Why you should take your baby on a self-catering holiday
With a new baby in the family, it can be tempting to take the easy route and postpone any holidays for a couple of years. And while there is no denying that traveling to a holiday rental with an infant has its challenges, it is one of the most rewarding ways to take a holiday.
You may need to pack some extra equipment for the perfect baby-friendly holiday, but there is no reason why you and your little one can’t have a wonderful time on a self-catering trip. It also has plenty of benefits too. Granted you might want to stay away from long-haul destinations and busy hotels, but by taking a self-catering trip abroad you and your baby can bond, relax, and have fun! And here are some reasons why.
It offers a new world of stimulation
All children are sponges to their senses, and this is even more true with those under three years old. By taking them to an exotic destination, the new sights, sounds and smells they experience will help expand their minds and boost their development.
It helps you be more social
Everyone knows how easy it is to hide away in the comfort of your villa whilst on a self-catering holiday. But if you’re taking young children with you, you’ll far more likely to be active – ensuring they’re constantly amused! Combine this with the fact that children are the best ice-breaker and you may find yourself being much more social on holiday than you are used to. A love of kids is the most universal language, and a precocious little one is likely to turn even the stoniest faced local into a smiling and welcoming friend.
It helps you relax
Having a new baby is as rewarding as it is exhausting. By giving yourself the time to relax on holiday with none of the other stresses and distractions in life (chores, work, bills etc.) you are refuelling your energy levels and reenergising for the next leg of the parenting journey ahead.
It is easier than you think
If you’ve never travelled with a baby, you might be fooled into thinking it’s more difficult than it actually is. Babies are resilient, not to mention portable. In some ways, they’re the best people to travel with. After all, when faced with a short flight or a transfer to a hotel most babies will just fall asleep! And thanks to their predictable diet, you won’t have to worry about what to order them for dinner!
Most airlines let you take your buggy on the plane at no extra cost and wheel it right up to the plane.
It doesn’t cost much extra
Aside from a flat charge of around £10-45, babies aren’t expensive to fly. Most villa rentals, resorts, and hotels also provide cots and high chairs free of charge. While you always need to check what’s included before you book, you might be surprised at how little extra taking your baby will cost you.
So, there is really nothing stopping you taking your little bundle of joy on a self-catering holiday with you, just make sure you do it before they turn into a toddler!
By Isabella Perkins, a freelance travel writer best known for writing about self-catering holidays. Her writing tends to have a family-focus, and she is in the; midst of writing a new travel guide due to be published next year.