Is it worth going on a city break with a 15 month old?

[sarahb083]

Some friends who live abroad will be in Rome for 4 days in April. We're considering going to meet them with our 15 month old, but I'm not sure it'll be worth the faff - the flight, navigating a pram on cobbled streets, managing nap times and eating schedules, etc.

Has anyone done a similar trip, and would you recommend it?

Italy is, ime, very child friendly. However, Rome is to Italy as London to the UK. It's very packed, bustling, rushed. Personally, I'd find it too stressful, but I have a low threshold.

I would definitely do it. But your life will be much easier if you ditch the buggy and embrace a sling for the trip if that's an option

We took our (then) 13-mth old to Barcelona a few years ago and it was great but then it's a pretty walkable city with shady squares and lots of little playgrounds dotted around. Rome is definitely a bit crazier but I'd still do it. Also April won't be too hot. The main issue we had was finding a bloody airport transfer that could provide a car seat!

I'd agree with that idea to get a sling although we just took a little umbrella-fold Maclaren and that worked well because we could stop for a quick cava if he fell asleep and just push it under the bar 😁

We did a few city holidays when mine was around that age. She’d eat normal meals at standard meal times, would nap in the stroller after lunch, was also happy to snooze in the pram if we went out for dinner and was generally quite happy to just be pushed around looking at whatever as long as we did the odd stop for her to have a toddle about. If you’re ok to relax the routine and have a good stroller napper it’ll be fine, dare I say, even fun!

Also, I personally disagree with PP and wouldn’t get a sling. Maybe I’m just unfit but I’d be dying if I tried to carry a 15 month old around a city all day, literally couldn’t think of anything worse!

Thank you - this is encouraging! I don't think I could carry her around all day, she's big and I'm weak :)

Are the streets in Rome mainly cobbled?

Hopeful bump for any other tips on travelling with a small toddler :)

Absolutely 100% go! We travel a lot and always did, right from when dc was tiny.
And don't even think about not bringing your buggy. We went pretty much around the world with ours (and it was a bugaboo so not some tiny thing either) but it meant dc were comfortable and could fall asleep in it.
Rome is such a fabulous city and in general they go out of their way to welcome babies and children.
You will have a wonderful time!

Thanks @UniBallEye!

I'm probably mad as I don't really use a buggy at all for my toddler and never have. Just carry them everywhere.

I've been to Rome a few times and don't remember many cobbles but I wouldn't swear to it.

The cobbles would be the only issue for me (but I've never been to Rome, so I don't know whether they're easily avoided)! We took DS on a city break when he was about 18 months old and it was great. He still napped a couple of times, so we got peace to have a coffee or whatever, and when he was awake he loved watching all the people. I wouldn't plan anything that involves pre-booking a specific time, but otherwise it sounds great.

I'd totally do it. I would take a buggy and a sling for ease. A good sling should make carrying easy but it's good to have the option to put them down. Eating should be fairly easy.

I’m currently at an airport with a delayed flight and I couldn’t think of anything worse than with a child.

The city break itself will be fine but just think of worse case scenario travel.