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Original poster

When did you go on a european break?

17 replies

Mummmmyiof2 · 13/12/2025 20:09

Or away for a weekend when you have kids?

Pre kids me and DH were avid European city break travelers. We've done a lot of places! Obviously since our kids (4 and 2) we have slowed down and just done UK breaks and usually during week on nursery days so my parents have the morning and evenings to do not a whole weekend (just as I know it can be tough and theyre getting older)

I know a couple who went to a different continent (honeymoon) when they had a 3yo and baby under 1. I know someone with a 6 and 4yo who hasnt been out of the country (except with them)

It differs! Just asking curiously as someone mentioned to me our old city break trips and as lovely as they were i dont know when we'd get to go again! Anytime soon. I assumed when they were older

OP posts:
Limon87 · 13/12/2025 20:10

We love Lille in France. Easy by Eurostar, the beauty of France but way cheaper than Paris etc. Lots to do; eat and drink x

angelcake20 · 13/12/2025 20:34

I’m really chill and wasn’t hugely maternal. Kids were 5 and 3 when we first went away overnight and that was only to London. Not sure we left the country without them until they were 15 and 13 (these were our 10th and 20th anniversaries). Really depends on how happy you and they are with the childcare. They’re now both at uni and this year we’ve left the country at least 5 times without them as well as at least 5 times with.

everdine · 13/12/2025 20:38

My eldest was 5 weeks when we went to Berlin to visit my brother who was living there at the time.

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blankcanvas3 · 13/12/2025 20:40

When they stopped being EBF. As soon as all of them were on solid food we left them overnight, I think they were all between 7 and 10 months old when we had a weekend away.

everdine · 13/12/2025 20:42

I misunderstood, I took my baby with me. I haven’t been away without my kids yet!

LiddySmallbury · 13/12/2025 20:43

All our families and many of our friends were overseas so we were taking DS away from the moment he was old enough to have had his vaccinations and passport.

ETA Sorry, you meant without children. I went to NY for work when DS was one or so.

ABeerInTheSunshineMakesMeHappy · 13/12/2025 20:44

Without DC? Not until they were 16. Never had suitable babysitter so we just took him with us. It’s probably easier to do when you just have the one.

ETA - actually it was more likely 17/18 when we went abroad, 16 was UK holidays.

zebrapig · 13/12/2025 20:53

We took ours to Geneva in Feb, 9 and 7. It was the first time it has felt easy to do it. Went hand luggage only, both wore their own backpacks, were able to walk as much as needed and know to stay close to us so no issues about wondering where they are.

Bimmering · 13/12/2025 21:18

We have done a few - the first one when ds was 6 months old - with the kids.

Never without them - we don't have anyone who would have them

Lisanne55 · 13/12/2025 21:22

We took ours to several European cities. The first time was when we took ds1 to Bruges when he was 2.

We have never been away without them, or one of them, and ds1 is 21 now.

Gottagetfitin26 · 13/12/2025 21:25

DS is 7 and we've had one night away in the UK since he was born...not everyone has people they can leave their kids with!

I've been away several times leaving DS with DH though

SabrinaThwaite · 13/12/2025 21:28

We left 4 mo with SIL as we had World Cup tickets and a chateau stay booked.

Travelled loads with 2 young DC - less cities and more country / seaside places.

everdine · 13/12/2025 21:32

Bimmering · 13/12/2025 21:18

We have done a few - the first one when ds was 6 months old - with the kids.

Never without them - we don't have anyone who would have them

Same, we have no one to look after them so they have always come along! They both love travelling which makes it a lot easier.

CaptainBluebell · 13/12/2025 21:37

We’ve been talking our abroad on city breaks and foreign holidays since they were only a couple of months old. City breaks became harder when they got a bit older as they were bored for a lot of the time

Ours are now 24 & 20 and city breaks have restarted, ah the bliss of chilling and not hearing “what’re we going to do now”.

mindutopia · 13/12/2025 22:13

Dh and I went to Portugal for 2 nights when eldest was maybe 3 (she’s about to turn 13, so that tells you how often we go away together). We’ve only ever had 4 times away together for a night or two in 13 years as we don’t really have reliable family support.

But we do travel solo all the time (one of us travels and the other stays home). I’ve been to Australia, to the US, to Europe loads of times, walked a Camino, been on wellness retreats, was even pondering 2 weeks in Thailand this year! Dh stays home with the dc (on occasion, one of them comes with me). He goes away with friends and family too while I stay home. We have a farm and a dog, so it’s much easier that way.

Edited to add: I just realised you’re asking about with dc. Since eldest was probably 4/5 and then I took youngest away when he was 8 months. We’ve had some fantastic trips. Dd and I went to Italy at 5. Took ds to Barcelona and to Valencia. City breaks are very easy with small children. Lots of playgrounds, new food to try, gelato, museums, trams, boats, plazas to run around in.

Anonanonanonagain · 13/12/2025 23:25

Do you mean euro breaks with your kids or without?

In total without my kids I have been away 5 times. With them about 25.

FortyFacedFuckers · 13/12/2025 23:32

When he was 17 😂

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