Yolanda Edwards | Cookie Travel & Lifestyle Editor

If you have an Eloise, or a future hotel manager, in the making, like we do, this is a super cool DVD to get.  "The BIG Hotel" goes behind the scenes of a large hotel, and shows how it all works. The kids love it, and so do we!

Check out our favorite DVDs for kids .

Rebecca Etter | Cookie Travel Assistant

Planes, trains and automobiles -- you name a mode of transportation and I've been in it over these past couple of months. I've been taking a lot of short weekend trips and I cannot get enough of my Case Logic 18" Rolling Upright. Besides fitting everywhere, it's also extremely lightweight and has compartments for everything. It's the perfect add on to anyone's luggage collection.

For more travel gear picks, check out our parent-and-child rolling luggage pairings.

by Esther of Babyccino

1. Petit Bateau reversible striped outfits. They are super cute, extremely cozy, work great as pajamas but are perfect for daywear as well. My babies travel in nothing else! (For babies 0-2.)

2. Phil&Teds MeToo Chair. This little chair will hang on nearly every table, is super light (less than 1 kilo/2 lbs), is flat (2.5 cm /1 inch when folded), and can be used from 6 months to 3 years (or about 18 kg). Comes with a harness and is easy to clean. It looks really, really good too. A must have in my opinion! (No, I don't have shares in the company!)

3. 'Restaurant Bag'. A little fabric bag with a zipper that holds a handful of small toys (animals, cars, crayons, mini books, finger puppets etc). My children only get to play with this bag when we are travelling or when we're sitting in a restaurant (hence the name). Works wonders.

4. Samsonite Pop-Up Baby Beds. These travel beds are fantastic, as they will fit in any suitcase and are super light and easy to assemble. They are really cozy too! I also like that they have a built-in mosquito net.

5. Sigikid musical frog. I always bring my children's musical toys wherever we go. They have had them since they were born, and the familiar melody always makes them feel more at home in their new surroundings.

By Yolanda Edwards | Cookie Travel & Lifestyle Editor

Since my daughter Clara is 5 now, we have graduated from our favorite Eddie Bauer black diaper bag. Our new favorite travel bag is the Mr. B Trooper Tote...which, happens to be on sale right now at MrBNYC.com! Normally these are over $60, and now they are just $25!  They are so fantastic, because they can stand up on their own, they have insulated side pockets, and I manage to put all of Clara's things, from books to the dvd player, to art materials, plus my sweater and reading material, with room to boot.  Plus, it fits under the seat in front of us on the airplane!

Poking around some of our favorite children's stores we came across this fantastic find from ModernChild.

This "Blank Book" from Marti Guixe isn't made for reading, it's made for creating: kids can fill in the pictures and create their own story.

We think it might just be think the a perfect book to bring on the airplane. Yes, we do bring DVDs, but (grr) how often does the battery die before the trip is over?

Unfortunately, the book was sold out at ModenChild, but don't worry, it's available (for $6 more) here. Or, you can pre-order the book at Modern Child and expect delivery in two weeks.

"As a new mum in London, I didn't have much of a clue about the how and what of taking care of a baby (like most mums, I suppose)!

I carefully looked over the shoulder of my Dutch friend, who had her baby 8 months before, to see how she did things, and what sort of gadgets she used most often.

I think the Beaba milk powder dispenser is the handiest accessory I got, following her advice.  It's just brilliant!

Although pretty uncommon elsewhere in the world, in the Netherlands these stackable milk containers are common goods. Every bottle-feeding mum carries one around!

How it works? Just measure the exact amount of formula into each container before going out. It has a big opening for filling and a small opening for pouring.   Each container screws on to the next, so you can stack as many as you need depending on the length of the trip (I've seen mums carrying a stack of 8 for a weekend away)!

Why is it brilliant? Because it is easy, mess free, and precise. Ive used it for my babysitter at night too, so she would always have the correct amount of formula just waiting on the counter, next to the baby bottle (already filled with water)."

                                                                                                -- Esther from Babyccino

Esther is one of the moms behind the urban-chic blog Babyccino and a regular contributor to Going Places.

"Germans, on the whole, are a tidy bunch.  Shops here are full of all manner of brushes, brooms, wipes and receptacles - all meant for some specific manner of cleaning up.  Despite this plethora of precise household gizmos, I didn't pay much attention.  I had my own American products for tidying up.  Until I found the Abfallsammler.

I first laid eyes on the Abfallsammler ("waste collector") at a dinner party.  After the German hostess had topped a cake with copious amounts of shredded coconut, getting at least half a cup all over the counter, she pulled a small, white plastic bin and matching scraper from under the sink. The curved side of the bin fit exactly on the edge of a utility drawer, so that upon shutting the drawer, it stood directly under the lip of the countertop.  Within seconds, my hostess used the scraper to quickly, proficiently clean up every last bit of coconut from the counter.  Not a single one ended up on the floor.

Believe me, I checked.  And then I went out and bought my own Abfallsammler the next day.   

And there is no end to what that little baby can do.  Where a handheld vacuum or wet rag might just spread those little piddly messes off the counter or table onto the floor, the scraper makes sure it goes straight into the bin.  Bread crumbs, potato and carrot peels, Cheerios, the little icky bits of PlayDoh that never make it back into the container, glitter, Crayon tips, three-hole-punch leftovers and just plain old after-dinner crumbs. The Abfallsammler makes cleaning up your mess a piece of cake."
                                                                                                         --Kayt Sukel, Travel Savvy Mom

Kayt is another one of our Travel Savvy Moms. Based in Germany, she is a full time writer and full time mom.

"One of my favorite finds is these individual-use sized saline drops from Rome.  A few drops of saline are a great way to clear a baby's stuffy nose, and for me they are much easier to use than a bulb-syringe.  A couple drops just before the airplane lands on a flight can help reduce swelling, and make the pressure adjustment easier on your baby's ears.  They're also a great way to clear out the bacteria and germs that end up in baby's nose during a long flight, and help prevent the baby from getting sick.  Best of all, the individual-use size makes them easy to carry through security and if the tip gets dirty while you're applying the drops, you haven't contaminated an entire bottle of drops."
--Debbie Dubrow, DeliciousBaby

Debbie is the mom and writer behind DeliciousBaby. Her fantastic tips and family travel advice have appeared everywhere from the Los Angeles Times' travel blog to Frommer's.  

"My baby boy had his first overseas trip just at the peak of learning to pick up his toys, handle them, and then throw them out of the stroller. These wooden bead strings were a lifesaver: I'd seen them on baby buggies all over Austria, and finally a friend said I could find them in any old drugstore right there in Vienna. Strung on a strong elastic cord, the string of brightly colored wooden beads clips onto a stroller right where an eager, curious baby can bat at the round rings and giggle as the contraption bounces. They make a shorter one to hook onto a pacifier, too. Useful, fun, and safe--the perfect travel-with-baby tool!"

--Antonia Malchik, Perceptive Travel Blog

Check out Antonia's other musings at Perceptive Travel and Pooplosophy, the "blog for mothers with brains." 

"It was in Paris that I discovered an appreciation for coffee. Or rather, an exceptionally good cup of coffee. My husband and I lived in Paris for seven years, and during that time we spent a good chunk of any weekend morning at our favorite cafe in our Montmartre neighborhood, reading the paper and watching the world pass by from our small table on the sidewalk. I always ordered un grand cafe creme and une tartine (demi-baguette with butter and homemade jam). Parisians have never understood the concept of coffee in a paper cup. Coffee to go? If you hadn't the time to sit down and stay, then it just wasn't worth it.

Of all the little gadgets we acquired overseas, perhaps none had as big an impact on our daily existence as our Bodum cafetiere (a.k.a. French press, a.k.a. coffee press). This anti-appliance was so simple and low-tech. Nothing to plug in, easy to use: Simply measure out your coffee (freshly ground, bien sur), add boiling water, and wait. At least two minutes, but preferably three or four, counseled our French friends. Then slowly plunge the filter et voila--perfect, luscious, rich coffee. Puts electric coffeemakers to shame.

After our daughter was born, those long mornings at our neighborhood cafe became shorter and less frequent. Sigh. But at least we could always get a good cup of coffee.

My other incurable Paris fetish was the too-adorable-for-words, creative, durable, and also (yes!) affordable children's clothes at a French chain store called Du Pareil Au Meme. The good news: You can order online, preferrably with a group of friends to offset the overseas shipping charges."
                                                                                --Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, WeJustGotBack.com

Suzanne is the editor-in-chief of the family travel go-to site WeJustGotBack.com. We can't get enough of her travel planning advice and insider's travel advice.

"I can't ever keep up on baby gadgets (there are just way too many out there!) but a lightweight Irish wool hat I bought for or my son while in Belfast and Dublin really rocks my world. 

Before picking this little beauty up, I was constantly barraged with women of a certain age constantly telling me that my baby needs a hat. "Don't you know it's cold out?".

Somehow my weak answer, "He really gets upset when he has a hat on," never cuts it with these "helpful" vigilante moms.  And there never seemed to be time to explain that I could probably open a chapeau shop with the wide variety of discarded hats we had hopefully presented to our son. We may never know the exact reason why he so firmly rejected the cute hats from leading baby boutiques in favor of this one but I love it because it's cute; lightweight; warm but breathable; soft; and snug (it never slips down in front of his eyes)."
                                                                            --Kristy Hall, Two and a Half Travelers

Kristy is the mom behind Two and a Half Travelers. We love her helpful observations and stories--even if she does think we're stalking her.

"In this era of hyped-up airline security, these Nurofen liquid children's pain reliever sachets from the UK are a lifesaver for traveling parents!  Each one is a perfect 5ml dose, and about the size of a packet of ketchup.  No bottle, no spoon, no dosing cup.  I never go anywhere without them."
                                 --Jamie Pearson, Travel Savvy Mom

Jamie is the founder of the amazing family travel blog Travel Savvy Mom.   

One of our favorite things to do while on any adventure is, of course, shop. And while we've found some really fabulous things over the years, some of our favorites are small, simple items that we found in drug stores or at local markets, like this Chamomile Creme we found in Germany. Made by monks, this lotion is incredibly soothing and so much more mild and hydrating than versions we've found in the States.  This picture, by the way, is courtesy of New York's Kiosk, which specialized in unique foreign goods and is the only place we've seen this magical product.

That got us wondering about what other amazing things some of our fellow travel writers and bloggers may have picked up over the years, so we asked them to tell us!

All week we'll bringing you favorite foreign finds from expert travelers. Be sure to check back, and don't forget to comment and tell us about your own finds!

I want to make my four-year-old daughter as comfortable (and happy!) as possible for our upcoming round of holiday travel, but I don't want to lug her pillows and blankets from home with us. Can you suggest any compact, kid-friendly travel pillows and blankets? -Emily Shepard, Lincoln, Nebraska

Right now we're loving Eagle Creek's Travel Bankie, which is a soft fleece blanket that folds up into a backpack that your kid can wear.

Another one of our favorites is the Lil Lewis Kids' Travel Pillow, which are equal parts stuffed animal companion and comfy headrest. We're partial to the monkey, but there's also frog, duck, dinosaur and more styles to choose from.

These pint-sized accessories won't eat up your travel budget, either. The blanket backpack is $25, and the pillow is just $12 (i.e. less than the cost of checking an extra bag).

Get 25 percent off of all travel bags at Flight 001 now through October 15  when you use the promotional code "FALLBAGS."

We're loving Orla Kiely's Giant Stem print sling bag, knocked down from $178 to $134.

Check out more of our favorite online deals and our special Cookie Dough promotions.

We've been obsessed with Oopsy Daisy! Beautiful Baby products for a while now. Their super gentle baby products contain no parabens, SLS, DEA, formaldehyde, or petroleum products and are free of artificial fragrances and dyes.

With so many things to lug around while traveling, we're always looking for products that are perfect to go. So when we came across the company's new Lil Adventurer Travel and Gift Set, we had to get one our hands on one. The travel-friendly toiletry kit has mini-bottles of some of the line's best sellers like their rise free shampoo and bubble bath, moisturizer, and detangler (perfect for cutting down on those "YOU'RE-PULLING-TOO-HARD!" moments."

Plus, check out more of our favorite baby care products.
 

By Yolanda Edwards | Cookie Travel & Lifestyle Editor

With all the conflicting reports about sunscreens, I am completely perplexed. So, rather than take any risks, I decided to try out some sunscreens for my 5-year-old and myself, and only test the ones that don't have the controversial ingredient: oxybenzone. Also, I have had basal cell carcinoma skin cancer twice, and still find it hard to commit to putting sunscreen on every day because the ones I have used have either made me look like a paste face, or they are filled with the stuff we don't want to put into our bodies. Here are my favorites:

Weleda Children's SPF 18
It was really weird when I opened it--because it has so much titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and essential oils, it didn't mix well. In fact, it made a mess. I was about to write it off, but  not only did it absorb really well, it smelled great.  Super clean, herbal, not sweet or sticky feeling.  When packing, make sure you put it in a plastic baggie so that it doesn't leak its yellow oils onto things that you care about. ($12.95, 7.6% Titanium Dioxide, .4% Zinc Oxide)

Kiss My Face SPF 30 Face Factor
This rubbed in really well, had little to no scent, and wasn't sticky or greasy at all. ($9.29,  Titanium Dioxide 1.7%, Ethylhexyl Metoxycinnamate 6.5%)

California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen
Smells a bit sweet, and doesn't absorb as fast as the others.  It wasn't sticky or greasy once it was rubbed in. ($17.99, Micronized titanium dioxide)

Vanicream Sensitive Skin Sunscreen SPF 30
This was the only one of the bunch that seemed appropriate for adults too. (Maybe the rest are fine, but the packaging screams "kid.")  This one was great--I could even wear it into the office. It had no scent, rubbed in fast, and had no greasy feel or look. ($14.99, Titanium Dioxide 5%, Zinc Oxide 5%)

If you're like us, lugging a guide book along with all the kids' gear doesn't exactly feed into the idea of a relaxing vacation, so when we saw the City Walks with Kids travel cards on Ohdeedoh we had to share. The easy decks let you flip through and select just the attractions you're interested in (and not the 547 that you're not). Plus, the series scores bonus points for the whimsical illustrations. So far the series offers guides for Paris, Washington D.C., New York, and San Francisco.

Check out more of Cookie's city guides and unique trips and family vacation ideas.

With travel expenses soaring and new add-in fees cropping up constantly (seriously, pillows and blankets?), it's tough to catch a break. Fortunately, Flight 001, known for its impressive selection of modern, design-savvy travel products, is offering an additional 30 percent off items already on sale. So, stock up on essentials like the Cellboost Motorola emergency cell phone battery or the activity-packed Plane Pals Kids Kit, and treat yourself to a pair of luxe pink cashmere travel slippers or a graphic silk train case. (Use promocode FBCSUMMER30.)