italy travel with toddler

Travel in Italy with a Baby or Toddler Travelling while your kids are young has so many advantages and Italy is a fairly kid friendly place to live and travel. Play at the child-friendly beaches. All rights reserved. Containers and scoops: A gelateria that really cares about their gelato will keep it in metal tins with lids on them to maintain the perfect temperature. Italians would say youre wrong. Italians eat late, and the further south go, the later they eat. For the trip to and from the airport, I highly recommend booking a transfer ahead of time and either bringing your car seat (and letting them know you will have it) or renting one from the transfer company and ensuring they have it ready for you. A classics graduate, teacher of Italian as a second language and family travel blogger, Marta launched Mama Loves Italy as a way to inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way. I look forward to sharing Italy travel tips with you and giving you a glimpse of life in beautiful Italy! But many small marts and eateries will remain open. This page contains affiliate links. Read more about car seats in Italy. If you do end up taking a taxi, just know that they are the Italian-est of the Italian drivers, which depending on your perspective is a good or a bad thing. If you are after a family-friendly European vacation, Italy is hard to beat. They sometimes have farm animals you can visit, cooking classes, or other special activities. On long-distance buses or buses to/from the airport, youll need to fold up and store your stroller underneath the bus with the luggage. Unfortunately, theres been an increase in petty crimes (pickpocketing, theft) against moms with children. And my 8-year-old went to a birthday party last week that started at 8:00pm on a school night. Yay you are going to have so much fun!! If you see one, donot go down that street. You can find here >>> our guide to grocery stores in Italy. Move along to the next gelateria. Check out the current prices for Cave Rooms Sassi here. I think you could do this in any major city. Lucky you! Families from around the world have been relying on our portfolio of thoroughly vetted Italy family hotels, resorts and villas for more than a 15 years now! Italian law says that young kids must be in a car seat. Read about our other favorite portable high chairs for travel with babies and toddlers. Beauitful, often flat, well organized, this is a nice toddler friendly places in Italy especially if you are looking for a relaxing weekend with a new baby. You can have a wonderful family vacation in Italy with a baby or toddler! Matera is unique and one of the most impressive and beautiful places in Italy. 14-Day Itinerary Italy with Kids Travel Tips. Another issue with having the stroller is storing it when you are out and about. We came across this experience after reading about it on someones blog, and we were so glad we did! Check out the current prices for Dimora Sumeranos Bed and Breakfast here. However, usually they do not do it because they have the facilities but rather because the country doesnt have great ones. What toddlers do best is to keep moving - the beauty of Italy's medieval towns such as Lucca is that most are walled and traffic free. Germs and touching Italians love touching babies and little kids on the cheek, on the arm, on the forehead. It should not be as daunting as you think. And that is saying it mildly. Who can blame her? Italy is generally a very kid friendly place and most people you encounter like kids. The entire town is stairs. If you want to visit Matera, bring a baby carrier. Italy is such a fantastic country! We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We had so much fun just setting out without an itinerary, seeing where the road would take us. For the first half, we stayed in Rome and did not have a car. The riposo is the Italian equivalent of a siesta, and it can seriously last for 4 hours in some places. And, the further south you go, the later the timing gets! Besides Lake Garda, there are plenty of other places in the Italian Lakes to visit with small children. Hi! Theres so much to love about the landscapes, culture, and activities found here. Be sure to stop at the San de Riso pastry shop in Minori to pick up some tasty treats, too! Youll get a good sense for what to expect. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and related sites (Amazon.it, Amazon.co.uk, etc). If in doubt, especially with very young children, I recommend you bring your own. If youre looking for ocean views and a stunning garden, Casa Lorenza is a perfect choice. Ride a bike in the Villa Borghese Gardens. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That picture is from Matera, in the southern part of Italy. Children love a good beach day, and they'll be kept happy for hours splashing in the warm waters and building sandcastles. Then get a great Airbnb for the city portion assuming you want to stay in a city rather than drive in. Verona's weather will be warm and sunny most of the time, with little rain during these periods. Its easy to travel in Italy with a baby and you can see and do what you want. Make sure your kids never go hungry Get the excitement going early Begin amping up the family a couple of months before you begin your trip. With its warm Mediterranean climate and breathtaking coastal cliffs, both you and your kids will love every minute. From Taormina, you can visit ancient sites and take cable car rides down to the beach. For example, my Sicilian relatives recently booked a family dinner in Palermo for 8:30pm so the kids could have an early dinner. I think Rome is great for traveling with a baby because you can see what youd like to see. Diapers in Paradise is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Bring a changing pad and dont be shy about finding a place to change your baby. Weve always gone during high season, and managed to book things last minute no problem. If a stroller isnt allowed (like at St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican City), there will be a place for you to check it outside. I would recommend splitting time between the countryside and the cities. After all, it doesn't have the same draw as famously kid-friendly destinations like Venice, Rome, and Florence . Italy's Meloni Draws Fire Over Food Aid Aimed at Families With Children Practical travel tips for traveling with young kids to and around Italy Italy is very baby and toddler friendly but not necessarily in the way you may expect. I also use it if were covering a lot of ground, if I know my baby will need to sleep (it reclines and is comfortable), or if I need the storage space underneath during the day. Unless you will only be in large cities (easily connected by train), I would recommend renting a car. Store and pharmacy hours are limited many close for lunch and on Sundays. Is it best to rent a car? Sure, babies and toddlers probably wont remember the trip, but their smiles and laughs are memories for the adults. If youre able to manage your luggage, trains can be a lot of fun for toddlers. Top things to do in Tuscany with kids. Italy is a wonderful place to travel with babies and young children. We did not know this on our first trip to Italy. You might be convinced that the tiny winding pathway youre walking down would be impossible to fit a car into. Luckily, you can buy all basics here in Italy, but we dont necessarily have the same brands. For more info please visit myprivacy policy. Children of all ages are welcome in most restaurants in Italy however, not many offer high chairs or a standard childrens menu. You can't flag them down on the street. Trying to decide when to visit Italy? Know that if youre traveling in the summer, and especially in August when Italians take their vacations to the beach, its going to be crowded. There are some incredible places in Italy for children and with such diverse Italian landscapes and cities. Some of our familys favorite baby and toddler activities in Italy include: Stay at an agriturismo and have a relaxing countryside holiday. Of diapers available in stores (vs online), I prefer Pampers Progressi. And since then we have travelled to a multitude of countries and destinations in a desire to see more, explore more and discover more!Read More 2023 - Wanderlust Storytellers. Absolutely gorgeous and a must see in Italy, Rome with a toddler can be tiring because of its sheer size and the notoriously stroller unfriendly cobbled streets. Best Places to Visit 01 / Top Sights & Places Unmissable places for your itinerary Discover more Places Rome Venice Florence Milan Naples 02 / Planning Toolkit Expert guidance to help you plan your trip Best Things to Do Italy has so many delights to offer its visitors, it's hard to know where to start. Ah, Rome, one of the most loved cities in Italy. Just make sure you have a carrier as strollers here really are a hindrance. Or, you can describe your babys symptoms, and often the pharmacist can give you something. Italians love children! Sure, this has nothing to do with visiting Italy with a baby. This is awesome. Other than a trip to the beach, visiting Doria Castle, seafood dining, and enjoying copious amounts of ice cream is a must, too. 01 of 11 Rome with Kids Martha Bakerjian Rome is one of Italy's most popular cities to visit. And for good reason. Good To Know: Pharmacies in Italy have a baby section with diapers, wipes, baby toys, pacifiers, baby shampoo, etc. Tuscany is one of the most wonderful places in Italy to visit with kids, purely because of how beautifully diverse the region is. Some car rental companies will have them available, but its not a guarantee. You can buy medicines for your baby in the pharmacy. What do you mean, youre sick of mac n cheese?! Winters can get cold. Explore Destinations & Travel Requirements | Delta Air Lines Youre absolutely right its often impossible. Even the smoothest strollers are going to get stuck in true Italian cobblestone. If you need to travel with a stroller, Venice isnt the best. Are you thinking about visiting Italy but wondering if its doable with a baby or toddler? Check out the current prices for Sofias Suite Guesthouse here, or find out which hotels are popular in Rome here. The spring and fall seasons are best, especially if you want to spend time outdoors. For example, youll find a few childrens museums in Italy, while I see them everywhere in the US. The water is potable in Italy, so youre safe to drink it. If youre weaning your baby, know that traditionally, the first food for babies is a vegetable soup with olive oil and parmigiano (parmesan cheese). babies and very young kids usually do not get their own seat unless you pay for one and strollers must be folded and stored in the overhead rack or the luggage racks near the doors. Ive been to Italy several times but never with a toddler! But as long as youre dedicated to still traveling with kids, youll make it work. Hi Sofia! What Italians will do is accommodate you, and gladly! Sofia Vergara Sunbathes Topless in a Black Thong Bikini - Harper's BAZAAR You can buy diapers in Italy at the pharmacy (farmacia) or grocery store (supermercato). Weve taken advantage of each maternity leave and traveled with very young babies, and it is honestly the best. Is my double stroller large/long yes. Read more about Train Travel in Italy. Click here to book a tour and boat ride on the Amalfi Coast. Heres what Ive found to work for our family (living here) and for visitors: Bring a stroller with big enough wheels for Italys cobblestone streets. Swim floaty or life jacket - I ended up buying a floaty there.I regret not bringing ours. Part of me wants to go with a very basic plan and maybe only book air b&bs for the longer days we will be somewhere or more touristy places but it will be high season so Im not sure If I should do that. It would be really (!!!) Good To Know: Grocery stores in Italy carry baby food, body products (like lotion and shampoo), diapers, and wipes. And that set us up for failure when we got to the small towns! Smaller towns tend to be easier to navigate with a stroller, as well. We personally prefer Lake Garda vs Lake Como as a family destination as it has so much to offer for families. What I Use In Italy: I bring a double stroller (City Select Lux with the bench seat) if well be walking a lot and I know my 4-year-old may get tired. Traveling as young adults is so easy! I thought we could pack in additional places by staying put in Gallipoli and Matera and road-tripping to these other places with a 21 month old. Its so hard to recommend places in Italy, because there are truly SO MANY GREAT OPTIONS. Consider stopping by the grocery and preparing a few meals yourself with some different flavors if you want a break from local cuisine. Feel free to shoot me a message through the contact me page if you still have concerns. Visiting Venice with a baby: 9 essential tips. However, there are ways to use the toilet while on the go. Please see our Disclaimer for more information. I did not realize that was the case it is not in our culture. Theyre thin, rarely leak, and hold a lot of urine. In Italy, all of the beaches are either stabilimenti (private)or spiaggeliberi(public). If its completely off the beaten path, you will need to plan ahead for meals and snacks in the middle of the day. The roads are too narrow and curvy and there are too many inexperienced drivers (visitors) on the roads. Venice is a city thats built on more than 100 islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. But not all gelato is created equal. Check out the current prices for Hotel Noemi here. Northern Italy encompasses the wealthiest parts of the country and its where youll find some of the countrys luxury resorts and cultural treasures. For more details about what to bring to Italy for your little ones, check out our Packing List for Italy with a Baby or Toddler. You also are not guaranteed to get one that is the right size, accident-free, and clean. You can visit all the destinations below with a baby or a toddler but they may require some preparation. If your baby cries a lot, it would be courteous to save your fine dining for another trip. In a pinch, you can use the muslin blanket I mentioned above. When we did Italy with an 18 month old, we also wanted the mix of country and city. Your family will love a stay at a gorgeous B&B thats only 800m from the center of Taormina. We love their family hotels, well-marked hikes, and huts with facilities for kids (play areas, delicious food, animals to pet). Traveling to Italy with a Baby or Toddler - Anna Everywhere You always have someone at the front desk if you need something, theyre insured and have safety precautions in place, they have a full staff, and often have restaurants, breakfast, and play areas. For allergies to medicines, make sure you have your doctor give you the name of the ingredient(s) as brands are often different here. Put in the address of where youre staying, and virtually walk around the streets. There are lots of little shops where you can fill up your water bottle or get a plastic cup of wine to go for very cheap. It can definitely be done though! Youll love the Autogrill, an all-in-one place with gas, toilets, restaurants, bars, and markets. We are drawn to Italy mainly to experience the following: - Food and culture (not a touristy experience). Italy with a toddler : r/travel - Reddit As youre driving in toward the center of the city, watch out for Zona Traffico Limitato signs. Our best Italian trips have been the ones where we spent some of the time in the city, and some of the time in the country. Italy with Toddler or Baby: Know Before You Go Its home to many museums and shows off an incredible rocky landscape (the perfect backdrop for a family photo). If you purchase from the links, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We are trying to stay for about 4 weeks and see a good mixture of city and country. Summers in Italy can be very hot, which can be unpleasant and even dangerous for a baby or toddler. A few of our favorite must-have items for travel with a toddler:. Even though the history wont be that important to the kids, theyll be more than happy climbing the tiered seating. You can find our recommended itinerary in Sicily here and our tips for visiting Sicily with kids here. restaurants are getting more and more equipped with high chairs however, they do not always have them and they are not always suitable for very small kids. When you go into a restaurant, you are expected to buy the water. You can also call (or have your hotel or restaurant call) 055.4242 or 055.4390. During our road trip across Basilicata, we stopped (after a few hours of driving) into a small town to get food for our very cranky toddler, only to find that every door was locked. Even just having a few peanut butter and jam sandwiches to break up the pasta routine for our toddler helped a lot. Book yourself a one-of-a-kind experience thatll be fun for the entire family. The selfie shows her sunbathing next to . Childrens car seats are compulsory in private cars in Italy and are usually available from car rental agencies at a fee. Theyre quiet, relatively central, and usually very spacious. The area between Senigallia and Pesaro has wonderful kid-friendly beaches and some towns such Urbino are beautiful and easy to visit with little ones. Thanks for any help you ca provide! (Even with tons of online research, we couldnt figure it out!). For an absolute treat, we recommend staying at an Italian villa, where theres plenty of space for the kids to enjoy. Rome is easier with a baby (vs toddler) because you can plan to see museums and explore how youd like. Weve been with an infant and found the most enjoyable thing to do was take a boat trip along the coast and eat outside in Vernazza and play on its sandy beach. Its known for its ancient farmlands that sit along the coast, whitewashed towns, and endless Mediterranean coastline. Dont bring a side-by-side double stroller. If a product is purchased, Diapers in Paradise may receive a commission payment. Youre in Italy! In Italy, youll find a variety of accommodation, including: When visiting Italy with a baby or toddler, the best choices are usually: If you want to have a kitchen and laundry, apartments are your best bet. If its a place that tourists visit, you will have no trouble. I have also been travelling in Italy with a toddler and a baby and I think one thing you might want to add here is how changing a diaper can be tricky in the small italian toilets . School-age children can get introduced to some of the high points of Italy on this itinerary. Ciao and welcome to Mom in Italy. But older kids will love visiting all the Amalfi Coast beaches, boat rides, parks, and town squares. With no roads and just canals, you can spend your days exploring via the water or wandering the streets of this charming city. If you purchase through these links, our family can receive a little extra spending cash for our next adventure, at no cost to you. Make sure your stroller reclines. Car seats If you bring your own, make sure its approved by European standards. Yes. Sicily is a world of wonders and depending on where you are you can find super child-friendly areas and more challenging ones. Hotels in Italy come in all shapes and sizes and the facilities you get vary widely between individual establishments. 2 Weeks in Italy - 4 Family-Friendly Itineraries | kimkim It will have a big, red, open circle on it. Kids will love the look of all the interesting buildings and maze-like streets to play around. Additionally, you get to use the umbrella and chairs and have a guaranteed spot for the day. This is where youll find lower-quality, mass-produced gelato. For other ideas about how to get around when you dont have a rental car and dont want to bring your car seat, see this article about safe transportation on vacation with a baby. Take advantage of the time change and set baby up on the same schedule you have at home, but 2-3 hours later. Babies and toddlers will love the colors and action. On city buses, you can bring your stroller onto the bus. If you have a young baby, you might want to still stick to bottled water for preparing formula or for drinking. Like anywhere in the world you should take sensible precautions, but overall Italy is a safe country for toddler travel. You can also ask for a cucchiaino (koo-kyeye-EE-noh) a little spoon. A lot of the activities in Lake Garda involve the water, so take a ferry tour and explore the surroundings or take a splash in the warm waters. Youll be sure to find a destination thats just right for your family. For those of you who are parents longing to visit Italy with your young ones, I hope that this particular section 'Italy With Kids' will give you the encouragement to stop worrying and give you the confidence to visit a beautiful land with your children. Theyre handy for burp cloths, sleeping shades, picnic blankets, and protecting baby from dirty floors. Of course, use common sense and dont do things you wouldnt do at home. Boboli Gardens ( Giardino di Boboli) - it's not the perfect spot (can be really hot, kids aren't allowed to play on grass, not stroller . A trip to Cinque Terre is unimaginable without a beach adventure. We visited Matera in the Basilicata region, and while this was one of the most incredible places I have ever seen, the thought of bringing a stroller there is beyond laughable. Renting a car is great so long as you are spending that part of your trip around the countryside. Below you will find everything I wish I had known before my first time visiting Italy with a baby! Best places to travel with a toddler around the world Children love a good beach day, and theyll be kept happy for hours splashing in the warm waters and building sandcastles. Off the beaten path, Marche is a family friendly area Italians have discovered a long time and a favorite for local families with toddlers. Read our Complete Guide on Renting a Car in Italy. You can also find here >>> my tips for visiting Rome with a baby. When youre in Florence, you cant miss out on a trip to one of their museums. So let's talk about the best places to visit in Italy with a baby. Perfect for little kids. If you planning on eating out a lot, a portable high chair that folds small can be very handy. I think the best thing to do is to make a list of what you would like to do in each place. You can find here >>> my full guide to Farmacie in Italy (pharmacies). Lake Como and Lake Maggiore have beautiful villas with colorful gardens to visit with your little ones, and toddlers love traveling on the lakes on ferries. Planning a Trip to Italy with Kids - Twist Travel Magazine Yes, it was limiting when we were out in the countryside visiting little towns. 15 - 17 for all other air travel. Diapers at grocery stores are less expensive but pharmacies are often more conveniently located. Im so glad you found it useful! If your hotel or apartment only has a shower, you can usually wash your baby in the sink. There are so many amazing areas to explore in Italy. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Universally known for its good food, millennial history, and stunning nature, Italy is also a fantastic family-friendly destination. Treat your kids and book a stay in a whitewashed farmhouse, with a gorgeous patio and BBQ facilities. I have traveled extensively around Italy with a baby, a baby and a toddler and two toddlers and I can tell you Italy with small kids is a wonderful place. I plan to go to italy with my husband 25 month old & 2 month old next year for a month or so while I am on maternity leave! The best places to visit in Italy with kids | Mama Loves Italy So, are you ready to pack your bags yet? . With ancient ruins, parks, spooky places, and even a museum for kids, Rome is a good family destination. We are completely clueless how to plan for the travel within Italy. They enjoy riding in the ferries, seeing the glass-blowing demos, and looking at the colorful glass products in the shop windows. These shops are bright, inviting, and cater to tourists. Italy is a big place make sure you look at a map and understand where you will start and finish the trip. That sounds very much like what we did. Good To Know: Most accommodation doesnt have bathtubs, but its always worth asking! Click here to book your tour of Florence Palazzo Vecchio. Thank you so much for pointing this out, Maria! Like anywhere you visit, travel in Italy has its pluses and minuses. Be careful of heat in exposed places like the Roman Forum. These range from looking for a public toilet to asking the closest cafe to use the facilities. There are so many stairs! All around the island, youll find gorgeous beaches with shallow, clear-blue, gentle water. You savor the little moments (like having a picnic in an olive grove), youll notice new things (like gorgeous wildflowers your baby found), and youll get to know the place youre in a little more (like which Italian cornetti taste best at the corner caf in the morning). Practical travel tips for traveling with young kids to and around Italy. I love traveling around Italy with babies because you have to sloooow down. If you end up needing to buy medicine while youre here, you can bring your prescription or the generic name to the pharmacist. Its the perfect place to enjoy some quality family time! Lucca is a charming, quaint city on the Serchio river, with plenty of things to do and see. Want all the best baby travel tips and tricks delivered straight to your email? What to Bring & What to Leave at Home! - Mom In Italy The south boasts some of the oldest parts of the country, as well as some iconic Italian sites that attract tourists from around the globe. Sidewalks are too narrow, and it wont fit through the doorways of shops. Its safe, quiet, and very laid-back, and you can spend your days in the beachside towns, going on a short walking tour and taking a visit to the Castellana Caves. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Always watch your little ones closely. Its a wonderful way to get away from the cities and explore the vast, beautiful countryside. Good to know! Pose in front of the iconic Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence. We are traveling to similar destinations in September and I am quite wary about the afternoon closures. You may encounter rain, wind, or even snow, which could be a good or bad thing depending on what your plans are. The Complete Guide On Traveling To Italy With Kids start in Rome and end in Venice, flying in and out of each city, respectively. I have vowed not to give up traveling once I have kids and this is a good reminder of all the things you need to think about. This post may contain affiliate links. Copyright Diapers in Paradise 2021. Let your kids run around in the piazzas and markets like Campo de Fiori. The wheels are smaller, so they arent super comfortable on cobblestones. Exploring Naples, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast with a Toddler We learned our lesson! Brown? It would be tough to see much without one. One of our most memorable experiences was sitting down with a lovely family for a traditional home-cooked meal. And then theres the cobblestone. Youve probably read or heard about Italian families going to dinner at 8:00pm and I can tell you its true. Thank you for the nice articles. We never struggled to find food. Read more. Beach and mountain vacations are the best options for summer visits in Italy with a baby or toddler. Make sure you have a carrier however and you are good to go. Even for a toddler. If you are bringing your car, remember to bring anything youll need for the journey with you when you leave the parking level. Youll find destinations from both the south and north of the country, along with unique adventures and incredible accommodations in each. The bathrooms are well-maintained and clean. There will still be stairs, and often still cobblestone, but if you have a great travel stroller that you can easily lift to get around obstacles, you should be fine. best places on Lake Garda for small kids here. If you purchase through these links, our family can receive a little extra spending cash for our next adventure, at no cost to you. But any larger cities, like Matera and Gallipoli, will have plenty of places that stay open.
How Far Is Rosamond From Me, Caribbean Fiesta Catering, Condos For Sale In 60706, Jonas Clarke Middle School, Stargate School Website, Articles I