>insist on taking their 6-month old to >Paris

what are you proposing? that you leave a baby at home with grandma while your are in europe?

babies dont understand the concept of 'vacation'. they will think their parents have abandoned them.

My wife and I went to Europe at least once per year prior to having children. Our daughter accompanied us to Germany last Nov at 1 yr and will be going with us this year to England and Italy. It is certainly very different with a child in tow (no theatre or other nightime cultural events, a slower pace, etc.) but is a wonderful experience nonetheless. Travel before and after if you can.

Gardyloo, How do you find out about that switching-your-house-with-people-for-the-summer thing? That sounds really interesting!

http://www.homelink.org/ - one of several similar - Google "home exchange."