Travelling with a Baby: Our Adventure in Cape Verde ✈️🏝️

Let's start with setting things straight. Our previous holidays usually involve exploring different locations and organizing all the details ourselves—accommodation, transportation, activities, and meals. However, this time we decided to go for an all-inclusive holiday, largely due to my auntie's insistence. She had been advocating for an all-inclusive trip so that everything would be taken care of, making it a stress-free experience. After much deliberation, she suggested we save up for a family trip to Dubai next year. Meanwhile, TUI announced a sale, and we couldn't resist booking a holiday to Cape Verde, even though my auntie decided not to join us.

Our flight was scheduled for the early morning of June 7th. To make things easier and ensure our daughter Alice had a good night's sleep, we stayed at the Radisson Red hotel near Gatwick Airport the night before. 🏨 The price was reasonable, considering it included a night's stay and a week of parking. The hotel also provided a shuttle bus service to and from the airport for £5 per person. We checked in online, avoiding the queues at the airport. For this package holiday, we were allowed two 20kg suitcases. Although I'm usually able to pack our family into three small backpacks for a two-week trip, having a suitcase this time was a nice change. I packed one large and one small suitcase and a little backpack full of necessities for Alice for the flight. Since we had the big suitcases, I was able to take my beloved flamingo on another adventure. 🦩This flamingo has become a cherished part of our family’s travel adventures. I purchased it for our very first holiday with my husband. The second time I took the flamingo on a holiday was to Costa Rica, where we got engaged. Now, on this holiday, it was the first time Alice was able to use it. Seeing her play with it brought back so many wonderful memories, making the flamingo a symbol of our journey as a family.

The flight to Cape Verde was just under six hours. Despite Alice having travelled on 15 flights before, I always feel a bit anxious, especially now that she is more mobile and eager to explore. ✈️ We extended her first wake window and put her to sleep as soon as we boarded. The young woman next to us was very understanding and not bothered by sitting next to a baby. Alice had a great flight, and the woman complimented how happy and well-behaved she was. We brought plenty of snacks, food, and her favourite toys to keep her entertained. 🧸🍎 We had expected to fly on a Dreamliner, but those planes are reserved for flights over seven hours. Nevertheless, we managed well with the standard aircraft.

As we descended over Boa Vista, I was initially sceptical about finding any hotels amidst the vast sand dunes. However, we soon spotted the cluster of hotels. The TUI infrastructure on the island was impressive, with numerous TUI buses and planes. 🚌✈️ It felt as though the island was exclusively theirs. Upon landing, we quickly passed through border control thanks to the family queue and headed to our hotel, the Hotel Touareg.

We had completed online check-in for the hotel, expecting a speedy process, but ironically, it took longer. The hotel had only one desk for online check-ins and six desks for the rest of their customers. This needs improvement. Despite this hiccup, we were amazed by the hotel's grandeur. 🌴🏖️ It boasts a large private beach with shaded areas, ideal for Alice’s naps. The sea was too rough for swimming, but Alice enjoyed playing at the edge. There were a few days when the lifeguards didn't even allow people to swim because of the strong currents. Despite this, the beach was a lovely place for walks and relaxation.

Alice's sleep schedule was a major consideration throughout our stay. Dinner timings were not ideal, as the main restaurant started serving dinner at 6 pm. This often conflicted with Alice’s bedtime, which is between 6-7 pm, causing us to rush our meals. 🍽️😴 Lunch, served between 1-3 pm, coincided with her nap time, so we missed it occasionally as well. While the poolside restaurant offered food all day, the limited menu became monotonous after a few days. 🌯

The hotel features multiple pools, including one in an adults-only section. The main pool has a swim-up bar as well as a hot tub. There is also an infinity pool and a children’s area. 🏊‍♂️🌊 The children’s area was a highlight of our stay. It had a small, shallow pool under a canopy to protect the kids from the sun, and a larger pool with several slides and a waterfall. There was also a little cave behind the waterfall, which was a great spot for Alice to play safely away from the sun. 🌞💦 This area was fantastic for allowing her to cool off and have fun. The children’s area also had a well-equipped playground with swings and climbing frames. The kids' club was staffed with friendly animators who organized many activities. I also appreciated the baby changing area as well as the child toilet. The resort, though remote, has shops for essentials, albeit at higher prices. The spaciousness of the resort allowed for relaxing walks without feeling crowded. We brought our pram, which was a great decision given the resort's size. 🚼🛝

One new addition to our travel gear was a foldable travel potty from Amazon, which cost around £14. It was an excellent purchase—compact, easy to carry, and convenient for Alice's regular potty use. This little potty came in a small bag and proved to be very comfortable for Alice, making our travels much easier. 🚽 Additionally, we realized during this trip that Alice is outgrowing her current carrier. We'll need to invest in a new one soon, and plan to thoroughly research and test a few options before our next holiday.

Our departure was less smooth. The airport lacked indoor seating, making it warm and uncomfortable. Food choices were limited, and keeping Alice entertained was challenging. 🍔 The airport had shaded areas, but it was still quite hot, and there was a shortage of seating. We managed by keeping Alice occupied with her favorite toys and snacks, but it was not an ideal situation. 🧸🍏 On the flight back, an older couple initially seemed unhappy to sit next to us, but after observing Alice’s behaviour, their attitude changed. They mentioned that they were staying at an adults-only resort but were pleasantly surprised by how well-behaved Alice was during the flight.

This trip was Alice’s 17th flight and her last before turning one. Reflecting on our journey, I feel a sense of pride in how well she has adapted to travelling. We have more exciting trips planned: Santorini in July, a surprise trip for my husband's 30th in October, and hopefully New York by year-end. Although I will be returning to work in August, our passion for travel remains strong, and we will continue to explore new destinations and create wonderful memories as a family. Despite the challenges, travelling with Alice has been incredibly rewarding, and I can't wait to see what new adventures await us. Stay tuned as we return to our usual DIY holiday adventures! 🌍🗺️

Price Breakdown

Flight TicketS,Hotel Transfers, All-inclusive Hotels	£1597.14
Raddison Red Hotel (1 night + 8 nights parking)	£174
Transfer Raddison Red- Hotel (return)	£20