Travel is my life. I’m always either tripping or thinking about tripping, and having a baby hasn’t alleviated my obsession one bit. In fact, Zach was conceived in French Polynesia, travelled to New York and Miami in utero, and toured South America as a newborn.
Travelling with a baby is totally doable—and perhaps even more fun!—it just takes a little more planning. Which is why I started to blog about family travel, sharing tips and tricks for the savvy, sophisticated set—just because you have a kid, doesn’t mean you have to limit your trips to all-inclusives and Disneyland (though there’s time for them too!). Take Buenos Aires, for example.
As one of the largest cities in the world, B.A. offers an almost overwhelming abundance of things to see and do as a family. Here are our fave picks, narrowed down into a week’s worth of musts when visiting with baby:
Monday: Chill out! You only just got here. Relax and enjoy some good food in Las Canitas. (BTW: Restaurants in B.A. are a boisterous affair, so few will take notice of a fussy baby. Welcome to stress-free dining out!) Then head over to Palermo Soho to explore its adorable boutiques for both baby and you.
Tuesday: Stroll through the Parque 3 de Febrero in Palermo, off the main Libertador thoroughfare. Picturesque lakes and the Rosedal rose garden make for a perfect place to snack on a packed sandwichito or empanada. Follow this up with a visit to the nearby Zoo—dating back to 1874—where animals are housed in cute circus-like pavilions themed on their origin and natural habitat.
Wednesday: Lounge away in one of Recoleta’s many shaded cafes, window-shop at its myriad high-end boutiques and explore the enchanting cemetery.
Thursday: Enjoy the favourable currency rate by checking out some of the local malls: Patio Bullrich and Paseo Alcorta for precious labels, Galerias Pacifico and Alto Palermo for more mainstream fare.
Friday: Sure it’s a hokey tourist trap, but we still love La Boca for its coloured past and tango street performances.
Saturday: Shop for gifts and souvenirs at Plaza Francia, a weekend fair packed with fun artisanal goods.
Sunday: Visit the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo. The Sunday antiques market is a highlight, but be sure to check out the local shops for the real deal.
Baby Abroad is a collection of travel tips and tricks for jet-setters with kids, compiled by travel writer Catalina Margulis and based on her adventures with hubby Gord and baby Zach. Read her weekly reviews of innovative travel products, hot hotels, and fabulous family-friendly destinations, peppered with insights from her own journeys.