Italy with a Toddler

Traveling with a toddler is a unique experience. It will, of course, change the way you travel. But if you’re ready to embrace those changes – it is absolutely rewarding. Liz’s family, including her young nephew, recently visited her in Italy for the holidays and she learned a LOT about traveling with little ones! Here is her top “Toddler in Italy” advice:

Fewer Daytrips and more Overnight Stays

 Liz’s family was visiting her in her small town and therefore they did a lot of day trips to larger nearby cities. Day trips are do-able, and the train rides are entertaining, but she discovered that having a home base that you can go back to for a mid-day nap is incredibly useful with a toddler. It can give you more time to explore and enjoy the city at a slow pace. Cities with a lot to do and see like Rome, Venice, and Florence deserve a few days each.

That being said – don’t fear the train rides. Toddlers ride for free if you don’t book them a seat. And, with the way the trains are set up, it’s easy to keep them entertained while you travel. Much more relaxing than a car ride!

Enjoy the Piazzas and the room to run

One of the nicest parts of Italy is the big piazzas — open squares where kids are allowed and even encouraged to run. Making use of these areas is the perfect way to enjoy Italy with a toddler. Liz’s nephew loved chasing the birds and running around the piazza with his new toddler friends. You’ll often find other kids enjoying the space to run and make noise while their parents sit nearby and sip a spritz.

Venice especially has enclosed campos that are perfect for a toddler to run around. Without the danger of falling in the water or wandering off too far.

For the locals, piazzas are about community. They’re a place to hang out and enjoy the sunshine. And a place where children are expected to run. Our best advice for Italy with a toddler: revel in the piazzas.

Italian Food is Delicious

Italian food is incredibly kid-friendly. In almost every restaurant (even the most specialized) you can find pasta pomodoro (spaghetti with tomato sauce). If your toddler is more adventurous in their tastes, there are plenty of other kinds of pasta, cheeses, and meats for the little ones to enjoy! And, of course, gelato abounds. Liz’s little nephew had a great time at all the restaurants.

Not Every Activity Can or Will Involve the Toddler

Not every activity that you want to do in Italy will be suited for your toddler. If you have a group, it’s nice to have one person watch your toddler chase pigeons in the piazza while the others go to enjoy Michaelangelo’s David. This is obviously more difficult if you’re just a couple, but traveling in a multi-generational group can help spread the child-care burden and make sure that everyone gets a little adult time to enjoy the wonders of Italy solo.

Find out what’s most important to each adult and what the others don’t mind missing. While Liz’s family was on the Parmigiano tour, for example, Liz was able to step away with her nephew when his attention wandered. Having someone who could step away from the tour to play with the toddler was incredibly helpful. And it made the tour all the more enjoyable for her sister and brother-in-law who were the most excited about taking the tour.

Find Kid-Specific Activities – Even if They’re Not Specific to Italy

In Bologna, Liz found an optical illusion exhibition. While not in any way Italy-specific, this was a great highlight for little Noah. Every city will have exhibitions, museums, and activities that are geared toward the local children. Embracing these kinds of spaces can make your trip all the more fun as you watch your little one enjoy and explore. The exhibit was also pretty cool for the adults on the trip.

Much like the illusion exhibition, playgrounds and parks are not unique to Italy. However, taking some time from the museums and sightseeing to let your toddler get some of their energy out on the playground or in a park is a great way to balance your vacation

Slow Down and Watch

This is advice we’d give to anyone traveling in Italy, even without a toddler. To sit in a café and soak up the vibes. To watch the world around you and absorb the culture instead of rushing from site to site. It’s absolutely our preferred way to see and enjoy Italy! And with a toddler it’s even more important.

They are learning about the world and absorbing new sites and sounds all the time. And they get pretty excited about small things (like dogs and boats). Take some time to sit (or stand) and watch the boats go by in Venice. Or the dogs and people pass in Florence — it’s a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Castles are Great Adventures

Castles, old ruins, and other open-plan adventures are perfect for toddlers. While you delight in the frescos, toddlers can enjoy the freedom to roam and explore interesting new structures they’ve never seen before. The Italian countryside is dotted with old castles. Many of them are in quaint little villages that offer a perfect fairy-tale feel to your vacation.

So while you’re traveling in the countryside for wine tastings and unique meals, stop at a castle for a fun family activity!

Backpacks/Carriers are Key

Italy can involve a lot of walking. A stroller is usually the perfect way to transport your kid. But, sometimes there are spaces where a stroller is impossible. Liz’s family decided to climb the Florence belltower and used a backpack for the stairs between the platforms. It was difficult but effective.

A backpack was also the perfect way to contain and ensure Noah’s safety on the Vaporetto (ferry) in Venice. With all the luggage, having a hands-free way of containing and carrying your toddler will make a big difference.

Are you ready to explore Italy with your toddler? Let us know! We’re always excited to help families make new memories in Europe!

Planning a Theme Park Vacation

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Every type of trip has its own set of requirements that need to be thought through in advance. Theme Parks offer many adventures, so there’s definitely some planning and research that needs to be done beforehand. Unlike a tropical beach vacation or roaming in a European city, theme parks serve a unique, particular interest. So, what are some of these things you need to consider before you go?


Attractions

The first and most important thing to check with any theme park is the number of attractions that your family can participate in.  Rides and attractions come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes, and types — which makes their height restrictions as unique as they are.  It’s important to confirm that your chosen park has enough attractions for your family. This information is typically on the theme parks website. And checking it in advance can ensure your kids are tall enough to ride the attractions they are most excited about.

Height is not the only consideration. It’s also important to take a preview of the rides and discover the ones that your family will enjoy the most. Some people love intense roller coasters and spinning attractions. But, if you have family members who are afraid of specific ride types or get motion sickness in 3D theaters, it’s important to check in advance.

[Photo Credit: Liz via Shared Adventures Travel]

Special Dates

The next thing to check is if there are any special events or holiday functions during your preferred travel dates.  Many parks now feature special events year-round. You can celebrate the seasons, holidays, and special park events with them, and enjoy the added excitement. Or choose a quieter time to visit.  

Whether you visit Disney World in the fall for Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival or Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, these events change the theme park experience. Some events, especially the holiday ones, tend to close the parks early unless you have pre-booked a special ticket. This makes the exciting experience more exclusive but requires a little more advanced planning.

[Photo Credit: Brian Mcgowan via Unsplash]

Whether or not you plan to participate in these special events, it’s very important to know when they will impact the park schedules.  If you aren’t familiar with a specific event, make sure to check the park website. Or ask your travel advisor who can explain the potential changes in the park and experience.

Location

Once you have a feel for the park’s attractions, entertainment, and special events, the next step is to consider the park’s geographic location.  Some parks are open year-round while others are only open during the summer season.  In addition to those general opening dates, the time of year can also affect the availability of specific experiences and attractions. 

For example, many people do not want to ride a river rapids attraction in early May at Hershey Park due to the colder temperatures. However, most people will gladly ride the same attraction at Disney World since it’s much warmer in Florida. Take a look at the geography and general weather averages. Consider how this may affect the parks and attractions, and how you can best enjoy your downtime together.

[Photo Credit: Liz via Shared Adventures Travel]

Don’t forget to consider how you might fill the extra time other than the resort/hotel pool, particularly if it’s cold.  Not everyone is comfortable swimming in a heated outdoor pool when it’s only 60 degrees outside.

Talk to an Advisor

Given the large amount of planning and research that goes into a theme park vacation, we are here to help you navigate through it all. If you like, you can do some basic research on your own prior to planning with your advisor.  Or you can call us right at the starting point, and let us guide you through it.

Remember, theme parks are an exhilarating, unique type of vacation. And they require much more planning before, leading up to, and even during travel.  The good news is we will be by your side every step during the booking process.  We will review the various amenities, offerings, and perks at each theme park destination, and will always make sure you are well-prepared for the trip.  Are you ready to plan your next theme park vacation?

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