Best Destination Abroad to Travel with Toddlers

What are the Most Child-friendly Countries for a Family Holiday?

Planning a family vacation with toddlers is by no means an easy task. Usually, toddlers aged between 1 and 3 years are very active, demanding a lot of care and preparation.

Especially when it's outside the comfort of your home, it is natural to worry about your toddler in public places. From flights to kid-friendly cafes, you may have a lot of doubts regarding your next travel destination. What’s more, deciding which country is the most kid-friendly depends on a lot of factors:

• Convenience
• Safety
• Healthy Food Options
• Kid-friendly public spaces
• Entertainment options

The ultimate preference is of course yours, as you know best what you want on your family vacation. Thankfully, there are many foreign countries that are extremely kid-friendly and offer a lot of support as well as fun to families with kids.

Better yet, you can easily tackle financial emergencies thanks to an international travel insurance plan that covers medical emergencies, personal liabilities, baggage delay and other difficulties to guarantee a fun time with your baby!

Best Countries to Travel with Toddlers

Here are some of the best international places to travel with toddlers:

1. Italy

   Italy is one of the most popular kid-friendly countries with a lot of resorts, restaurants and public parks. You can easily come to this Schengen country for a much-awaited family holiday as Italians love kids! Their spaces are also very safe for tourists and are full of families vacationing. While the country is very toddler-friendly, you will find some places that are far more accommodating and baby-friendly!

   Some of these include the Dolomites, Tuscany, Lake Como, Lake Garda and Marche. You can easily rent a car and explore the countryside which has a lot of kid-friendly farms, lakes, beaches and a lot more.

   Pro-Tip: Exploring Rome and places like Venice which have a lot of water canals, steps and uneven terrains can be very challenging if you’re here with a toddler or more. You will also need international travel insurance for yourself and your toddler before coming here!

2. Sweden

   Sweden continues to be among the safest and extremely best places to visit with children. Kid-friendly spaces are scattered over the city and there will be no shortage of entertainment for your little one!

   In fact, you will easily spot a stroller wherever you go as it's a very walkable country and parents can easily go to parks, and play areas. You don't need to worry about your toddler's food too as most eateries have kid-friendly menus.

   The public transport and hotels in Sweden are well-equipped for tourists with children. Some of the best places include Liseberg amusement park, Smaland, Malmo and more. You will easily find playgrounds, activity centres, zoos and kid-friendly museums here.

3. Thailand

   Thai people simply adore kids and you will see it for yourself once you’re here! Being a very family-oriented country, you will have a lot of fun in Thailand. Even though Thailand is famous for its mature entertainment scenes, it has far more family-friendly areas if you do a simple google search.

   Some of the best toddler-friendly attractions here include Elephant nature park in Chiang Mai and Kok Chang, Dream World theme park, Tooney Museum, EasyKart, Bangkok Doll Factory and Museum, and Splash Jungle Water Park.

   Pro-Tip: Many hotels even offer babysitting services so you can catch a quick break before you join your toddler in their fun! Don’t forget to check this with your hotel before booking though.

4. New Zealand

   New Zealand is one of the best countries in the world for women and children. The country is extremely relaxed about family tourism and offers a lot of toddler-friendly areas. You will face no difficulty in finding a baby-changing area or a safe playground for your young children no matter where you decide to go.

   You'll easily find kid-friendly restaurants and cafes offering high chairs, kid-friendly menus, baby-changing rooms, feeding rooms, and toys so that you can easily entertain your toddler. In fact, most attractions and national parks in New Zealand are kid-friendly and stroller-accessible.

   Popular kid-friendly tourist places in New Zealand include Willowbank Wildlife, Mount Hutt, Christchurch Botanic Garden, International Antarctic Centre, and the Bay of Islands.

5. Spain

   Spain offers excellent amenities to tourists and families travelling with toddlers. In most cases, toddlers under 4 years old can travel for free on Spanish public transport. Locals are very accommodating to people with kids and you will find all kinds of help here.

   Better yet, the food is perfect here for even the fussiest of eaters, so you won’t find it difficult to feed your little one! The country has several attractions perfect for children- from stunning palaces, golden grainy beaches and places like Park Guell, El Retiro Park, etc.

   Pro-Tip: If going with small children, don't forget to visit the Spanish Canary Islands, Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, and Tibidabo amusement park.

Tips for Flying with Babies

You can visit almost any of these countries if you prepare for them well. Travelling alone with your toddler may be a little difficult but with some timely prep and tips given below, you will be good to go:

• Always confirm if your baby requires a ticket or not. While some airlines and buses don't cost extra, some may have extra charges.
• Always carry your baby's identification, usually their passport or birth certificate.
• Strollers are essential for babies and toddlers and you will need them on your vacation, abroad or not. Opt for an airline with a higher luggage limit so that you can carry the stroller along.
• Travelling on flights will include diaper changes in a cramped space, so prepare a smaller bag that you can take comfortably at any time.
• While some cultures don't object to public breastfeeding, carry a nursing cover just in case you can't find a baby changing room.
• Baby bassinets are a lifesaver for toddlers under 1.5 years, make sure to carry one if you plan to fly often.
• Infant seat belts are necessary if you're flying, however not all airlines offer them. It's best to confirm this and prepare accordingly.
• Unlike you, your toddler needs constant attention and variety or they may throw a tantrum in public. Always keep a lot of entertainment options and never hand them all at once to keep their interest.

Finally, always buy overseas travel insurance for a hassle-free family vacation. It will keep you safe from additional expenses incurred due to any emergency and you will always have a backup!

To Summarise,

Travelling with your toddler is a rewarding experience and helps both of you to grow and understand new experiences better. For children, travelling is the best way to make them accommodating, accepting and adaptable to changes.

Young, impressionable kids are extremely curious and help you to keep that adventurous streak, as well as boost their development. Just make sure to prepare well for these trips so that you're prepared for all the scenarios. While you're at it, don't forget to buy travel insurance online as it will keep you and your beloved children safe from any unexpected emergencies during the trip!