My baby is due in 3 weeks and to pass the time until then my husband suggested I do some basic research for a trip we would like to take in September. Baby will be 3-4 months and going with us, of course. So -- where to go? Last Oct. we visited England, Paris, Rome, and Sicily. I'd go back to Paris or Rome but not the other two. (Nothing against England or Sicily, but I was pregnant when we visited the first time and the food didn't sit so well and I'd rather try something new!) On our first trip to Europe we did the touristy things and really enjoyed ourselves. However, with an infant, some of those things won't work so well . . . So my question is -- where would you go with an infant to have a nice, relaxing vacation? By the way, I also posted this on the US forum because I'm not sure if first time parents could have a nice relaxing vacation overses! Thanks in advance for any advice!

For a nice relaxing vacation, pick a resort area.
You might consider renting a house or apartment. You will probably need to arrange for a baby crib.
http://www.babiestravellite.com/ is just one company that claims to be able to deliver baby supplies to any destination.

How about renting a small house, apartment, villa, or gite (www.gites-de-france.com) in some small-ish town in Provence? Perhaps St. Remy or some other place where you could walk to stores, restaurants, etc., with bebe in stroller, w/o always having to go out in the car. With a house, apt.,or whatever, there would be enough space for baby to sleep undisturbed while you didn't have to sit quietly in the same room as you would in a hotel.
Paris would work, also! Have a wonderful time planning this, and happy baby, also!

With a baby that small, I would do a normal 'adults only' type holiday as it will be the last chance you get for the next 15 years or so. Once the babe is 12 months old you will have to plan around him/her and thats when the houses/apartments/resorts holidays kick in.

A 4 month old baby should snuggle happily into a baby bjorn chest pack or back pack and go wherever you go, sleeping happily while you spend hours enjoying a fine meal, or wandering in a leisurely manner through the Louvre or whatever.

Another bonus is that babies that small don't seem to get jet lag (or rather they are continually in a state of jet lag from birth!). They also fit into those little cots on planes and enjoy the rocking motion of the turbulence.

Have fun! Travel or not, you are embarking on life's greatest journey.

"Nice relaxing vacation" takes on different meaning AC (after children). It is all relative and we have found related to logistics of stay and travel. Definitely get a house, villa, suite - having a baby sleeping (or not) 3 feet away from you is difficult. Also, with some sort of semi-kitchn facilities you can avoid eating out 3 meals/day - which also gets old with an infant.

What about a Mediterranean island - off Greece, Italy or maybe Malta? You could do touristy things at your own pace and also have some warm weather relaxation.

Hi BK,

>How long will this trip be?

For a week in Sept, with an infant, I suggest a motor trip through the Dordogne region of France or the Amalfi Coast of Italy.