Italy with 18 month old?

Been there, done that, with my in-laws! Also went to Paris. It took all 3 of us (my husband was at a meeting in France) to lug all her stuff through the airport. The gate-check for stroller didn't work and we had to buy another in Paris-we never saw our nice stroller again! We took the portable play yard for her to sleep in, although they say not to let babies sleep in them we figured it was still better than nothing. We had to take turns going to see things-one person would stay with her and others would sightsee. Fortunately her Grandpa also liked to take naps. She was too noisy to take on guided tours. I don't remember food being a problem(she's now 20 so I don't remember a lot of logistics) Remember you will need a car seat too if riding in cars-don't know if taxis require you to have one-that could be difficult. We survived and were all still speaking to each other at the end-and now when my in-laws are gone, I cherish the memories and we love the pictures we have of our daughter in those places. We strongly disagree with Rick's comments in one of his books that the first part of the trip should be to leave the children with the grandparents. Our daughter had made 3 trips to Europe before junior high.

I think it is just a different kind of trip. My son and DIL took their 1 year old who was not yet walking to Europe (Germany mostly) for a month. I think they had a great time but took a really slow pace. He was happy in a backpack. They did bike rides along the Rhine, things like that. I used to travel extensively in Mexico 45 years ago with a small child and was treated very well as a mother.

We had our grand daughter at that age along with her parents. She was still taking a couple naps a day and didn't like spending long time in the stroller. She wanted to get out and run. And she was out of cynic eating and sleeping and some days not a happy camper. Obviously have no interest in sightseeing or anything else. We moved very slow and DIL had an enormous amount of stuff with us that it difficult to use trains or even taxis. It was OK, not great.

Isn't this a good time for some grandparent bonding?

After having travelled to Venice with a 4 year old, there is no way I would go with an 18 month old. Italy yes, Venice no. I would also get an umbrella stroller to take with you and leave it in Italy.

Your baby will be your backstage pass - children, the younger the better, are rock stars in Italy. To a much greater degree than elsewhere. I hope someone who's taken their infant/toddler posts their experience.

Sure, your pace will be slower, but isn't it already?

By "next summer" you mean summer of 2017? Assuming that's the case, you may want to wait a bit before making solid plans and see how well your little one adapts to unfamiliar situations; how easy a traveler she may be? Every child is different: some are laid-back, go-with-the-flow kid and others are not. If it's going to take you both a lot of effort to keep yours comfortable and happy, then maybe waiting until she's older or leaving her with a trusted family member might be a good idea.

It will be a different sort of trip than you would do on your own: less time, maybe, in museums and places where having to confine her in stroller/backpack for long periods is necessary but that's life with a toddler anywhere at all?

A note about a backpack? A must, IMHO. Navigating cobbles, uneven pavement, public transit and lots of steps would be a pain with a stroller. In addition, the view from below in very crowded places wouldn't be fun for her. I'd take a lightweight umbrella type along but a backpack as well. Yes, the amount of stuff you'd need to haul along for her in general will make changing locations more complex than not. Finding convenient places to change her will also be interesting as public restrooms are not as prevalent as in the U.S., nor are changing stations. Hopefully, others who've managed that may have some helpful tips.

But Zoe is spot-on that young children are "rock stars" in Italy! Speaking strictly from observation during our travels in the country, Italians are very fond of - and very patient with - wee people. You'd be traveling with your very own conversation starter. :O)

We had a great week in Italy with our 18 month old grandson and his parents when we lived in Germany. We rented an apartment in Lucca and day tripped to Tuscan towns and to the Cinque Terre. It helped to un-jetlag in Germany, so we were all in good shape when we got to Italy. It was very helpful being in a smaller pedestrian city, because we could let him safely out of his stroller to free-range a bit. I'm sure it also helped that we traveled in March when places weren't so crowded. Italian restaurants were very welcoming to a toddler, much more so than in Germany where I think they really preferred to see our dog!

I think both Rome and Venice (which I love!) might be really difficult with a toddler. Rome traffic can be ferocious, and there's often not much of a barrier to keep a fast moving toddler from the canals in Venice. But I think you can make this work if you choose quieter locations and lower your expectations for seeing too many historical sites. Many German families we knew vacationed in Italy at agriturismas for two weeks at a time. There's something to be said for enjoying the slower pace that comes with traveling with toddlers! I guess I'd rather go with a toddler than not go at all!

Several years back, my wife, son, daughter, son-in-law and two grandkids, age 4 and 5 months flew into Amsterdam,than drove to Genoa for an overnight, than on to Tuscany for two weeks stay in a villa just south of Siena. The two grandchildren were both great travelers, and never caused any concerns. The youngest was in a snuggli for most of our travels through Siena and the other hill towns that we visited. The 4 year old covered most of the territory on her own two feet, with an occasional ride on my shoulders. Because we stayed in one location for the bulk of the trip, it was fairly easy. You know your child and your abilities; if you are even considering this trip, I'm sure you will do just fine. Allan

Personally I found 18 months the absolutely worst time to travel with kids. They are too big to be in a stroller or backpack all the time where they are comfortable and contained and generally happy (well our kids always were in the backpacks) They are big and energetic and mobile and want to be exploring. They are still baby brains and not amenable to direction and reason. And don't even think of flying across the ocean with the child as a 'lap child.' In addition to being unsafe it is a misery with today's tiny jammed up seats.

With my kids from 2 on they were participants in the travel; you could talk about the airplane and about the plans for the trip and they could 'help' pack and talk about what they were going to see. As babies they are luggage and only have to be kept comfortable. At 18 mos you have the mobility of a child with the needs and brain of a baby.

I'd either go one place like an agriturisimo and plan to just enjoy that place. Or I would wait till the baby is older.

I want to thank everyone for the advice and suggestions. Much to think about . . .

Do you want think an 18 month old child wants to vacation in Italy? In my opinion, it won't fun for either of you.
Lorieann