Traveling parents know that “family friendly” and even “kid friendly” vacation properties may not feel that way at all to the family arriving with an explorative baby or an adventurous toddler. I myself have rearranged hotel furniture, used suitcases in defense of minibars, and implemented hair accessories to help childproof Old World windows and thwart access to less than kid-friendly balconies.
Amie O’Shaughnessy, a passionate traveler who, like myself, discovered that motherhood is not necessarily the cure for the travel bug, founded Ciao Bambino! to help take the guess work out of finding vacation properties the world over that are suitable for baby and toddler travelers, as well as those that serve the interests and desires of school-age kids and teens.
As its name suggests, Ciao Bambino! got its start with vacation properties in Europe, but it has grown over the past decade to include a portfolio of vacation properties and rentals throughout North America, Central America, Europe, and the South Pacific. So whether you’re dreaming of a baby-ready jungle hut with a thatched roof in Belize, a toddler-friendly seaside hotel on a Greek Island, or a school-age kid’s dream medieval villa with heated pool in France, the Ciao Bambino! team continues to scour the globe and scope out the best properties for families.
While all of Ciao Bambino’s property listings are “family-approved” and sleep at least 4 people, regardless of age, I especially appreciate their easy-to-use “CB! Age Ratings” icons and search options that help you quickly find properties that are suitable for kids in the following categories. Each property listing includes details of the specific features and amenities that make it suitable for each recommended age range.
> Baby ready (0-1) – At minimum, these properties provide cribs, while most include kitchen facilities and other features helpful at this age range.
> Toddler fun (1-4) – All of these properties have a suitable area for toddlers to run around either on site or within a 5-minute walk. Many also have kitchen facilities, children’s (kiddie) pools and playgrounds.
> School-age action (4-13) – CB! Properties recommended for this age help families strike a balance between parent-centered sightseeing and the intrests of kids, often by providing activities like swimming or easy bike riding from the property to help keep kids busy and entertained
> Cool for teens (13-18) – Ideal properties include a variety of onsite and/or nearby age-appropriate activities for teenage travelers.
Ciao Bambino! also has a great section on international travel tips for families with young children and an interesting blog. Also, don’t miss their special offers page with deals on select properties including bonus free nights, complimentary car rentals, and other incentives for booking through Ciao Bambino! Bookmark Ciao Bambino! at www.ciaobambino.com for help finding family-friendly vacation properties at home and abroad.
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For more info: To find more help for planning your family's best trip with children under 5 years, check out the sections on "Anticipating Ages and Stages," "Deciding Where to Go," "Temperaments in Transit," and "Childproofing On the Go" in Travels with Baby.
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