PS.. I know this pic looks a little funny…but doesn’t he look so proud!?

When we decided to take our trip to Atlanta I was excited. That is until I remembered that I would be flying with my 10 month old son. A  son who doesn’t sit still for long. I was nervous…how would I get through this? But then I said to myself…”self….people travel with babies every day…and if they can do it so can you…you got this!” That’s right I gave myself a pep talk. I asked friends and even my doctor for their tricks of the trade, and the biggest piece of advice I got was to be prepared, and to have a bag of tricks. So we did it…we packed up and boarded that plane, and our little guy was such a trooper.

The first step is choosing the best flight time for you. I went through a ton of options in my head and decided that for us, traveling during his morning nap time was the way to go. That way I could nurse him during take off, and hopefully have him fall asleep right after. This plan worked perfectly. Even when we taxied for a little bit too long he did well, and as planned he fell asleep right after take off.

When I asked my pediatrician for some tips, this is what she said…”go to the dollar store and buy 20 new toys. All toys that are new to him. Bring 10 on the way there and 10 for the trip back, and every 10 minutes or so bring out a new toy. I took this advice and it worked EXTREMELY well. Who needs expensive toys when there are dollar store toys!? He loved them and they entertained him!

We didn’t buy him a seat, but I can definitely see the benefit, since on the way there the middle seat in our row was left empty. He loved to stand and sit on that seat, and it gave my lap a break. We took a gamble and booked the aisle and the window seat, hoping that no one would book the middle on our not full flight. The gamble didn’t pay off on the way home, because when I booked the seats the flight wasn’t full, but when we boarded it turned out it was booked! Oh well, it worked out anyway because we moved my mother in law into the seat. I think next time I may not take that gamble.

Traveling with my 10 1/2 month old was an adventure, as is everything else in motherhood. What did I learn? I learned that I could do it, and the unknown was scarier than the actual flying. I also came to the realization that 3 hours is probably my flying max with my boy. At least for now. He did VERY well, but I have a feeling much longer than that I would be left with a little guy who got very frustrated.

The bottom line? We did it, and my son was a champ!

Ok, so the title was a bit dramatic, and maybe we didn’t conquer much, but we did fly to Atlanta, and we did see a whole bunch in Atlanta. Captain Awesome is a HUGE Atlanta Falcons fan, and has always talked about going to a game. So, even before our little cherub was born, we planned to go to Atlanta to celebrate The Captain’s 30th birthday, so that he could show his son his favorite team! So together with the two Grandma’s, Captain Awesome, the baby and myself flew to Atlanta to see the sites and catch a game! Go Falcons!

Flying to Atlanta meant that it was time for Christian to go on his first airplane ride! I was extremely nervous since he is such an active little guy, but I have to tell you he was such a trooper! I will do a separate post on flying with a baby soon, but the short version was that at 10 1/2 months he did great, although I will admit that I think 2 1/2 or 3 hours would be our flying limit at this point. You really can’t rationalize with a 10 month old!

We stayed at the Downtown Marriott Marquis. Great location if you want to be able to walk to all the tourist attractions. It’s close to the Coke Museum, Aquarium, CNN center and of course the Georgia Dome (which  we took an amazing tour of!).Other than that there isn’t too many stores and restaurants to wander to, but since we were only there for a few days it was perfect!

We did a lot of sightseeing and our little guy was such a trooper. I mean it…he was a pleasure to be with and took to the change in his schedule with stride. It was even our first time sharing a hotel room with him and he slept well (except for 1 night of course). It helped a lot having the Grandmas there for extra support. It’s always good to have an extra pair of hands.

The culmination of our trip was the Falcon’s game. We had AMAZING seats and I even arranged for Freddie The Falcon to come and surprise The Captain and our little man during the game. Christian had to warm up to him but it was still pretty cool! The dome was soooo loud! Christian handled it very well and even slept in the Ergo carrier throughout the 3rd quarter through all the screams and music. I was surprised but extremely impressed. Funny thing is that the littlest noise at home will wake him…who would’ve thought!? Finally Captain Awesome got to cheer for his favorite team with out almost getting beat up (which he almost does every time he goes to see the Falcons here in NY!).

Well, we successfully took our first trip with the baby. Meaning a trip that required flying and a hotel. I was scared and nervous but it was great. I just hope my son continues to be so adaptable. Atlanta was fun. I just can’t believe that this trip that we have been talking about for so long has now come and gone. Next big trip? Disney Spring 2013!!!

There can be little doubt that Europe boasts a plethora of wonderful city break destinations. For a romantic getaway, Paris is the obvious choice; nevertheless, there are many excellent alternatives.  Chief among these is Barcelona, as it offers a buzzing city brimming with culture alongside some beautiful beaches.  For a luxury stay, the El Palace Hotel fits the bill. Featuring a Michelin Star restaurant, spa and fitness room, the hotel is situated right in the heart of the Catalan capital.  Art connoisseurs will be particularly interested to know that Salvador Dali and his wife, Gala, used to live in the hotel’s royal suite, which has been re-named in the great surrealist’s honour.  Highlights in the city include the Picasso Museum, Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell.

As a relative newcomer on the city break scene, Dubai has more than made its mark.  In particular, its hotels have set the standard by which all luxury hotels worldwide are judged.  However, there is more to Dubai than big, expensive buildings.  The Dubai Museum is well worth a visit to get a feel for the city’s history, whilst Dubai’s myriad world-class golf courses and horseracing venues are a marvel, considering that they have been built in the desert.  Perhaps more predictable are the luscious beaches at Dubai’s disposal, and this only adds to the city’s weekend getaway appeal.  The Jumeirah Beach Hotel offers a variety of swimming pools, luxury service and exquisite facilities; furthermore, its pristine beach is the perfect place to relax and forget it all.

For a city break in Australia, it is hard to look beyond Melbourne.  The city has a vibrant cultural scene, and the CBD (Central Business District), hosts some of the finest shopping and architecture the country can offer.  Situated at the top of Collins Street – one of Australia’s most prestigious boulevards – sits the Grand Hyatt Melbourne.  With its own spa, high-class restaurant and a sophisticated bar, there is no better base from which to enjoy all of Melbourne’s cultural delights.  Particular highlights in the city are the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Melbourne Museum.

American Express credit card holders are entitled to a Welcome Credit when staying at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne for two nights or more.  This Welcome Credit is worth between 50-100 AUD, depending on the length of the stay, and can be used on a range of local amenities and activities.  Furthermore, guests who pay with American Express credit cards earn 2,500 Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points.

Guest Post By Chris

I don’t want to allow myself to be that person who gets stuck staying home all the time because I am scared to travel with a child. Yes it’s hard, but I know I’ll be missing out on a lot if I give into my neurosis. Therefore, practice makes perfect! So starting out with an easy trip with my family is the best way to go. Why? Because my mom is a pro at packing for our beach trips, so I don’t have to think of EVERYTHING. She takes on a lot of the slack. Plus, this trip is a drivable one, and everything is easier when  you aren’t dealing with planes.

The Captain just laughs at me when I stress about packing and getting ready to travel. I find that amusing because he doesn’t even pack for himself…I pack for him, so he has ZERO clue what it takes to make sure we have what we need. For the baby I have to make sure he has a comfortable place to sleep, clothes for all weather, food, bowls, spoons, mamas milk,….should I go on? If it were up to him we’d figure it out as we went and just go with the flow. Ummm…sorry dear…not so easy to do with a 7 month old. And who has to deal with the unhappy baby in a new environment??? ME! So yes, I do tend to stress.

I am lucky that I have an easygoing baby. Thus far he has adapted well to our new surroundings. It helps that I am able to keep him close to his normal schedule, and it helps that I have a ton of help from my family. But no matter what it is appalling all the things that needed to come on this trip. You may ask do I NEED all those things, and to be honest I think the answer is YES! I could’ve cut back on a few toys but the rest are a must.

Traveling by plane sounds extremely overwhelming to me. I got a packing checklist from baby center and was so scared after seeing so many items I didn’t even think to bring. One of those items? So far now I am going to hold off…that is until October when The Captain and I will be taking the little man to Atlanta. But we will cross that bridge when we get to it. I will try not to dwell on it in the meantime! (not sure that’s possible)

Like everything else with kids, everything with traveling is a learning process. We each must figure out what works best for us, and hopefully we all can find it sooner rather than later. Once we figure out what works it will change, because our kids will get older and their needs will change. Ahhh the joys of parenthood right!? But all the stress and the planning is worth it, because I am so excited to share all these things with my son. I just can’t wait to show him more!

So how do you like traveling with your kids? Any good tips?

I have always loved the ocean. I grew up taking family vacations at the beach, and to this day my family spends a week at the beach each year. I have to say I love almost everything about my beach vacations, and this year it’s gotten even better. This year I get to share one of my favorite things with my son. My little man gets to join me, The Captain, my parents, my brother, sister and her husband at the Jersey shore for the first time!

The shore life is made for me and my little man. It fits his schedule perfectly! And what fits his schedule certainly makes for a happy me. Not to mention that traveling with so many people who enjoy taking care of my son certainly gives mommy a much needed break.

We have many stations to entertain Christian. We have a blow up baby pool, the KidCo Go-Pod, the KidCo Pea Pod,  and a towel with lots of toys. Each spot gets about 7 minutes of attention if we are lucky. I decided to go with the Coolibar umbrella because it got the highest rating in Good Housekeeping’s umbrella reviews. It didn’t let me down! It really is 10 degrees cooler underneath!

I love to go to sleep listening to the sound of the ocean, and I love to sit on the deck and watch the waves crash. Each night we take a nice walk on the boardwalk, and for some reason no matter how much I hate to walk at home, at the beach it’s a perfect end to a great day.

Christian has adapted well to his new surroundings. He’s such a good little boy! With the rest of the week ahead of us we have a lot to look forward to. I certainly could get used to this!

Easter

I am actually pretty lucky. My husband and I celebrate Easter on different days. That is, we do most years. (It falls on the same date every couple of years) The reason for this is that he is Greek Orthodox, and their Easter falls on a different day then it does for Catholics (which I am). So luckily this holiday does not cause a strain in our relationship, and we will be traveling to stay with my parents in Pennsylvania.

Traveling for the Holidays

I am told that someday, when we have kids, that I will no longer want to travel for the holidays….but so far, I can’t imagine that to be true. I understand that it’s great for a husband and wife to start their own traditions, but I believe that I can share my most favorite traditions with my husband, and that can be just as special.

I am pretty much a child when it comes to the holidays, and get excited for weeks in advance. I am not sure if it’s the holiday itself (other than Christmas which I am sure it’s the holiday itself) or if it’s the fact that I get to travel to PA and see my family. I love going to the house I grew up in. I love sleeping in my room. I love being taken care of by my parents. Being that I am the main “caregiver” in my house, it’s wonderful to be taken care of…and mommy and daddy always step up! It’s nice that I can be together with my brother and sister too.

This year my brother is currently traveling Europe, so he will not be joining us. He’ll be thoroughly missed, but I am pretty positive that Italy will take care of him. My sister and her boyfriend will be there, and I always have so many laughs with my sister. No matter how old we get…we can still both get kicked out of dinner for laughing too much.  My family laughs a lot when we are together.

My husband is a good sport. When my family gets together…we are constantly together. We are wonderful sitters. My family time…is complete and total family time. I don’t get to see them regularly, so we are together the WHOLE time. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So off we go on our long weekend. The husband, Tinkerbell and me….our family.

What are your Easter traditions? Do you spend it at home? Do you travel?

There may be many who disagree with me, but I feel the art of planning a trip should be done face to face with a travel agent. Please hear me out. I know that the internet offers great sources of information. You can easily search for hotels and good travel deals, and you can get reviews and see pictures. What you cannot get is someone who has a vested interest in you having a great time!

The Trouble with Online Travel Sites

Here is what prompted this post. For Christmas, myself, my husband, my sister, her boyfriend, and my brother got my parents tickets to the final four college basketball tournament in Detroit (my sister’s boyfriend has connections), as well as a 1 night stay at a hotel in Detroit for the night of the final game. This hotel room was booked online well in advance. The rate looked great, so in order to make sure everything was set I called to confirm…TWICE! We gave the gift and they were ecstatic!

Fast forward to yesterday, about a week and half before the trip. My sister gets a call saying the room rate will not be honored and the room is cancelled. WHAT!! Between my husband and myself we were on the phone with the online company as well as the actual hotel for about an hour and half in total. This included multiple disconnections and many transfers to where I believe to be India. It was very frustrating and in the end (for now) it seems to have worked out. Now, if we had an actual building that we could drive to, and a human being we could see face to face it might have been a much more pleasant experience, but that was not the case.

Another example, my sister went on a vacation with her boyfriend. They booked through a reputable online site. They booked flight, and hotel. When they got to the hotel they were told there was no room for them! Now what? Yes you can call the online company, but personally I would rather get in touch with a trusted travel agent!

Travel Agents

I have always made it a point to book with travel agents any time I travel. Even when I planned my spring break trips in college. I loved going to the office and talking it out. I loved that I didn’t have to search for the best rates, and flight times. I mean come on…how would I know that if I travel on a Wednesday rather than a Thursday it would be cheaper?? Or that the pictures taken and posted online were from 15 years ago and the property no longer looks like that? I wouldn’t, and that is what the travel agent does for you.

You can’t even truly listen to reviews. Everyone traveling is different. They have different expectations, and more often than not, if they went online to post something it will be bad. That is why when I travel I like to make good reviews along with any bad.

I do have to be honest. I find the actual travel agents themselves to be baffling sometimes. I find that a lot of them don’t actually want to do any work for your business. When planning my honeymoon I found many a travel agent that wouldn’t respond, or didn’t want to give me options. This was unacceptable.

I would like to commend Homeric Tours in Hicksville, New York. They planned our Greece honeymoon (it’s their specialty) and it was amazing! One of the best parts was that they had an office in Athens, so when we had any problem over there we were able to call them! Not to mention they were able to deal with me. This means that they answered my questions and e mails in a very timely manner, and to me that’s very important (I have a lot of questions). I would also like to commend my new travel agent. He is called Travel Tom and he works for American Express Travel. He planned our Dominican Republic trip this past January. He was extremely helpful, kept us with in our budget and again was very responsive. Not to mention he gave us his cell number and when we had problems with our flight he answered my call while on vacation himself! Now this my friends is the joys of a travel agent!

So now I dare you to tell me why online booking is better, and I hope you come up with something other than “it’s faster”.

Here are the travel agents I mentioned above. I highly recommend them.

For anywhere travel I recommend Tom traveltom@gmail.com.

If you plan to travel to Greece I recommend Homeric Tours: 516-935-3400