Where to go abroad with DS 18 months

[RosieLee2019]

It’s my 40th in April so we’re thinking about going abroad somewhere - me, DH and DS who will be 18 months. We haven’t been abroad with him yet. I thought a city type break might be good… lots to see and do for us all. We though perhaps Dubrovnik. Basically somewhere warmish, with plenty of culture, places to relax eg parks, and baby friendly. And a max 3 hour flight.

Any other suggestions? Also can people shed any light on what it’s like travelling / holidaying with an 18 month old? Do city breaks work ??

Nowhere with a child that young! Leave him at home with grandparents if that's an option and go yourselves. A toddler on a city break would be horrific. 😃sorry..

Dubrovnik is lovely but if I recall correctly (happy to be corrected) there's lots of cobbles in the old city which wouldn't be fun in a buggy. we stayed near the old city - don't recall there being any parks (DD older at the time so parks not on our radar) and you would have to travel to get to a beach - boat or bus.

you could argue it would be good to see Dubrovnik before the cruises world starts back up with a vengeance as the place can get really really busy during the day with cruise liners calling in. However for us the 2 highlights where the walk around the city walls and jumping off the cliffs into the sea - neither of which would be a good idea with an 18mth old.

The problem with city breaks with small children is that you're swapping and GB play park for a foreign one and other than the weather being a bit warmer, you're not really getting the full new city experience. Our DD was ok with flexing her sleep times so we could go out later in the evenings for dinner but not every toddler is so you're tied to eating really early and sitting in the hotel bedroom or trying to acclimatise a reluctant child for the sake of a few days away.

I can also see Drums point as well

Leaving DS at home is not an option unfortunately. Ok so Dubrovnik maybe not suitable. I thought city break so that we could stick DS in baby carrier and wander round somewhere different. I didn’t really fancy beach holiday as I thought we’d all get a bit bored and it would be more difficult to entertain DS.

Perhaps we’ll reconsider the idea and stay home unless anyone has any other suggestions.

We really loved Copenhagen when we visited with our DC who would have been around 2 years old when we went, there was lots to see and do at Tivoli Gardens, we went on a great boat trip on the canal and just generally had a nice mooch around. I think there is also an aquarium and a zoo although we didn't have time to get to them. Would recommend.

Nice - little train on the promenade Anglais, great playground on Colline de Chateau, museums. Easy to get the train up and down the coast.

Seville should be lovely in April. Or Granada?

@Nightswimmin Copenhagen sounds absolutely fab; never been there!

@MissAmbrosia Granada was one of my favourite holidays of all time, and I love Seville too! We’ve also been to Nice and you’re right, it is v easy to get around and child-friendly.

Thanks for the ideas… it might come down to flight time convenience!!

Not a city break so maybe not your cup of tea however I went to Fuengirola in Spain with DD who was only 9mo at the time and that was fab for families. It's quite small so easy to get around, nice weather, things to entertain little ones include playgrounds, beach, zoo. Probably other things too we didn't do that much with her being so small at the time. Plenty of child friendly places to eat. You can get the train easily to Malaga too where there are museums etc. Families everywhere and a nice friendly feel. She's 3.5 now and we also have a newborn, I'd definitely go back again with them.

It really depends on the child! We did holidays that were a mix of sightseeing and beach when our DD was that age and it was fine. She was still at the age when people, pets and sights were just as interesting to her as play areas and zoos, so it was easier then than now with bored teens in many ways!

Valencia

Rome can be good with a baby . Big generalisation but our experience was that Italians love children and are very tolerant of childish behaviour. When toddlers start fussing they all lean over and jingle keys and try to distract them instead of glaring and tutting.
The pavements can be a bit of a challenge with a stroller because of the crazy parking but nobody minds if you push the stroller down the street.