Travel with a 10-month old

I would suggest having a stroller with you that the back can lay down so she can sleep while you are sightseeing. Pack some noise free toys in your carry on, along with some snacks and bottles, bring along her favorite blanket.
I'm sure she'll do fine as long as she can have her naps. If the weather is nice take time to go to a park, let her play on a blanket for a while.

She's too young; leave her home safe.

I wonder what Venetians do with their infants? You could always take a backpack style baby carrier as an alternative for days when you'll be hitting rough terrain or cobblestones.

The Italians are renowned for their love of children. When I was a baby I am told that my parents took me everywhere even to restaurants in the evening in Italy and put me in my carrycot under the table. If you do end up with a crying session I imagine there will be enough adults in your group to keep her entertained.

I agree that a stroller is essential, both for her (esp. if she's familiar with it) and for her diaper bag. Check with her pediatrician for any advice if the weather, food, etc. does not agree with her. Esp. find out what to do if she is uncomfortable on the long flight, if the cabin pressure hurts her ears. Traveling means extra movement/jostling and some young children do not like that. Scheduling some quiet time without movement is helpful. Pack her favorite sleep buddy or "lovey". Since her schedule will be different, it would be best to always have her food and milk, juice on hand. When we traveled overseas with our son when he was small, he would wake up in the middle of the night looking for a meal. I know it's a bit tacky, but at breakfast, I would always pack up a small sandwich for him and put it in my purse. Whenever possible, I would order a crib in the hotel & pack a lightweight blanket that was familiar to him. Some hotels do not have tubs. So we've taken him into the shower with us. Maybe nowadays a blow up rubber tub would work or wading pool? A sweater with a hood was very helpful.
Have a wonderful trip!

Is it possible to leave her home? Although we would all love to share some of our exciting travels with our younger relatives, we must consider a few things. Will the youngster enjoy it? Maybe portions of it. Will the youngster remember it? No. How will the youngster cope on long flights? Probably not well. In the end, we must consider what is best for the little one, not what is best for us.

Will the 10 month old's parents be with you? If not be certain you have the peoper authorization to take her out of the country and that you have the porper power of attourney papers to obtain medical treatment should it be needed.

I would definetly bring the backpack carrier for the baby, and she CAN sleep in that. We took our 1 year old baby boy to Italy back in 1996 and he took his daily naps on daddy's back. We have photo's, they are precious to us now (our son's 13 now and a big moose!) We have great memories AND photo's of our baby: with relatives in Naples; laying in a sling back chair on the beach in Amalfi; on tour boat off Capri being held by boat captain; with Mount Vesuvious in the background; etc...Your grandauther won't remember the trip, but she'll be able to see the photo's when she's older! PS. I've never been away from my kids for more than 1 or 2 nights EVER. Some of us just don't like leaving our kids behind.

For ascent and descent on the flight, give her a swallow or two of liquid every few seconds to clear her ears and relieve the pressure. Our boys loved apple juice at that age, so we would take along a baby bottle of it to let them suck on. They didn't cry like so many babies do because their ears hurt. Nowadays, TSA asks that only the amount of liquid required for the flight be taken aboard.

Personally, I would not for all the obvious reasons. Consider the rain, the diaper changes, the feeding, the hustle of all the tourist. If you do it good luck and enjoy.

I agree with many on this board. Your granddaughter will not enjoy the trip neither will you.

Thank you all for your comments, pros and cons. We will rent apartments in both places, so there will be a place for naps. Her parents will be on the trip. Both my husband and I have been to Rome and Venice, so if the kids want to see something we've already seen, we'd be happy to babysit. We're pretty flexible. I know she won't remember any of it, but there will be photos. We also have friends in Venice who have a baby. Just trying to gather all info I can.

Personally, I think a baby would be much more traumatized by having their parents leave them for a week or more, than by a long plane flight safe in their parents arms.

As far as the liquids for the plane, you can bring more than 3 ounces of baby formula, if she's still taking any of that. Just make sure to take it out (they say on the website to "declare" it) and show the TSA agent. If not, bring her sippy cup, you can ask for juice and water on the plane. I'm glad you guys are bringing her. Travel with kids is different, but will make you see the cities in a whole new light.