{"id":13764,"date":"2016-04-13T21:48:59","date_gmt":"2016-04-13T21:48:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=13764"},"modified":"2017-11-12T21:21:30","modified_gmt":"2017-11-12T21:21:30","slug":"venice-with-a-baby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/venice-with-a-baby\/","title":{"rendered":"Venice with a Baby"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The one and only time the pushchair was used…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Beautiful Venice. It can’t claim to be the most baby friendly city in the world (or disability friendly come to think of it), but we can’t really be that cross with it as it only has its geographical location to blame for all of the bridges and steps. So, when your husband insists on packing the pushchair for your first venture out into a city you have visited numerous times before (when he seems to have forgotten about all the masses of various wheelie challenges ahead), do make sure you pack a decent sling as well. You will come to rely on it. As will he.<\/p>\n

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Map reading from the comfort of a sling… No wheels involved!<\/em><\/p>\n

Again because of Venice’s geographical location and the logistics of getting supplies across the water, there are no big supermarkets, but if you run out of nappies you shouldn’t have a problem finding them in the odd grocery shops you come across. Baby milk however is another matter altogether. You can find it in the chemists, although if stocks are running low don’t leave it until you are completely out to find more – you might actually need to order some in. Baby\u00a0food\u00a0jars can be found but there’s not a massive choice, and a good few of the options look a little like cat food.<\/p>\n

Baby changing in Venice can be a little problematic in that it’s pretty much non-existent. \u00a0This is primarily a city for lovers – pre-families (and a good test of solid relationships afterwards with children!), and as most buildings are pretty ancient, there’s generally not that much room in the loos for changing tables. \u00a0 But, as long as you have a decent padded changing mat, there’s nothing to stop you from a quick alfresco change in a secluded corner. \u00a0Fear not German friends (who tell me off when the baby hasn’t got a hat on even when it’s around 18 degrees!), the weather was actually very warm… \u00a0 Of the same vein, do take a fleece blanket if you can stuff one in your bag, Venice doesn’t have many green spaces, but if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle then head to the\u00a0Giardini Pubblici <\/a>east of St Mark’s Square for some relaxed baby hanging out…<\/p>\n

If you have a lot of stuff to lug about (like un-useful pushchairs), consider splashing out on water taxis to get from A-B, that way everything easily fits on board, there are no Vaparetto crowding issues to contend with, and in the rare moments that everyone is quiet and looking out of the window, you can pretend you are a glamorous film star not a bedraggled parent.<\/p>\n

This is Italy, so of course most restaurants are child friendly. Having said that, a lot of them don’t have high-chairs, so if you are reliant on one, think about packing a material version that can be tied to a chair back – that’s if your baby can sit up of course. We were mostly reliant on Daddy’s knee which also meant that he was the one covered in the most bread-stick.<\/p>\n

Look into booking an apartment instead of being crammed together into a hotel room. We stayed at the excellent Corte Barrozzi Suites<\/a> which is a fantastic family option. \u00a0 Situated on a quiet back street 300 metres walk from Saint Mark’s square, our apartment was spacious enough for all of us with a separate bedroom for The Small People, a lounge we could relax in when everyone else had gone to bed (no drinking wine and whispered conversations in the bathroom for us this visit!), and most importantly, a kitchenette and dining area, completely necessary when travelling with young children and a small but hungry baby whose nickname is Brutus. \u00a0The staff are super friendly here too, going above and beyond with little touches such as turning up with a brand new travel cot when we hadn’t booked one and the only other one they had was in use. \u00a0 We would definitely stay again.<\/p>\n

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When you’re tiny and can’t work out why a gondala needs a silver seashell. My #onefromthecuttingroomfloor as tagged by the lovely @mielaerkerasmussen #venicewithkids #gondola<\/a><\/p>\n

A photo posted by Emma (@bavariansojourn) on