Take your toddler to a passport acceptance facility to apply for his or her passport in person. Both parents must attend if both are legal guardians, unless you can provide a notarized Statement of Consent, according to Baby Center. Otherwise provide proof that you are the sole guardian. Take your toddler's birth certificate and two passport-sized photos of her taken at a professional facility.
Book a night flight to Italy if possible. Toddlers have a much easier time coping with a long flight if they can sleep through most of it, according to "Parenting" magazine--and it cuts down on tantrums and dirty looks from other passengers.
Consider investing in an AmSafe Aviation CARES, a lightweight harness for children weighing 22 to 44 pounds. The Federal Aviation Administration approves this as a safe alternative to bulky child seats for airline travel.
Pack a stroller to push your toddler around Italy; he's sure to fall asleep on long days. Take a car seat, even if you don't need it for the flight, as car rental agencies sometimes run out of car seats. "Italy with a Toddler," a Fodor's Travel Blog feature, recommends packing enough diapers for the first three days and buying more after arriving in Italy.
Grab a big carry-on bag and pack plenty of activities to keep your toddler entertained on the flight, including coloring books, stickers, hair ties or magnet toys. Take kid snacks in case the plane food doesn't satisfy. And don't forget about necessities like a change of clothes and diapers!
Give your toddler a sippy cup and a chewy snack during take off and landing to keep his ears comfortable. Change him into pajamas shortly after take-off to get him in the mood for sleeping if you're on an overnight flight.
Choose kid-friendly activities in Italy to balance the trip. This shouldn't be difficult, as Frommer's states that Italy is the friendliest family holiday spot in Europe. Toddlers will enjoy cultural sightseeing as much as parents if you make it fun. Let her toss coins into fountains and run around at parks. Sometimes all you need to do to keep her entertained is look at the sights from a kids' point of view, such as pointing out the "zebra stripes" floor of Siena's Duomo.
