Enjoying the "Vacation" in Vacationing with kids or Interesting tips to cope, so that you don't need a vacation when you return.

I absolutely love traveling and so does my husband. Although I absolutely love bringing E. along and I love that she can experience it, even at her age, sometimes, I desperately need a break. Most of the time I absolutely adore her because she's great but yes, all travel is not all fun all the time. After the 74 billionth request to read the book"again", or the refusal to actually sit on her own seat-that-I-had-to-pay-full-price-for-despite-the-fact-that-she's-smaller-than-most-children-under-2 for the entire trip (including meal) but rather insisted on sitting (and jumping *please remember at this point that she's almost 3*) on my lap, or dropping every single piece of the toy she's playing with on the floor and insisting (in her own special loud whiney way) that I pick them up even though she's the smaller one and would actually be able to (normally I would not comply and she would have to and/or get a time out, but I do for the good of everyone else on the plane), Sky Nanny is the answer to my dreams (and silent screams).

Sky Nanny - Gulf Air's service with a smile

It's absolutely incredible and almost makes me consider flying to somewhere Gulf Air flies just to take full advantage of this wonderful service, which really, more airlines should seriously consider. Working on board all wide-bodied aircraft flying long haul routes, Sky Nannies offer help with boarding and disembarkation, give parents that much needed break during a long flight and generally provide a watchful eye on the little ones.

Seeing as they do fly in to Italy, maybe try this place, which although it does seem as relaxing to me as traveling to Disney, I am 100% positive that E. would not get bored at Children Hotel. The hotel is particularly equipped for the treatment of children of every age and the price includes: 

- Cradles in all rooms

- High chairs, little bath and swaddling mattress

- Place for hang out the washing and ironing-board

- Personalized menu for every type of age on mothers request (vegetable soup without salt, steamed meats and fishes) with flexible schedules.

- Kitchen for the preparation of children food open 24 hours a day (equipped with refrigerator, mixers, thermic plates, etc. )

- A wide garden with small swimming pool and game zone.

- Animation for children during lunch and dinner (13.00-14.30 and 20.00-21.30)

- Bicycles for adults with children seats

- Party, little show, baby-dance, toys and fun for all children. Animation for children(over 2 years old) during lunch and dinner (13:00 - 14:30 / 20:00 - 21:30)

Children Hotel in Finale Ligure, Italy

Outside pool

Outside play area

Outside Play

Inside Play

They also offer daytime babysitting service, which could maybe allow hubby and me to go (alone) on one of their adventure suggestions for a day. On the other days, I would bring her along. I swear. Final Ligure looks like a gorgeous coastal Italian town, halfway between Genova & Nice (France) on the Italian Riviera, there's no shortage of sights, or beaches.

Beach at Finale Ligure

Finale Ligure

Lastly, Here are tips for dealing with jet-lag and getting your family back on track courtesy of my favorite folks at Babyccino…

-Reset your watches the minute you land, and start getting accustomed to the new time immediately.
-Don’t take naps, and try not to let your kids take naps at odd times. When they do take a scheduled nap, don’t let them oversleep. (Seriously, pretend you haven’t flown across the globe and that you aren’t in a different time zone.)
-If your kids wake up in the middle of the night and seem wide awake, try to keep them in their beds by giving them a few books to read. It always seems like my boys are wide, wide awake, but they always go back to sleep within an hour.
-Try to get as much fresh air and natural sunlight as you can, and drink plenty of water. Your kids might not seem thirsty, but try to encourage them to drink.
-Eat when you’re supposed to eat according to your new time. Again, your kids may not seem hungry but you should encourage them to eat.
-If you have a baby, you should feed them on demand — they will get accustomed more quickly than you think. (I always nursed my babies whenever they woke during the night, and it seemed like they adjusted in just one day.)

And finally, from me, 2 words: Night Flight. You child will be so tired by the time you get on the plane, they will sleep. If you're lucky (and if they're used to sleeping 4-6 hours straight) they will sleep most likely for the entire flight. It's that simple. Who knows, you may even get a little shut-eye... and a vacation.