Drooling over Heaven on Earth Kids, a new book by Sarah Siese about the
world’s best family holidays, (according to the blurb) has got me thinking.
It’s a great read that showcases 46 plush hotels and upmarket package
holidays all over the world.
Scanning the gorgeous photographs of happy, sunkissed children, I could almost
imagine my two in their place, splashing in the sea under the watchful eye
of nanny while I tootle off to the spa for a bit more than my usual wash and
brush up. Then I woke up. The book makes travelling with children look as
easy as ABC - and that’s just not what we’re hearing here at Times Online.
Our inbox tells another story, completely. Particularly when it comes to
travelling with babies and small children. While the parents of this age
group are possibly the most in need of a break, they are also concerned
about taking their children out of their familiar environment and routine.
Will they wreak havoc on the flight? Will they sleep? And what about all
their stuff, for God’s sake? Do you have to go to the Himalayas to get a
Sherpa?
It’s the same on the parenting websites. While there are people who post about
round-the-world travel with three-year old twins or exclusive resorts in the
Indian Ocean, most simply want to know how they go about organising a
holiday that everyone will enjoy and that won't break the bank. For parents
with children in this category, it may be the first trip they have organised
with children so they simply do not know what to expect.
I’ve had a trawl of the sites and come up with a list of new parents' FAQs and
added my thoughts. Post a comment below if you have any advice, or e-mail us
at yoursay@timesonline.co.uk
Does my baby need a passport?
Are you serious? It’s nine years since children were required to have their
own passports (children included on a parent's passport before October 1998
can continue to travel on it until they reach the age of 16, or when the
passport expires). Passport application forms are available from your local
Post Office or, if you don’t have one near by, from the UK
Passport Agency (0870 5210410). Applications take about three weeks to
process – although you should allow for longer in busy periods, the run up
to the school holidays for example. First passports for children cost £45.
It is important to provide as good a photo as possible of your child to avoid
the application being rejected. The rules for under fives are not as strict
as for older children, but tricky enough. The face must be full on, eyes
open and adult supporting hand not visible. More information from the Passport
Agency.
Er, what’s an EHIC, and do I need one?
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles the holder to state
healthcare treatment in the EEA (European Economic Area) countries and
Switzerland. The main difference between them and the old E111 form, which
EHICs replaced in 2006, is that each individual travelling requires one (you
only needed one E111 form per family). In many countries, state healthcare
does not cover all the things you would expect to get free of charge on the
NHS. For this reason, you should also take out travel insurance. In fact,
some insurance companies require you to have an EHIC, others will waive the
excess charge if one has been used.
You can get hold of the cards very easily online,
by calling 0845 6062030, or at your nearest Post Office. Visit the Department
of Health website for more information on what treatment is covered, and
how to use the card.
Any hints on surviving the flight?
Try self catering - i have three children now 18,17 and 12 and am expecting a baby in october - I think you can get the best of both worlds with self catering - You can eat out when it suits you as a family at lunchtime or in the eveing, you can put the baby to bed in the afternoon so that they stay awake later in the evening to dine with you or you can keep strictly to your home routine. You can sit out in the sunshine of your rented cottage or appartments garden or balcony and drink loval wine or read or chat withyour loved one til yur hearts content. Flying or driving to places like France, germany, Spain, Italy allow you to have short flights or break your own journey as you choose. When you have children the key to a happy holiday is flexibility to arrange your life to suit your needs - self catering allows that
Ellie, Inverness, Scaotland
My boys were 4 and 5 when we went to Holland for a week's holiday. Two years on they still talk about what a fantastic time they had. We took the Dover to Calais ferry and drove to a self catering holiday home on a farm just north of Amsterdam. There was so much to do - animals, windmills, steam trains, beaches, and great food. It helped that we had lovely weather, but although Holland may not sound inspiring it was a brilliant family holiday and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes doing and seeing with small kids. (Driving through Belgium was a little hair raising though...)
Rachel Blythe, Tunbridge Wells, Kent