Traveling to Greece with an infant

[Xtina]

Thanks for everything guys! Sometimes just getting my concerns written down does a lot to take the weight off my shoulders, and getting good advice from people with experience just makes it better. I was falling asleep last night after writing this thinking, "if my biggest stressor is the fact that I get to take a vacation for the first time in five years, to my favorite place in the world where I haven't been for 13 years, life is pretty good. At least I don't live in Darfur."

I'm adding your recommendations to the list and visiting those links from welsummerchicks.

 

[debilorrah]

Actually your biggest issue is going to be the screaming from your child that will inevitably occur. The change in altitude is very painful for children (ears). Make sure you have PLENTY of things for the child to suck on. Make sure the child is hungry at the time the plane takes off, because the child will not notice it so much if the child is already sucking on something upon take off.

 

[welsummerchicks]

Oh I dunno. My sister's boy went on a big international trip at that age, and all he did was burp and smile and chuck his shoes off his feet at times when we could least afford to retrace our steps and look for them. We later realized that 'P-P-P-whoooo!' means 'My shoe fell off, please pick it up now so you don't have to retrace your steps and search for it'. He burped and gurgled his way through both to and from plane rides. Some times kids at that age are so delightfully oblivious.

The most important thing is to take pictures with the kid in it and show them to him later when he's older. 'See, there you are with daddy, daddy is pretending to shoot off the Sphinx's nose!'

 

[thaiturkey]

Xtina, I think that you are generally stressed about the trip but are worrying about the wrong things.

Europe is fairly civilised these days.

Greece is also an EU State and so certain laws will be in place that will ensure better standards than some of the old ones in that country. I admit that Greece is not quick at complying with new rules but standards will be better than you might think.

Many Greeks speak English because of tourism and business. Your husband doesn't need to learn any Greek unless he wants a few words at the level of 'Hello', 'Goodbye' and 'More beer'. The alphabet is quite different, as you must know, so he won't be able to read anything. Keep him away from the Retsina, by the way.

You said that your family is Greek and they live in a village. Why not ask them the questions that you've raised here? You could also send them money to rent a minibus and buy the heavy and bulky stuff that you need such as a buggy and car seat. Then they will be able to meet you at the airport with all of the baby gear there for you. Smaller baby necessities will also be available because Greeks sometimes have babies of their own.

I think that the biggest issues that you need to address are the baby's comfort on the flight and your own stress. You've already had some advice on the former. I guess that you've already arranged to have a centre row seat behind a bulkhead so that the cabin crew can rig up a cot for your baby. If the thought of the journey stresses you you need to deal with that otherwise you will make things worse for baby and husband. If you don't know any relaxation or meditation routines I suggest that you learn some before you fly.

I haven't been to Greece for a few years but I think that the main issue that you will need to bear in mind, especially in a village, is hygiene. Keep an eye on how they keep and cook food, where the water comes from and the general standards of cleanliness. I never had a problem myself but was always careful there. You won't see locals doubled up in pain from food poisoning but their stomachs will be used to different bugs from your own. Ask your own doctor what to take with you for the baby's stomach just in case a suitable brand isn't available over there.

Remember that there is some political unrest there. Greeks love to have demonstrations but you probably won't see any in a village. There have been workers' strikes, though, so you need to keep an eye on the news, the Greek Consulate website and your own government's travel website. Keep in touch with your family for news about it too. There's no danger but you need to be forewarned of any inconveniences.

Just chill and enjoy your trip.