Since JB and I had been to Rome before and hit up most of the major sites on our last trip, and being that we were with our almost two year old son, we set our expectations pretty low.  We just wanted to show tuck a good time in Italy, eat as much Italian food as possible, and soak up Rome around the holidays.  To make things a little easier we hired a car to take us to the hotel through this company.  As soon as we came out of customs, the kind man was there taking our bags, and putting us in a van with a carseat.  If we were alone we would have taken the train but the train took us just to termini station, then we would have to either walk 15 minutes (with toddler and luggage) or hire a cab from there … so, hired car it was.  We took it easy that first day and went to Villa Borghese gardens a bit, the grocery store, and out for dinner.  The next day we all slept until noon!  I haven’t slept that long or hard since I was 21?!  When we woke up JB asked me to guess what time it was, and I said 9.  Nope, noon.  But that really helped us feel rested and in some weird way get on a schedule over there.  Tuck went down generally for a little later nap over there, and went to bed an hour or two later, but it worked for us.  JB and I switched off nap time.  I would go roaming roma, grab a tea, or shopping while JB stayed with him one day, and I would stay with him the next for JB to experience the city at a faster pace, sans toddler.  Everyday we would do something that we knew Tuck would really enjoy.  In case you are ever in Rome with a toddler, some of those things were:  

–Explora : an adorable childrens museum.  Tuck had so much fun here!

-Villa Borghese Gardens :  We were a really quick walk to this beautiful park; I think we went everyday!  We rode the little train one day (which was really nice to just see what all the park has to offer – it’s huge and filled with so much).  Tuck rode a pony!  There’s a little playground which he played at a few times.  There’s also a little puppet theatre perfect for kiddos.  

-Pantheon:  such an easy quick stop that’s pretty interesting to anyone, any age.

-the colosseum:  we didn’t go inside since we figured it would be a lot of waiting, walking up stairs, and we had already done that before.  Still worth the stroll around during the day, and a picture (given a willing cab driver) at night. 

-piazza de popolo and piazza navona:  Both had fun street performers, and navona had their pretty Christmas market still up.  These places were also great for his favorite italian activity:  chasing pigeons.

-Toy stores:  since my fam lived in italy for a bit while I was a kid I have many memories of our european toys.  I am still obsessed with Carolle dolls, sevi for my brother (and now tuck) and trudi stuffies.  We went to a few toy stores but the best was citta del sol and picked up a few sevi busses and trucks.  

-Spanish Steps :  Such a great view.  Love the surrounding area and the walk to Piazza de Popolo

Something I wouldn’t recommend doing with an almost two year old is The Sistine Chapel.  That was the one thing I hadn’t seen but wanted to see.  Even though we purchased our tickets in advance – it still is insanely busy, even at this slow time for Rome. I sorta wish we would have hired a tour guide just so they could show us the short cuts to the Chapel.  But this is a lot for a toddler + the crowds,  

We did a lot of gelato eating, even in the cold!  Lots of just meandering in general.  We were planning on hiring a babysitter  through the hotel for New Years Eve BUT I chickened out.  Tuck has still only had our parents as baby sitters, my sister, and my best friend.  + one time with a neighbor girl while I was in the house.  Even though he’d likely sleep through the whole thing, I just kept picturing him waking up and some random being there.  couldn’t do it.  Plus I am seven months pregnant, and pretty much done by midnight.  We had an amazing meal that night and all three passed out after with fuller than full bellies and hearts.

A few things I’m glad we brought with us:  Our new stroller.  Love that Tuck can ride or sit (and that it will hold two, pretty soon!).  Which was really nice in the airport, walking to grocery, park and to eat around our hotel.  

The messy marvin changing pad.  This was so great when we needed to change a diaper on the go.  I did not see one changing station in any bathroom in Italy.  

The SipSnap cups!  I know I posted about them before, but they are awesome.

Flights!  I know people are curious about how they go with a toddler, including me.  

Our flight over was so easy.  Kind of gave me a false sense of security.  He was passed out before the plane started and asleep the entire time until thirty minutes before we landed.  We also had a bassinet, so I could put him in there.  He had a seat to himself too – though he much preferred my lap.  I knew the way back would be crazy because it wasn’t night time and asking Tuck (or any two year old) to chill out for ten hours is asking a lot.  A LOT.   But right off the bat we had a crazy change in plans that would have made even traveling without a toddler  a bit of a nail biter.  He did well considering and we walked the plane quite a bit.  We had an angel (valentina B from Alitalia we love you) that re-routed us so we wouldn’t be stuck in Boston, but it put a lot of hours onto our trip.  Then once we landed in JFK, it was a insane, our new stroller was (and is still) lost, + more delays + more sitting on the tarmac for another hour once we were on the plane to tampa.  Thankfully by that time Tuck had been fast asleep for a few hours.  It happens.  

Things that helped:  His headphones, ipad with movies and apps, snacks upon snacks+ treats, lolly pops, sticker books, and his magnetic toy.

We are so glad he came with us.  Even though times were crazy, they are at home too, it was special to have this little babymoon for Tuck.  I hope we always do some little one on one trips like these with our boys.

ciao bellas.