Our 2025 European Vacation
Hey Mamas! Today I wanted to share my experience traveling through Italy and France with my 10-month-old daughter. We did a 10-day “grandparents” trip to Europe – meaning my husband and I invited each of our parents to join us for this trip with us and their granddaughter. I planned the whole trip and what a trip it was. We flew into Rome after Pope Francis died and while Rome was setting up for the Conclave. Because I was worried about increased safety risks, I ended up switching our Airbnb in Rome to an Airbnb about 20-minutes from the center of Rome. This was the right choice for us because it allowed us the opportunity to relax in the peaceful and private backyard, while adjusting to the time change (6 hours!). I recommend keeping the time change in mind when traveling with littles as it can be harder to maintain a routine while adjusting to a different time zone.
This was only the third time my daughter has flown and it was her first big, international trip. She did amazing! I nursed her during take-offs and landings to help with the air pressure and minimizing the pain in her ears. I also brought a pillow to place on my lap for her to sleep on during the flight and I brought several new toys for her to play with on the plane. We are a no-screen family (except for when the Patriots are planning in the fall – then my daughter will watch football with her daddy – but no commercials!) so instead I packed a couple of books, a few spinners that suctioned to the window, a Dimpl (one of her favorite travel toys!), finger puppets, a busy board, and her Yoto. I also brought pajamas to change her into for the flight since it was a red-eye. I would recommend having a similar travel bag if you plan on flying (or taking a long road trip) with your baby or toddler. The new toys added interest and helped keep her occupied for longer. Now, I have those toys set aside for car rides, rather than cluttering up her play space at home. Being consistent and calm is also a game-changer. We always change her into her pajamas and put on babbling brook sounds to help her make the transition from day to night, and I try to maintain that when we travel as well as any other consistent routines we have for her.
We bought a stroller, the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2, and cheap car seat (the Costco Kids Scenera Next Convertible Car seat) for this trip since I didn’t want to risk the Doona (which we received at our baby shower and absolutely love) getting damaged on all the cobblestone streets in Europe or on the plane rides in the cargo areas. Originally, I had tried to reserve and/or rent car seats for any car rides while in Europe, but one of the Facebook groups I’m in made the point that you don’t know how the car agencies clean those car seats, and that they don’t always provide a rear-facing car seat. So I bought the Costco Kids Scenera from Walmat for $60, and it worked out pretty well! We ended up doing a lot of taxi rides, and this fit on top of the stroller while the shade pulled open so we just buckled it around the stroller handle and pushed it around with us with our daughter in the stroller. This stroller was exactly what I wanted for Europe. It has air tires and shocks (also called all-wheel suspension according to Amazon) so it was easy to maneuver on all those cobblestone streets and around the jam-packed tourist sidewalks. I also bought chip clips and a lightweight muslin-cloth nursing cover and would clip the covering around the stroller to give my daughter additional shade and minimize distractions when she would nap in the stroller. I highly recommended it! I also recommend buying the car seat and stroller travel bags for the airplane because my husband was able to carry the car seat on his back like a backpack to the counter – which was then checked for free. We were able to gate-check the stroller for free - a word of caution though, you can bring the stroller up to the gate when boarding the plane, but we did not receive it at the gate when deplaning at our destination. We had to pick up the stroller in the baggage claim for each leg of the international journey (I did not have this problem when flying domestically so it could also be a specific airline thing as well). I had a stroller bag and used it for the first two legs of our trip, but when we flew home from Paris, there was a language-barrier communication issue, and I wasn’t able to put the stroller bag on the stroller. Unfortunately, my stroller did get damaged. I was able to place a warranty claim with Mini-Jogger though, and they sent me a whole new frame for it so it’s like a brand new stroller now! I’m very happy with my customer service with them.
I’d also recommend bringing a baby carrier. We have the Ergobaby Omni Breeze Carrier, and we absolutely love it. My husband and I both carry our daughter with it – it’s very adjustable and she loves facing out (now that she’s big enough to face out). She gets to see so much when we carry her in it, and is always excited when she sees one of us putting it on. I also packed non-toxic sunscreen for her and put it on her every day we were in Rome and Florence. She also had a bucket hat that she wore regularly to protect her from the sun.
We did three days in Rome, three days in Florence, and three days in Paris. I tried to only book or schedule 1-2 events per day so that we could pace ourselves and not overwhelm or overstimulate our daughter.
Baby Travel Tips: Rome → Florence → Paris
General Tips:
Bring a sturdy, compact stroller: We used the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2, and it handled cobblestones well.
Also pack a lightweight baby carrier: Perfect for stairs, narrow walkways, and places where strollers aren’t allowed (like the Eiffel Tower or museums).
Stick to a calm, predictable routine when you can—but stay flexible. Your baby will feed off your energy.
Opt for early entry tickets or private tours: This avoids crowds and gives you more space and time to move at your family’s pace.
Stay somewhere with a kitchenette or fridge if possible, especially helpful for storing baby food or breastmilk.
Leave room in your schedule for naps, snacks, and slow mornings. Rushing rarely leads to joy with little ones.
Rome
Rome was our first stop in Europe, and while it wasn’t my favorite city of the trip, it was certainly unforgettable. It greeted us with its iconic beauty, impressive history, and an overwhelming amount of chaos. Traveling with a baby and two sets of grandparents was already an adventure, but Rome added an extra layer of intensity that I didn’t expect. Still, I’m grateful we experienced it, even if I have zero desire to ever go back again.
Colosseum & Ancient Rome
Despite the logistical challenges, seeing the Colosseum in person was breathtaking. We joined a guided tour, and I highly recommend doing the same—it helped bring the history to life in a way that was digestible even for tired parents with babies. Our guide helped us navigate the entrance and made sure we avoided the longest lines. The grandeur of the Colosseum, even in ruins, was awe-inspiring.
Walking through the Roman Forum afterward gave us a true sense of ancient Rome’s scale and splendor. It’s not the most stroller-friendly terrain, so I would recommend securing a luggage locker ahead of time (we used Radical Storage for all of our luggage locker needs) or leaving the stroller at your Airbnb or hotel and using the baby carrier for the day.
Vatican City
We had scheduled the St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs: Guided Tour & Dome Climb, although we did not do the Papal Tombs part of this tour because we were in Rome while the Vatican was preparing for the Conclave, and the Papal Tombs were not open to the public on the day we visited. But the Dome Climb and St. Peter’s Basilica tour were beautiful! This was not stroller-friendly, but there is an area where you can check your stroller with security before touring the Basilica and doing the dome climb. Make sure to ask about it before getting in line to climb the dome! I did this with the baby carrier, and it is possible, but there are many steps, so pace yourself and pack water. I took my time, and the people behind me were very supportive and patient as I made the climb to the top of the dome.
We were supposed to do a tour of the Sistine Chapel in the afternoon, but it was also closed to the public due to the Conclave preparations. I have been to Rome before and have seen the Sistine Chapel, and it is beautiful, so I do recommend seeing it if you have the opportunity to!
Navigating Rome with a Baby
Rome is not the most stroller-friendly city. The cobblestone streets and lack of ramps in many areas made every outing feel like an obstacle course. That said, the Italians absolutely adore babies. We were met with warm smiles and kind gestures everywhere we went, from restaurant owners to museum staff. It made the harder moments more bearable.
The Train Station Experience
This was the only part of the trip that scarred and scared us. We were a group of six adults and one young toddler. Between us, there were 14 pieces of luggage and we were waiting for the high-speed train. When the train was announced, we had to go through a security gate, and all the tickets were on my phone. I do not recommend this. If you have the opportunity to print out the train tickets, do so ahead of time so each person can be responsible for their own train ticket and getting through the gates on their own.
There were dozens of other people also trying to get through this gate – it only served Platforms 1 & 2, but it appeared to be the only gate to those two platforms. Now, almost everyone was having a hard time getting through. There were four gates that we could use, and people all around us were struggling to get through. After waiting nearly 10 minutes, it was finally our group’s turn to go through. I used my phone and sent the five adults through first with most of the luggage. I still had my daughter, and she was still in her stroller. I tried going through – her stroller didn’t fit. I did not see any signs about no strollers, mind you. The train was leaving in less than two minutes, and we were not on it. I broke down the stroller – I had the stroller in one hand, diaper bag on my back, and my daughter in my other arm, and tried scanning my ticket – it wouldn’t scan. The train was leaving in one minute. I looked at the woman on the other side of the gate who was working there – she looked at me and walked away.
I was starting to panic, my husband was on the other side of the gate, and he was starting to panic, he was pacing and yelling at the woman to help, and no one was helping me. One of the people on my side, also trying to get through the security gate, an older Italian woman, tried to help me, but she only spoke Italian, so I couldn’t understand her. And then this other woman, in her mid-forties, a passenger trying to get through, came up to me and started talking to me in English. She said that I couldn’t bring the stroller through that gate and that she would show me where I had to go.
By this time, I was starting to cry and followed her towards a different security gate manned by security guards. She walked up to one and spoke to him in Italian, and he waved me through. Didn’t look at my ticket, nothing. Just waved me through. I can’t remember if I even thanked that woman, but I swear she was an angel. I was shaking and crying going through, and then my husband was there and hugging me, and we were both running for the train and barely made it on. We were the last to board and were still finding our seats as the train pulled out of the station. It took me most of the train ride to Florence to calm down. I was just holding my daughter and rocking back and forth, trying to relax and calm down.
I don’t tell you this story to scare you, but more so that you know there are always things that will come up when you travel. Things you don’t plan for and that are unexpected. And when you’re traveling with kids, these unexpected things are a hundred times more stressful. I backpacked through Europe the summer I graduated from college – I missed many trains and never experienced stress over them because I knew I could catch a different train, and it wouldn’t be a big deal. But this experience with my daughter in the Rome train station - it was traumatizing for me. I will never go back to Rome – and really, you don’t need more than 3 days in Rome to see everything, but I have zero interest in ever going back to Rome. But to the woman who helped me, you are a gift from God and an answered prayer.
Florence
Florence was the highlight of our trip for me. I fell in love with its beauty, charm, and relaxed energy - especially in contrast to the chaos we experienced in Rome. It felt like a city built for strolling, sipping, and savoring. Our time in Florence felt far too short, but we soaked up as much as we could before heading to Paris. We arrived in Florence at 8:30pm (after nearly missing our train in Rome, it ended up getting delayed at the very next stop). We decided to go out and get dinner since we were all still recovering from the train station incident. In Florence, there is a carousel in the center of the city that lights up at night. I saw it and immediately wanted to take my daughter on it. So we did! It was her first carousel ride, and she loved it! She loved the lights and the music, and riding the horse up and down. It felt almost magical. It’s such a tourist attraction, and yet, I loved it. Florence was my favorite city, by far, on our trip. Florence was another city that was so baby-friendly to us. The servers at each restaurant were just amazing to us and our daughter, and the locals were always so happy to see babies and were always trying to make our daughter laugh and giggle.
Day Trip to a Tuscan Vineyard
One of the most memorable parts of our time in Florence was our day trip to a Tuscan winery and vineyard, Castiglion del Bosco. We took a guided tour out to the countryside, and it felt like stepping into a dream. Rolling hills, neat rows of grapevines, and a golden hue in the air made everything feel almost surreal. I am not a wine drinker, but my husband, father-in-law, and mother-in-law all are, so this was more for them. But I absolutely loved this day. We drove through the Tuscany region to get to this vineyard, and the area is gorgeous! The countryside was breathtaking, and the vineyard was such a fun experience to tour. The winery itself was very interesting to tour – I just didn’t like the actual tasting. If I were to go back to Italy, I would rent a villa in the Tuscany region for the week and just do day-trips to the local areas – that’s how much I enjoyed driving through this area. Tuscany is truly magical—calm, warm, and beautiful in a way that photos can’t quite capture.
Galleria dell’Accademia
Our morning began at the Galleria dell’Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s David. We intentionally arrived right when it opened, and I cannot recommend this strategy enough. The gallery was quiet, and we had time to appreciate David before the crowds arrived. I was blown away. Photos don’t do him justice. The detail in his carving is breathtaking—from the tension in his neck to the veins in his hands and the curls in his hair. He truly is a masterpiece, and standing before him in person was a surreal, beautiful experience. The more time I spent studying him, the more detail I noticed!
Ponte Vecchio
Later that morning, we walked across the Ponte Vecchio. It’s such a unique bridge, lined with shops on both sides, and it had a whimsical, old-world feel that both my mother and mother-in-law especially enjoyed. There’s something magical about walking across a bridge and window-shopping for fine jewelry and art at the same time.
Boboli Gardens
After lunch, we visited the Boboli Gardens. Fair warning - these gardens are not very stroller-friendly, but it is doable. I managed it with our stroller, and it was worth every step. The gardens are vast and filled with little hidden spaces and side gardens that are perfect for wandering. We only had about an hour to explore before heading to the airport, and I felt like we barely scratched the surface. I would absolutely love to return and spend an entire day here. It’s a wonderful place to bring children - there’s so much room to run and so many little treasures tucked throughout the gardens. I left feeling completely enchanted.
Paris
The Louvre & Tuileries Garden
Our first full day in Paris began with a private tour of the Louvre. It was a wonderful way to explore the museum with a stroller - our guide took us through elevators and side entrances, and we skipped the lines. There’s even a family-friendly tour designed for children that’s highly reviewed. You could spend days in the Louvre, but with kids, I think three hours is the limit, which is about the length of most guided tours.
Afterward, we walked through the Tuileries Garden and had lunch at the café there. While not as charming as the Boboli Gardens, the Tuileries Garden has a playground, carousel, and a boat pond where kids can rent motorized sailboats - all fun options for little ones!
Seine Dinner Cruise
That evening, we did a 3-hour dinner cruise on the Seine. They allow children onboard and offer a kid-friendly menu. We didn’t order a plate for our daughter, but the kids’ menu was far better than typical American kid fare. The cruise featured live music, and the view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling at 10pm was unforgettable. My daughter was absolutely mesmerized. Watching the light show through her eyes was one of my favorite memories of the trip!
Notre Dame & Arc de Triomphe
The next day, we visited Notre Dame in the morning. It’s partially under renovation, but still powerful to see. It wasn’t fully stroller-friendly, and we had to carry our stroller up and down a few stairs inside the church. We also visited the Arc de Triomphe, where fashion week staging was underway so that took away some of the charm of the Arc de Triomphe. I feel that these may have been better with guided tours, but we were definitly tired from all the guided tours and enjoyed going at our own, slower pace for the day. Don’t be afraid to take things slow or even to skip scheduled tours if you aren’t feeling it. The point of the trip is for you and your kids to enjoy it, so play it by ear! There’s always something fun and kid-friendly going on if you look hard enough.
Eiffel Tower Experience
We wrapped up the day by going up the Eiffel Tower. I had originally tried to book directly through the official site for cheaper tickets, including a required free child reservation, but had to go through a third-party provider after the tickets sold out. It was stressful, and despite their promise, the third-party provider hadn’t secured a child reservation. Thankfully, we didn’t have any issues at security.
The Eiffel Tower isn’t stroller-friendly, but there’s a spot where you can check your stroller with security. We did this and used the baby carrier to take our daughter to the top via two lifts. On the way down, we took the elevator to the first floor and then walked the rest of the way down the stairs. It was a memorable and beautiful experience, and a unique view of Paris! There is a champagne bar at the very top that is a fun little experience, although my husband said the champagne wasn’t all that great, so it’s up to you how you want to experience the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Sacré-Cœur
On our final day, my husband had to fly home early while my daughter and I traveled with my parents. We visited the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in the morning after storing our luggage and grabbing breakfast. It offers a unique view of Paris and is located in the Montmartre neighborhood, which I’d love to explore more if we ever go back to Paris. There’s even a train ride that’s perfect for kids at the top of the Montmartre neighborhood, which is where Basilique du Sacré-Cœur sits..
Leaving Paris was bittersweet. I had a bit of trouble checking the stroller and had to wait while holding my daughter for 30-minutes at the gate after gate-checking the stroller. She’d been sick that morning, and I was nervous about flying solo with her. Fortunately, she fell asleep after takeoff and slept the entire way home.
What This Trip Taught Me
Traveling through Italy and France with a baby—and both sets of grandparents—wasn’t without its challenges, but it was so worth it. We didn’t have picture-perfect moments all the time, but we had meaningful ones: watching my daughter marvel at the Colosseum, light up at the Eiffel Tower, bounce along cobblestone streets in Florence, and giggle in the gardens of Paris.
Yes, we dealt with jet lag, travel hiccups, and some tears (from baby and mama), but we also saw the world in a new light—through the eyes of our little girl. And that’s a gift I wouldn’t trade for anything.
To the mamas who wonder if traveling with a baby is worth the effort: it is.
To those who worry it’ll be too hard: you’re strong enough.
And to the ones who dream of exploring the world as a family: start planning. You don’t have to wait for the perfect age, the perfect itinerary, or the perfect time.
You just need the courage to go.