To be panicking about holiday with 3 year old and 3 month old to Algarve?

[TravelPanic]

I realise this might sound dumb to some people but I'm not a very confident traveller, or a confident parent of two if I'm honest! DH and I haven't managed to get abroad in ages so decided on a bit of a whim to book a holiday to the Algarve this June with our two DC, who will be age 3 and age 3 months. It's our first time abroad with kids and the sheer amount of kit we'll need etc I'm finding very overwhelming and not sure how we'll manage to take it all? The villa does have a cot but baby is still in a next-to-me so I'm worried the cot will be too big and low.

We also booked in a bit of a rush for various reasons and I now think we've booked the wrong place :-( We've gone for a villa in Vale de Lobo but now I've started doing a bit of research, it sounds like this is an expensive resort-type place, rather than a town where normal Portuguese people live, so no shops/normal restaurants etc - all expensive tourist places and beach clubs. The pictures of the beaches also look like there's not much on them, whereas I think we'll need amenities like toilets, cafes, playgrounds, sunshades etc.

Has anyone done a similar trip and can make me feel better about this? I was hoping to be excited about it but at the moment I'm just filled with dread and wondering if it's all a big mistake? We'd lose the money if we cancel so ideally wouldn't do that. DH thinks I'm overthinking it but isn't coming up with anything that makes me feel better about plans! We have hired a car so can get about but the kids aren't great in the car so don't want to drive far each day.

Vale do Lobo will be great with little ones. The beach is gorgeous with sun lingers if you want to rent (not expensive) . There’s a nice pram friendly slatted walk way on the sand and stunning red cliffs. Lots of beach bars around too. You’ll have a great time! The Portuguese are lovely and there’s plenty of supermarkets dotted around. If you want to visit an ‘authentic town’ then Loule is about 20 mins drive and gorgeous.tends to close in the afternoon, so go in the morning or evening. Lots of nice tasteful shops. You might just be happy to potter on the beach and enjoy your villa though!

Thank you @Frolie - very reassuring and great tip!

Travelling with them this age is easier than when they’re older tbh

ww took 3 year old and 4 month old around Asia for a few months - baby always same so and easy on plane and travel days

hes 11 months now and omg I don’t know how I’d manage the trip

you don’t need loads of stuff - I just got laundry done e dry few days or hand washed stiff, bought nappies there, usually was able to get a cot (but co slept if I couldn’t) and bought a little pop up tent for beach for both kids to sleep in.

@Frolie are the beach bars super exclusive/ expensive and would they welcome little ones? Thank you!

Beach bars will welcome kids - family and kids are very welcome in Portugal. They won't be exclusive or expensive by British standards. I used to work nearby and would eat lunch with a colleague on my 3 hr lunch break at an 'exclusive' cafe on the golf course there, didn't pay any more for a baguette sandwich and drink then I would have at a local cafe ( and I was on just over minimum wage, at the time!).

Take rucksacks each for carrying most supplies on plane and at beach. Then your both hands free to carry a child each if needed. Baby take sling for beach and planes if needed also.

We also use little rascals - have travelled to nearby Quinta do Lago with our LO 3 times now and they have been fantastic. You will need car seats as most restaurants aren’t walking distance

@MumofCandRA thanks, that’s really good to know. @Caspianberg rucksacks are a great idea! I would definitely have gone with my pretty but impractical beach handbag 🙈

We took our 9 week old and 4 year old to Greece.
Things that helped us where; sheepskin liner and a fan for the buggy, we took the maclaren which laid completely flat but easy to fold up.
mosquito patches which go on their clothes as too young for spray\roll on.
swim nappies and nappies as expensive over there but actually our baby didn’t really go in the pool.
factor in the air con at night, we took thin grow bags but long sleeve sleepsuits.
Have an amazing time, and enjoy it. It was one of our easiest holidays as Babies can’t move and don’t answer back 😂😂

You’ve picked a great spot. Plenty of supermarkets close by - Pingo Doce! We loved going there when we had two babies. You don’t need as much as you think you do.. Have the best time making memories.x

Mine are older now but we go to the Algarve every year.

I have also used Little Rascals, years ago. We hired an extra pushchair from them once when my older one was about 3 or 4 so he could jump in during the evening and fall asleep. We always went out for dinner when ours were little and they just had enormous fun being fussed over by the staff and then crashed out in their buggies.

It was actually harder once they were sort of mid-primary school age as they weren’t able to sleep in pushchairs. We did a lot of card games and wine on the balcony after early dinner and now we still do it but later and the teen boys join in!

I second taking a paddling pool or buying one there - we did that when they were tiny.

No, even the priciest places are actually quite casual. Everyone takes kids and there are kids menus, crayons etc. Also there are toilets at the VDL beach. Near Sanbanks restaurant I think. You’ll have a great time x

BJs Oceanside is great, casual and they often have a singer/ band in the background. You’ll need to drive there. Also recommend The Shack at Quinta de lago for a similar beach vibe and lovely food. It’s my kids absolute favourite!

We took 6 holidays a year until DCs went to school then knocked it back to 4. Travelled all over with them.

Absolutely no issues at all but both are good travellers. The heat can be uncomfortable - we bought clip on fans for their buggies when they were very small - they did the trick. We also bought cotton clothes and made sure they weren't fitted to reduce the risk of them getting hot and sticky.

Dont put a cloth over the hood of a buggy btw, temperatures get too high.

Make sure you have good kid friendly bug repellant.

Have fun!

We ate at the beach bars with our kids it wasn’t an issue. There is a nice place to eat next to a lake with watersports as well.
we also went to a really good waterpark indoors as was Feb but it had outdoor area.
beaches were a bit boring but kids still had fun!

you will be fine there. We did rent a car to see a bit more even just to get out for dinner.

Thank you so much to everyone who’s posted. I thought I’d get flamed for being pathetic but I’m just overwhelmed with a colicky newborn and a hyperactive toddler and there have been so many good tips on here, it’s made me feel so much calmer about the whole trip 😊

Dunes bar at Garrao beach is also good. The other restaurants are restaurants, but Dunes is more snacky and is very friendly. Also agree about The Shack by the lake at QDL.

I’m missing it already!

We have stayed at Quita do Lago a few times and love the area. Lots of restaurants of all types and price levels. QDL has loads of villas owned by celebs, Pavarotti, Cliff and have even named one road after one of their residents, Ayrton Senna. Worth a drive round to have a nosey. There is a lake in QDL with a nice cafe overlooking it, and a nature reserve to walk round too, but it may be a bit hot for that with 2 DCs in June. We like Vale do Lobo, the beach near there was our favourite with some lovely restaurants too.

The beach bars aren’t exclusive and are all very family friendly. We’ve been taking our children to the Algarve since my eldest was 9 months old and he’s 14 now! You’ll find your groove and it’s impossible not to love the area! Don’t over plan each day, just take it easy and pace yourselves … it’s a holiday so do as much or as little as you like. The supermarkets stock everything … sun cream / hats / beach shoes / inflatables / snacks / nappies / wipes / wine and gin ;) So don’t worry if you’ve forgotten anything and Portugal isn’t expensive, so it’s unlikely they’ll cost more than here.

I fly A lot with the 2 kids alone

One thing thats super helpful is - baby in a carrier for boarding - and a tote bag with essentials (a nappy, wipes, snacks, tablet, colour book) i leave it under the buggy until last minute and then grab it before i get on and at least I have some stuff handy!

@Frolie thanks, great advice!

Amazed at the wealth of tips on here. You won't want to come home! 😂

I have travelled a lot with little kids and my key tip is to be flexible! Take what is necessary but apart from that, you do not have everything you have at home and that's OK. You need to problem solve and work around things. 3 month old is easy if breastfed. Toddler can just wee in the sea. Take a nappy for poo. If you have a car you'll be fine. Kids sense anxiety and if you're unsure (eg. About a car trip), they will pick that up and play up. Be a bit firm: This is what we're doing and you will be ok. It helps kids to feel secure. You can use that voice on yourself too!

@S0j0urn4r I know! Very grateful to everyone.

@PrincessOfPreschool good point!

You need to change your username to TravelExcitement or TravelChill.😀