New Experience - Rome & Traveling with Baby-Help!
Jan 24th, 2012, 01:17 AM
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New Experience - Rome & Traveling with Baby-Help!
We've scheduled a quick 3 day jaunt to Rome from Germany via Ryanair with my nephew, his wife, and their 9 month old (crawling/standing now, may be walking by March) because they really, really want to see Rome, especially the Vatican.
My husband has never been to Rome either and never felt the urge to visit before now. It has been 40 years since I've been to Rome--I remember very little of it other than it was busy and noisy. We travel a lot and loved our visits to Pisa and Venice, but never have traveled with a baby. It will be our family members' first time visit to Europe, but they won't be jet-lagged, are highly motivated and at least are young and in good shape; us, not so much.
I found this posting http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ravel-tips.cfm but it is pretty dated and was under different circumstances.
It will be a whirlwind-hit-the-essentials for my nephew and his wife; for me and hubby, more like strolls & gelato with baby. We will arrive late on Friday night and our return plane departs at 18:00 Monday night, so we have almost 3 days. We have rented a 2 bedroom apartment with elevator just off the Piazza Navona. http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/palazzo-olivia
Our plan is to book a shuttle from the airport. The apartment is already charging us a 30 euros fee for having to meet us after hours and does provide a shuttle service for 50-85 euros more (not sure if baby counts as person # 5 or if having a stroller will bump us up to the 5-8 person 85 euros fee). The apartment is one block off the #64 bus route apparently, but 4 + baby+luggage/stroller+in the dark, I'm thinking shuttle vs. taxi.
Question #1: If shuttle over taxi, should I book the shuttle through our apartment or look for a cheaper company? Is so, which one do you have experience with to recommend?
More background information: My husband and I have little to no personal agenda. We are going to spend time with family and to enjoy mainly the atmosphere and get a feel for Rome (we have the luxury being able to return again if we want). My husband's only request was he thought he'd like see the Sistine Chapel. I have seen the Vatican/Sistine Chapel. I am interested in, but not set on, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and Campo dei Fiori (morning market not available Sunday). Young couple interests are primarily the Vatican (Museum and St. Peters), Scavi Tour, and not sure what else. Baby is easy going I'm told (as babies go) and will have lived the last week 24/7 with us (the foursome), so hopefully can be left with us (the duo) to babysit some of the time (either at the apartment or for walks in the stroller, while his mom and dad visit sites where infants are not allowed or go out for a romantic evening alone.
Question #2: We have a good, heavy-duty Freddie Bauer stroller for the baby, but it's not tiny. If we have to leave it outside museums and/or restaurants, is it still going to be there when we come out, or how does that work? They will also bring a back-pack style infant carrier. Will one work better than the other, specifically for Rome? suggestions?
Question #3: Any tourist sites, especially at the Vatican, that you know of that specifically don't allow toddlers?
My husband and I are foodies, but realize we may have to curtail 3 hour gourmet restaurant meals this trip. Planning on breakfast for sure and perhaps lunch or dinner at apartment IF we are in the vicinity. We're hoping baby can/will nap in stroller, but only time will tell if this is going to work out or if we have to return to apartment for nap. (this would not hurt my hubby's feelings at all to have to take his own little siesta
)
Question # 4: Can anyone suggest toddler-friendly eateries they've eaten at and liked in either area (Navona/Pantheon or Vatican)? What's the word in Italian for "highchair" or "booster seat"? We have always found the Italians to be very friendly and loving towards children, but have no experience personally with Italian restaurants and babies/toddlers .
Question #5: Is there a site were you can google/take a walk around your Rome neighbood? I loved a site I found for Venice where I could take a virtual walk from the vaporetto to our hotel. It really made finding the hotel on foot so much easier, and it was an enjoyable trip "appetizer".
Any other thoughts or suggestions on this topic are welcome.
Grazie Lei!
My husband has never been to Rome either and never felt the urge to visit before now. It has been 40 years since I've been to Rome--I remember very little of it other than it was busy and noisy. We travel a lot and loved our visits to Pisa and Venice, but never have traveled with a baby. It will be our family members' first time visit to Europe, but they won't be jet-lagged, are highly motivated and at least are young and in good shape; us, not so much.
I found this posting http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ravel-tips.cfm but it is pretty dated and was under different circumstances.
It will be a whirlwind-hit-the-essentials for my nephew and his wife; for me and hubby, more like strolls & gelato with baby. We will arrive late on Friday night and our return plane departs at 18:00 Monday night, so we have almost 3 days. We have rented a 2 bedroom apartment with elevator just off the Piazza Navona. http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/palazzo-olivia
Our plan is to book a shuttle from the airport. The apartment is already charging us a 30 euros fee for having to meet us after hours and does provide a shuttle service for 50-85 euros more (not sure if baby counts as person # 5 or if having a stroller will bump us up to the 5-8 person 85 euros fee). The apartment is one block off the #64 bus route apparently, but 4 + baby+luggage/stroller+in the dark, I'm thinking shuttle vs. taxi.
Question #1: If shuttle over taxi, should I book the shuttle through our apartment or look for a cheaper company? Is so, which one do you have experience with to recommend?
More background information: My husband and I have little to no personal agenda. We are going to spend time with family and to enjoy mainly the atmosphere and get a feel for Rome (we have the luxury being able to return again if we want). My husband's only request was he thought he'd like see the Sistine Chapel. I have seen the Vatican/Sistine Chapel. I am interested in, but not set on, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and Campo dei Fiori (morning market not available Sunday). Young couple interests are primarily the Vatican (Museum and St. Peters), Scavi Tour, and not sure what else. Baby is easy going I'm told (as babies go) and will have lived the last week 24/7 with us (the foursome), so hopefully can be left with us (the duo) to babysit some of the time (either at the apartment or for walks in the stroller, while his mom and dad visit sites where infants are not allowed or go out for a romantic evening alone.
Question #2: We have a good, heavy-duty Freddie Bauer stroller for the baby, but it's not tiny. If we have to leave it outside museums and/or restaurants, is it still going to be there when we come out, or how does that work? They will also bring a back-pack style infant carrier. Will one work better than the other, specifically for Rome? suggestions?
Question #3: Any tourist sites, especially at the Vatican, that you know of that specifically don't allow toddlers?
My husband and I are foodies, but realize we may have to curtail 3 hour gourmet restaurant meals this trip. Planning on breakfast for sure and perhaps lunch or dinner at apartment IF we are in the vicinity. We're hoping baby can/will nap in stroller, but only time will tell if this is going to work out or if we have to return to apartment for nap. (this would not hurt my hubby's feelings at all to have to take his own little siesta
) Question # 4: Can anyone suggest toddler-friendly eateries they've eaten at and liked in either area (Navona/Pantheon or Vatican)? What's the word in Italian for "highchair" or "booster seat"? We have always found the Italians to be very friendly and loving towards children, but have no experience personally with Italian restaurants and babies/toddlers .
Question #5: Is there a site were you can google/take a walk around your Rome neighbood? I loved a site I found for Venice where I could take a virtual walk from the vaporetto to our hotel. It really made finding the hotel on foot so much easier, and it was an enjoyable trip "appetizer".
Any other thoughts or suggestions on this topic are welcome.
Grazie Lei!
Jan 24th, 2012, 01:20 AM
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sorry - hopefully this link works for the appartment:
http://www.palazzo-olivia.it/
http://www.palazzo-olivia.it/
Jan 24th, 2012, 04:26 AM
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When you use maps.google.com in satellite view, you can switch to street view and move around many of the neighborhoods.
The rate your apartment quoted you sounds about right for the size of your party and your arrival time. (A regular taxi costs 45 euro set fare from the airport.)
The rate your apartment quoted you sounds about right for the size of your party and your arrival time. (A regular taxi costs 45 euro set fare from the airport.)
Jan 24th, 2012, 04:37 AM
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Hello,
We traveled with our 7 month old son last summer to Greece (fortunately not crawling yet!) and will travel again with him this summer. I can't answer all of your questions, but here are a few tips based on our experiences~
1. The first few days will be very rough for the little one as he/she adjusts to the tie difference. Consider trying to adjust 1 or 2 hours ahead of time if possible with earlier bedtimes and wake times. Extra naps will be needed for these first few days... everyone will have a better trip if baby isn't overly exhausted!
2. High chairs are rather rare in Europe from our experience and research. Look into a portable booster chair. Amazon has several to look at. Also, consider restaurants that have outside seating on a piazza. That way, someone can walk around with baby while the others are eating and then the adults swap. Italian meals can easily last a couple hours which is longer than most 1-yr-olds want to be confined.
3. Consider picnics for at least some meals, especially if you have an apartment in which you can store food.
4. Bring a white noise machine for baby and get him used to it beforehand. Otherwise, prepare for lots of night wakings due to new hotel/street noise.
5. We found our Beco Baby Carrier to be a lot more useful than our stroller in Greece. Rome has similar uneven terrain with all the cobblestones. If you do bring a stroller, make sure it is heavy duty enough to handle rough-ish ground.
I posted a review of all the travel things we liked and found useful.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ay-2011.cfm?18
Have a wonderful trip!!
We traveled with our 7 month old son last summer to Greece (fortunately not crawling yet!) and will travel again with him this summer. I can't answer all of your questions, but here are a few tips based on our experiences~
1. The first few days will be very rough for the little one as he/she adjusts to the tie difference. Consider trying to adjust 1 or 2 hours ahead of time if possible with earlier bedtimes and wake times. Extra naps will be needed for these first few days... everyone will have a better trip if baby isn't overly exhausted!
2. High chairs are rather rare in Europe from our experience and research. Look into a portable booster chair. Amazon has several to look at. Also, consider restaurants that have outside seating on a piazza. That way, someone can walk around with baby while the others are eating and then the adults swap. Italian meals can easily last a couple hours which is longer than most 1-yr-olds want to be confined.
3. Consider picnics for at least some meals, especially if you have an apartment in which you can store food.
4. Bring a white noise machine for baby and get him used to it beforehand. Otherwise, prepare for lots of night wakings due to new hotel/street noise.
5. We found our Beco Baby Carrier to be a lot more useful than our stroller in Greece. Rome has similar uneven terrain with all the cobblestones. If you do bring a stroller, make sure it is heavy duty enough to handle rough-ish ground.
I posted a review of all the travel things we liked and found useful.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ay-2011.cfm?18
Have a wonderful trip!!
Jan 24th, 2012, 05:04 AM
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The stroller will be the baby's parents (and your) best friend. I think almost all the major sites in Rome allow strollers, although not the Borghese Gallery. It is one of my favorite places in Rome but certainlly not essential on a short trip.
All casual restaurants/ cafes should be welcoming, not sure about high chairs. I love those chairs that clamp on to the table.
You'll have a great trip.
All casual restaurants/ cafes should be welcoming, not sure about high chairs. I love those chairs that clamp on to the table.
You'll have a great trip.
Feb 9th, 2012, 04:54 PM
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Just noticed your post and thought I could help. Baby #2 crying in the background so sorry for the brevity
1. don't take a big stroller. spaces are tight, there is no room for it. suggest you buy a good quality umbrella stroller. highly recommend maclaren - served us on 4 european trips and regular use at home. i wouldn't leave your stroller outside. might not get taken but why take the chance. make sure you get a stroller that reclines so baby can sleep in it.
2. no highchairs anywhere. on our last trip we brought a small high chair that clamps onto table as someone above suggested. tables in restaurants too small to use it (baby is very close to table and grabs everything in sight. but was good for the apartment. if you have a small stroller you can often roll the stroller up to the table. baby can sleep that way too
3. most people don't mind a baby in the restaurant but some are just too small that you'll feel uncomfortable. suggest someone takes a peek inside to see if it is an appropriate place.
4. take a baby carrier and leave it in the stroller as a few places don't allow strollers or there are no elevators (borghese gallery is one that comes to mind)
5. babysit for your nephew one night. he will really appreciate it.
if you click on my name i few other posts/reports about traveling with our two kids. have a wonderful time.
1. don't take a big stroller. spaces are tight, there is no room for it. suggest you buy a good quality umbrella stroller. highly recommend maclaren - served us on 4 european trips and regular use at home. i wouldn't leave your stroller outside. might not get taken but why take the chance. make sure you get a stroller that reclines so baby can sleep in it.
2. no highchairs anywhere. on our last trip we brought a small high chair that clamps onto table as someone above suggested. tables in restaurants too small to use it (baby is very close to table and grabs everything in sight. but was good for the apartment. if you have a small stroller you can often roll the stroller up to the table. baby can sleep that way too
3. most people don't mind a baby in the restaurant but some are just too small that you'll feel uncomfortable. suggest someone takes a peek inside to see if it is an appropriate place.
4. take a baby carrier and leave it in the stroller as a few places don't allow strollers or there are no elevators (borghese gallery is one that comes to mind)
5. babysit for your nephew one night. he will really appreciate it.
if you click on my name i few other posts/reports about traveling with our two kids. have a wonderful time.
Feb 9th, 2012, 05:50 PM
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Try googling 'child-friendly' / 'kid-friendly restaurants' + 'Rome', or maybe someone here with Italian can give you some search terms in Italian. We did this for Vienna (in German) and found a wealth of resources that local parents use, including evaluations of heaps of restaurants that all had high chairs. If you can find a few places you might not have to bring a high chair. Plus remember to ask the owner of your apartment for a high chair and crib. Many owners have these or can get them easily and are more than happy to provide them if only you ask.
You might also consider some lunches al fresco - panini in the local park might actually be quite nice if the weather is good.
We travel with a cheap umbrella stroller ($20) so if it gets lost or damaged in transit we won't cry ... so far nothing's happened to it and it's been pretty handy to have a second travel stroller that doesn't weigh a ton.
We found it's really not that hard travelling with a baby but everything is a bit slower (so much stuff to take before you even get out the door) and you will probably need frequent breaks. Car trips we found, on the other hand, were quite difficult, but everybody's experience will be different, I guess.
Lavandula
You might also consider some lunches al fresco - panini in the local park might actually be quite nice if the weather is good.
We travel with a cheap umbrella stroller ($20) so if it gets lost or damaged in transit we won't cry ... so far nothing's happened to it and it's been pretty handy to have a second travel stroller that doesn't weigh a ton.
We found it's really not that hard travelling with a baby but everything is a bit slower (so much stuff to take before you even get out the door) and you will probably need frequent breaks. Car trips we found, on the other hand, were quite difficult, but everybody's experience will be different, I guess.
Lavandula
Feb 9th, 2012, 06:18 PM
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Here's something I found for you:
http://tavoleromane.wordpress.com/ro...es-prams-kids/
That's all in English. I also found this through searching for 'ristoranti Roma bambini':
http://www.romaexplorer.it/roma/bamb...mbini_roma.htm
Hopefully you can click on the links and find some near where you'll be ('mappa' = map).
Lavandula
http://tavoleromane.wordpress.com/ro...es-prams-kids/
That's all in English. I also found this through searching for 'ristoranti Roma bambini':
http://www.romaexplorer.it/roma/bamb...mbini_roma.htm
Hopefully you can click on the links and find some near where you'll be ('mappa' = map).
Lavandula
Feb 9th, 2012, 11:40 PM
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This is great information! So kind of you to take the time. Thanks!
Getting excited about this adventure and yes, I figure things will definitely be slowed down with baby in tow...but that will give us more time to "smell the flowers", right?
Not 'worried' about finding places to eat with baby, but if someone had a tried-and-true recommendation in the Piazza Navona or Vatican area, I would take it. (Thanks for those websites, Lavandula) Picnics and Pannini may be the order of the day...we'll see if spring-has-sprung or not by end of March!
Getting excited about this adventure and yes, I figure things will definitely be slowed down with baby in tow...but that will give us more time to "smell the flowers", right?
Not 'worried' about finding places to eat with baby, but if someone had a tried-and-true recommendation in the Piazza Navona or Vatican area, I would take it. (Thanks for those websites, Lavandula) Picnics and Pannini may be the order of the day...we'll see if spring-has-sprung or not by end of March!
Feb 15th, 2012, 06:03 PM
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Italians love babies so you will be very welcome in Rome. The Vatican Museum offers excellent baby changing facilities throughout which was a welcome surprise for us.
The last thing I heard was that they were cracking down on people using strollers inside St Peters. Sounds bizarre, but that seems to be the case now. You could always send an email to check. They will answer promptly in English.
Here is a link to a site that lists public loos throughout the city in case you or the little one find yourselves in need! There are maps and addresses etc. You can also locate the nearest supermarket so you can self cater if you like.
http://excusemewhereis.blogspot.com....ican-city.html
The last thing I heard was that they were cracking down on people using strollers inside St Peters. Sounds bizarre, but that seems to be the case now. You could always send an email to check. They will answer promptly in English.
Here is a link to a site that lists public loos throughout the city in case you or the little one find yourselves in need! There are maps and addresses etc. You can also locate the nearest supermarket so you can self cater if you like.
http://excusemewhereis.blogspot.com....ican-city.html
Apr 6th, 2012, 04:34 AM
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WE'RE BACK:
Just wanted to thank everyone for their helpful suggestions.
We had a wonderful time and were so glad to have taken our Freddie Bauer stroller. Yes, it was big, so had to be collapsed to fit into the apartment elevator, but baby LIVED in it. He sang to himself as we bounced through the cobblestoned streets, slept in it like a bed when he got tired, snacked on gelato and had breakfast at the corner cafe in it, etc.
We had taken our own portable baby bed, which cost an extra 50 on Ryanair...I'm not sure I wouldn't use the hotel Palazzo Olivia's own baby bed next time, at 15 euros a night. For 3 nights it would have cost us less and saved us the transportation hassle. I just didn't like the idea of baby being in a strange bed.
Baby loved gelato, green olives, teething on hard italian bread and capuccino foam. Even smacked his lips approvingly at a drop of red wine...quite the adventuresome fellow!!!
Mom had brought along a kangaroo-style back pack that worked well instead of the stroller for the Vatican Museum day. Scavi Tour doesn't allow small children so we had a great time at the Campo de'Fiori market with little one that morning while Mom and Dad has Scavi time...he thought it was great, especially all the street musicians.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their helpful suggestions.
We had a wonderful time and were so glad to have taken our Freddie Bauer stroller. Yes, it was big, so had to be collapsed to fit into the apartment elevator, but baby LIVED in it. He sang to himself as we bounced through the cobblestoned streets, slept in it like a bed when he got tired, snacked on gelato and had breakfast at the corner cafe in it, etc.
We had taken our own portable baby bed, which cost an extra 50 on Ryanair...I'm not sure I wouldn't use the hotel Palazzo Olivia's own baby bed next time, at 15 euros a night. For 3 nights it would have cost us less and saved us the transportation hassle. I just didn't like the idea of baby being in a strange bed.
Baby loved gelato, green olives, teething on hard italian bread and capuccino foam. Even smacked his lips approvingly at a drop of red wine...quite the adventuresome fellow!!!
Mom had brought along a kangaroo-style back pack that worked well instead of the stroller for the Vatican Museum day. Scavi Tour doesn't allow small children so we had a great time at the Campo de'Fiori market with little one that morning while Mom and Dad has Scavi time...he thought it was great, especially all the street musicians.
Apr 6th, 2012, 04:42 AM
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Regarding shuttle vs. taxi question in my original post:
We ended up letting Palazzo Olivia make the arrangements for us. It cost us 65 euros for 4 + baby on lap. Their driver was there waiting when we deplaned, helped load luggage and get everyone settled, and was a very safe and considerate driver. It ended up being quite a longer drive from Ciampino than we had envisioned and I feel the hotel's shuttle was a great value. For our return ride, he was 15 minutes early, which didn't bother us, and he didn't act bothered that we weren't quite ready at that earlier time, but waited in the office patiently.
A BIG THANKS again to everyone for their input!
We ended up letting Palazzo Olivia make the arrangements for us. It cost us 65 euros for 4 + baby on lap. Their driver was there waiting when we deplaned, helped load luggage and get everyone settled, and was a very safe and considerate driver. It ended up being quite a longer drive from Ciampino than we had envisioned and I feel the hotel's shuttle was a great value. For our return ride, he was 15 minutes early, which didn't bother us, and he didn't act bothered that we weren't quite ready at that earlier time, but waited in the office patiently.
A BIG THANKS again to everyone for their input!
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