From the moment she learned she was expecting, Passport<\/em> contributor Jessica Wright of Bon Traveler<\/a> began envisioning future adventures with her little one. While navigating life with a toddler in tow has come with changes, experiencing the world through her daughter\u2019s eyes has been her greatest adventure yet. We caught up with the travel documentarian to reflect on these cherished memories and glean her best tips and tricks for fellow parents embarking on family travels.<\/p>\n \n Q<\/span> When it comes to planning travel with our little one, I think through a lot more of the timing and logistics. Naps and bedtime play a huge role in the success of a trip. I\u2019m all for making things as convenient as possible, and that means prioritizing sleep. Over the last two years, I\u2019ve found that better flight paths and more time on the ground equate to better success for everyone.<\/p>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n Q<\/span> Don\u2019t force sleep. I did this once\u2014tried to get my 10-month-old to sleep on a plane, and she was just too excited to wind down. It led to many tears, from both of us, and it was a big lesson. So now, I\u2019ve found that if I don\u2019t force it, often she will fall asleep on her own.<\/p>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n Q<\/span> Relaxation feels far from our daily itineraries at the moment\u2014so we take full advantage of our toddler\u2019s naps to relax. That\u2019s why having accommodations with a terrace or separate living space is so helpful. Our daughter is very adventurous right now, so we lean into that when we plan our trips. Beaches, hiking and all of these similar activities are big wins for us as a family in this season.<\/p>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n Q<\/span> Traveling with our daughter has opened a new lens to seeing the world. I have a greater appreciation for cultures that value family and young children, and a newfound appreciation for restaurants and hotels that welcome little ones with open arms. When so much of our daily life revolves around our daughter and her needs, how we interact with the world greatly impacts this\u2014so I am constantly pleasantly surprised by her presence in unfamiliar surroundings and how we navigate them as a family.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n Q<\/span> My daughter is really into wildlife, and I find myself looking for ways to intertwine this into our trips. During our trip to O\u2019ahu, she discovered the local mongooses. We stopped every 10 feet the first few days to observe them, and while most would overlook these animals, I found that these moments of pause allowed us to truly enjoy our surroundings. I frequently find that her curiosity invites us to look at things that we hadn\u2019t noticed before.<\/p>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n Q<\/span> A compact travel stroller, white noise machine and all the snacks.<\/p>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n Q<\/span> We\u2019re heading to Europe in May for six weeks and visiting three countries: France, Italy and England. I\u2019m most excited to return to France, my roots, where we\u2019ll be in the south. I know she\u2019ll love the ocean, the fresh produce and being with family.<\/p>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n Q<\/span> Professional babysitting services booked through the hotel are a lovely offering, especially for nights when you want to indulge in an adult-only dinner. We thoroughly enjoyed this during our stay at Kiwi Collection hotel La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel<\/a> in Mallorca. Another wonderful amenity that we enjoyed at Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond Hotel<\/a> was the high-quality cribs and high chairs at their onsite restaurants. It\u2019s so much easier to travel without a pack & play when you don\u2019t have to!<\/p>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n Q<\/span> Rip the bandaid off once with a low-expectation trip\u2014don\u2019t travel too far from home and make it a one to two-night trip. Remember, as you\u2019re figuring out how to travel with your kids, they\u2019re also learning to travel with you.<\/p>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\n How does having a little one impact your vacation planning?<\/span>\n <\/p>\n
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\n What\u2019s one tip for surviving long-haul flights with a baby?<\/span>\n <\/p>\n
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\n How do you balance adventure and relaxation when traveling with a wee one?<\/span>\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n![\"Jessica](\"https:\/\/passport-cdn.kiwicollection.com\/blog\/drive\/uploads\/2024\/04\/QA-Images.jpg\")
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\n How has traveling with your daughter influenced your perspective on exploring the world?<\/span>\n <\/p>\n
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\n Share a moment where your daughter’s curiosity enhanced your travels.<\/span>\n <\/p>\n
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\n Name three must-have items for traveling with a toddler.<\/span>\n <\/p>\n
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\n Next destination you’re excited to visit with your little one and why?<\/span>\n <\/p>\n
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\n Name some not-so-obvious hotel amenities to inquire about when traveling with children.<\/span>\n <\/p>\n
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\n Any advice for parents who are hesitant about traveling with young children?<\/span>\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n![\"Jessica](\"https:\/\/passport-cdn.kiwicollection.com\/blog\/drive\/uploads\/2024\/04\/lessourcesdecaudalieindoorpool-by-Jessica-Wright.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOn-assignment photos c\/o Jessica Wright at
Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel<\/a>, La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca<\/a> and Les Sources de Caudalie<\/a> in order of appearance.<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n