Would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.
Planning either Verona, Trento, Florence, and Rome or Vienna, Salzburg or Paris, Strasbourg in 14 days .
Which tour do you recommend for 2 adults and 1 year and half Toddler. My wife and me are afraid from weather on our Toddler. Hotel recommendations are much appreciated. This is their first time in Christmas.
Thank you!
Posted by
Paris
7304 posts
The weather might not be much better, but is likely to be significantly warmer in Italy - better for a toddler in a stroller!
But, why Trento?
Posted by
11570 posts
Regardless of which tour you take, buy a baby carrier backpack to use.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you for your reply. Trento (and Bolzano) is a friend advise to get deeper the Christmas spirit.
Posted by
Florida
276 posts
In 2019, we did a trip with our toddler, who was 2.5 at the time. We started in Vienna, then flew to Milan, and from there went on to Florence and Rome. This year, we're taking him to Lyon, Colmar, and Paris (we leave in two weeks, actually). It will be our third international trip with a toddler. My biggest advice is that it depends less on the WHERE and more on the WHEN. For only 14 days, I would suggest no more than three locations, max. Every kid is different, but ours takes some time to adjust to sleeping in new locations, and if we tried to move him every few nights, everyone would be very disgruntled.
My other big advice is be flexible, plan for breaks, and seek out parks or other open spaces where everyone can decompress. I would highly recommend bringing a stroller and a blanket to keep him warm (ours was reluctant to keep one his hat and gloves, but seemed to stay quite cozy in his stroller.) Oh and pack SUPER light. Juggling a stroller, suitcases, toddler, diaper bag, etc. on trains, through airports, etc. is NO JOKE.
As far as hotel recommendations, we much prefer to rent out entire apartments on a site like Airbnb or VRBO. It gives us access to a kitchen so we can eat meals in, which accommodates our toddler's early mealtimes, and provides separate living and sleeping areas so we don't have to creep around in the dark while the toddler is sleeping.
Posted by
Maryland
909 posts
I think keeping your expectations in check is the biggest element. Fewer cities, less travel, more sleep accommodation. I would also consider where you will land first in Europe from your home... The larger the city the more likely you will have a direct flight/fewer changes. Fatigue/crankiness from the first days' travel can persist for kids longer than for adults who are more willing to power through. And get the toddler accustomed to the backpack at home first so that aspect will be comfortable for them. My toddler thought that the backpack was a particularly excellent way to see the world from up high, but it took time to get her into that feeling. Also plan for down time/cafe time/laundry time since your little friend will make that a necessity (it also cuts down on the clothing you need to pack too).