Italy travel with 18 months baby

It is possible and easy to bring a baby less than 2 years old to travel at oversea. She knows what is happening and enjoying. Learn from it. We are surprisingly, it is quite easy, our luggage plus baby stuffs (milk, diaper, her clothes and a carrier), we only carry one medium luggage and small luggage plus a bag. Total weight is around 30kg for 3 of us. We only bring a carrier and no stroller. Easy to move around with carrier.

It was an enduring flight for Victoria, a 6 hours flight from Singapore to Abu Dhabi and 7 hours flight from Abu Dhabi to Milan by Etihad Airline. It is 6 hours behind Malaysia time. We landed at Milan 725am. It was an overnight flight, mummy and Victoria slept in the flight most of the time, but Victoria cried on and off when she awaken. No bassinet provided because she is too ‘long’ and overweight. There is one friendly stewardess who takes special care of Victoria.

We started our Milan tour after we landed. It was a tiring day because we only got to check in our hotel at night 8pm after a day tour.

Day 1:  Milan (Castello Sforza, Gothic Duomo Cathedral, Da Vinci Square, La Scala Opera House)

The first place was Castello Sforza, then Gothic Duomo Cathedral and  Da Vinci Square which is next to Gothic Duomo Cathedral, opposite to world famous La Scala Opera House.

Then we leave Milan (1 hour bus) to Lago Maggigore, the longest lake in Italy. It starts from Switzerland. We took a boat to the island where there is a palace King dedicated for his wife.

Meal: Lunch- tomato Spaghetti and grilled chicken and salad, tomato cheese pizza

            Snack: Gelato Ice Cream x2 (S4 & $ 3.50 for 2 scoops)

            Dinner: Italian vegetable and chicken Sandwich. $5 each

Entrance Fees: Gothic Duomo Cathedral $2

Accommodation: AS hotel Dei Giovi (2 hours bus from Lago Maggigore)

Day 2: Sirmoine (Scalliger Castle), Verona (Romeo & Juliet), Venice (St Mark’ Square, Bridge of Sighs)

We started our day after a bed rest. I guess Victoria missed her bed much and jet lag, so she awoke and cried on and off throughout the night.

We have a 1.5hours drive to Sirmoine. This place is very relaxing. We took a boat cruise around the spectacular fortified Scalliger Castle.  

After Sirmoine, we take a 1 hour drive to Verona. The original ‘Romeo & Juliet love home.

Then 1 hour drive to Venice. We took a boat to transfer to the Venice island. The Bridge of Signs, St Mark’s square are on the heart of Venice. We visited the glass blowing factories where they make colourful Venetian glass. We took a gondola and enjoy like a Venetian to round the heart of Venice.

Meal: Lunch- Gelato ice-cream ($4.5 for 2 big scoops) and pizza ($4 each)

            Snack: cracker with olive oil, Truffle, chocolate and wine tasting at Verona

            Dinner: aglio olio spaghetti, grilled fish and salad, coconut pudding dessert

Accommodation: Hotel Le Boulevard (We are so lucky to have a chance to stay at hotel on one of the Venice island)

Day 3: Venice to Genoa

We took a 3 hours drive from Venice to Genoa. Nothing much today because we spend time on the bus for almost the whole afternoon. We reached Genoa, a very old port and town at around 6pm.

Meal: Lunch- Chinese food

            Dinner: Mc Donalds

Accommodation: Columbus Sea Hotel (hotel provides baby cot), port view

Day 4: Genoa (Cinque Terre)

1 hour drive to train station, along the way, we passed many tunnels and we saw many houses build along the hills. The cheapest house is built at the highest of the hill.

In order to go in the Cinque Terre, we need to take a train. The train coonected the 5 villages and we only stop at 3 villages (Monterosso al Mare, Manarola, Riomaggiore. We has a very beautiful scenic coastal path with romantic vistas over the Mediterranean Sea. Genoa is famous for its seafood. So tried their seafood

1.5 hours drive to our hotel.

Meal: Lunch- Seafood Spaghetti (Mussels) S18, stuffed mussel $14

            Snack: Pizza $4, Grape S2.15

            Dinner: Pesto Pasta, roasted chicken and potatoes and dessert ice-cream (restaurant at the hotel)

Accommodation: Hotel Galilei (The best hotel among the others)

Day 5: Pisa (Leaning Tower, Square of Miracle), Tuscany (Babarino Factory Outlet, The Mall)

We started the day a bit late at 9am because the Pisa Tower is 3km away from our hotel. We visited Square of Miracles where the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptostry and the Duomo are there. We planned to climb up the Pisa Tower, $18, but they not allowed baby to go in, so we did not go in eventually.

Next, our shopping spree. 1.5hours drive to Babarino Factory outlet. There are many outlets, half of them are Italian brand and made in Italy. The Prada outlet has just moved out recently so we decided to go to The Mall where there are many branded outlet, Prada, Gucci, Miu Miu, Mont Blanc, Long Champs and etc. Due to short of time, only 1.5hours to spend, we only interested to Prada and Gucci. You can touch and check out the bags yourself. They don’t bother you. I bought a Prada bag for myself and Gucci bag for my sister and my husband bought a Prada wallet and Prada canvas shoes.

We took our dinner at auto grill bridge restaurant when we were on our way to Tuscany for another 1.5hours. The olive plants are everywhere.

Meal: Lunch- tomato rice pasta, marinated pork and salad, tiramisu cake

           Dinner: Deep fry seafood plate S8, tomato spaghetti $5

Accommodation: Hotel Miro

Day 6: Tuscany (San Gimignano), Florence (Duomo Catheral St Maria, Piazza Signoria, Ponte Vechio, ‘Piggy Market’)

2 hours drive to San Gimignano. Along the way, we can see the olives plant and grapes plants and grape harvest truck. It is a beautiful Italian hill town in Tuscany, a very old town centers on Piazza della Cisterna. There is an awarded famous best ice-cream in the world.

2 hours drive back to Florence and take a train go in the Florence city.

Meal: Lunch- Mc Café Croissant $1 each

           Dinner: Vegetable soup, Tomato Spaghetti, tomato cheese pizza, roasted chicken and chocolate cake

Accommodation: Hotel Miro

Day 7: Siena (Medieval village, Cathedral, Piazza del Campode Commune- Palio Horse Race), Asisi (St Francis Basilica)

2 hours drive to Siena Medieval Village. A very beautiful place and its famous for its horse race in 14th century. The village is in the valley, walking up and down.

After a tire morning walk, 2 hours drive. We past through the grape producing region to Asisi St Francis Basilica. No shopping and people go there just for its Basilica. Nothing much there but the scenery is beautiful.

Meal: Lunch- Pizza $4 each, gelato ice-cream $2.50

           Dinner: Chicken burger at autogrill $4 and tomato macaroni pasta and grill vegetable $7 (near our hotel)

Accommodation: Quality Hotel Green Palace

Day 8: Vatican State city (St Peter’s Basilica), Rome (Fountain of Trevi, Colosseum), village of castle Gandolfo

1 hour drive to Rome and enter the Vatican State city, a spiritual capital of Roman Catholicism and popes.

 Next, we went to fountain of Trevi before lunch. After lunch we visited the one of the 7 wonder of the world, Colosseum. Then 1 hour drive to the village of castle Gandolfo.

Entrance Fees: Vatican City $18, Colosseum $14

Meal: Lunch- tomato macaroni pasta, grill chicken and dessert

           Dinner: Pizza, pesto spaghetti, mushroom chicken $9 (near our hotel)

Accommodation: Quality Hotel Green Palace

Day 9: Rome (St Paul’s Basilica, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps)

We started our day a bit late at 9pm since it was a relax and last day of our trip.

1.5 hour drive to St Paul’s Basilica. Next is the Rome city. All places are connected by walking. Visited Piazza Navona, Patheon and past the Fountain of Trevi to Spanish Steps. There are many branded shopping around the Spanish Steps.

Meal: Lunch- Shrimp Wrap $4, Italian bacon sandwich $4, Gelato ice cream $3.50

           Dinner: Shrimp spaghetti, lemon chicken and mushroom chicken $12 (near our hotel)

Accommodation: Quality Hotel Green Palace

Italy Trips summary:

Day 1:  Milan (Castello Sforza, Gothic Duomo Cathedral, Da Vinci Square, La Scala Opera House)

Day 2: Sirmoine (Scalliger Castle), Verona (Romeo & Juliet), Venice (St Mark’ Square, Bridge of Sighs)

Day 3: Venice to Genoa

Day 4: Genoa (Cinque Terre)

Day 5: Pisa (Leaning Tower, Square of Miracle) Tuscany (Babarino Factory Outlet, The Mall)

Day 6: Tuscany (San Gimignano), Florence (Duomo Catheral St Maria, Piazza Signoria, Ponte Vechio, ‘Piggy Market’)

Day 7: Siena (Medieval village, Cathedral, Piazza del Campode Commune- Palio Horse Race), Asisi (St Francis Basilica)

Day 8: Vatican State city (St Peter’s Basilica), Rome (Fountain of Trevi, Colosseum), village of castle Gandolfo

Day 9: Rome (St Paul’s Basilica, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps)

Transport: Etihad Airway

Accommodation:

Day 1: AS hotel Dei Giovi  

(Address: Via Alessandro manzoni, 99, 20811Cesano Maderno MB, Italy. Tel: +39 036264401)

Day 2: Hotel Le Boulevard

(Address: Granviale Santa Maria Elisabetta, 41, 30126,Lida, VE, Italy. Tel: +39 0415261990)

Day 3: Columbus Sea Hotel

(Address: Via Milano, 63, 16125 Genova, Italy. Tel: +39 0100980966)

Day 4: Hotel Galilei

 (Address: Via Darsena, 1, 56121 Pisa PI, Italy. Tel: +39 050507111)

Day 5 & 6: Hotel Miro

(Address: Via degli Olmi, 7, 50041 Calenzano FI, Italy.  Tel: +39055886671)

Day 7, 8 &9: Quality Hotel Green Palace

(Address: Via Salaria, 207, 00015 Monterotondo RM, Italy. Tel: +39 069004472)