Feel Free to Rome

Undeniably an incredibly romantic vacation spot, Rome has beauty at every turn. From the buildings left behind by a crumbling Roman state to more modern Italian fountains and eateries, any couple would be lucky to spend a few days getting lost with one another in the Eternal City.

Roam about
One of the best parts of traveling with baby is that she is unlikely to complain about how boring your trip happens to be. Take this opportunity—while your child is little and completely at your mercy—to roam about because the best way to experience Rome is on foot. Grab a map from your hotel and decide what you’d like to see together. Head out hand in hand to the Spanish Steps to explore the shops or view art the locals display on the top railings.

Oldies but goodies
You can easily navigate most of the ancient Roman historical sites with your stroller, so get to it! The Forum is outdoors and easy to walk through. The Colosseum is just a hop, skip, and a jump away, and there is a great deal to walk through. These sites get busy early and stay busy all day, so be sure to arrive first thing in the morning or get there 30-60 minutes before the sunsets to have enough time to explore without waiting in endless lines.

The Vatican
Vatican City may be a hard stop with your baby, as it is always jam packed, but it is definitely worth a visit. Your little one will be as enthralled as you are with the ambiance and beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica and the grand spectacle of the Sistine Chapel. Arrive early if you can, bring water and plan on doing lots of walking! Try to make it down to the crypt of the Popes if you can manage it—this will be one of the most fascinating spots you visit in Vatican City.

Don’t forget to eat
On any trip to Italy, one of the most important things to experience is the cuisine! Your baby probably won’t be too fussy about the fare, but you should be prepared. This is no time to be dieting—Roman cuisine is heavy on meat and butter, not what Americans traditionally think of when they picture an Italian feast, but completely delicious nonetheless. Pastas and pizzas are big here for sure; try a Carbonara or any kind of pizza and compare it to those of the other Italian cities you visit on your romantic family getaway.