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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Everything I've learnt about travelling abroad with a toddler
Even for the most seasoned traveller, taking a trip as a family can be a daunting prospect. I spent a decade as a travel journalist and have a fair share of experience under my belt – but when it came to flying with my daughter for the first time, I was overwhelmed. There's so much to think about before you even set off that some, myself included, may wonder if it's easier to stay at home (or at least do a holiday in the UK). But don't do that. With some meticulous planning, and a 'whatever happens, happens' attitude, you can get through it – since that first trip three-and-a-half years ago, I've conquered long-haul flights, including even a 10-hour one on my own with her. Here's what I've learnt. In this guide: Choosing where to go Plane travel with babies Plane travel with toddlers Car hire with little ones onboard Family packing tips What to do when you're there 1. Location, location, location Ideally, you want to minimise transit time on either side, so opt for destinations that don't require a long onward journey on arrival. For our first family holiday abroad, we picked Sintra, Portugal, an hour's drive from Lisbon, for simple, smart reasons: good weather, short flight, no time difference and an easy distance from an airport with many flights from the UK. You can also opt to break up journeys for longer-haul travel – we flew to Athens, where we stayed for a few nights, before a ferry to the Cyclades, to break up what would have been a full-on 24 hours of travel. (A note on ferries: once you're on them, they're great, because there are no rules about sitting down.) 2. Picking a plane seat To book seats or not to book seats? I have done both. If you're travelling with a baby on British Airways, you can choose a seat for yourself and everyone in your booking (up to nine people), free of charge, which is a boon. On Ryanair, children (aged two to 11 years) receive free reserved seating so they can sit beside a parent. All children under 12 need to be seated with an adult (defined as over 16) on a flight, though do note that some airlines' policies only 'attempt' to sit families together, or else define 'together' as within arm's reach – so to be completely sure you are next to each other, pay to reserve seats or check-in at the earliest possible time or you might find yourself asking to switch seats with other passengers, which doesn't always go down well. 3. Handling airports If the airport offers fast track through security and passport control, it can be worth it – getting stuck in a long queue with an unhappy baby or adventurous toddler is torturous. (Though sometimes, these queues can be longer than the regular queues, so it's always worth assessing.) The Stansted FastTrack pass, for example, is as little as £7 per person. Some airports, however, such as Gatwick and Lisbon, have a handy separate family check-in and security queue. Airlines often call families to board first, though this is not, in fact, always a great idea – it just means more time on the plane. The very best airports have kids' zones free of charge – Girona has a great indoor and outdoor play area by the gates and Gatwick South Terminal has a small soft play. 4. Flying with babies (under-twos) Under-twos usually fly 'free' on your lap (you pay tax or a nominal fee). British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet allow two pieces of free equipment – a pushchair, car seat or travel cot – plus extra hand luggage for the baby, but other airlines vary. (This same rule usually applies to over-twos, too, but check with specific airlines.) If you're flying long-haul and require a carrycot, you need to book these in advance (with British Airways, for example, you have to phone up) and they're first come, first served. Some airlines offer a car seat set-up, too, if you're willing to buy the extra seat. The baby can only go in these when the seatbelt sign is off, though. If you're a couple flying with a baby, a smart tactic is to book the aisle and window seat in a row of three, in the hope the middle one won't be taken so you can stretch out (if it is, the passenger will almost certainly want to swap for the aisle or window). There are a handful of prams that fit into an overhead compartment (eg the Babyzen Yoyo or Bugaboo Butterfly), otherwise you can wheel it up to the tarmac before it goes in the hold. If this is the case, it's worth bringing a carrier in the event that you're waiting (or there is no room in the cabin) and need to be hands-free. Baby milk and sterilised water are not subject to the 100ml liquids rule. Bring dummies and/or feeding equipment, as sucking helps a baby's ears during take-off and landing, and toys to distract – spinners that stick to windows or tray tables are lightweight. 5. Flying with toddlers The good news is, from two years of age, they have their own seat and, if you're flying long-haul, their own screen on the back of the chair. The bad news is you're paying (almost) full rate for them. You also have to entertain them. On recent flights to both the United States and Jamaica, I brought a bag filled with new trinkets and toys – stickers, a sketch pad, cars – all wrapped up in tissue paper (not taped, in case security wanted to look through). As any parent of a toddler will know, snacks are vital in any and all situations and a plane is no different. I used my child's entire hand luggage allowance for snacks (corn thins, yoghurt pouches, fruit). I also packed a tray of 'emergency' cupcakes that I knew would work should a tantrum happen at an inopportune moment. A wise family member also slipped me a lollipop (which are usually banned) and it was a saviour when we were landing: after nearly 18 hours of travelling, my daughter could not be talked into doing up her seatbelt by myself, her father, or three cabin crew members. Sometimes, a lollipop is necessary. In terms of kit, aside from over-ear headphones for any screens, there's not too much you can actually bring on board. Tread carefully with much-marketed seat extenders as they aren't actually permitted on certain carriers. Always ring ahead to check, and even then, be prepared to have it confiscated, as a colleague learned. A handy trick might be to tuck a blanket into the seat pouch in front, to create a hammock for their legs. Finally, I wish I'd had a toddler sling for the long border control queue, when my daughter refused to go in her pram or be put down. 6. Onward travel Book a car well in advance, ideally with a company that has a kiosk in arrivals, or – even better – one that brings a car directly outside the terminal. The faff of a transfer bus between the terminal and a garage is not ideal. If your child is under two, you may want to bring your own car seat: you can't guarantee they will have stock in busy periods and might end up with an age-inappropriate seat. Some airports have independent car seat hire agencies you can collect on arrival, before hiring the car. Note that in Britain and most of the continent, children over the age of three can legally ride in the back of a taxi without a car seat, though some countries differ slightly – for example, France follows the rule but only for hailed taxis, not pre-booked ones. So always check ahead. 7. Pack light(er) You don't need nearly as much as you think, especially if you have access to a washing machine and are travelling somewhere warm. I've also washed many a baby item in a hotel sink. Key items we've brought away include a comforter that smells of home, favourite bedtime books, drawing items and easily transportable toys such as jigsaws or small bags of Duplo. A nightlight and white noise machine (your phone can work for the latter) are advisable, even if you don't use these at home. A SnoozeShade for the pram is also essential for sun protection and naps out and about. And bring enough nappies for a few days – I wrongly assumed that in Portugal I would be able bulk-buy them in Aldi, and then spent an afternoon driving round pharmacies. You can pack them into shoes and down the side of the suitcase. Otherwise, you can arrange click and collect for Boots deliveries at airport terminal branches, so they don't take up valuable suitcase space. It's best to bring Calpol and ibuprofen with you (always have one in a carry-on, too), rather than trying to find it in a pressured situation (and/or in a different language). The same goes for eczema creams or similar. I also split everyone's clothes between whatever luggage we have, including a spare change of clothes and swimwear for everyone in carry-ons, in case any checked bags go missing. Go a step further and buy AirTags (devices which are trackable through an app on your phone) to put inside suitcases. And finally, use packing cubes for the entire family – essential to organise everybody's items, and you can shove them straight into the wardrobe when you get there. 8. On arrival Now to try and make sure everyone is enjoying themselves. As soon as I arrive to any accommodation I check for any dangers (there's only so much you can gather from photos and reviews) – also known as a 'frantic safety assessment.' Consider how many exit points lead directly to the swimming pool of your villa? Are there stone stairs or marble floors? How easily can they climb furniture and open a window? Nobody wants a trip to A&E so it's always worth anticipating any issues. 9. Adopt a new routine and activities Don't try and impose the routine you follow at home too stringently. I'm a firm believer in letting toddlers acclimatise to the new norm. Playgrounds in Spain and Italy are at their most vibrant from 7.30pm, for example, so let them live a little. They can make it up the next day with a lie-in or an extra nap. Different types of parents have different viewpoints on kids' clubs. I have used them and I think they're wonderful – especially if your child is at a nursery or pre-school and is used to being sociable. Hotels these days have top-tier ones – recent clubs my daughter has been to have included seashell painting, tie-dying, visits from Sesame Street characters and even accredited staff members. We employed a one-day-on, one-day-off policy, so we felt like we were still having a holiday together (but it meant I also got to finish a book). 10. Eating out It's also always worth researching ahead of time to see what you need to book when it comes to attractions and restaurants. I've always found lunches out to be the best option with young children, followed by a more chilled approach for dinner. If you're staying in a hotel, it's also the time to enjoy that room service without feeling guilty. Decent hotels will usually have the firm family favourites available, and it means you can do bath and bedtime immediately after their last bite. One word of advice on hotels, though – make sure you book somewhere with a separate area in which to hang out (a living area or even a terrace) otherwise it'll be lights out when your children go to sleep, unless you want to book a babysitter. 11. Manage expectations Perhaps the most important tip of all: it's no longer fly-and-flop. It's fly and… parent in different, exciting and (hopefully) sunnier climes. And, if you stay at a hotel, less housework. About our expert Jade Conroy is a Publishing Editor for Features and Lifestyle and has contributed to the Telegraph's travel pages for 10 years. Most recently she has taken her almost-four-year-old daughter to Jamaica and the Costa Brava. This article was first published in July 2024 and has been revised and updated. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- News.com.au
I lost $1000 after carrying a product I was assured was travel friendly
As a frequent traveller and travel journalist, I feel I have mastered the art of travelling. I'm no stranger to carry-on restrictions or security screenings, and I've got packing my bags down to a fine art. Travelling with expensive camera gear means I ensure it is safely packed in carry-on, and I even take the batteries out for easy inspection. I'm so used to it, I like to think of myself as a pro-packer. The latest backpack that fits all you need, I have it. Suitcases that roll so easily they could walk themselves, I'm taking it. From the latest travel gadgets to make life on the move easier, such as pocket power banks, to water bottles that purify water, and even reversible jeans that give you extra outfit options in one, I have them all. For me, it's all about convenience, comfort and minimising weight (because no one likes lugging around bags when travelling). So, when I saw ghd offered a cordless hair straightener that promised to be 'Flight Friendly', I was sold. No longer would my wild hair that turns into a bird's nest at the mere whisper of the word humidity be an issue while travelling. I could whip out my compact, travel-friendly hair straightener and slick that unruly hair back down where it belonged. It was sleek, compact, and sold with promises of 'hybrid co-lithium technology' and 'flight-friendly' status in line with IATA guidelines on carriage of portable electronic devices. Additionally, it fully charges in just two hours and comes with a heat-resistant case for safe storage. And all for a starting price of $475 AUD. It was in my cart and purchased faster than I could say ghd. Perfect! I tried it out at home first, and it did everything it promised. So, it was the first thing I packed in my checked-in bag ahead of my trip to New Zealand. I used it daily throughout my week-long adventures around Northland, and when it came time to fly home to Brisbane from Auckland, I had it packed safely in my checked-in bag again. This is where my lesson in lithium batteries, international regulations – and why even 'flight-friendly' doesn't always mean airline-approved – began. I returned home to Brisbane and discovered a note in my suitcase from the New Zealand Aviation Security Service, saying they had 'confirmed the inspected item was unsuitable for air carriage and the item was removed', listing 1 ghd Hair Straightener. I was devastated, not only at the loss of a $475 personal item (gulp), but also that I'd lost my handy travel companion. Undeterred (and still committed to good hair days on the road), I replaced the confiscated unit with the same model before a trip to Japan. This time, I decided to follow what I believed were IATA-aligned guidelines more closely and packed it in my carry-on bag. Departing Australia, there was no issue. The straightener passed through security at Brisbane Airport, and I used it during my stay in Tokyo without trouble. But when I went to fly from Haneda to Sapporo, I was stopped at screening. The ghd straightener was swiftly and unapologetically confiscated. Two hair straighteners down and a day into Hokkaido's 40-degree summer heat with a frizzy mass of hair, I decided to go sleuth on the subject of 'what can and cannot be taken on a flight'. According to the Aviation Security Service (AvSec) website, they now prohibit certain cordless hair straighteners from being packed in either carry-on or checked baggage — unless they meet specific safety conditions. Under the new guidelines, cordless styling tools without a flight-safe mode — such as the ghd Unplugged — are no longer allowed on flights from New Zealand. The issue stems from their battery configuration. If a device doesn't have a way to disconnect the heating element from the battery (either via a removable battery or a flight-safe tag), it poses a potential fire hazard. By contrast, devices like the Dyson Corrale, which include a flight mode that isolates the battery, are permitted on board — provided the flight-safe tag is removed before travel. Standard plug-in hair straighteners powered by mains electricity are unaffected by the changes and can continue to travel in both checked and carry-on luggage. It seems several other airports are following suit, with these updated policies focusing on the fire risk posed by battery-powered heating devices. Many airlines and airport security agencies have strict and varying rules around battery-powered devices, particularly those containing lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries, due to fire risk. Even if the device is powered off, certain types of lithium batteries are not allowed in checked baggage at all. And in carry-on luggage, regulations can differ by country and even by airport. When I put my recent experience to ghd customer care, while they were 'sorry' for my experience, the decision whether the device can be taken on board or not 'rests with individual airlines and airport authorities, whose policies may vary.' 'The ghd unplugged fully complies with IATA guidelines for portable electronic devices,' the statement read. 'As you've experienced, some security teams may confiscate devices containing non-removable lithium batteries despite compliance. Unfortunately, this is outside ghd's control. As outlined in the safety guidelines included in the packaging, we recommend contacting your airline prior to travel for advice on how to carry your ghd unplugged.' What this experience taught me is that 'flight-friendly' doesn't mean universally accepted. Even if a brand markets a device as compliant with international air travel guidelines, interpretation of those rules can vary dramatically between countries — and airport security has the final say. Had I known, I likely would've saved myself the cost of two cordless straighteners and the inconvenience of dealing with inconsistent enforcement. For travellers who rely on styling tools, consider packing a corded straightener or one with removable batteries instead. And always check your airline's dangerous goods information page before packing. Because the only thing worse than a bad hair day … is losing your favourite straightener to airport security, twice.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- BBC News
Why do we dress like someone else when we go on holiday?
Why do we dress like someone else when we go on holiday? From multipurpose utility garments to Instagrammable maxi dresses and floppy hats, one thing is for sure – we don't dress this way at home. An American friend recently asked me what to wear on her first flight to Europe. "I want to be comfy but chic," she said. She'd come to the wrong person. As a travel journalist, I'm either on assignment, sun cream-smeared in hiking boots and hauling a rucksack like a tortoise shell; or travelling light with a five-piece capsule wardrobe in beige neutrals to leave space for edible souvenirs. Meanwhile, many of my fellow travellers parade past in floral gowns, breezy summer whites or cosy pyjama-like layers. Sometimes I glimpse my own reflection and feel a pang of FOMO. Should I have worn a floral dress to photograph ruins? I don't even own one. Or perhaps instead of clunky hiking boots, I would be more comfortable in a pair of Birkenstocks, with thick white socks hiked up to my knees. As disparate and sometimes dramatic as travel get-ups can be, one thing is for sure: we don't dress this way back home. The dawn of holiday wear So why do we dress so differently when we're on holiday – almost as if we're someone else? Marta Franceschini, head of communications and editorials at the European Fashion Heritage Association, says that the holiday wardrobe emerged alongside leisure travel in the 19th Century. "Prior to this, clothing for travel was primarily utilitarian, associated with migration, pilgrimage or military and trade expeditions," she explained. According to Franceschini, the growth of the middle class and the expansion of railways in Europe in the mid-1800s meant that seaside resorts became fashionable destinations, prompting the development of travel wardrobes that fused elegance with comfort. Warm weather necessitated lighter, breathable fabrics such as linen and silk, and by the interwar period, designers like Coco Chanel were championing relaxed styles such as casual knitwear, wide-leg trousers and swimwear. "The post-World War Two economic boom, coupled with the advent of commercial aviation, democratised travel further," Franceschini added. "From the 1950s to the '70s, leisurewear evolved into a distinct genre: Capri pants, resort prints, kaftans and cruise collections became staples." Franceschini also notes that the need to dress for unfamiliar temperatures "[permits] a certain relaxation of social dress codes". That explains sandals with socks. Backpacks and backlash And yet, it is a universally acknowledged truth that no one wants to look like a tourist. Lifestyle publications teem with articles steering travellers away from the reviled traditional tourist kit – T-shirt, backpack and hat – proposing, instead, luggage-conscious capsule wardrobes inspired by the destination itself. When Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic at the New York Times, receives reader questions about how not to look like a tourist on holiday, she taps locals for their input to make her recommendations. "I think people dress to belong," she told the BBC. "So, when you're travelling, you don't want to stand out." But if the term "tourist" conveys a sense of escape from the everyday, what's so terrible about looking like one? "There are some interesting negative connotations about being a tourist," said Dr Charlotte Russell, founder of The Travel Psychologist. "Ideas around being seen as naïve, not being experienced or well-travelled, perhaps clumsy with regard to cultural differences and potentially falling prey to unfair pricing. None of us want to be any of these things, so it's unsurprising that people want to differentiate themselves from these stereotypes." Franceschini believes that this wariness likely emerged in the late 20th Century, "as global travel became more accessible and distinctions between the traveller and the tourist became increasingly codified". Anyone booking travel back then – the dawn of internet travel planning and the expat blog boom – would have witnessed that ever-growing chasm between the two. The smug verdict: tourists, who visit a place for mere days, are less culturally savvy than travellers, who may be privileged enough to spend months or even years overseas. Dr Andrew Stevenson, author of the book The Psychology of Travel, believes this dichotomy reveals something deeper: how we want to be seen. "Do you want to present yourself as somebody who's trying to blend in, like an anthropologist?" asked Stevenson. "Or do you want to erect a barrier between yourself and the host location, because maybe you've got safety concerns, or you want to travel in a bubble with your travel party? I think clothes are a symbol of how much belongingness we want to have with the place we're visiting." Do my day-to-night layers and rugged footwear merely reflect that I'm segueing from 10km hikes to interviewing government officials? Or that I want to signal my identity as a travel journalist? 'Monica Vitti is dead' Picture it: Sicily, The White Lotus Season Two. Jennifer Coolidge as the daffy, doomed Tanya McQuoid has rented a Vespa and is ecstatic in her flowy pink dress, pink headscarf and giant sunglasses. "Guess who I am?" she asks the hotel manager, Valentina. "Watch, watch." Tanya takes a drag from her cigarette, exhaling smoke in a sultry stream. Valentina, a bona fide Italian woman in a no-nonsense double-breasted blue pantsuit, is nonplussed. She hazards a guess: "Peppa Pig." Tanya beams: "I'm Monica Vitti!" "Monica Vitti is dead," snaps Valentina. Rarely has a scene of television so perfectly encapsulated the yawning gulf between what people wear and what overseas visitors believe they wear. I've been based in Southern Italy for 15 years; if you see someone swanning around in a flowy dress and hat, they are 100% a tourist. Franceschini calls it a kind of "sartorial mimicry", observing that "clothing choices are often influenced by an imagined or real desire to either assimilate with the local culture or to symbolically participate in it". Like Bermuda shorts or Hawaiian shirts, she says, these outfits are clichéd, but they are also signs of cultural aspiration and symbolic belonging. However, she cautions that they can also veer into cultural appropriation, where items are worn "without an understanding of their cultural context or significance". Tanya's "Dolce Vita" look, Franceschini added, is a contemporary iteration of long-romanticised visions of Mediterranean leisure, femininity and glamour. "Rooted in cinematic depictions from Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita to more recent iterations like the season of The White Lotus set in Italy, this mode of dress draws heavily on idealised representations of Italy as a sensual, timeless and emotionally unburdened destination… These choices are often less about actual cultural integration and more about performing a version of Italy that aligns with global stereotypes – sun-drenched, stylish and hedonistic." In other words, imagine an overseas visitor visiting London dressed as Twiggy, or the US dressed as Marilyn Monroe. The Instagram effect It's hardly news that social media presents a highly curated view of everyday life. But, that knowledge doesn't stop us from consuming holiday content, where influencers and celebrities pose thirstily in front of beautiful places while wearing beautiful things. Russell believes that these aspirational travel posts have a significant impact how people dress when they travel. "We see a lot of images of people looking dressed up from everywhere to the Colosseum to natural places and even at the top of mountains," she said. "This certainly was not the case 15 years ago, and I definitely think there has been a shift." "I remember when people used to take photographs of places and things," echoed Stevenson. "But now people take photographs of themselves, and the places and things are in the background." The result? "A convergence of fashion and digital spectacle: locations become backdrops," said Franceschini. "Outfits become integral to the performative self-branding of the traveller. Influencer culture has further accelerated this dynamic, with sponsored wardrobes, coordinated colour palettes and editorial-style holiday shots becoming standard." It brings to mind a quote from the legendary late American actress Betty White: "Facebook just sounds like a drag; in my day, seeing pictures of people's vacations was considered punishment." Time to celebrate Of course, it's exciting to go somewhere new, and how we dress on holiday is a reflection of that joy. "Holiday dress often functions as a performative break from the conventions of daily life," said Franceschini. "On holiday, people permit themselves to wear clothing that might be deemed inappropriate, excessive or impractical in their everyday environments. Holiday wear can thus be read as a sartorial manifestation of the freedom, or at least escapism, and sensory indulgence associated with travel." Russell agrees: "For many of us, we are working on laptops all day or may have uniforms at work, and we dress for function and comfort. So, a holiday is an opportunity to explore a different part of ourselves. A part that is perhaps more carefree, joyful and relaxed." Whether that self wears hiking boots or pink chiffon, the same truth applies. "If you want to wear a beautiful dress or bright shirt, and it feels right to you, then this is totally okay," said Russell. "Life is too short for worrying about judgements from others." And so is your holiday. -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
