European Accommodations for Children PART 1

Travelling with a child is an amazing experience, while at the same time having its own set of... let us  call them challenges. To make these more hill-size than Himalaya-size, here is a list of things we have learned to consider in our travels with the Adorable Son.

Kitchen
Kids eat all the time, any time. Also, they can, as our Adorable Son does, have pretty selective palates. Therefore in order to make your trip as stress-free as you can, rent a place with a kitchen.

Warning: kitchens in Europe are tiny. Very functional, but tiny. Do not plan any kitchen parties.

Bonus: renting with a kitchen is a great way to save money.

Groceries, Pharmacy and Bakery.
AKA: milk, diapers and  bread. Your new BFF's. Know them, know where they are. A special note: Pharmacies tend to only sell drugs and a few limited items like soap, diapers and wipes, unlike in North America where you can pretty much buy anything at a Pharmacy.

Warning: a lot of things are closed on Sunday in France, and in Europe in general. Much more than in North America, so plan ahead.

Bonus: you will spend many wonderful hours discovering your surroundings while looking for that one place where they might hopefully possibly sell that one thing that your toddler will eat this week (seriously, it can be fun, I swear!).

Costs
Eating out is expensive and you can cut costs by only going out every few days. Lunch is a great time to eat out in France, where lunch breaks are almost sacred. Go to a cute cafe and you can stay as long as you want.

Warning: avoid places with pictures of the food. They have a high chance of being tourist traps.

Bonus: if the restaurant is located on a square, you can let your little person run around when they have finished eating.

Bonus II: Or, do lunch during nap time when the Toddler is snoozing in the stroller and enjoy people watching.

A small backyard in the South of France

Park space and Squares
These are car free areas, frequently found in European cities, that are great for the kids to run around in. Most parks in cities are gated, so you don't have to worry about the kids running off into traffic.

Warning: most parks are closed after 8 pm or around. Usually not a big deal, but good to know.

Bonus: Many parks have plenty of activities for small children, carousels, ponds with ducks and fish, small playgrounds, a café or play equipment that can be rented for your child's delight.

Rent close to the attractions.
Public washrooms are hard to find in Europe and most restaurant or café toilets are incredibly tiny with no change tables. When you rent centrally, you are close to an equipped bathroom. Learning to diaper change while the Toddler is standing up is an excellent skill as well.

Second reason to rent close to the attractions is you can immediately enjoy the scene or museums without having to waste an hour commuting or navigating the transit systems with your stroller or do the stairs with your baby carrier.

Warning: places nearer the attractions will sometimes be more expensive, but weigh that against convenience, and be aware that, with a toddler, if the commute is too long, there's a big chance you won't get to see much at all. We know. We tried.

Bonus: if you're close to your place when the Toddler gets crabby, you can run back for a quick nap, bite, or chocolate treat/bribe.

Be near public transit.

I would go for a bus over metro stops, easier to get around since there are less stairs.

Bonus: in a bus, you get to see the sights while commuting.

Stay tuned for more amazing tips in part 2: Return of the Travel Advice.