Stroller or Kelty backpack or both to carry for Venice, Rome and Italy?

Any advice from other parents will be very helpful for us! Please let me know. Thanks.

We took a Kelty-like (Sherpani) backpack, but we did NOT use it in museums. We would carry her or let her walk in there. I am glad we had the backpack, especially in Venice with all of the steps. We did not go to Rome, but a couple of times in other cities, I kind-of wish we had a stroller for wandering through town, but it was also winter, and very cold in Germany, so it was hard to balance keeping her warm and staying bundled up with the Sherpani.

So, yes, I vote for the Kelty, and I am on the fence about a stroller. It's a pain for Venice and for trains, but great for strolling the cities. The backpack is a nuisance when you want to sit and stand a lot, as well. I hope that helps, even a bit.

Venice is not a good place for a stroller, there's a bridge practically every 20 feet. I'm speaking from experience as I live nearby and have two small children, both of whom I've carried all over Venice in strollers. I used a small umbrella stroller that I could slip my arms under and carry over bridges but it gets old after about the third bridge or so. And the big bridges over the Grand Canal are ten times worse. My back still curses me to this day but I love Venice too much to stay away...

Hi Sonia,
Just back from Rome and Venice and although my boys are 10 & 14 would agree w/other posters about backpacks. Not only are there A LOT of steps but the cobblestones and dirt walkways would also be tough w/stroller. Light weight umbrella type could be a good alternative as other poster suggested.
We carried a backpack for all our "stuff"- maybe you could use it for other things as well as your child.
Not sure what you would have to do in places where you need to ck backpacks....
Have fun!