Babies need round-the-clock care even while you are on holiday. While this may seem daunting, when done right, it can leave you with a lifetime of memories you will cherish

Travelling with a baby is never easy, especially if it is your first time. From last-minute changes to unforeseen demands, babies need round-the-clock care even while you are on holiday. While this may seem daunting, when done right, it can leave you with a lifetime of memories you will cherish and narrate as fun stories to your children when they grow up. Therefore, to help you navigate this new situation, we have put together a list of things you can keep in mind when travelling with your bundle of love.

Plan Ahead

Researching your destination thoroughly will help you understand the specific needs of travelling with a baby. Look for family-friendly activities, attractions, and facilities like parks, playgrounds, or diaper-changing areas. Consider the weather and pack accordingly, bringing appropriate clothing and accessories for your baby.

Pack Wisely

Start by making a checklist of essential items your baby will need during the trip. Pack diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream enough to last the duration of your journey, or at least for the first few days until you can buy more. If you’re using the formula, bring enough for the entire trip or consider researching the availability of your preferred brand at your destination. Remember to pack extra change of clothes for your baby, as accidents and spills can happen. If your baby has any necessary medications, ensure you bring an ample supply and have the prescription or doctor’s note if required.

Choose Baby-Friendly Accommodation

When selecting accommodation, look for hotels or rentals that cater to families with young children. Check if they provide amenities such as cribs or cots, high chairs, and baby-proofing options. It can be helpful to read reviews or contact the accommodation directly to confirm their offerings and make any necessary arrangements in advance.

Be Prepared At The Airport

Arriving at the airport early will give you enough time to navigate security checks and other procedures without rushing. Consider using a baby carrier or sling to keep your hands free while moving through the airport. If you decide to bring a stroller, make sure it’s lightweight and easily collapsible for hassle-free travel. Pack extra diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes in case of delays or emergencies in your carry-on bag. It’s also a good idea to bring some snacks or age-appropriate finger foods for your baby.

Maintain A Routine

While sticking to your baby’s exact routine while travelling is challenging, try to maintain some semblance of familiarity. Stick to regular meal times as much as possible and ensure your baby gets sufficient sleep. If your baby has specific sleep cues or a bedtime routine, try to replicate them in your travel environment to help them feel more comfortable and settled.

Bring Entertainment

Keeping your baby entertained during the journey can make the travel experience more enjoyable for everyone. Pack various age-appropriate toys, books, or small games to capture your baby’s attention. Consider toys that are lightweight and easily portable. Interactive toys or items with sounds and textures can help engage your baby during the journey.

Ensure Proper Hydration And Nutrition

Babies have specific hydration and nutritional needs, so paying attention to those while travelling is crucial. Keeping your baby well-hydrated is essential if you’re flying or travelling to warmer climates. Bring a sufficient supply of water or formula and offer it to your baby regularly. If you’re in a location where tap water is not safe for consumption, use bottled water for drinking and preparing formula. Also, remember to pack enough of your baby’s preferred snacks or meals, especially if they have specific dietary requirements or restrictions.

Stay Flexible And Take Breaks

Travelling with a baby often requires more frequent breaks and adjustments to your plans. Be prepared to modify your itinerary to accommodate your baby’s needs, whether for feeding, napping, or simply taking a break from stimulation. Allow time for your baby to stretch, crawl, or explore in a safe environment. Taking breaks will help avoid overstimulation or fatigue, making the trip more enjoyable for you and your baby.

Be Mindful Of Safety

Prioritize your baby’s safety at all times during the trip. Ensure you have an appropriate car seat that meets safety standards and use it whenever you’re travelling in a vehicle. Research and follow safety guidelines for travelling with infants and young children, including information about airline policies, hotel safety measures, and any specific local precautions. Stay vigilant about your surroundings and be aware of potential hazards or risks, especially in unfamiliar environments.

Enjoy The Experience

While travelling with a baby can present challenges, it’s also an opportunity for special moments and precious memories. Embrace the adventure and focus on the positive aspects of the journey. Take time to enjoy the new experiences with your baby, whether it’s witnessing their awe at new sights or simply cherishing the time spent together as a family.

When it comes to travelling, comfort and style should go hand in hand. The airport is the perfect place to showcase your fashion sense while prioritising comfort. To help you elevate your airport look, we have curated five essential tips that will ensure you ace your style game. Here are 5 ways to ensure your perfect airport look with high-quality and stylish apparel, wherein you can effortlessly blend fashion and functionality by Vridhi Somani, Designer and Tanveer Daswani, Founder, Baller Athletik:

1. Embrace Tech-Infused Athleisure
   Achieving the perfect airport look is effortlessly accomplished by embracing the modern athleisure wear, especially with innovative tech-infused pieces. Ever heard of infrared powered athleisure that can make you feel fresh when you land? Select stylish yet comfortable garments to effortlessly create an athleisure-inspired ensemble that seamlessly transitions from the airport to your final destination.
2. Comfortable yet stylish attire
   Opt for comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement, especially if you have a long flight ahead. Choose well-fitted jeans, leggings, or loose-fitting trousers paired with a cosy sweater or a stylish jacket. Add a touch of style with a statement accessory like a scarf or a hat.
3. Layer Up with Versatile Outerwear
   Weather conditions can be unpredictable, making layering a must for any airport ensemble. Bring in the element of lightweight jackets or stylish windbreakers into your outfit. These versatile outerwear options not only add a touch of style but also provide practicality and protection from changing temperatures.
4. Pack a Versatile Jacket or Blazer
   A well-fitted jacket or blazer can instantly elevate your airport look. Choose a versatile piece that can be easily paired with different outfits. It adds a touch of sophistication to your ensemble and can be handy if the airport or plane gets chilly.
5. Carry-on luggage
   Choose a stylish and functional carry-on bag or backpack that compliments your outfit. Look for a size that meets the airline’s carry-on requirements and has enough compartments to keep your essentials organised. A well-designed bag can enhance your overall airport look while being practical for storing your travel necessities.
6. Prioritise Comfortable Footwear
   Long walks through terminals and security checkpoints call for comfortable footwear. Opt for sneakers or trainers that combine comfort, support, and style. Whether you prefer classic white sneakers or trendy designs, their footwear collection ensures you travel with ease while looking effortlessly cool.
7. Don’t Forget the Accessories
   Accessories can instantly elevate your airport look. Accessories, including caps, beanies, and stylish backpacks. Add a touch of personality to your outfit with their accessories, making a statement while keeping your essentials organised.
8. Pay Attention to Grooming
   A well-groomed appearance can significantly enhance your overall airport look. Take care of your hair, nails, and skin before your trip. Carry travel-sized grooming essentials like moisturiser, lip balm, and hand sanitizer to keep yourself fresh and clean throughout your journey.
9. Travel in Confidence
   The key to acing your airport look is confidence. When you feel good in what you wear, your style shines through. Choose brands that have high-quality sports and athleisure pieces, brands that are designed to make you feel comfortable and confident throughout your journey. Embrace their stylish designs, superior fabrics, and attention to detail to exude confidence wherever your travels take you.

With these five tips, you can effortlessly ace your airport look while prioritising both style and comfort. By incorporating trendy sportswear and athleisure pieces into your ensemble, you elevate your style game to new heights. So, next time you head to the airport, make a bold fashion statement while enjoying the utmost comfort and functionality. Travel in style, confidence, and ease with their exceptional apparel and accessories. Bon voyage!

Vacation planning tends to focus on where you’ll go and the cool things you’ll see. But what happens if things don’t go according to plan? Preparing for some of the “what ifs” can be time well spent and may help bring peace of mind.

“We hope to be healthy on vacation and have everything go off without a hitch, but we’re not always that lucky,” said Dr. Amit Arwindekar,medical director at UnitedHealthcare Global. “Before you leave, think about what you’d do if you or someone you’re traveling with gets sick or is injured.”

Even if there aren’t health concerns, weather problems, airline delays and other unforeseen issues can mess up plans and turn vacations into costly nightmares. It all points to the importance of being prepared.

Here are five tips to think about to help minimize potential problems:

1. Protect against potential health issues. Consider a wellness checkup with a primary care doctor to talk about your travel plans and the possible need for vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers vaccination recommendations by country, along with their current travel health advisories.

2. Refill medications. It is a good idea to refill prescriptions before a big trip. When traveling by air, always pack medication in carry-on luggage in case your checked bags go missing. Also, be sure to check prescription drug restrictions for each country you’ll visit on an international trip to help avoid having your medications taken away upon arrival.

3. Tackle jet lag. Airline passengers can be hit by jet lag when passing across two or more time zones. This time-hopping can cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating and stomach troubles. Drink plenty of water — before, during and after flights — to lessen the dehydrating effects of cabin air and soak up the sun during the day to help reset your body clock and promote better rest at night.

4. Stay active. Exercise can help to lower stress and improve mood, both of which are keys to an enjoyable vacation. Sightseeing by foot can help to keep you active, as can a digital fitness app that offers on-the-go exercise classes and relaxing meditation sessions. Making time for exercise may help promote a sense of routine amid a busy schedule and offset the effects of typical vacation indulgences.

5. Verify protection. Take time to go over your health insurance plan and confirm what it covers, especially when leaving the country. Some plans only offer network access to local health care professionals, and most insurance policies do not extend overseas. If that’s the case with your coverage, consider a travel medical plan with in-person and virtual care options. Think about adding trip cancellation coverage to help with expenses caused by family emergencies, travel delays and cancellations.

“As they say, plan for the worst while you hope for the best,” Dr. Arwindekar said. “It may help make it easier to relax before and during your time away — knowing you’re protected if you face a health crisis or other vacation complications.”

Affordable and easy to use, the country’s high-speed train network makes it easy to visit its beautiful, lesser-known regions and cities

Forget checking in two hours early and stuffing your belongings in a tiny suitcase or battling traffic and wasting time finding a prized parking spot; taking the train is by far the most relaxing way to travel. In Spain, it’s also often the quickest way to get around. With 3,100km of track, the Spanish high-speed train network is the longest in Europe. Running at speeds of up to 310 km per hour, this extensive network means you can quickly zig-zag your way across the country. You can, for example, whizz from Madrid to Barcelona on the train in just two hours 45 minutes, while doing the same trip by car would take around six-and-a-half hours.

With the majority of fast-speed trains in Spain running on electricity from renewable sources, it’s also a no-brainer when it comes to planning an environmentally friendly trip. The stats speak for themselves – rail transport emits between five and seven times less CO2 than road transport and seven to 10 times less than air transport. In Spain, the transport sector is responsible for about 26 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions, while trains contribute just a tiny 0.3 per cent of this figure. The evidence is clear – you really are doing your bit when you take the train.

Considering the current economic climate, it’s a bonus that train travel is also very affordable in Spain. The introduction of low-cost lines run by the likes of Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo has made travelling between the major cities – including Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and Valencia – both speedy and cheap. Book in advance and you could get fares as low as €9 (£7.90) one way. Even better, these routes keep growing. For example, this March, Iryo launched a new route between Madrid and the Andalusian cities of Córdoba and Seville.

Travelling by train is also one of the best ways to see the country. Whether you’re rolling through the lush green hills of Asturias or the dramatic desert-like landscapes in Andalusia, the journey is as important as the destination. There are options aplenty when it comes to exploring by train in Spain and taking the train opens you up to creative itineraries and places you might have otherwise missed. While there are routes between all the big cities, middle-distance and local trains make travelling to smaller places also very easy.

Madrid, and the beautiful Atocha station, is the starting point for a vast range of routes. If you like a culture-packed city, head north west to the Castile-León region with stops in Valladolid and Zamora. The former is a mediaeval city with impressive Renaissance architecture and a stellar line-up of museums, while the latter, on the banks of the Duero river, is a pretty city of important Romanesque artistic heritage.

If food experiences are high on your list, the Basque country and neighbouring Cantabria does not disappoint. By train you can take a pintxos tour in the port city of Bilbao (with a stop at the iconic Guggenheim Museum), sample the world-famous restaurants in the beachside town of San Sebastian and enjoy a local seafood feast in the fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera.

Of course, the sunny south with its beautiful beaches always appeals and the white sand beaches of the Costa De Luz can easily be reached from Cádiz. You can combine a visit to this historic city – one of the oldest in the world – with a train trip that delivers the full Andalusian experience with stops in Jerez de La Frontera, the home of sherry, and Seville, the city of flamenco and rich architectural history.

However you like to travel, Spain’s vast range of landscapes, culture and experiences are likely to offer an itinerary that ticks you boxes – and chances are, it will be an even easier, cheaper and magical trip by train.

Create new Spanish memories

From sustainable city breaks to little-known towns and unsung culinary capitals, take the road less travelled in Spain. Discover the best places to visit for home grown, authentic experiences and slow travel trips that will help you uncover the unknown and see Spain’s most popular destinations in a whole new light.