Family standing by the water in Croatia — Croatia has been part of our story for more than ten years.

We have been back again and again, and we actually got married there, so it has never just been a holiday destination for us. It is the place we return to when we want life to feel a little softer and slower.
In 2024, we drove over for three months with our fox red Labrador, Daisy. That was the trip where we knew we would come back again, one day, with our baby.
So when my husband had paternity leave, we did not debate where we would go. We went back to Croatia. Baby, Daisy, and all.

Why we chose Croatia again (and why it made sense with a newborn)

Croatia was not a random choice for us. It is somewhere we know properly, and that familiarity matters so much more when you have a newborn with you.

Going back to a place we already trusted took away a lot of the mental load. We did not need to research every detail, worry about whether we had chosen the right area, or plan every day to within an inch of its life. We already understood the pace of life, and we knew what easy looks like there.

And honestly, I found it easier being away than being at home. Life felt lighter. There was not the same background noise of day-to-day jobs, and the sunshine helped more than I expected. We loved the slow rhythm, and in Pučišća especially, it is hard not to feel part of the community when you are there for more than a quick visit.

When you travel with a baby, you do not need more on the itinerary. You need the right place, the right base, and enough breathing space for it all to feel simple. Croatia gives you that.

Insider Tip: If you are considering Croatia for a babymoon or early family trip, the Dalmatian islands and quieter inland towns offer a gentler pace than the more tourist-heavy coastal resorts. It is a destination that genuinely rewards staying put rather than rushing around.

Why we drove instead of flying

We drove rather than flew for one simple reason: we wanted to bring Daisy.

Flying with a baby is absolutely doable. Flying with a baby and a Labrador is a different kind of admin entirely, and we knew this trip would feel better if we kept things simple. Driving gave us that. We had space for everything we genuinely needed, we could stop whenever we wanted, and we were not working around baggage limits or airport timings. With a newborn, being able to take the day at your own pace makes such a difference.

It also meant the journey became part of the trip rather than something we had to get through. We planned gentle driving days with overnight stops, and that kept it calm for all of us, including Daisy.

Insider Tip: A road trip to Croatia from the UK typically takes at least four to five days of comfortable driving. We would always recommend breaking it into shorter legs of no more than 3 to 4 hours of driving time per day when travelling with young children or pets. You will likely encounter unexpected delays which will increase your travel time.

Travelling Across Europe With a Dog: The Essentials

Bringing Daisy added a layer of planning, but it was absolutely worth it. In brief, here is what you need to know if you are considering the same.

To travel from the UK into the EU, your dog needs an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an authorised vet no more than ten days before you enter the EU. Your dog must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before the certificate is issued, so allow at least a month to prepare if starting from scratch.

Returning to the UK has one additional requirement that is easy to miss: your dog must receive a tapeworm treatment from a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arriving back in Great Britain. The timing is strict and border officers do check. We booked a vet appointment in Munich before we even left home, which made the return journey far less stressful.

Please note: Advice correct as of March 2026. Pet travel requirements do change, and we would always encourage you to verify the current rules with your vet and via the official U.K. Government guidance.

Travelling With a 10-Week-Old Baby: What Actually Helped

Everyone told us we were brave, but, it felt like the opposite. Staying home with a newborn, no sunshine, and a to-do list felt far more daunting than packing up and going somewhere we loved.

That said, there are things that made it easier, and things we would do differently. Here is what we found.

Keep the Journey Slow

Whether you are flying or driving, build in more time than you think you need. Feeding, nappy changes, and general newborn unpredictability mean that a journey that would take two hours without a baby will take considerably longer. That is fine. That is just the new normal.

Pack Light, But Do Not Scrimp on the Essentials

We over-packed for our first trip with our baby and learnt quickly. The items that genuinely earned their boot space were the ones that made daily life easier. A good carrier keeps your hands free and babies calm. A pram that doubles as a sleep space removes the need for a separate travel cot. Sun protection, white noise, and shade matter far more than you might expect.

Nappies and wipes are widely available across Europe, so you do not need to bring a month's supply. Focus your packing energy on comfort and sleep. We did bring formula and had family bring out more as a back up as the formula we used isn’t sold in Europe.

What We Actually Used: Our Baby Kit List

These are the items we personally used and found genuinely helpful. They are suggestions, not endorsements, and every baby is different. Always do your own research and check current safety guidelines before purchasing.

Mum holding baby in sling with Lake Bled in the background.

Bugaboo Fox 5 with travel stand: The pram doubled as our baby's sleep space, which meant we did not need a separate travel cot. A game changer for keeping luggage manageable.

Artipoppe carrier: We used this every single day. For walks, for restaurants, for moments when our baby needed to be close. If you are only going to invest in one thing before a trip with a young baby, make it a good carrier.

Bebetrek bamboo suit: Croatia in summer means serious sun, and protecting a newborn's skin is a priority. This UV-protective suit was lightweight, breathable. Our baby was too young for sunscreen so this helped to keep her protected.

White noise machine: A consistent sleep cue across the journey and while away. Worked brilliantly for naps in unfamiliar environments.

Small fan: For keeping the sleep space cool in warmer weather. A simple addition that made a real difference to comfort.

SnoozeShade: Fitted over the pram to block light and create a calm sleep environment when out and about. Particularly useful during longer lunches.

Rockit portable rocker: Attaches to the pram and rocks it gently. Useful during those moments when you need your hands free and your baby needs settling.

Choose Your Base Wisely

With a young baby, the wrong base makes everything harder. You want somewhere with easy access to a supermarket, a washing machine (non-negotiable), space to spread out, and ideally an outdoor area where you can sit in the shade. A villa or apartment will serve you far better than a hotel room for a longer stay.

In Croatia, we based ourselves in Pučišća on the island of Brac. It is a small, peaceful stone town built around a bay, and it felt made for slow living. The community was warm, the pace was easy, and having space of our own made the days feel uncomplicated in the best possible way.

Is It Worth Travelling With a Very Young Baby?

Short answer: yes, absolutely, if you approach it in the right way.

Babies under three months are, in many ways, the easiest travel companions you will ever have. They sleep a lot, they are not yet mobile, and they are happy as long as they are fed, comfortable, and close to you. The window of travel that comes before they are crawling and into everything is genuinely a sweet spot that we would encourage every family to use.

The key is choosing the right destination, not trying to do too much, and going somewhere that gives you space to rest as well as explore. For us, that was Croatia. For you, it might be somewhere completely different.

Whatever your version of a perfect early family trip looks like, we would love to help you plan it properly.