advice for travel to istanbul/venice/european cruise - city mini or umbrella

[ExpatTrailingSpouse]

we currently have a city mini which we've been very happy with for long haul travel (Asia, uk, some parts of europe, caribbean, etc).

have just booked trip with one day in istanbul, several days in venice, and a cruise from venice to dubrovnik, split, athens, olympia, and montenegro.

would you recommend sticking with the city mini or going with an umbrella type stroller? and if umbrella type - which one (keeping price in mind)?

DS will be just 4, still naps most days, does get tired after a lot of walking. thinking about manouverabilty over streets/paths etc at the different destinations and/or having to carry the stroller up/down steps if he's not in it. i've been to venice before but way before DS, so can't remember what it was like.

Thanks, and posted over in travel advice too.

[TiggerSnooze]

I personally would always take my BJCM in preference to my stroller when travelling. No heavier really and so much easier to fold-and-lift up stairs, and to push one-handed.

[ExpatTrailingSpouse]

Ah just at the tail end of our trip. My sister was able to get a secondhand maclaren for free and we used that - not as easy to maneuver but definitely more convenient on the cruise ship and in excursions in various ports of call.

[TiggerSnooze]

Glad you found something that worked. Out of curiosity, why did you find it more convenient than the BJCM? I've just booked our summer holiday and was planning to take the City Mini but do have a stroller too so I'm curious. Thanks.

[ExpatTrailingSpouse]

It is a lower profile stroller, a fair bit narrower so when it's crowded, although it doesn't have the bulk to "push" through crowds with its presence, it's easier to fit between people etc.
it folds up smaller for sure - plus easier to carry every time we had to carry it up and down bridges and stairs, getting in and out of boats etc. you can just throw it over your shoulder and go. The one we have is quite an old secondhand - it weighs just over 12lb whereas the city mini is almost 17lb.

In hindsight the city mini would have been fine also, but maybe more awkward in certain situations on the cruise ship or on excursions. We did see one other family with the GT ... So obviously doable. I'm taking DS to London on my own in a couple of weeks and likely taking maclaren (sis wants it for when she goes too) but normally would take the city mini.

[TiggerSnooze]

Thanks. We aren't likely to be going through crowds and my stroller is no lighter than my City Mini (not GT) so I'll probably stick with my original plan.