the best tips for traveling with kids from Maartje Diepstraten of Bart

"We are soon going back into the 'just do it' mentality with the second one."

Maartje Diepstraten (42)

Mother of... Vito (5), Elvis (2)

Together with... Dirk (46)

Occupation: Travels around the world alternately and often stays close to home to collect the best tips for Barts Boekje and Kids To Go

Books under her name: Little Escapes, Little Escapes in the Netherlands, Suitcases and Kids, Los Little Escapos, and Little Escapes just over the border, Cool Cape Town, Cool Cape Town Kids

Follow on instagram.com/bartsboekje

Monthly travels

"I travel about once a month for Barts Boekje. Preferably with Dirk and Vito, but often alone too. Due to corona, it was different for a while, but now things are opening up again. We were recently in Curaçao and Greece. Interestingly, by traveling so much, we've become really relaxed parents. Vito goes everywhere with us and adapts easily. He loves meeting other kids and people, and he greets everyone."

When I'm not traveling...

"We prefer to cocoon at home with the three of us and soon with four. You can see our love for travel reflected in our interior. We brought that luxury hotel feeling into our home. Or at least, we try to..."

Biggest misconception about my job

"That I'm just on vacation. I'd rather not bring my laptop on vacation (although I do during most trips), haha!"

Traveling with kids

"The ABC islands are a favorite. You don't have to do anything on these islands, which makes us come back home relaxed. We also took Vito to New York. There's so much to see that you come home quite tired. One of the best working vacations with the three of us was to Bonaire. Vito was just one, and he was very relaxed. The flight went well, the hotel was lovely, and the place was amazing. Everything was perfect."

Flying tips with kids

"Since we started booking a separate seat for Vito, flying has become more relaxed. We also have a rolling suitcase that converts into a bed, very convenient! We never skimp on travel luxuries, like an upgrade when possible or the fast lane. We also always check with the accommodation or car rental if there's a pick-up service. It saves you from standing in line and dealing with the route and an unfamiliar car. Most rental companies are happy to deliver your rental car to your hotel the next day. All for a smooth start to your journey!"

Traveling while pregnant..

. "Maybe I'm not entirely representative (or certain discomforts are just exaggerated on social media these days), but I haven't had any issues, and traveling while pregnant doesn't feel much different for me... Well, I might push my belly forward a bit for a seat. For example, in those buses that take you from the plane to the terminal when an airport doesn't have a gate, but that's about it ;-). As for eating on long flights: there's always a vegetarian option, but I always try to eat well before a long flight (even when not pregnant) so that I'm not or as little as possible dependent on the meals up in the air."

Traveling with two or more kids

"We'll continue with the 'just do it' mentality when the second one arrives. I know it sounds easy, but honestly... I think sometimes everything is made difficult for no reason. Traveling is not fun, never. BEING somewhere, that's fun! The end justifies the means, so to speak. My experience is that if you behave 'normally,' follow the rules, and consider your fellow passengers, everyone is willing to help if needed, and people don't really mind or mind less about your kids. And if they do: well, so be it. Before you know it, you're back on board, I think. Oh yes, on a long flight, it's really nice to bring mini-gifts for your kid(s) so they have something new to distract them and play with. Long live the tablet."

Traveling with a baby

"We tried not to fly at night with Vito as a baby, to keep his routine as normal as possible. Also, you often have less patience yourself. And now that he's three, it's exactly the opposite... Not convenient. It's also nice to reserve a seat at the front of the plane, near the cockpit, where there's some space to rock your baby to sleep standing. And always check if you can get a first-class upgrade if you haven't booked one already. It's definitely not free, but worth it."

Island feeling nearby

"Fly-Ibiza, or actually just Vlieland. The small island is predominantly white and wonderfully relaxed. The forest houses at Camping Stortemelk are nice, and they're rented out all year round. The eighteen houses have a spacious terrace and are sustainably built. They are relatively small, but they have everything you need. Just pay attention to the type of house you book, as not all bedrooms are spacious enough for a crib. You can also rent a house in the middle of the dunes. Or bring your own tent, and you'll be camping almost by the sea. And while you're there, grab a drink at beach pavilion Gestrand Vlieland. Also kid-friendly, of course."

Luxury camping

"Want the joy of camping without the hassle of washing dishes and bringing toilet paper? It's called Buitenplaats Beekhuizen. Here, you'll find forty lodge tents and pods. The (Bush)Pods are wooden houses in a classic English design in a modern execution, where it's pleasant to stay not only in the summer but also throughout the year. Also nice: all huts have an outdoor shower, just like in Bali."

Hidden B&B

"This mini-campsite is located north of the Veluwe. In the summer, the terrain is one large wooded garden full of nice corners and seats. Sleep in Camp Woodstock: a large tent house with enough space for six people. Be prepared: the toilet is outside in a hut, just like the bathroom tent. So, don't be surprised if you book in the winter, that means cold buttocks."

Children's paradise

"At Avontyr in Reek, North Brabant, you'll find two amazing treehouses with enough space for up to 26 people. And women and children, of course. Because for children, it's a big paradise: building huts, playing hide and seek, climbing trees. There's a central building where you can all eat together, and there are seven bedrooms. Each with its own bathroom. Afraid of heights? Almost next door, you'll find Hartje Groen with two different retro caravans. In Kip, you sleep with two adults and two children. Lander has enough space for two adults and three kids. With a cozy and quaint interior."

"Spain is one of our favorite destinations with children."

Nearby flight destination

"Spain is one of our favorite flight destinations with children. Especially Mallorca: a short flight, white beaches, and shallow sea. So, wonderfully child-friendly. That's why I have a whole list of top tips, which you can find here. One of the highlights: s'Arenal in Porto Colom. You can eat there with your feet in the sand. Secretly, a fantastic favorite place, especially with kids, as you're sitting on a relatively large (especially for the Dutch) beach here. And the blue-and-white place is a holiday from the books, not to mention the delicious food. Also nice in Spain: the Costa Blanca. Child-friendly without the crowds. We visit there regularly because my in-laws live there for half the year. Addresses for your list: The Beach House and La Siesta."

All-Inclusive enjoyment

"I always said I hate resorts, but with a little one, it's quite nice. Especially when he still naps several times a day. One of our favorites is Hillside Beach Club in Fethiye, Turkey. Everything is just right there. Here you can go to four restaurants, two spas, and there's even an adults-only section where we could go thanks to our baby monitor app."

Favorite beach club across the border

"Indie Beach in the Côte d'Azur, near camping Kon Tiki. A typical Barts Boekje address with nice looks, lovely people, tasty food, and not overcrowded. Southern France is a favorite anyway, also because you can get here by car or train. The advantage of the latter is that children don't have to be strapped in and can sleep in the car. We go there every August to friends who stay at camping Kon Tiki in the Côte d'Azur."

Nice in Curaçao

"I mentioned it already: Curaçao is one of our favorites. Nice beach club: Koko's in Curaçao. Near the Morena Resort, child-friendly, comfortable, and pleasantly small-scale. Also nice: you can book your stay here through Bartboekt.com. And of all the ABC islands, Koko's is really our favorite restaurant, which you can find here along with other Curaçao tips. Near Jan Thiel Beach, just around the corner where not many people come."

Cool Cape Town Kids

"Another great destination far away with a little one is Cape Town. There is no time difference, and life takes place almost entirely during the day. I've gathered all the tips for you in Cool Cape Town Kids.

Day of vacation

"For a holiday feeling for a day, go to Club Zand in Castricum. Tasteful and very contemporary, but not too hip and not about seeing and being seen. That's why I always find it relaxed."