Traveling is often like rolling dice. Simply put, you never know what you're going to end up with.
Traveling with a toddler is more like playing Russian Roulette. The consequences of "bad luck" much more devastating than a bad roll of the dice.
I'm not much of a gambler myself, but decided that the odds were in our favor when planning a trip to Rome with AC the day after Christmas. She is after all, a well-traveled two year old.
Rome is arguably the most historically significant city in the world (at the very least, the Western world). To say that I was dying to see the city that lies just 2 hours north of our Napoli is an understatement. Rome has long been at the top of my "bucket list" cities. The history, art, and architecture contained within Rome are beyond comprehension.
It would be impossible to see all of the Roman jewels in two days, but living so close I knew we'd have a return trip or two. I meticulously planned our activities and sights for our stay, accounting for everyone's needs and wishes. We were simply going to do the Caesar Shuffle (as Rick Steve's calls it), which consists of the Colosseum, The Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Pantheon. We had to see the Trevi Fountain for AC, as that was the only thing she expressed interest in seeing. This itinerary seemed completely doable by most people's standards, as most of the sights are relatively close together.
My biggest mistake is not accounting for what we could do with a cranky toddler. We were all exhausted after opening presents for 4 hours on Christmas, and AC wanted no part of leaving her new trike and doll stroller the next day to go see some "ancient rubble". Pair that with the fact that Rome was having a record cold spell (according to one of our waiters), and our trip was doomed before we even checked into the hotel.
Upon our arrival we went out to lunch to kill time before our 3:00 pm hotel check-in. As expected, the food in Rome was superb, but felt a little more "touristy" than the food of Naples. Once we checked into our room at the Hotel Colosseum, AC decided she'd already had enough. Holding true to her two year old form she exclaimed that she didn't want to go anywhere else. Hmmph! Most sights in Rome close early during the winter months, so by the time we coaxed her out of her funk we barely had time to explore the Roman Forum. As I sipped my wine in the hotel that night I realized that the next day's schedule had to be readjusted.
AC: 10 Chief and I: 1
After a frigid romp through the Colosseum in the morning we strolled to the Trevi Fountain. I new the grand fountain would cheer her up, and it did deliver. She enjoyed throwing her coin into the fountain. Although, I'm fairly certain that if she realized that throwing a coin in the fountain ensured a return trip to Rome, she would have pocketed the coins in a heartbeat. Chief later confessed that he was desperately looking for more coins to give her and could only find €1 coins. Hah!
AC: 15 Chief and I: -10 (€)
It would be impossible to see all of the Roman jewels in two days, but living so close I knew we'd have a return trip or two. I meticulously planned our activities and sights for our stay, accounting for everyone's needs and wishes. We were simply going to do the Caesar Shuffle (as Rick Steve's calls it), which consists of the Colosseum, The Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Pantheon. We had to see the Trevi Fountain for AC, as that was the only thing she expressed interest in seeing. This itinerary seemed completely doable by most people's standards, as most of the sights are relatively close together.
My biggest mistake is not accounting for what we could do with a cranky toddler. We were all exhausted after opening presents for 4 hours on Christmas, and AC wanted no part of leaving her new trike and doll stroller the next day to go see some "ancient rubble". Pair that with the fact that Rome was having a record cold spell (according to one of our waiters), and our trip was doomed before we even checked into the hotel.
Upon our arrival we went out to lunch to kill time before our 3:00 pm hotel check-in. As expected, the food in Rome was superb, but felt a little more "touristy" than the food of Naples. Once we checked into our room at the Hotel Colosseum, AC decided she'd already had enough. Holding true to her two year old form she exclaimed that she didn't want to go anywhere else. Hmmph! Most sights in Rome close early during the winter months, so by the time we coaxed her out of her funk we barely had time to explore the Roman Forum. As I sipped my wine in the hotel that night I realized that the next day's schedule had to be readjusted.
AC: 10 Chief and I: 1
After a frigid romp through the Colosseum in the morning we strolled to the Trevi Fountain. I new the grand fountain would cheer her up, and it did deliver. She enjoyed throwing her coin into the fountain. Although, I'm fairly certain that if she realized that throwing a coin in the fountain ensured a return trip to Rome, she would have pocketed the coins in a heartbeat. Chief later confessed that he was desperately looking for more coins to give her and could only find €1 coins. Hah!
AC: 15 Chief and I: -10 (€)
In reality the hardest part about traveling in Rome with a toddler is that there really is no place to go to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Sure, there are stunning piazzas every which way you turn, but no true green space exists in Rome's historic districts. The Central Park and Hyde Park that other great cities of the world boast are not to be found in this ancient city.
Despite a few bad moods, tantrums, freezing temperatures, and some wrong turns we did enjoy our Roman getaway. It certainly was memorable! I look forward to going back in warmer weather with high hopes that the odds of traveling with my (typically) sweet toddler really WILL be in my favor!
No comments:
Post a Comment