Our 1st holiday abroad…who knew it could be so stressful now you have a third little person to care for!

As first time parents we were really apprehensive about taking Oliver abroad for his first holiday but we were also desperate for some sun and time away from the daily grind. Our life has been really hectic and emotional over the past two years and it was just what the doctor ordered.

The idea of a holiday abroad was appealing and so tempting but then my anxiety kicked in and I started to worry about EVERYTHING. What if something goes wrong? What if we need medical treatment? What if he is a nightmare on the plane? What if it’s too hot for Oliver? Should we go long haul or short haul? Should we go self catering or all inclusive? Oh, and I need to find suncream & insect repellant that suits a baby. What do we take to push him around in? His pram is far too expensive and big to travel with. (I wasnt prepared to damage our gorgeous EGG). What about baby food? How would we sterilise without his Tommie Tippee steriliser? The list was flaming endless!! It got to a point where I thought maybe it’s less stressful to stay at home 😂

We decided we would go away in May for my birthday but when we started looking, everywhere in Europe just wasn’t warm enough. Do you know how hard it is to find hotels in Europe that have heated swimming pools? It was like finding a needle in a haystack! I wasn’t prepared to spend all that money for 20 degree weather at best and a freezing swimming pool. We wouldn’t enjoy it and It wouldn’t be fair on little man. Then we started looking further afield but the good old anxiety kicked in again and I panicked about a long haul flight. We didn’t know how Oliver was going to react on a plane and would it be hellish for us and the other passengers…Who knows?!

Well, we needn’t have worried when we came across the SANI resorts in Halkidiki Greece. 22-26 degrees, a 4hr flight, full board, beachfront accommodation AND heated swimming pools! Jackpot!!! What was awesome about this hotel was the fact that they even served up FREE baby food created by the amazing Annabel Karmel. Served up whenever you wanted it, fresh. How AMAZING is that?! What more could a parent want?

It’s a little pricey, not going to lie but you get so much for your money. They literally can’t do enough for you and the hotel Sani Dunes where we stayed was absolutely spotless and beautiful and the staff were incredible. There are 5 resorts and you can access them all by foot or golf buggy. Right slap bang in the middle of them all is a gorgeous Marina lined with cafés and restaurants and some of the most luxurious yachts. The evening entertainment was the best we have ever seen including stars from the Londons west end. So we booked it!…Eeeeek! It was done. We had to go now.

All the holiday prep began. With a lot of searching I found an organic sunscreen suitable for babies from the Green People. Most bottles on the high street were suitable from 12months+. I was pulling my hair out trying to find something suitable and kind to Oliver’s skin. The next thing was Insect repellant. I literally am eaten alive if I don’t apply boots Soltan with added insect repellant and then double up with a spray too. I didn’t want Oliver to experience bites and make him miserable but is there one on the high street shelf that’s suitable for babies? No. In the end I found one online by Vie and it worked a treat!

Then we had to go buggy shopping. We opted for the Silver Cross Avia as it has an extra large hood with SPF 50 protection. It folds down small and is relatively lightweight which is perfect for the plane. I started to feel a tad bit organised! By this time the holiday was well and truly needed.

To be continued….