We are going to Italy with our 14 month old baby at the end of Dec, for 2 weeks. A few questions....

1) Is it too cold in Dec-Jan to walk around with a baby? We are going to be in Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast.

2) The eternal question -- stroller or backpack? or both? We are planning on using public transportation everywhere.

3) Any recommendations on baby-friendly hotels in Rome, Florence and Sorrento.

4) Any packing suggestions... regarding adult clothing as well as baby items. What kind of rain-gear should we bring with us?

Thanks much!

If you are strong enough, I think a back pack would be better than a stroller. But I've seen strollers with great plastic covers for cold and rain, which could be handy.

Is it too cold to walk around with a baby? Probably not, but you'll want the baby to be warmly dressed. Where do you live? We live in the North East US and people walk around with babies all winter long, and it is definetly less cold in Italy.

In Florence and Rome, you will find many many indoor activities. On the Amalfi Coast, practically none. I am not sure why you want to go there in the dead of winter, but I suggest you rethink that part of your trip. It isn't great baby territory: everything is steep, and off season, you may be hard pressed to pass the day with your baby. It isn't like you can play on the beach in January.

Also, it might be easier to limit yourselves to Rome and Florence, so that you don't have to move around that much with a baby.

For Florence, I can highly recommend the apartments rented at florencevillas.com. If you write to Meaghan there, she can pick something that is just right for the three of you (they have cribs). I also think that at that time of year, they may be able to rent to you for less than a week, if that is your need.

I have worked with them (not at all involved in their business) and they are very nice people.

We were there in Dec/Jan and saw lots of Italian babies in strollers wearing adorable baby coats, scarves, mittens, hats, etc., so be prepared to want to shop for that stuff when you get there.

If you decide to drop the Amalfi Coast, consider Bologna. A beautiful city with great food, and very walkable with a stroller- no hills and gorgeous colonades (sp? correct name?) over many of the sidewalks in case of rain or wind.

When we were there Bologna was quite cold (30s) but Florence at New Year's was in the 40-50 range and very comfortable.

There is a thread on here from a year ago or so about a family who took two toddlers to Italy. Maybe someone will remember the name of the poster? Have a great trip.

Hi Hga

We just returned from our trip with an 18 month old. We went to Rome and Tuscany, so I thought I should pass along a few tips about Rome.

1. Most of the sites we saw were outside (babies echo very loudly in indoor places, beware!)So bundle that baby up.

2. Bring both: our airline lost our stroller, thankfully we had a backpack. In Rome, this was the better option anyway.

3. We stayed in apartments. Biggest bonus was the kitchen, which we used a lot, since long dinners inside a small trattoria were a lot of work keeping her occupied - too stressful.

4. Bring more baby clothes than you think you will need.

Overall, traveling with a toddler(because that is what they are at this age) is a lot of work and does limit your sight seeing. We couldn't stay out late because of her bed time and missed out on a lot of great meals.

However, we still had a fantastic time and wonderful memories. No regrets. Just beware it will not be like your previous, before toddler, travel experiences.

Before I forget, make sure to give your toddler Benedryl, or something similar, for the plane. She slept through 90% of our total flight time. It was lovely!

Have a great trip and let me know if you have any other questions.

1. Depends on you and your baby. Babies generally have to go somewhere, sometime in cold weather, so bundle up and go. Keep a hat on his/her head if at all possible, as this is where all human beings lose the most heat.

2. Strollers can be a real pain - public transport is crowded, there may simply not be room for a stroller, and there are lots of stairs, few escalators, and not-very-accessible elevators. If you must, carry a light, foldable stroller that will be easier for the two of you to haul up and down stairs if you have to.

3. Any hotel in Italy should be baby friendly - Italians generally love babies and there isn't the US concept of "places it's inappropriate to take a child."

4. Umbrellas and waterproof shoes (or a change of shoes) should suffice. It doesn't usually rain sideways.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

beginningwithi.com (personal)
www.tvblob.com (work)

HGA - I'd love to hear how your trip went.... advice? Also wondered how I can get ahold of the parent poster "mebe" who traveled with their 18-month-old. In May we're taking a first trip to Italy for my husband and I; we're 30-ish and will be taking our 15 month old with backpack and umbrella stroller. Not a tight budget but certainly need to be economical. Have approx. 2+ wks. Plan to take it easy on the itinerary with the baby. Interested in flying into Rome and out Florence or vice-versa. Hoping to spend a few days in each city and plant ourselves in Tuscany at a "home-base" for the days in-between. Would love opinions on arrival and departure cities. (Rome intimidates me, but we are Catholic and would like to experience it.) Should we fly in Florence and out of Rome to ease ourselves in? What about Lufthansa as a kid-friendly airline? Also, any villas/B&Bs anyone recommends for families? How about driving in the countryside - should we try it?