Travelling With Twins: What It’s Really Like

I have always loved to travel. My first proper adventure was in 2013 when, at just 21, I made the somewhat bold decision to pack up my life and move to what was then the far-flung Middle East: Dubai. My then boyfriend (whom I’d met while studying fashion) asked me to join him once I’d finished my degree. The alternative was returning to my small hometown or trying to crack London with no job, no flat and no money, so I bought a one-way ticket and off I went

I didn’t stay with said boyfriend, but I did stay in Dubai for seven years. The move kick-started my career as a fashion editor and writer, and I loved every minute of living somewhere so new and exciting. It was there that my obsession with travel really took hold

Working across multiple magazines meant my twenties were a wonderful blur of airports, five-star hotels and glamour. From styling Kylie and Kris Jenner in LA for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia to sitting front row at Dior’s Cruise show in magical Marrakech, travel was spontaneous, luxurious and thrilling. I could hop on a plane at a moment’s notice with nothing but a carry-on and a lip gloss

Fast forward to 2020 and I was ready to swap Dubai’s fast-paced lifestyle for London living and something a little more… wholesome. I moved home hoping to meet someone and start a family and in 2024 I was lucky enough to meet the most amazing partner. Charming, handsome, swept-me-off-my-feet energy – and crucially, he also loved to see the world

We wasted no time booking a romantic Christmas trip to New York. Somewhere between the twinkly lights and overpriced cocktails, I knew he was ‘the one’

Everything was perfect, so it came as a massive shock to discover that we were expecting twins just five months after we met. I was thrilled, of course, but also terrified. Most mums dream of one healthy baby. I was suddenly imagining two… and double everything

Before reality hit too hard, we squeezed in one final grown-up trip to the Amalfi Coast when I was 12 weeks pregnant. Morning sickness was easing, the views were unreal, and it was blissfully calm. Little did we know just how much holidays were about to change

Jude and Beau arrived in December 2024 and let me tell you – nothing prepares you for twin newborn life. Sleep deprivation is tough with one baby. With two? It’s a tag-team endurance sport. When one slept, the other woke. Hourly feeds, reflux, crying – on loop. There was no ‘newborn bubble’. I’m convinced that’s a myth invented to lure people into parenthood! Obviously, we adore our two precious little boys though. While twin parenting is undeniably harder, the love is doubled too – and that part really is magical

One thing was certain: becoming parents wasn’t going to stop us travelling. Just a few months postpartum, I was desperate to go somewhere new. Everyone said newborn is the best age to travel – portable, immobile, and easily contained – so we decided to strike while the babies were still vaguely cooperative

First stop: Athens. Short flight, no time difference – sensible, right? We booked five nights, though judging by our luggage you’d think we were emigrating. One suitcase was essentially nappies and muslins. I even packed our milk prep machine. When you’re making approximately 47 bottles a day, you don’t take risks

We stayed at the One & Only Aesthesis – and it could not have been more amazing. Not only was it five-star fabulous and in a stunning location, it also offered up it everything we needed for the babies – from bottle warmers and nappy bins to baby baths – which honestly I was more excited to see than the view!

Flying with babies is… humbling. Both boys had explosive poos the second we boarded. Beau then vomited all over me before take-off, forcing me to borrow trousers from the woman next to me – a saint who was clearly far more prepared for motherhood than I was

I had this sweet, delusional vision of poolside relaxation. Mojitos. Books. Peace. Instead, Beau spent every meal attached to my boob while I ate one-handed. On the final night, we cancelled a tasting menu and ordered room service. My partner announced he “couldn’t wait to go back to work”. I thought “yup, I hear ya!” It was not the blissful family holiday I’d envisaged

Because here’s the truth: travelling with babies often isn’t a holiday. It’s parenting – just somewhere hotter, less well organised and with worse sleep. Somehow, babies know the difference between their bedroom and a hotel room

At eight months, feeling braver (and slightly forgetful of Athens), we tried again. This time Turkey, and this time with backup: Granny. Boarding the flight, I silently prayed for other babies so we wouldn’t be that family. Unfortunately, our boys were now alert, wriggly and bored within minutes. Dancing Fruits on You Tube only gets you so far. But we made it

We stayed at XO Cape Arnna, an all-inclusive luxury resort I found via Tiny Travelship. We LOVED it, was like a mini village and had literally everything you could want – tons of restaurants, an under two’s supervised play area and a gorgeous beach. It was the perfect choice. With my mum helping with feeds, naps and evening babysitting, the difference was night and day. Mojitos returned. I read books. I felt like a human again. Heck, I even went to the adults only pool. Thank you, Mum. Truly

One thing I’ve realised in general this past year, but particularly when travelling, is that it really does take a village – sometimes an entire BA flight. At one point I let Beau crawl up and down the aisle, eyebrow-raising or not. You do what you have to do

The key to making travel with babies work is help. Grandparents, babysitters, kind cabin crew – otherwise you’re just parenting in a different postcode

We’ve also learned that hotels matter. Baby baths, bottle warmers, nappy bins, shallow pools, short walks to restaurants – these are non-negotiables. Staying somewhere truly family-friendly is essential. It’s so important to do your research before you get there so you can actually have some sort of real holiday

Also investing in the right kit is such a good idea. Our wonderful Baby Jogger City Tour 2 double pram was a godsend. Compact enough to bring right to the gate and then delivered back to the plane door post flight, so we weren’t trying to manage two babies and a million bags whilst we waited for our luggage

Flights – and travel plans in general – aren’t fun, but they’re a means to an end. You just have to accept that. Once the babies are asleep and you’re sitting on a balcony with a cocktail watching the sunset, the stress melts away. It is worth it

This year we’re looking at family-friendly European hotels, knowing the challenges will evolve as crawling turns into running. But we made it through the first year so I know that whatever challenges the next phase brings, we will adapt our holiday plans to suit, while still making the effort to travel and enjoy the things we as adults love to do. Ikos – any of the resorts – is top of our list. I also love the look of the Marbella Club – super chic but also incredibly child-friendly