🌊 Our First Holiday as a Family of Four

✈️ Planning Baby’s First Trip

This was our very first holiday as a family of four 💙

The plan for Nicolas’s first trip was very similar to what we did with Alice. As soon as he was born and everything was fine, we knew we wanted to go away straight after his first set of vaccinations.

Originally, I was set on Spain, mainly because I had somehow rediscovered Despacito and couldn’t get it out of my head 😅 However, we also knew this trip would be combined with a visit to Slovakia for Nicolas’s christening, so we needed something that worked logistically.

My parents wanted to join us, which I thought was a great idea. Travelling with two little ones felt slightly unpredictable, and having extra help is always appreciated.

🏕️ Choosing the Right Destination

During my research, I looked at both hotels and holiday camps, but I kept coming back to camps as the better option for travelling with babies.

If you’ve read my blog about our first holiday with Alice, you might remember that we ended up paying to use a holiday camp because the pools were much better suited for small children. So this time, we decided to return to the same area - Lido di Jesolo.

We already knew the promenade was perfect for pushchairs, with plenty of playgrounds along the way to keep Alice entertained. The beach is also ideal for building sandcastles, and the overall setup just works so well for families.

Another big advantage was that my parents could drive, which meant they could bring essentials like bedding. This saved us both money and luggage space.

🏖️ Our Stay at Malibu Beach Camping Village

After a lot of research, we booked Malibu Beach Camping Village through Eurocamp.

This 4-star camping village ticked all the boxes:

• Right on the promenade

• Swimming pool

• Splash park

• Kids’ pool with a slide and tunnel

While we absolutely loved Camping Village Garden Paradiso on our previous trip, it was slightly further from the promenade, so we decided not to return there this time.

We booked a three-bedroom holiday home, which is the only option available through Eurocamp at this site. It came with a lovely large terrace, which we used a lot, although the indoor space itself was quite compact.

To fit Nicolas’s cot, we had to move the indoor table outside and place the cot in the living area. It worked, but it’s something to keep in mind if travelling with a baby.

What really made a difference, though, were the two full bathrooms. Even with six of us staying together, we never had issues getting ready.

Since we split the cost with my parents, the holiday actually worked out quite affordable.

🍕 First Impressions

Once we arrived and settled in, we headed straight to the on-site restaurant and grabbed pizza to take to the beach 🍕

And honestly… it was some of the best pizza we’ve had!

Right next to the restaurant is a large playground, so Alice could play while we ate, which made everything feel much more relaxed.

We arrived on 31 August, just as schools were starting again, so the camp was not crowded at all. It was such a perfect time to go.

🌅 Daily Life at the Camp

Each morning, we visited the on-site shop. It had everything we needed, although it opened at 8am, which felt a bit late with early-rising children, and it closed briefly at lunchtime.

Breakfasts on the terrace quickly became our favourite part of the day ☕ Alice loved sitting outside, and it was probably the longest I’ve ever seen her stay at the table!

The fresh bread rolls were amazing, and I also loved the wine on tap in the evenings - such a fun and very Italian touch 🍷

As for the beach, sun loungers were not included, but we received a discount as camp guests. We paid around €16 per day for two loungers and an umbrella, depending on the row.

🌧️ Rainy Day Plans

One morning, we woke up to heavy rain. The camp does have a small indoor play area for younger children, which is great to have as a backup.

However, we decided to go out and visit Tropicarium Park in Lido di Jesolo instead.

By the time we arrived, the weather had cleared up, but the park itself was very busy. I would definitely recommend booking tickets in advance, as the queues were extremely long.

The park is split into three sections, which felt a bit confusing, and it could do with some refurbishment. That said, Alice loved seeing the crocodiles and turtles, so overall it was still a success 🐢

💦 Pool Days with Kids

We spent most of our time by the pool, and while I was very keen on having a splash park, it turned out Alice preferred the smaller children’s pool and the slide.

Sometimes it’s the simplest things!

There’s also a lovely bar by the pool, perfect for a relaxed drink while the kids play 🍹

Sun loungers are usually paid during peak season, but during our stay there were plenty available, and no one asked us to pay.

🍝 Food & Dining Options

You’re not limited to the on-site restaurant, which is great.

Within a five-minute walk, there are several lovely restaurants, some with outdoor play areas for children, which makes such a difference when dining as a family.

There’s also a small beach bar where you can grab snacks like chips, and even drinks being served along the beach.

And yes… we definitely had our fair share of Aperol Spritz on this trip 😅🍹

🔥 Little Extras That Make a Difference

One thing we really appreciated was the Eurocamp representative on site.

One evening, we decided to have a BBQ, and when he stopped by to check in, we asked if we could borrow one. He delivered it directly to us, completely free of charge.

There are also sports equipment and games available to borrow near the Eurocamp office, which is a great touch for families.

🚗 Check-Out & Onward Travel

Check-out was a little confusing.

My parents left a day earlier, and when we went to reception, they informed us they do not handle Eurocamp check-outs. Since it was early and the rep was not available yet, we left the keys in the accommodation and sent him a message.

Thankfully, everything was fine.

From there, we took a taxi to Venice Marco Polo Airport and flew to Vienna, where my uncle picked us up and drove us to Slovakia for Nicolas’s christening.

💙 Final Thoughts

This trip was such a special one for us - our first holiday as a family of four, and Nicolas’s first flight at just 10 weeks old ✈️

Was everything perfect? Of course not. Travelling with two small children comes with its challenges. But it was manageable, enjoyable, and filled with so many beautiful moments.

If anything, this trip confirmed that travelling with kids is absolutely possible - it just looks a little different.

And honestly… I wouldn’t have it any other way 💭

If you have any questions about travelling with babies or choosing the right type of accommodation, feel free to reach out - I’m always happy to help ✨