Comments on: Tips for Enjoying Tuscany with a Toddler

By: Heather

Heather — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:43:35 +0000

Thanks Anne – I think that toddler was enjoying the gelato too

By: Anne Charles

Anne Charles — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 01:54:19 +0000

Wow, does that gelato look yummy, could really go for some of that today
Anne Charles´s last [type] ..Toy Story 12 Inch Backpacks

By: Sherry Ott

Sherry Ott — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:30:25 +0000

Renting a villa in the countryside is great advice if you have kids – it’s a great way to see the area and still have some normalcy to the kid’s day. Pienza is one of my favorite stops on the way to Tuscany – Pecorino cheese is heaven!
Sherry Ott´s last [type] ..signs

By: admin

admin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 21:07:42 +0000

@ Joanna
I think you’re right, perhaps it’s the warm weather that puts everyone in those countries in a good mood to be so welcoming to children

By: Joanna

Joanna — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:07:49 +0000

I’ve always found that traveling around the Mediterranean countries with young children was so much easier than in Northern Europe. In Italy and Spain, the concept of families enjoying life together means that there’s far less of that “No kids please” nonsense that you sometimes come up against in places like England. Kids love travel holidays – though it helps if you have the right equipment, of course!
Joanna´s last [type] ..Backpacks For Toddlers – It’s Time For School

By: alexis ozias

alexis ozias — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:38:05 +0000

Thank you both for your great advice! We went out and purchased a Dueter Comfort II (the III generation was $300) and will try it out this weekend in Wisconsin while I compete in a triathlon. He loved being carried around the store and he is a big 23mth old, 32lbs, 36in tall. It was easy for both of us to carry, will let you know how it holds up in Italy. Think I might just suck it up and bring both the stroller and backpack. We are there for 2 weeks in the same location, so once we are there we are not packing till we head back to airport. Plus there are 8 adults and some will not be physically able to carry him, but like to take him for walks.

Thanks again.

By: Amie from Ciao Bambino

Amie from Ciao Bambino — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:09:55 +0000

Alexis,

I have to say, it’s hard to choose just one because both a stroller and a backpack come in so handy. A backpack is definitely great for all of those towns with steps and cobblestone streets, but a stroller can be essential for restaurants and enjoying all the leisurely walking opportunities (a key part of enjoying Italy!) … It’s been a few years since I’ve bought a backpack, but I’ve seen some frameless options that look portable recently. If you found one of those that is lightweight and easily packable, you’d have the ideal situation with both both options available for maximum flexibility. If I had to choose just one thing, however, it would be the stroller.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:57:20 +0000

Hi Alexis

I’ll see if I can get Amie from Ciao Bambine to advise you. My children have now passed the toddler stage but I can still just about remember the struggle to sightsee with little ones in tow. I’d imagine that if you are just planning to do a quick look round of say an hour or two, then the backpack would be great, but if you want to go at a leisurely pace, maybe stop for lunch or a drink, then the buggie would be a good idea as it also allows somewhere for your 2 year old to doze and relax. Those old steep cobbled streets can be a challenge but it’s normally manageable, especially if there are two of you and as the Italians love children I’m sure you’d find people to help you too.

By: alexis ozias

alexis ozias — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:47:24 +0000

I was wondering what it was like pushing a stroller through the smaller villages. We are debating on a backpack carrier for our 2yrs old, or just using our umbrella stroller. All suggestions welcomed!

By: Italy News: 02.15.09 | Italy Travel Guide

Italy News: 02.15.09 | Italy Travel Guide — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:30:03 +0000

[...] the adults at the same time), some tips for taking on the Italian capital of Rome with kids, and an article about touring Tuscany with a [...]

By: admin

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:14:57 +0000

@ darngooddigs
Ah, Gelato, the thing that makes it all bearable for our children when we drag them round all the sights. It’s not the Colisseum they remember but the gelato.

http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/gelato-on-the-island-in-the-tiber-in-rome/

That gorgeous toddler belongs to Amie who wrote the guest post. Mine are a little older but they still enjoy the gelato.

By: darngooddigs

darngooddigs — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:59:50 +0000

That photo of the toddler (yours?) in front of the gelato made me think of all the gelato we ate with our two year old during our Italy trip two summers ago. We probably hit a gelateria once a day, at least. There’s a trail of melted gelato (after dripping down our son’s elbow) from Rome to Assisi to Bologna to Ravenna and on and on. How sweet it was.

By: Debbie Dubrow

Debbie Dubrow — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:06:22 +0000

We traveled through Umbria with our son when he was 1 and had a lovely time! Great advice.

By: Family Travel - Ciao Bambino

Family Travel - Ciao Bambino — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:11:26 +0000

[...] you are planning on Tuscany with a toddler-in-tow, check our Tips For Enjoying Tuscany with a Toddler post on Heather on Her [...]

By: admin

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:25:46 +0000

@ John

I did stay in a religious guesthouse when I was in Rome which I’d recomend if you want to be very close to the Vatican.

http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/staying-at-residenza-madri-pie-in-rome/

Sadly I haven’t been to Tuscany for some years, although you could search more on the Ciao Bambino site for accomodation in Italy
http://www.ciaobambino.com/destinations/Italy-family-travel.asp

I did find this link to convents in Italy which you may find useful. My parents stayed in one in Assisi.
http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html#R-vatican

By: jen laceda

jen laceda — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:27:55 +0000

These are all great suggestions!

By: John

John — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:13:56 +0000

I’ve heard staying at a monastery is a good option in Italy with children as Italian love children. I found a website http://www.monasterystays.com which has plenty of places to stay in Tuscany. Any experiences with monasteries or convents as I’m planning to use then on my next trip?