Only those who have traveled with a baby know the thousand things to put in their suitcase
As much as you consider that being in a great all-inclusive hotel in the Mayan Riviera It is the best of the best for comfort and services, there will always be a "restless mom" who comes up with that from the pediatricians, a different country, you don't know how many kilometers away is the nearest hospital, so many hours of flight! blah blah blah… So, for your own peace of mind and thus avoid the criticism of those hysterical madrassas who believe that it is best to stay home until the child makes the first communion, here I explain three of the best options that I myself am considering for this summer (yes, I am also a hysteric, but to organize trips half a year in advance):
In addition to entertainment on board, the children's areas of Royal Caribbean cruises stand out
A CRUISE THROUGH EUROPE (FROM SIX MONTHS):
- It doesn't matter if they don't go with you, or if renting a motorbike at the last minute to get to a hidden cove after three hours of walking is your style of travel: changing a diaper has to be changed right away, and you know it's something that can't wait, so it's nice to have a cabin at your entire disposal 24 hours a day (also extendable for intespective mini-naps) .
- Also, In Europe we have a large number of port cities from which you can get around without needing any more 'four-wheel vehicle' than your Maclaren or Nanuq pushchair (Barcelona, Venice, Duvroknic, Nice / Villefranch on the Côte d'Azur, Naples, Split, Santorini, Mykonos, etc.). If this is not the case, in principle babies can go on any excursion (although ask beforehand) .
- Companies like Royal Caribbean offer a Babycare service surcharge for parents to get off the ship (between 6 and 36 months); babysitting service in the cabin for babies from one year (also with surcharge) ; programs of activities and workshops (free) and even a Fisher-Price Toy Lending Program.
- The part that I like the most (I am short-sighted and I do not like to carry a lot of gear), and one of the reasons why I recommend this shipping company: it has a service called Babies 2 Go! (obviously with a surcharge) that will allow you to make a diaper preorder, Huggies baby wipes and cream, and Gerber® organic baby food. You'll find it all right in your stateroom. Also, I have no idea how to say baby food in Italian, Croatian or Greek.
- Important: there's a doctor on the ship throughout the cruise.
- An example: 12-night inside cabin cruise for two adults and one infant on the ship Serenade Of The Seas departing (September 28) and returning to Barcelona, with calls in Cannes (Monte Carlo), France; La Spezia (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Naples (Salerno), Italy; Venice Italy; Ravenna, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Barcelona, Spain: €3,242 with tips and taxes included.
The climate and the hotels in the Canary Islands, such as the Sheraton La Caleta, are ideal for babies
A SAFE BET: CANARY ISLANDS
- Because of his eternal spring weather, With an annual average between 18°C and 24°C, any of its islands will be perfect even if it means having to take a flight (remember that it is recommended not to fly with babies less than 15 days after birth).
- On the plane, the baby will be perfectly attached in your arms with the appropriate safety belt: on a direct flight from Madrid, the most remote island is La Palma, and it is just under three hours away, so the journey will not be heavy for either of them.
- Some companies, such as Vueling, offer the possibility of traveling in a pushchair provided that the baby is between 6 and 36 months old, is approved and you have reserved a seat for him. And they allow you to check in at no cost for a total of 2 pieces (chair, stroller or cot).
- Once on land, the hotels in the Canary Islands will cover all your expectations. tourism experts, Canarian establishments have been able to adapt to the needs of each traveler, and for being parents we were not going to be less: surely in any of them you will find heated children's pool, play area and fun beach club where you can wash off the sand from the beach, rest from the sun or have a cool beer (the latter only for parents, of course). I recommend: the Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort & Spa in Gran Canaria (from 160 euros) or the Sheraton La Caleta in Tenerife (half board: from 198 euros). Also on the island of chicharreros, it is worth staying at the Abama Golf & Spa Resort (from 227 euros) or at the Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque Resort (from 130 euros). In Lanzarote, the Meliá Salinas (from 150 euros) and the H10 Lanzarote Princess -with a pirate ship in the children's pool- (from 78 euros) stand out. For its part, in the idyllic Fuerteventura choose the Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahía Real (about 195 euros).
The quiet Intercontinental La Torre will meet all your expectations as a demanding traveler, and as a parent too.
THE MAR MINOR (YES, THE MAR MINOR) :
- Surely when you think of the Mar Menor you can't help but imagine retirees (as my grandmother used to do twenty years ago) who travel religiously every year to spread that 'healing' mud all over their bodies to fight against rheumatism or any other pathology , but, do not be scared, this style of traveler tends to concentrate more towards the town of Lo Pagán or Manga del Mar Menor itself. What I suggest is that splash around with your child in Los Alcáceres or Los Urrutias, its two family beaches have plenty of facilities and services always at hand. Of course, you won't get rid of the typical screaming mother with hers “Pepe come 'pa-la' tolla you have to have a snack”. Do not despair, surely when you see your baby enjoying the warm water and the absence of waves for hours and hours you will forget all these aspects that are so uncool that they do not go with you at all.
- In addition, since you are giving ground in favor of their needs, you can treat yourself to staying in a great hotel of those from whose bathtub you can enjoy the views of the room –whether to a lake, a golf course or a swimming pool–. The Intercontinental La Torre Golf Resort Murcia (double deluxe room from €99, with buffet breakfast and access to the wellness area included) is this and much more, with its bars and restaurants, its wellness area and its charming and residential interior tranquility (in this Murcia region not being on the beachfront is even appreciated).
- The same, with the little one, it is a bit risky to go to the Calblanque natural park, where there is nothing at all, no bars, no beach bars, no buildings, just wild dream beaches, But if – like me – you are a bit unaware and make the effort to remember to take the umbrella, the fridge and the total screen protective cream, there is the recommendation.