We have some rather exciting news…we’ve just booked our first proper family holiday! 10 days in sunny Greece this summer, and the preparations are all going well. The hotel’s booked. We’ve figured out how to assemble our ace new travel cot. Teddy’s passport application is all sorted and has been sent off for processing. We’ve even managed to find a flight that doesn’t leave at three in the morning. But the one thing still playing on our minds is; how the hell are we going to bring our big stroller with us on the flight?!
Luckily, the solution to this problem landed straight in our laps when we were recently contacted by baby jogger to try out and review their award winning city tour stroller, which has been especially designed with travel loving parents in mind. And I’m pleased to say, after testing it out over the past few days, it’s exactly what we’ve been looking for…
Rosie with Teddy in the city tour stroller (Photo credit: Ariel from the Dreamcatcher Photography Studio)
Weighing in at just 6.4kg, this lightweight stroller is one of the most compact buggies on the market, folding down small enough to fit in the overhead locker on a plane and, crucially, smaller than the strict airline carry-on luggage requirements. Ideal for your first flight with a baby.
It’s seriously well engineered for convenience too. With just a simple push of a button and pull of a strap, it folds (and unfolds) in a matter of seconds, all one handed, making it really convenient when getting on and off a plane (or indeed a taxi, train, bus etc) with your little one in tow.
What’s more, unlike other strollers on the market, it comes with its own special backpack-style carry bag to transport it around (hands free and super handy) when not in use. A nice little added extra.
With our imminent Greece trip in mind, I was particularly impressed by the stroller’s large extendable SPF 50+ sun canopy, which makes it ideal for protecting your little one from the sun’s rays while on holiday.
If I’m being extra picky though, the one potential downside of the model we tried out was its black design, which could get very hot if used for long periods in sunny climates (although for the record, the city tour is available in different colours – green and purple – where this would obviously be less of a problem).
TOP TIP: If you have a black stroller and are worried about your baby overheating, we recommend investing in a temperature-regulating lambskin pram liner (like this one from the lovely British baby brand, Baa Baby, which can also be used in your car seat) as well as a full pram cover (we like this one from Bo Peep – ace mum blogger and author Mother of Daughters is a fan too!). Doing this will guarantee that both your stroller AND your baby stay nice and cool during the summer months.
After road testing this stroller around London, aside from it being an ideal choice for travel loving parents, it strikes me that the city tour is also a great option for daily use too, whether you’re just going to the shops, taking a walk in the park or partaking in a mini road trip.
Being so small, functional and light, it weighs next to nothing and takes up no room at all, either at home or in the car (it’s small enough to fit in the foot well, rather than taking up valuable space in the boot!), so is perfect for anyone living in a small flat, with a smaller car or with limited storage space.
Our little family (Photo credit: Ariel from the Dreamcatcher Photography Studio)
While at £249.99, it’s not cheap, it’s worth noting that the city tour stroller is suitable for kids aged from six months to around three years’ old, so it’s a sound investment and should last you a good few years. Plus, with all the parent-friendly features I’ve mentioned already, you’ll use it all year round so will definitely get your money’s worth.
Needless to say, we’re big fans. So, if you’re in the market for a new stroller or are a new parent planning your first holiday with baby, the city tour comes highly recommended and gets a big thumbs up…from all three of us!
Teddy, chilling out in the city tour stroller (Photo credit: Ariel from the Dreamcatcher Photography Studio)
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So, are you planning your first family holiday too? Are you totally prepared or is anything worrying you about going away for the first time with a baby? For those parents who have already taken the plunge, any top tips of essential items to pack and what we should leave behind at home? As always, we’d love to hear from you, so please do share your questions, advice or recommendations in the comments section below!
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