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How to Travel to Italy with Baby
Get tips on how to get to the Homeland with your little one in tow Our Paesani I'm about to embark on a life-changing trip to Italy. My husband, who is a native of Ischia, the island of my ancestors, and I are taking our 18-month-old son to the homeland for the second time. Last year, we took him to meet his Italian relatives in Ischia. We stayed for three months, during which Baby Boy had lots of beach time but also a month-long bout of diarrhea that had him lose all the weight he had gained while there. This time, we'll be there for almost a year. We're missing American Fourth of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving in favor of Ferragosto and Italian natale. Our son will celebrate his second birthday there. But before we can get to all that good stuff, we have to get there. Traveling from the United States to Italy with a toddler can be a challenge. It was hard enough when he was six months old and couldn't walk yet. Despite the differences – now, my son who has the energy of the Energizer bunny will be itching to hop around during turbulence – there are some lessons that I picked up on our first trip. Since I know many of you are thinking about taking trips with your families, sometimes with little children or teens in tow, I thought I'd share what I've learned. Here goes nothing:
Know your luggage limits.
If you want to bring an extra luggage, you'll have to pay around $100, sometimes less, sometimes more, but usually in that arena. I often pay this fee because I bring gifts for relatives, and it's much cheaper than actually mailing a box to them from the States. When you're bringing a toddler for nine months, you have no choice but to carry an entire kids' wardrobe, so there's no choice but to pay these fees. Of course, you can also bring some things on the plane with you, usually a personal computer or bag and a carry-on luggage. I bring a mini rolling suitcase that keeps all my office supplies, including my laptop and other electronic devices, adapters, and battery chargers. Then, I bring another duffle bag full of goodies and treats for my son. My husband brings one of those, too.
Be prepared for boredom and discomfort.
Have fun in flight.
Show them their heritage.
Di Meglio is the author of Fun with the Family New Jersey (Globe Pequot Press Travel, 2012), which is available on Amazon.com, and you can follow her life and work at the Two Worlds Web site.
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