To celebrate a few family milestones we booked our first international trip with a toddler. The planner in me watched and read a total of 30 resources preparing for long flights with toddlers, packing minimal in Europe, and sightseeing in Bologna. Perhaps a sign of my first-time jitters of embarking such a long flight with a toddler but also first international flight since the pandemic.

All in all, our flights were as smooth as flights with little ones can go and I was incredibly thankful for all the staff that guided us throughout our long flights. For our trip, I didn’t want to create a structured or packed itinerary to calculate for any unexpected circumstances due to traveling with a toddler. This approach really helped us get from each place with more ease and less pressure of falling behind or short of our goals. I really wanted to feel like we were on vacation and, again, not worry too much about schedules.

Touring through Bologna

My main goal for our trip was really to build new memories as a family and experience Italy together for the first time. Setting this intention early on helped prepare my focus as challenges were likely to occur when traveling with a little one. Sure enough, our car seat was left behind in Amsterdam, long wait lines at lost and found, flight delays, and tantrums due to jet lag were sprinkled throughout travels. But my Husband and I just somehow rolled with it and moved right along.

Because all my energy went to preparing and packing for our travel, I had very little energy and patience to research more about Bologna and places to visit. As a result, I booked a historical tour, food tour (obviously!), and because both my Hubby and I love to cook, a pasta-making class. The small nature of our tours and class, intentionally built in opportunities to get the locals’ scoop on places to visit while simultaneously learning about the rich history and foods/wines of Bologna.

I really appreciated our tours and cooking course because they weren’t large groups and our guides were very personable. I felt like we were hanging out with some new friends and it was a plus hearing firsthand about the popular places to eat or sites to see.

Pasta and Gelato Lovers Dream