Oh The Places We'll Go

There is no better feeling than hopping on a plane and jetting off somewhere new and exciting, especially when you get to share the experience with your children. ​

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know how much my family and I love to travel. We are not a full time or part-time traveling family; we simply enjoy vacationing, experiencing new cultures, and discovering new places.    
 
I recently asked on Instagram, what you would like to read about on my next blog post, and I got a lot of questions about traveling with little ones. 
 
First, let me start by saying, there is not a right or wrong answer when it comes to traveling, every single flight has a new story, and every child is completely different. I'm sharing information based on personal stories and experiences. ​

How do we find the best price? 
When I search for flights on Kayak, I usually start my search about two to three months before our trip, and I also search every other day to ensure I get the best price as possible. Saving money on flights is the most crucial factor for me when it comes to planning our trips. 
 
For overseas flights, I've chosen our departure city from Miami instead of Tampa. Miami is only a 4-hour drive, and we have found our flights to be significantly cheaper. Miami International Airport seems to have a broader range of options for direct flights. Yes, we do pay for parking, but the total savings per person is so high that it's worth the drive and the parking fees. When we returned, we usually get a hotel for the night and make the drive back to Tampa the following day. 
 
We like to avoid layovers as much as possible, especially when traveling with Little Penny, and now Tampa International Airport is opening up more direct flights for international travel, which is extremely exciting!
 
Below are a few options flying out of Tampa International Airport.
Norwegian Airlines has direct flights to London.  
Icelandair has direct flights to Reykjavik Iceland.
Cayman Airways has to direct flights to George Town in the Cayman Islands.
Delta has direct flights to Cancun, and they also fly direct to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is only a few hours away by train to Paris and many other beautiful cities.  ​

Does my baby need a Passport?
If you are traveling internationally, the answer is yes. Keep in mind a child's passport needs to be renewed every five years. For domestic flights, some airlines required a birth certificate, so it's always best to have it with you, just in case. 

What do I do about a Stroller?
Please always check with the airline you are traveling with, but generally a stroller and/or a pack and play does not account as your allowance bag. 
 
Checking the stroller is free, and you have the option of checking it at check-in or either at the gate where it will be waiting for you once you land.
We take our UPPAbaby G-LUXE stroller every time we travel it weighs less than 14lbs, and we also purchased a stroller bag to protect it. 
 
What about a car seat?
Again, always check with your airline, but generally, a car seat is free to check-in. We don't take our car seat with us. When we make a reservation for a car rental, we add a car seat to the booking. Some countries have different guidelines when it comes to car seats. We find it easier to just rent one in the country we are traveling to.
What do I pack in Little Penny's carry on?
 She has her own little luggage that is small enough for her to carry.  I pack it with mess-free coloring books, Sticker activity book, water wow, self-ink stampers, a few books, and some snacks. I do pack her favorite toy, but everything else is new to keep the excitement going. 
I don't give her everything at once, when she starts to lose interest in one toy is when I trade it for a snack or another toy. And last but not least a pair of comfortable headphones for her iPad.  
 
What Learning games I downloaded into the iPad 
Animal Theater
Smart Shapes
Smart Rattle
Tiny Hands
ABC Animal Toddler Adventures 
Abby's Magic Laptop for Preschool and Toddlers
 
The above App's are some of Little Penny's favorite learning games at the moment.  A quick little note; when we purchase DVD's or Blue Rays, we buy the ones that include a digital download. 
 
Pack Light
It is a total pain to drag a ton of luggage and baby gear through the airport and at the train stations, while still trying to carry a child. We keep it as simple as possible. Remember, most hotels have laundry rooms or offer laundry services.  
 
And last but not least, make sure you allow enough time for security check. There is nothing worse than trying to rush through security, especially with kids! 
 
I loved sharing all the above tips with you all, if you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask me at any time.  I would also love to hear any tips or suggestions that you may have for me.
 
I am looking forward to our next chat!
​
​XO-Cinthia