Travelling to Tuscany with Baby

Dear Siena House, We are taking our first vacation with baby this Summer. We are planning to visit Tuscany. We stumbled upon your place online and it looks super. Is Tuscany a good place to visit with a baby? Do you accept bookings with infants – and if so could you please let us know what equipment you might have available for us to use?

Dear Tuscany traveller…

Tuscany is certainly a good place to visit with a baby-as we have experienced; babies and small children are genuinely welcome almost everywhere. Be prepared that your little one will be cooed over ubiquitously; the Italians adore children and don’t hide it. The only serious imperfection I can think of around these parts is the rarity of baby changing facilities in the small hill towns, even in the larger cities: Something that you’ll need to be prepared for.

We would be delighted to welcome your family to the house. We have children ourselves, now aged 19 and 8 years, and we too came to Tuscany with a little one—way back when we arrived with our three-month-old daughter, back in 2004. At the house, we welcome several couples with babies each year—often returning guests who’ve stayed during their honeymoon and who opt to travel to a known location for their first trip abroad with baby. Knowing where you are going to, and what is available for you in terms of welcome, ambience, service, and equipment—makes the experience more relaxing.

Why Here?

As you have never been here before, a tiny bit of background might give you the picture. Siena House is not a typical hotel or villa, but somewhere between the two: More service than a plain villa rental and more homely amenities than a typical hotel. We are in a great location for exploring, yet the immediate situation is perfect for lazy days ‘at home’ with comfortable rooms and homely amenities. Appreciated most of all by young families, we have a fully equipped modern kitchen, just for guests in the garden that we call The Summer Kitchen. Inside, there are two full kitchens. For those staying on the first floor, a dishwasher kettle and small work surface, convenient for washing baby’s bottles. In all bedrooms, full black out shutters as well as A/C and mosquito screens on all windows aid restful sleep for the whole family.

The Summer Kitchen: Guest kitchen in an outbuilding.

The Pool

Our pool is salt water, not chlorine. At poolside and on the South West lawn/terrace we use Australian ‘Shade Sails’ which filter 95% of UV light from above. The pool is set within soft lawns and is fully enclosed by a fence in a sheltered, scenic spot.

Amenities for baby travellers

We have a lot of equipment for babies. Baby Beds: for children aged 0–6 months, we have the new NEXT2ME newborn ‘sidecar’ bed by Chicco [2] ideal for breastfeeding mothers as they can be positioned directly at bedside. We have a few soft, high-sided standard baby and toddler beds [2] that work fine for children up to 3 years old. Baby beds should be reserved in advance, so that they’re already set up and in place for your arrival-and for baby’s nap. For older children, a single bed can be added. Our extra bed prices are very reasonable. Something very helpful that we offer to long-ish stays booked direct is a complimentary laundry service. Clothes are air, not machine, dried.

For days out, we have quite a bit of stuff: A few soft, washable baby carriers ideal for newborns: Two Wilkinet soft baby carriers and one Ergobaby baby carrier. For babies and toddlers, we have a classic [and I mean classic….] Bugaboo Frog stroller that you can borrow. It’s old, but it looks fine, and it works! For dining, we have two sturdy high chairs for babies old enough to sit, and a couple of large floor cushions that can keep a tiny baby comfortable, allowing you to sit [and enjoy your breakfast]. For bathing, two of our rooms have bath tubs, and and we have a baby bath that works well when placed in shower [with a cushion beside it for mum or dad] in either of the other two rooms.

Never hesitate to contact us, if you’re interested, but not sure where to start: It’s our pleasure to help. malvintyler@gmail.com

Which room should we book?

First choice for new parents with a newborn or toddler is often the Florence Double, accessed directly from the garden. Siena Luxury Double is a little larger, with a king-size bed and better views. If baby sleeps in his or her own room, The Montepulciano Suite with two bedrooms and bathroom with both shower and bath tub might be attractive. Montepulciano can accept up to 4 adults, and is priced as such—but you should not hesitate to contact Amanda about rates for the two of you plus baby. For more luxury or during less reliable weather, consider the Cortona Junior Suite. If you are travelling with extended family, consider the Chianti Suite, a two-bedroom two-bathroom suite that can sleep 4 adults and 2 children. For a big family get together, the Tuscany Suite [our group rate] makes an excellent alternative to a villa rental. You can book 4–6 bedrooms for 8–12 adults plus several children, and be the only guests. Whatever you might be considering, contact Amanda to check that you are booking at the most advantageous rate that is available for your stay.