Newbie00

This is our first trip to Europe, and we are taking our 6 yr old daughter with us

I understand that many places will be really, super crowded .... especially in places like the Louvre, the Vatican Museums and stuff.

Anyone who has travelled with small children - how did it go in relation to crowds and getting lost/losing each other? Was that a significant problem?

RJD

When are you going? How crowded things are has a lot to do with when you travel.
We traveled with a 6 year old many, many years ago. In fact he celebrated his 6th birthday in Padua,Italy. You have got to keep an eye on your child, but it wasn't too stressful. And he remembers it still.

StCirq

I traveled to France, and sometimes Italy, every year with my two children (three years apart) from the years they were born until they were young adults, which meant numerous trips when they were infants, toddlers, and youngsters - and often without their dad for at least part of each trip. Most trips were during heavy tourist seasons. I remember some difficult moments, but none that had anything to do with crowds in museums. I always made it a point to carry my daily stuff in a knapsack, so my hands were free to hang onto the kids, The only time I ever lost one, my son at the age of 7 or so, was in the very crowded (literally cheek to jowl)Saturday market in Sarlat, and we found him 10 minutes later in the spot we had agreed he'd go to if anything happened - the ice cream stand, where he was happily slurping a cone.

I don't see this as a European travel issue; it can happen anywhere there are crowds.

Mimar

With a small child, it's a different kind of trip than with another adult. You have to adapt to the child.

For example, I wouldn't take a child to the Vatican Museums. Too big, too long a walk. It wipes out many an adult. I would go to St. Peter's and walk around it but skip the museums.

And ditto for the Louvre. Unless you think it worth the admission for the highlights only. And places like the Louvre, you'll probably have to wait in line to get in. You can avoid this by buying the Paris Museum Pass. But I wouldn't be taking a child to that many museums. The Musee d'Orsay might be okay: not too big and an interesting building (former train station retaining its big clock and a view over the Seine).

Instead you can go for a boat ride on the Seine (or the Marne), go up the Eiffel Tower, play statues at the Palais Royale, visit the playground and the boat pond at the Luxembourg Gardens, climb or take the funicular up to Sacre Coeur, walk one of the market streets.

In Rome in the Villa Borghese you can rent bicycles for 3 people, also boats for on the pond. And there are puppet shows in the summer. Research the best gelato at different gelatorias, go to the Children's museum Explora, see the cats at the Largo Argentina Cat shelter or the Rome Zoo, Bioparco.

You'll have great memories, special for having been with your child.

Newbie00

we are going next week - for 6 weeks ... so September and early October.

we will have a museum pass, so just going to each place for a few highlights will be the way we do it.

Sometimes she (daughter) will just have to come with us - for example the Vatican Museums - as its something we really want to do. But I have planned things so that for example that day, that is all we have on. So after a long traipse through the museums we will get some gelato and then go and do something fun for her.

Have done lots of research (on here and guide books), so I am good with our plans on things to do for all of us. Just a little worried about crowds as we arent that used to them.

thanks guys

dutyfree

There is a great children's series called KIDDING AROUND (insert various city) _____. The series had Paris,London,DC,etc. when my kids were younger. It is a guidebook especially geared to young kids and what is in the city to see and do-really nicely laid out and the kids love having their own "guidebook".

StCirq

I would never do the Vatican Museums with a young child. Torture. It's torture for the adults.

justineparis

My daughter was 11 when I first took her to Europe, but imagine this tip will be even more handy for a six year old. First, hold hands in crowds, but thats not the tip, the tip is, always have child carry a card with your cell number, your hotel address, her name and your names on it.. Remember one difference between losing a child at home or abroad is that the child does not know where they are staying( by six most kids know their home address) and that the person trying to help child may not speak english very well if at all, or child may be too upset to be able to speak clearly for someone with poor english to understand.

I also always taught my kids from a very young age what types of people to approach if lost. This is harder , but I used to suggest either a person who works where ever you are( so in store a lady behind a cash desk) and then if not somewhere that where that would be obvious, then a mother with children with her.
Yes, approaching a policeman is good, but in foreign countries they may not recoginize what that looks like, and could approach a ticket meter reader etc.. not quite the same thing at all!