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All Americans, including infants, are required to have a passport to travel abroad. Be sure and leave plenty of time to submit applications and receive new passports for children.
Visit the US Department of State website. |
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Car seats may be useful on the plane for active toddlers. They are required in rental cars for many children under 4, regardless of a child's weight. Many car rental companies offer car seats, but quality is not predictable. |
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Careful planning is essential to make flights as enjoyable as possible.
See the Ciao Bambino Flight Checklist for a list of recommended supplies.
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Plan international trips for 10 or more days. |
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Create itineraries that have simple logistics with no more than 2-3 accommodation changes in a two week trip. |
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Choose at least one "home base" property that is comfortable for a week-long stay and has easy access to interesting day trips. |
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Engage older children in the planning process and begin exploring maps, history, food, culture, and daily life before you leave. |
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Book airline seats well ahead of time and have detailed discussions with the reservations agent around the optimal configuration for your family based on the aircraft model and availability. |
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All Ciao Bambino recommended properties offer cribs and most offer highchairs. Take advantage of equipment that is available on location to reduce the burden and stress of all the "stuff" required to travel with young children. |
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Some destinations have restaurants that don't open until 7:30p or later. A late start for many children! Ensure you understand the situation ahead of time and select accommodations accordingly that have kitchen facilities or room service. |
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Driving speeds and traffic laws vary greatly from city-to-city. Understand if pedestrians have the right away. |
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Walking is an important part of travel in many parts of the world. Bring a lightweight stroller for young children, even if they don't use them much at home. |
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Backpacks are a wonderful alternative to a stroller and are especially useful in hilly cities with many stairs. |
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Taxi drivers may not allow you to put car seats in their vehicles. Expect that this may happen and plan accordingly. For longer trips, some private driving services provide car seats. |
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All-day sightseeing is not fun for many kids. Integrate play time in to the day and plan structured activities like walking tours and special activities to increase the level of engagement. |
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In Europe, rental cars in the countryside may be essential to see smaller villages. Be sure and ask your accommodation provider for advice. |
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Find out if your cell phone service provider covers Europe. If not, several companies provide cell phone rental services. Phones are invaluable for directions and information and they make calls to/from home easier. |
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Pharmacies in Europe are widely available and carry an assortment of
baby products including diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food. See
the Ciao Bambino! Supply Checklist for a list of supplies parents should bring from home. |