We are traveling to Rome, Naples and Florence this winter with our 15 month old daughter. We are trying to decide between taking the stroller or one of those backpacks that we can put her in. Does anybody have recommendations on which one of those to take?<BR>Thanks<BR>RG

Bring both, if you can. The backpack is virtually flat when folded so it won't take much room in your luggage. However, there are times when just the stroller can make it. If you're in a restaurant, for example, and is nap time to your toddler, same if you're dining out and is sleeping time for the baby, or when there's a park with paved roads, and the baby gets tired of traveling in the backpack. However, most of the streets in the historic sites in Italy aren't good for strollers. So, be wise and bring both. Or buy one Pliko in Rome, since these are the nicest , lightest and the sturdiest strollers ever.<BR><BR>Good luck, and have fun in Italy,<BR><BR>S

the cobblestone streets and narrow sidewalks could be tough to navigate with a stroller. As the previous poster said, if you can manage take both.

I also would bring both if I had them both. I only brought a stroller to Italy when I went with my daughter and it killed the wheels. The streets are very hard on the stroller and will destroy cheap little wheels. Make sure you have large wheels. It was great to have the stroller to throw things underneath and to push a sleeping child through museums. Also, don't bring one of those new huge strollers that they are now making. The sidewalks (actually many things) in Italy are more narrow than in US.

I took both for my 18 months old daughter. I did not find it that <BR>difficult to push the stroller, on the other hand a back is more convinient, <BR>as your hand are free, also easy to get <BR>up and down the steps and walk in your<BR>own speed. I definately recommend a <BR>stroller carry-strap, available at any kids store for about $10, helps to carry the stroller on your shoulder

I don't know about strollers, but dragging a wheeled luggage around Italian towns wasn't easy - even the new ones with roller-blade wheels. I'd hate to be pushing instead of pulling. You know what your stroller does on rough ground. The smooth, flat sidewalks you enjoy (not in my area of Northern Canada!) aren't necessarily that good in Italy. Be glad you're not in step-on-bridges Venice! If you're taking something, be sure it has big, soft wheels.

I figured that I owed people an update on this. We just got back from Italy and we had taken both the stroller and the backpack. Used the stroller all the time however the backpack came in handy at quite a few places: going up the dome of St. Peter's in Rome, walking around in Pompeii, in the Collosseum and the Roman Forum, etc. I would suggest that people in similar situations take both items if possible. Stroller is a must, backpack is a nice to have.

Perhaps you might consider a backpack that is also a stroller. They make backpacks that also have wheels on them that convert to strollers. Here's a link for an example:<BR><BR>http://www.bcstore.com/keltyconvertiblestroller.htm<BR><BR>Kelty would be the only brand I'd buy, by the way--very, very sturdy. Good luck!

If you don't normally use a backpack I would suggest you try it out before lugging it all the way to Europe and possibly finding out you don't like using one... I thought I would love using a backpack, but always felt like I was about to tip over in it and ended up not using it. (BTW, I'm only 5 feet tall so maybe it's proportion thing... ) <BR><BR>Anyway, I love my lightweight stroller, but be sure you pay the extra money and get one with good (big) wheels on it. Peg Perego and Combi make some nice ones; they're not cheap but they are definatly worth it.

oooops, didn't realize you've already been to Italy and back. Glad you had a good time!!!! Why don't you post a trip report; Those of us with children would enjoy hearing about visiting Italy with a toddler.

We have traveled to the UK twice with our son--once when he was 6.5 months old and once (just last fall) when he was 20 months. We took both the stroller and backpack both times. The first trip we used mostly the stroller, but on this trip, we only used the stroller at the airports. We packed the backpack in a box and checked it with our luggage. Our son prefers it to the stroller--I'm guessing it's because he's up higher and can see what's going on. The stroller was indispensible for the airport and for stowing gear as someone else pointed out. If you can take both, do. And, I agree wholeheartedly with the person who recommended Kelty. If you do much walking/hiking, a heavy duty pack like that is the only way to go. It's designed for you to carry the weight for longer distances. Don't mess around with the ones you get in baby stores. Have fun!