Beatle Bambino

John was on tour with The Beatles in Germany, Japan, and the Philippines from June 23th until July 8th of 1966.

During this time, Cynthia decided to take a short vacation to Pesaro, Italy. Her mother, Lillian, was recently there (which is rather surprising as she was mostly attached to her daughter's hip) and fell in love with the place; she encouraged her daughter to go. So, why not? It would also be Julian's first vacation abroad. 

Part of a letter from Cynthia on a plane to Italy to the housekeeper Dot and her family in Weybridge, 1966. The rest of the letter was not published publicly.

Another letter from Cynthia from the hotel in Pesaro to the housekeeper Dot and her family in Weybridge, 1966

According to the letters above, Julian did not travel easily. He got scared of the loud jets, he got scared of his first real taste of the paparazzi, and he drove his mother crazy! However, once Julian got the hang of the fun, he had a blast! As mentioned in the letters, he played with anyone in sight while on the beach and didn't want to return home. But, then, the opportunity to be on the beach was short-lived. Beatle-fans realized that John's wife and son were in town... whenever Julian was happily playing in the sand, he got mobbed by fans wanting to see and hold the Beatle Bambino. Julian would shriek in terror, Cynthia coming to the rescue. Cynthia, Lillian, and Julian were staying at the Palace Hotel in Pesaro, it was managed by Mr. and Mrs. Bassanini. They took pity and became very protective of Cynthia and Julian, taking them to quieter and peaceful areas to have a meal, shop, and enjoy the country. They also introduced Cynthia to their son, Roberto. But it wasn't love at first sight, more like a passing greet. This was 1966 when John was still very much was with Cynthia and Yoko Ono did not yet exist. 

"It was in Italy that poor little Julian had his first real taste of Beatlemania, all due to the fact that some clever photographer who must have been tipped off about our holiday took lots of candid happy family shots of me carrying a very frightened little boy from one plane to the connecting flight at the airport. It wasn't long before Italian magazines splashed those photographs all over Italy. If anyone could have done with a strong, strapping road manager it was us. Luckily the owners of the small hotel we were staying at were incredibly kind. There was nothing they wouldn't do for our protection and their names were Signora and Signore Bassanini. Julian was treated like their own child and we were cared for as one of their own family. They took us out to eat. at the most typical Italian restaurants; wined and dined us in a wonderful fashion. Our problems only arose on the beach. One moment Julian would be playing happily in the sand, the next he would be in the center of a screaming crowd of people trying to kiss the Beatle bambino or lift him up. The child was terrified. His screams would alert me to the danger and we would have to make a very hurried and angry exit from the scene. This happened daily. The poor kid became a nervous wreck before the holiday was over, and it was with relief that we returned home, suntanned but far from relaxed."

Cynthia, 1978 from her book A Twist of Lennon 

(A similar story in her 2005 book, John)

Cynthia and a scared Julian while at the airport to go to Italy while John was tour with The Beatles, 1966

According to Cynthia's A Twist of Lennon book, around this time John wrote a homesick letter (like he did in August of 1965, missing Julian) to Cynthia, encouraging her to have no one there but John, Cynthia, and Julian when he returned home. It was also the same time John bought Cynthia a jade ring (as posted about in From Me, To You post) that she kept till her dying day. Of course, John must have known that Cynthia and Julian went to Italy, though he hadn't publicly acknowledged it that I know of. 

Cynthia has said in both books that Lillian, herself, and Julian arrived back in England about the same time as John. 

The Beatles arriving back in England after their tour in Germany, Japan, and the Philippines on July 8, 1966. About the same time Cynthia, Lillian, and Julian returned home from Italy.