Someone asked me recently about the very first time we travelled with our kids and wow… that question took me straight back to 2023.

So sit back, grab a coffee (or a gelato), because this one is a proper trip down memory lane. 

At the time, Z was 2 years old and E had just turned 1. Tiny humans. Big emotions. Even bigger opinions from everyone around me. 

I remember trying to plan this trip and honestly? Most people told me I was crazy. 
“Rome with two under-twos?” 
“That sounds hard.” 
“Why would you do that to yourself?” 

But the travel bug in me had been on ice for way too long. I didn’t want to wait until the “perfect time” (spoiler: it doesn’t exist). I just wanted to travel again. 

So in true travel fashion… I said YOLO, ignored the noise, and booked our first-ever family trip to Rome. 

Tip: Take the leap of faith 

Worst case? You learn something. 
Best case? You unlock a whole new way of travelling as a family. 
(And yes, both can happen on the same trip.) 

The Airport Reality Check (Birmingham, I’m Looking at You) 

We flew from Birmingham Airport on a Jet2 flight and let me tell you… this was my first eye-opener. 

Early flight booked. 
Arrived nice and early. 
All calm. All peaceful. 
Cue dramatic music.

The moment we hit security it felt like I was queuing for a festival headline act. One queue. Three flights. Everyone funnelled into a corridor that wasn’t moving. At all. Like sardines. With carry-ons. 

Meanwhile, I’m trying to entertain two toddlers with: games, snacks, and endless episodes of Bing (if you know, you know). 

From what I could see, priority access seemed reserved for people that were nowhere to be seen, which left me wondering why I bothered booking an early flight if I was just going to stand in a corridor for nearly an hour questioning my life choices. 

Mini tip: 

At check-in, ask for assistance before heading to security. Don’t assume. Ask. Learn from me. 

First Flight With Kids: Character Building Stuff 

Let’s skip ahead to the flight because… whew. 
This tested my patience, willpower, and inner calm. 

It was the kids’ first time on a plane and we learned the hard way: 

screaming  

restlessness  

“maybe everyone was right” thoughts  

There was a moment – mid-air, mid-meltdown – where that tiny voice in my head whispered, “You could still turn back mentally.”
But no. YOLO. Persevere. We move. 

✈️ Pro Tip: Mental preparedness is everything 

Depending on the child, expect screaming, tantrums, and restlessness. It’s all part of travelling with kids. 

Avoid sweet treats before and during the flight 

Preload tablets with their favourite shows 

Pack more snacks than you think you need 

Mini tip: Ignore some passengers. 
Yes, there will be huffing. Puffing. Side-eye like you’re back in a playground. 
If they can’t be patient with kids… that’s why headphones were invented. 

FINALLY… Rome 🇮🇹 

Landing in Rome felt like a victory. 

Security was a breeze thanks to a family priority line – and I just stood there thinking, looking at you, Birmingham Airport.

We grabbed directions to our Airbnb (yes, we’ve been about that Airbnb life from day one) and opted for the train instead of a taxi. 

🚆 Mini Tip: Use public transport 

Depending on where you’re staying, taxis can get pricey. Public transport is cheaper and gives you a real feel for the city. 

The train system was easy to navigate and honestly? It kept the kids entertained. 
Beats sitting in traffic after being cooped up on a plane. 

Where We Stayed: Trevi Fountain Luxury Home 

We stayed at the Trevi Fountain Luxury Home and it was perfectly located. 
Tucked away from the madness but still walking distance to attractions, train stations, shops, cafés, and restaurants – all within five minutes. 

Perfect for those “we need snacks immediately”moments. 

Day 1: Culture, Crowds & Carbs 

Once we settled in, we went straight into immerse-yourself mode. 

Let me just say this quietly first: 
*pizza pizza pizza everywhere*

There. Had to get that off my chest. 

Highlights: 

Trevi Fountain – walking distance but very crowded. Those narrow pavements were not designed for buggies. 

Pizza di Pietra

Pantheon

Fontana del Moro

Navona Square – the rain made an appearance, but once it stopped you’d find me jumping in puddles with the kids. Not sure who enjoyed it more. 

Palazzo Montecitorio

Spanish Steps – great views, perfect coffee stop, prime people-watching… or let your kids run up the steps like Rocky. You know the drill. 

Palazzo Barberini

Yes, I know what you’re thinking – that’s a lot for day one. 
But the attractions are close together, walkable, and public transport fills the gaps nicely. 

Food? Everywhere. 
And honestly… we lived off pizza and gelato. 
*gelato gelato gelato everywhere* 

Somewhere between juggling crowds, buggies, and pizza stops, I realised how much of this trip was pure trial and error.  

If you’re planning family travel and want fewer hard lessons than I had, I’ve put all my best tips and shortcuts into my travel guide – you can find it here. Consider it learning from my chaos. 

Day 2: Colosseum Chaos (With a Side of Rain) 

The Colosseum deserves the hype. Grand. Breathtaking. Packed with history. 

Mini tip: 

Pay for priority access. Crowds + queues + kids = nobody wins. 

Of course, the weather had other plans. 
The skies opened up and suddenly thousands of people were running around like headless chickens trying to find shelter. Kids yelling, rain everywhere, parents ducking under anything with a roof. 

But in the chaos, the place came alive. 

This was before my content creator days, so Instagram-perfect shots weren’t even on my mind. I was just fully present, soaking it all in. 

Accessibility-wise, the area around the Colosseum is solid – ramps, lifts, no major struggles. 

Arch of Constantine – sitting right next door to the Colosseum and impressive in its own right, even if it does give a “history’s greatest hits” kind of feel. We didn’t get long to admire it though – the rain was relentless. One quick snap, a mental note to come back one day, and we were off in search of shelter like everyone else. 

Rain eventually won, so we called it a day and defaulted to: Pizza. Gelato. Souvenir shopping. 
Because let’s be real – kids love pizza and gelato. Everything else is a negotiation. 

Day 3: Vatican Wonders & Garden Wins 

Castel Sant’Angelo

Vatican City

St Peter’s Basilica – stunning architecture, heavy crowds, and influencers. Lots of influencers. Milan energy all over again. 

Porta Santa

Sphere Within a Sphere – this was a surprise hit with the kids. Less crowded, beautiful gardens, and that giant sphere? Big win. 

The Honest Wrap-Up 

Rome was a brilliant first trip for us. 

Looking back now, while planning for 2026, I can see how much this trip shaped us. Rome wasn’t just our first family holiday – it was the trip that taught me how to travel with kids, how to slow down, and how to embrace the chaos instead of fighting it. Every trip since has been easier because of what Rome taught us. 

I learned through the school of hard knocks. Rome is rich in history, architecture, culture, shopping, and yes – content creation dreams too. 

Is it child-friendly? In parts. 
Some stations were tricky with a buggy, and those beautiful cobbled streets will absolutely test your cardio. Narrow pavements. Steep climbs. Sweat guaranteed.

But would I do it again? 
Absolutely. Just with a few tweaks. 

Pro Tips From Experience 

• Opt for baby carriers or slings instead of strollers 
• Location, location, location – stay central 
• Travel between April–June for better weather 
• Make time for the outlet shopping centre – bargains galore (wallet approval pending) 

💥 Shameless Plug (Because Why Not) 

Some of the lessons I learned on this trip? I wish I’d known before we travelled. 
So I put them all into my travel guide – real tips, real hacks, no fluff. 

For more family travel tips and shortcuts, check out my travel guide here:
The Ultimate Guide to Travelling Europe with Kids

Support the cause, save yourself some stress, and help me build this little travel empire – one chaotic family trip at a time.

• Rome With Kids: Our First Family Trip, Honest Lessons & What I’d Do Differently (AKA the One That Tested Us)
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