My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy with my parents and our young son (he will be 17 months old at the time) for May 2007. We have spent a fair amount of time in Italy on previous trips - we have rented a villa in Tuscany, and have spent time in Rome, Florence, Milan and a little time on the Amalfi coast as well as Lake Como. This time, we'd like to rent an apartment in a city for a week - seems like that would be easier with a kid than staying out in the country and having to drive everywhere.

So, looking for suggestions on what cities would be most fun and easy with a small child, any great apartment rental companies people have used, and any general advice on traveling in Italy with a toddler. One place we are thinking of is Venice - we've all been before but only for day trips. Would Venice be safe for a toddler, with all the traveling by boat? Are there nice, easy day trips to do from there by train (or car if necessary)? If anyone has particular experience with that, would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks so much!

I would think that Venice would be perfectly safe for a toddler, provided you don't let him wander around unattended since the canals are everywhere. I see plenty of small children in Venice.

I have used www.venicerentals.com for two different apartment rentals there and have been very happy with their prices, locations, services before and during my stay, etc.

I just realized my "wander around unattended" phrase sounds rather silly, but I'm sure you know what I mean. You would have to keep a watchful eye on him. The boats shouldn't pose a problem either as I see plenty of small children on them, as well. There again, it would just be a matter of watching him perhaps a little more closely than you would in other cities.

In case you can't tell, I think Venice is a divine place for anyone to spend a week. Are your parents able to get around easily? Just keep in mind the amount of walking and all the stair climbing and bridges in Venice.

venice would be fine with a todler - perhaps even easier than cities with lots of cars, scooters and bicycles to worry about. Just remember however that lifting pushers etc up and down bridges can be a pain.
I also recommend Venicerentals.com and also veniceapartments.org. Both are agencies that listen to what you want and then deliver. Just ask for an apartment with not to many steps up to it.

Good point about there not being any street traffic to worry about, maryk.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Yes, my parents travel a ton and are fine with lots of walking - I'm sure they'd be appalled to know the question was even asked

Sounds like the main downside to Venice would be carrying a stroller up and down lots of steps, but hopefully with 4 adults we can share the burden, and maybe use a backpack carrier some of the time.

Any neighborhood recs that would be good for a toddler? Looking for somewhere easy to walk to lots of places, with good restaurants and cafes close by, but not necessarily in the heart of all the tourist stuff.

Any other cities we should consider besides Venice? Not a major city like Florence or Rome, but other small to mid-sized ones that would be a good home base with plenty to do but also accessible to a couple of good day trips nearby?

And finally, if we do stay in Venice, what (if any) day trips should we plan while there?

Thanks so much to all!

I'd suggest somewhere in either Dorsoduro or San Polo, perhaps close to Campo Santa Margarita which has lots of cafes and always seems to have children playing in it.

I second maryk's suggestions. They are more quiet neighborhoods, yet still close to San Marco.

My family of 6 had a real treat at Palazzo Schiavoni in Venice, booked through Venere.com (or directly at their website). Quiet location yet near to main sights and stops, elevator, stocked kitchen, elegant rooms, good air-conditioning, wonderful host Nicola, and ultra-modern bathroom. We had a view of the canal, and enjoyed grocery shopping in the lane near-by. We got a free ride on a motorboat to Murano, where the glassblower let the boys each blow some red-hot glass.
What a highlight!! The location involves one bridge with steps--a dozen on each side, and then you can get to the vaporetto stop at San Zacharias.