Travel is more fun when you get to share it with someone. But, of course, the more people you travel with, the more it costs ... or, at least, that's usually how it works.
03.02.2025 - 15:23 / cntraveler.com
Diapers, wipes, formula or breastmilk, medications—some items are essential while traveling with babies and young children. After that, the stuff you “need” while flying, road-tripping, or simply venturing into your city for the day varies. (If parenthood has taught me anything, it’s that no two caregivers or children are alike; what works for your family might not work for another—and the other way around.)
Yet, through trial and error, trips under the belt, and time spent loving little ones on the go, caregivers quickly learn what works (and what doesn’t) for their families. Ask them what they’ll never leave home without ahead of a trip, and they’ll tell you about a sound machine that saved their sleep in a foreign hotel room, a stroller that’s been with them for years, or a set of clear plastic pouches that kept them from constantly digging through a diaper bag.
The best “things,” then, have stories attached to them; they are products that don’t just simplify travel but infuse joy, relaxation, and exploration into it, too. These 12 items, in particular, have earned their spots in the cars, carry-ons, and packing lists of caregivers after plenty of time spent with young children on the go; consider them for your upcoming travel near and far.
If there’s one thing kids want lots of (all the time but also while traveling), it’s snacks. Sarah Owens, a mom of two in Lewes, Delaware, favors this GoBe snack spinner, which doubles as a toy and even comes with stickers that your child can use to decorate the case. “It’s great for road trips, the beach, play dates, and is just super versatile,” she says. “It can also keep kids busy with sorting activities or fidgeting.”
No parent needs to be reminded of how missed naps, jet lag, or sleep that’s disrupted in any which way can wreak havoc on a day. That could be why a portable sound machine is a must-pack for many parents. With its clips, many muted hues, and 10 sound options, the Hatch Rest Go stands out in the market, with parents saying they use it in noisy and unfamiliar hotel rooms, long car rides, and even while out and about exploring. “We use the standard version at bedtime every night at home, so having it while traveling helps maintain a sense of normalcy in our nighttime routine, ensuring the girls aren’t completely off-kilter,” says Lauren Dana Ellman, a New York–based Traveler contributor and new mom of twins.
Read a full review here.
Once littles are old enough to trot alongside you, mini roller bags transform terminal walks from a schlep to a practice that allows a budding sense of independence (and fun!) to emerge. My husband and I have easily rolled these alongside our own luggage (sometimes with our children on top of them) when little hands
Travel is more fun when you get to share it with someone. But, of course, the more people you travel with, the more it costs ... or, at least, that's usually how it works.
On a warm September day in Nice, France, I grab a table at a restaurant terrace overlooking the Mediterranean and size up the vessel I'm about to board: Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Traveller. Although you wouldn't know to look at it, the navy blue hull is built to cut through ice. As the ship glimmers under the southern French sun, I find it hard to imagine that in less than two months it will be back in Antarctic waters, having swapped the calm, summer waters of the Mediterranean for a harsh polar climate.
Most travelers dread layovers when flying, but I've actually come to enjoy them.
I've traveled to over 90 countries and been fortunate to take my kids with me to 19 of them.
It’s been nearly a month since the wildfires that swept across Los Angeles county changed thousands of lives forever. Though the fires are now 100% contained, the aftermath of the tragedy is still evident around the city, making it even more critical to support residents as they rebuild. As a Los Angeles native, I saw firsthand the resilience of communities determined to help each other in the face of the unimaginable. Fortunately, a number of brands have stepped up to the plate too, providing essentials like clothing, reusable water bottles, hygiene products, and prescription eyeglasses to those affected by the fires. Below, we’ve listed 11 brands that have committed to supporting wildfire victims.
Allegiant Air says it's going "back to its roots" in 2025 with new jets, new routes and more to come this year.
“I wasn't sophisticated—I was just a knucklehead out there on the road, taking notes and enjoying the fact that people had rearranged my cultural furniture and I was tripping around on things, and I liked that. I liked that a lot.”
Packing for a six-month trip around Europe wasn't easy. I deliberated for a good two months about what to take with me and what to leave behind. Since I only had two backpacks, I had to be picky about what I brought.
My hunt for the best neck pillow continues.
Condé Nast Traveler celebrated its 2025 Gold List in Dubai, with a glittering party against the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, which marks its 25th anniversary, as well as being featured on the prestigious Gold List. The evening, which included a "Touch of Gold" dress code, was hosted by Condé Nast's CEO Roger Lynch, chief content officer and global editorial director of Vogue, Anna Wintour, and Condé Nast Traveller's global editorial director Divia Thani. The list is created annually by Condé Nast Traveler and is a selection of hotels and cruises that its discerning editors across the world deem as their own personal favorites.
A tragic crash of an American Airlines regional jet Wednesday night at Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which ended a long accident-free run in domestic aviation, drew shocked reactions from safety experts and the flying public.
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