Travel with Children - 22 month old in hill towns of Italy, wagon instead of stroller?

We are going on a 10 day trip through hill towns of Italy with our 22 month old the end of April. He loves his wagon but doesn't like the stroller too much. there is a collapsible wagon that looks like it folds up nice and small (and quick!) that we are considering bringing instead of a stroller...any thoughts or experience?

We are going on a 10 day trip through hill towns of Italy with our 22 month old the end of April. He loves his wagon but doesn't like the stroller too much. there is a collapsible wagon that looks like it folds up nice and small (and quick!) that we are considering bringing instead of a stroller...any thoughts or experience?The word that comes to my mind is "crazy".

Have you been to Italy before? Most towns are short on sidewalks and have rather rough streets, with lots of cars driven in interesting :D ways.

Wagons are typically pulled behind, which means you have a hard time watching the child and seeing where you are going. Wagons can be harder to control in tight situations. They're longer and bigger than strollers, not so good on narrow, hilly streets or tight doorways. I spent a couple weeks in Italy with my bro, sis-in-law and toddler niece, who lived in Rome. After their move, the first thing they did was toss the American stroller in favor of a locally made "clunker" stroller with bigger, thicker tires and a built-in shopping basket - because that's how the locals took their kids around town.

I'd work on getting the child used to a stroller before the trip.

Only if you have your own private masseuse and chiropractor coming on the trip with you!! The body position for pulling a wagon is so UN-ergonomic you'd be miserable, especially in hilly terrain.

Get a worthwhile stroller and don't think twice.

get a good jogging stroller with large wheels (bob or baby jogger city elite etc)

get a good jogging stroller with large wheels (bob or baby jogger city elite etc)Not for Italy. There you want one as compact as possible, for negotiating narrow, crowded streets. Look for one with a short wheel base but larger wheels and very compact size when folded.

The word that comes to my mind is "crazy".

Have you been to Italy before? Most towns are short on sidewalks and have rather rough streets, with lots of cars driven in interesting :D ways.

Wagons are typically pulled behind, which means you have a hard time watching the child and seeing where you are going. Wagons can be harder to control in tight situations. They're longer and bigger than strollers, not so good on narrow, hilly streets or tight doorways. I spent a couple weeks in Italy with my bro, sis-in-law and toddler niece, who lived in Rome. After their move, the first thing they did was toss the American stroller in favor of a locally made "clunker" stroller with bigger, thicker tires and a built-in shopping basket - because that's how the locals took their kids around town.

I'd work on getting the child used to a stroller before the trip.

+1

Italian hill towns feature steep grades, no sidewalks, and narrow streets/alleys/byways, while local families seem to opt for grandmothers instead of strollers.

Then there are cobblestones, veritable tank traps for small wheeled devices....

What about a toddler backpack instead of a stroller ?

Not for Italy. There you want one as compact as possible, for negotiating narrow, crowded streets. Look for one with a short wheel base but larger wheels and very compact size when folded.

I assume op is heading to less touristy places where crowds are less of an issue but road surface type and quality makes regular strollers nearly unusable.

Backpack is probably the most universal and flexible option but lifting and carrying is definitely not an easy task.

I'm kind of leaning towards the "small compact stroller" camp on this one. I'll add that I live in Europe and have taken my kids to Italy many times.

Instead of making my case, I'll throw out some other points;

Do you want him to nap in the stroller? Will you be out and about or do you plan to kind of hang out? Will you usually be near where you are staying to buzz back for naps?

Are you renting a car? If you'll be driving, your baby transport needs might be more conservative.

Are you planning on a lot of walking? Either city or countryside? A baby backpack is the way to go for this.

Ask around. You might be able to borrow what you need from friends or family. Baby backpacks and strollers are the kinds of items that far away grandparents and those couples who are not sure about "another one" have in their garages.

Yes, bring whatever you decide. The selection here in Europe is not good and what they do have can be expensive.

Thank you all for your feedback!

I think I was panicking a little yesterday as our little guy has a lot of energy and I didn’t think through many of the logistics of narrow, cobbled streets before posting. My mind was more what can work well in more of the open piazza’s and squares. Last year we brought our son to Milan and the Lakes area to the north (perfect pace for a 10 month old!!) and he did well in our City Mini stroller (I think it’s by Baby Jogger), but as he’s gotten older he likes the stroller less and less.

Our goal is to have something that he can both nap in and be comfy when not walking by himself, being carried or on someone’s shoulders (another advantage we have going, we are traveling with 6 total adults). We will have a car doing day trips and also spend a few days at the villa we are renting for seven of the days, so a mix of towns and the country.

I think you have all talked me down and we’ll stick with just the stroller (he definitely hates the backpack carriers). Thanks again for your feedback!

I assume op is heading to less touristy places where crowds are less of an issue but road surface type and quality makes regular strollers nearly unusable.
OP said " hill towns of Italy" - kind of like "tourist central" of Italy. The road conditions are why I posted about the locally made/sold "clunker" stroller with bigger, thicker tires.

I'm kind of leaning towards the "small compact stroller" camp on this one. I'll add that I live in Europe and have taken my kids to Italy many times.

Do you want him to nap in the stroller?

I agree - a small folding stroller can be hand-carried/slung over your shoulder with (self-made) strap and function as a temporary nap bed. Expect not to use it too much for strolling.

Few strollers work very well - the bugaboo might be an exception but is a pain to travel with.

My back is hurting just thinking about pulling a toddler all over Italy in a wagon.

Consider reins too - that way the child can run around, but is under control, espcially somewhere with narrow sidewalks when it only takes a split second for them to slip a parental hand!

stroller definately....
Will be your only chance - as some peolpe said - quite hilly in Italy maybe. On the other hand - tired child means won`t have a preference where to sleep :-)