation in Croatia, during which we stayed in a different Airbnb every single night. With a baby, this kind of trip is not possible. Nor would we recommend it. Instead, we recommend to stay in the same spot for multiple nights in order to have the most enjoyable vacation possible and allow yourself and your baby to get settled in. Traveling with a baby is very heavy, (they have so much stuff!), so you really do not want to be packing and unpacking everyday. So take our advice, and don’t try to hop around too much. For example, we stayed in the same Airbnb for two weeks on the eastern side of Crete and then moved to another one on the western side for three nights.
How to Plan a Summer Vacation with a Toddler: Make Your Travel Itinerary Carefully
Don’t Try to Fit Too Much into One Day
Before having a baby, we could easily fit multiple activities or destinations in one day. A road trip with three stops in one day in three different cities? No problem! However, after having a baby, we have realized that we cannot over plan and overpack our days. Having one, maximum two activities planned in one day is more than enough. And we are always prepared that maybe we will only accomplish the first activity or destination on our list. This heavily impacted our planning process when we put together our road trip itinerary to travel to the west side of Crete.
What to Pack for Your Toddler on Summer Vacation
Prepare for the Heat & Sun
With the heat and intense sun, you need to pack accordingly for your toddler. Swimsuits with long-sleeves and sun protection are a good idea, plus a sun hat to keep the sun out of baby’s face. For the skin that is not covered by clothes, we used an SPF 50 sunscreen (starting from one-year of age, children can use sunscreen). Also, we found it really important to pack an ice-pack to keep milk bottles cold in the hot sun! Water shoes are also great to bring in case some beaches are rocky. We did not pack beach toys, but instead bought them once in Greece. They are cheap, easily go missing, and take up a lot of space in the suitcase. Easier to buy them and leave them afterwards!
Be Sure to Buy Swim Diapers
Another must for a beach vacation with a toddler is to bring with you or buy swim diapers. We were able to fit a pack of 11 swim diapers underneath our stroller and then bought more once in Greece. Normal diapers will expand like crazy in the water, so swim diapers are an absolute must for your little one spending time in the pool and ocean.
Bring a Bib and Plate to Restaurants (but still be prepared for a mess!)
We brought bibs and a baby bowl with us to all restaurants, as we knew Isabella would throw and break any real dishes. However, she still managed to make a mess! We also brought her beach toys to the restaurants in order to give her some distraction.
What are your tips & tricks for how to plan a summer vacation with a toddler? And what are your favorite summer destinations as a family? Share with us in the comments below! Our next summer trip planned with Isabella is Máncora, Peru!
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