Where in October with 17mo

[dogpig]

Hi all,

Looking advice from people who have travelled further afield with a little one/enjoy travelling with their LO.

We're looking to book 2 weeks away at the end of October, ideally somewhere long-haul. We'll have our DD who will be 17m but she is a good traveller.

We want:

• somewhere outside the EU - have done this a lot with DD and looking for somewhere a bit different.
• good weather
• lots to do in the day (not bothered about evening entertainment for obvious reasons)
• good scenery
• travel around a bit whilst out there (not looking for a villa type holiday at all).

DH and I are currently torn between US and Japan (we have been to both those places before we had a baby but not since & not at this time of year) but wondering if there are any other locations that anyone has done with a small child and would recommend and/or if you have done either of those what did you do and what worked?

TIA!!

I wouldn't do longhaul with a small child, personally, as the flight's too long in an enclosed space for them, and potentially other passengers. Have you considered Morocco or Sweden as non-EU places which are closer than the US or Japan?

South Africa? Can fly direct, no jetlag, weather would be lovely (spring time), lots of beautiful nature and scenery to see. You’d need to avoid malarial areas but that still allows for loads.

Mauritius also great option but I must admit I’ve only done hotel based fly and flop there rather than exploring.

I wouldn’t do the US or west generally simply due to the jetlag - high chance she will wake up for the day at 2am for the first few nights!

Also there is a BIG difference between travelling with a baby and a toddler. Toddlers want to be on the move! It’s a lot harder to keep them happy on a plane. We did take our DD to Mauritius at about this age but it took two of us entertaining her constantly on the plane and walking her up and down to keep her happy … it was hard work. I wouldn’t plan a holiday that has many long journeys, for this reason.

Thanks both. Didn't think about SA for some reason - I like that the time zone is the same! Would also love to go to Mauritius one day, though I've always imagined myself being there without the baby and with plenty of cocktails 😅

I personally wouldn't ever go back to Morocco; the attention from men was exhausting and really uncomfortable, and then on our last day my friend was sexually assaulted on the street. This was despite us all being covered up from head to toe (not that it should matter but still). Sweden isn't going to offer the weather we are after, hence looking further afield.

We accept that holidays with a baby are different to before but don't believe that it should stop us going to places that we want to go - some people travel the world with babies and backpacks after all!