bardo

First of all...GO. Consider paring it down a little. You could home base in only Paris and Venice and do day trips (Florence, and whatnot). Also, consider staying in an apt. whenever possible, espicially for paris (near luxemborg park?). That would be a lot less stressful witha toddler. Many of the guide books also have special editions for European destinations with children. Plan, plan , plan.

dln

Intrepid, that was a very insightful thing you said a few posts up. It IS more courteous to thank all. However, I think that when our fingers are on the keyboard, we really only want to thank those who agree with us, or are on "our" side. Agree to disagree is a very difficult concept to live.

I'll keep in mind what you said and hope everyone else does, too. After all, some of the most interesting posts are ones in which both sides of the coin are there. Sometimes you find yourself agreeing to an entirely different perspective & surprising yourself into the bargain...

Ruth

As others have said, it's fun travelling with a child and seeing things from another perspective, but very different from travelling without one!

I agreed with a previous poster, that you and your parents can take turns with some of the childcare - but my advice is that you talk this over beforehand and find out if this is your parents' plan as well. I could envisage some friction if they are always rushing off to do "grown-up" things leaving you in the hotel room....(it doesn't sound likely from your post, but clarifying everyone's expectations beforehand is usually a good move). Then with a ratio of 3 adults:1 child it should be a breeze (well, feasible, anyway!).

If it was me, I would allow everyone to pick a few personal "must-sees" during the trip, and then decide whether these can or can't be done as a whole family.

But if (as sounds possible) you travel regularly to Europe, this might be the chance for a different and more relaxing vacation. Have you considered renting a villa (near Florence for instance) which could be your home for a week, with just a couple of days in Venice and Paris at each end? Constant packing and moving is likely to leave you all exhausted.

Huitres8

I have been taking my (now) 3 year old to Europe since she was 4 months old. We go several times a year even (4-5) and do just fine. Of course, the "convenience" level there is not the same as in the U.S. but that is to be expected because you are in another country! Genearlly, I found there to be NO elevators where you most need them -- going up and down staircases at the train stations. Believe me, it can be most difficult lugging a stroller, a toddler, and a suitcase (plus large handbag) up without help. I have sometimes been offered assistance, other times not, you just have to plan accordingly. A large city such as Paris is more sophisticated with elevators and more modernizations than, say the Italian Riviera so you will be ok in Paris.

I do not bring toys, per se, when I go each time. I learned long ago to bring a few books (the small, board books do); and then as a special treat and diversion, I wrap up little "surprises" that are opened up each hour on the airplane. For a 12 hour journey going over, I bring about 10 wrapped surprises, ranging from little hand-held maze things with a little ball that rolls around to a little treasure chest that opens up to another little toy inside, etc. I buy these at my local 99c Store - very little money spent but well worth the peace and qiuet it provides for the bulk of the airplane ride. Once over there, they can play with their new "toys" they opened enroute. The excitement lasts the entire trip - believe me!

Re: kid things to see and do, I never go out of my way to specifically tailor a trip to my toddler. In fact, I am of the thinking that one should not have to change what one would normally do because of a youngster. I continue to go to museums (Louvre), cultural exhibits (in Corsica), historical sites (Pompeii), etc. Half the fun is the adventure getting there -- trains, boats, long, long stroller walks, etc. During the day, nap time poses a slight problem, if not a delay in what I would normally have done. However, we often grab some panini from a local market and bottled water and then go out to a public park with the locals and eat our lunch. Then they can run around and play and get their energy out. I often return to the hotel for a brief 1 hour siesta, then we are ready to head out again. Or, more often than not, my little one falls asleep while in the stroller, which enables me to continue doing my sightseeing in quiet!

Either way, go ahead with your plans and enjoy yourself. I will be in Italy for 1 month (August) and my 3 year old can't wait to go back and eat "pasta." We both love it there so much!

LN

We've always travelled with our children and I have always enjoyed seeing a new place through their eyes. They're grown now and hopefully they'll take their children when they travel.