Traveling with Toddlers

If the thought of taking your toddler on holiday fills you with dread, think again.It can be a rewarding experience with careful preparation:

• Avoid environments that are to hot, too cold, or too wet. The ideal temperature for a toddler is tepid. If you are not sure where to go, remember that playing on the each is a favorite activity for most toddlers.
  

• Young children invariably get bored during long journeys. Fill the day before with activity so they’re more likely to sleep.
  

• Consider travel by train – toddlers’ favorite type of transport.
  

• If flying, choose a departure time that fits in with normal sleeping patterns.
  

• Don’t count on an airline to feed toddlers to their taste. Pack food.
  

• Toddlers can be fussy about the place they sleep – take their own bedding or a pillow. And bring a favorite cuddly toy.
  

• Consider going with another family so you can share childcare.

How to Get a Comfort Economy Seats?

First-class comfort on a shoestring. But, lowest price needn't mean worst quality, and not all economy seats are the same. Here's how you can make budget travel more comfortable:

• Babies on board. You get more leg room in the bulkhead rows because they make room for carry cots. The catch: you're unlikely to get a seat here unless you fly with an infant.

• On the map. Most airlines have seat maps that show the bad seats (as in the ones that don't recline because they're in front of an exit row). Use a travel agent who can confirm your seat when you book.

• Fly blind. Want a window seat? Avoid the row forward of a wing.

• Plug in. Emirates has large economy screens with a choice of 500 movies and games. Some airlines have seats with power sockets for laptops in economy, but you'll need to book ahead.