we are planning a trip to northern italy/southern germany
this fall, during the shoulder season. we have never been
to europe before, and have many questions. first, are we
crazy to take an 18-month-old? second, should we fly
overnite or during the day? how to get around, etc. any
experiences would be invaluable. we are interested in hill
towns, not large cities.
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it should not be a problem to take an eighteen month old,
be aware that babies get jet lag too... in north italy i
recommend a town called saluzzo (in piedmont)also verona
and vicenza (in veneto) i think venice is
overrated.............
I'm currently living in England w/my 20 month old son; we
came from CA. Perhaps traveling w/toddlers is crazy but
we've done it lots. The 10 1/2 hr flight wasn't as bad as I
expected. We went at night and although he didn't sleep
much, he napped lots during the next day and then slept OK
that first night. We handled the 8 hour time change pretty
well. Try to keep on some kind of schedule, doing the same
kind of routine things so he knows what's going on. It's
easier for us to travel by car b/c you don't have to travel
quite as light and my son will sleep some in his carseat.
Bavaria is gorgeous but we only went to Germany pre-child.
Both my kids took their first flight when they were one
month old and since then are travelling a lot by plane.
Travelling by night is usually better 'cos they sleep but
if it's the first time for your kid it may well be that
"the experience" will be too exiting for him to loose time
sleeping:
Few suggestions:
- Keep at least two spare cloth changes handy
- Bring along wet-ones
- In the aeroplane tends to get pretty cold and not every
airline has blankets available so take a sweater for the kid
- Don't trust that he will like the food served on the plane
As long as places to visit in Northern Italy I definitely
suggest you the region of Garda Lake (Sirmione, Torri del
Benaco, Sal≥, Riva del Garda). The scenery is great, food
excellent and there are many possibilities for the kids
(including what is maybe the best theme park in Italy,
Gardaland).
The area around Lago Maggiore is nice as well, although a
little bit more "dull" for kids.
I disagree with the opinion about Venice expressed above.
It is a stunning city. It may be overcrowded, expensive,
but you can't miss it if you're going to Italy. A tip:
Pensione Bucintoro on Riva degli Schiavoni has excellent
rooms in a great location at an affordable price. To eat
well and cheap follow Lonely Planet suggestions about the
"bacari".
Have a nice trip!
Italian people usually like children and are very helpful,
but be aware that Italy as a touristic country is not
'children-friendly' and well organized as, let's say, the
USA. For example in trainsand restaurants you don't find
places where you can change napkins,in museums there aren't
rucksacks for carrying babies, in many cities there are very
few gardens for children, and so on. This simply means that
you have to organize better yourself. In summer it can be
hot, so don't forget water ans a little hat for the baby,
and lot of wet-ones. Good trip!