[pitzinoodles]

Lucky us are going to spend 4 weeks in Europe this year! We will be traveling with a 18 mont old and a 4 year old (are we crazy?).

I have decided we will need a pram/stroller for various reasons. I need something that will lay back for sleeping, is relatively small when folded and will tolerate cobblestones/uneven road etc. Also would love it if the 4 year old could stand on the back axle for short distances if she refuses to walk. (I know this isn't ideal, but our current pram tolerates it ok!)

Any suggestions?

[Gembac8019]

baby jogger city mini with glider board or maclaren stroller with a glider board.

[Lishyfips]

I've travelled a lot with a Maclaren Quest - it was never packed in a travel bag (didn't know they existed till recently) and it never suffered any damage in transit. They're light, easy to fold/unfold and the more recent model lies back enough for newborns. If you were considering second hand, I never had any trouble with kids sleeping in an old model suitable from 6 months as it still lies back a fair way (mine is 7 years old, looks and performs as good as new). Kids never complained of it being uncomfortable at any stage.
Maclaren also makes lighter models than the Quest but with increased lightness comes less comfort for kids (or so I've heard).

[Finntastic]

I have also traveled with a Maclaren Quest. I have many fond (but slightly achy!) memories of carrying the thing up and down the stairs of the Paris Métro. I exaggerate a little with the achy bit . . . it was actually pretty light as Lishyfips says. My son was two at the time.

Traveling with young kids can indeed be hard. But I think it's worth it! Good luck to you!

[Ehill]

McLaren Quest all the way for me. We went to Europe with one and it survived the most dreadful cobblestones!

You could also take an Ergo (actually I highly recommend this) even though you might be horrified at the thought of carrying an 18mo in one but we used this through the airports and train stations with our DD who was 17mo at the time. It was a godsend and much easier than the pusher which we just wheeled in the travel bag or it was in our checked luggage. Airports can have huge walking distances and you will need a method of carrying the 18mo. You could also carry it underneath the stroller and if the 4yo gets tired change the 18mo into the Ergo and put the 4yo into the stroller.

Worse case scenario buy a second cheap stroller in the UK to use for the 4yo.

[lbj]

We just came back from UK/Europe with similar aged kids, and we took a bugaboo bee with the wheeled board (bought an old one 2nd hand, so not the bee+). THe reason I decided to go the bee route, rather than the maclaren was both for the skateboard attachment (we have a cameleon, so already had the bugaboo wheeled board) and also for the basket space underneath. It really was a godsend not to have to hold loads of stuff in bags, and the basket is easy access even when it's reclined. We didn't have the travel bag, rather bought one of those red gate check bags from bambini pronto, and the pram was totally fine on the flights etc. Additionally, it's light and narrow enough to pick up the whole pram with bub in it and carry it up and down stairs if necessary. I had planned on selling the bee when we got back... but I love it too much!

[Ohhmum]

Maclaren Quest. Bought one for travelling with DD who was 12 mths at the time. Light, super easy to steer and put up and down with 1 hand.have used it with DS2 since about 3 mths - lies back a fair way and soooo much easier than our 'regular' pram.