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Mom, 13-yr-old daughter - crazy to consider driving vacation in Italy or France?

Mom, 13-yr-old daughter - crazy to consider driving vacation in Italy or France?

Old Mar 27th, 1998, 06:26 AM
  #1  
Rita
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Mom, 13-yr-old daughter - crazy to consider driving vacation in Italy or France?

My daughter and I are planning a trip to either Italy or France in June. I've been researching tour companies but I really like having the freedom to see what I want to see when I want to see it, not on someone else's schedule. I am leaning toward train travel but my daughter is pushing toward driving. Would this be total lunacy for me to consider? We don't speak either language but I'm a confident driver and good navigator. What about safety? Any thoughts/experiences you want to share will be greatly appreciated!
 
Old Mar 27th, 1998, 06:32 AM
  #2  
Monica
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Hello Rita,

I prefer to travel via train and bus because of the expense of renting a car, the high price of gas, and different signs, etc. being foreign to me. And when you have a car in a large city, that can be hectic because of parking problems, the speed of other drivers. I'd take the train or bus and let someone else do the driving so you can enjoy the scenery.
 
Old Mar 27th, 1998, 06:37 AM
  #3  
Monica
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Hello Rita,

I prefer to travel via train and bus because of the expense of renting a car, the high price of gas, and different signs, etc. being foreign to me. And when you have a car in a large city, that can be hectic because of parking problems, the speed of other drivers. I'd take the train or bus and let someone else do the driving so you can enjoy the scenery. Also, it probably is safer since it's just you and your 13 year old. I'd hate to see you stuck on some small road in the middle of nowhere late in the evening!
 
Old Mar 27th, 1998, 06:48 AM
  #4  
Arizona
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Let's assume that you are all of the above -- good driver, good navigator, and get along well with your child. Have you considered what you would do if you become ill? Would your 13-year-old take the wheel in a strange country, with strange signs, while local drivers whizz past you, at you, and around you? Mom, best you take the train and plan to take a lot of local tours. You can always rent a car for a day or two -- but skip the long-distance driving. Been there...done that.
 
Old Mar 27th, 1998, 10:07 AM
  #5  
BOB THE NAVIGATOR
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I disagree---the trains are too limiting, and if
you have help in your planning you will be able to
get along fine. I suggest starting and ending your
itinerary in Nice to minimize the rental car cost.
That way you can enjoy the best of France, but
spend most of your time in the best parts of Italy.
I have some ideas---give me a holler.
 
Old Mar 27th, 1998, 12:21 PM
  #6  
Neal Sanders
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Rita, my wife and I have taken many driving trips through France and Italy, and they represent some of our best vacation memories. Seeing the back roads of Tuscany, Provence, or the Burgundy region is something no tour can ever show you. In short, your daughter is on the right track. A few practical suggestions.... 1) choose one region of France or Italy to see (I'd pick Provence for a first time out). 2) get the most detailed Michelin maps you can find (the yellow ones offer the greatest detail). 3) Pick one locale for a home base. When we toured Provence, we used St. Remy as our base and made day trips to Aix, Arles, Avignon, Les Baux, Pont de Garde, Fontaine de Valcluse, etc. It saved having to constantly pack and unpack. 4) Expressway driving is expressway driving around the world -- monotonous. If you're starting in Paris or Rome, take the train to the region you're going to explore, and then pick up your car. The TGV gets you to Avignon in five hours; driving the same route is seven hours plus. There's an express from Rome that will put you in Florence in two hours, versus five or more in a car. Finally, I wouldn't worry too much about the language barrier; Those navigating skills will be the more important ones to have. A basic 200 word vocabulary (which you can acquire from a Berlitz tape) will do wonders; a phrase book will do most of the rest.
 
Old Mar 28th, 1998, 12:15 PM
  #7  
Linda
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Rita, I've done it both ways and it depends on what you want to see. If you are going to visit the big cities, Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, take the train because you won't be driving in these places! If your goal is to experience the countryside and "nontouristy" areas, then I suggest taking a car. I don't recommend Southern Italy for 2 females travelling alone. E-mail me if you have any other questions.
 
Old Mar 29th, 1998, 08:57 AM
  #8  
reb
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I'd like to reinforce the suggestion of trains, excepting a day or two side trip. You don't mention whether this is your first trip to either of these countries, but you don't speak either language. I took my daughter to Europe for the first time when she was 15; we took trains but left our itinerary somewhat flexible. I cannot imagine what it would have been like if I'd had to deal with new currency, language, cars (and really obnoxious drivers). Try a little of both. Don't forget about jet lag and driving, too. Have fun!
 
Old Mar 29th, 1998, 12:09 PM
  #9  
Joe Lomax
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If I might be so forward, check out my page posted by the people at In Italy titled: Have You Considered Driving in Italy? at:
http://www.initaly.com/travel/lomax.htm

It is not an advocate of one over the other, but give many of the considerations that the previous posts mention and a few more. The main consideration has been mentioned, what is it that YOU want to do? If you want to concentrate on the major cities, this is valid and fun. Trains with a few day trips would be a good idea. If you are more interested in the countryside you really need a car. Remember de Gaulle said, "How can one govern a country with 250 cheeses," and Italy has just as many. How would you be able to get a 'taste' for so diverse a nation without driving it. Two minor points I would like to amplify on. 1) The roads are more confusing. Even the best driver/navigator will be challenged to do both. How good is your daughter at navigation? Can she be taught/trained? 2) If there is any trip that should not be done by train if it can be avoided, it is between Rome and Florence. You can randomly throw a dart at the map between these cities and you will find at least three worthwhile sites within less than a hour's drive. I have wasted too much space as it is to go into it.
 
Old Mar 29th, 1998, 02:50 PM
  #10  
Rita
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Thanks to everyone who has responded so far! Great thoughts from all. We are still debating and researching, looking at maps, prospective itineraries, checking suggested websites, etc. Hope to make a decision this week so keep those great responses coming - they're greatly appreciated!
 
Old Mar 29th, 1998, 03:25 PM
  #11  
Reb
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Rita - Reb again here, just re read your post and the message from Joe. Of course, it what YOU want to do. I had flashes of my own trip with a 15 year old who spent a lot of time plugged into earphones. I was glad to be on trains and have the time to relax. We only went to Italy, but spent 3 weeks limiting our visit to Venice, Florence and the Casentino region. Perhaps if you base yourself in Florence for a week or so and take some day trips, driving could be quite wonderful. Our trip turned out to be a great bonding experience; she is 18 now. Enjoy the time you have with your daughter while she still wants to be with you!I hope my daughter and I can do this again SOMEDAY!
 
Old Mar 29th, 1998, 05:07 PM
  #12  
kam
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Just a few thoughts--I speak a little bit of Italian, less of French, but have driven in both countries a lot! I agree not to go to the South of Italy, not to drive into Paris or Rome and not to drive Rome/Florence. You don't say how much time you have, but a wonderful trip can be done via car either flying to London and then Pisa to visit Tuscany, returning the car in your final destination at Florence, or flying into Milan and just doing train to the lakes, Verona (Romeo and Juliet???) and then Venice. The stuff a 13 years old's dreams are made of!! I find the northern Italians very welcoming and respectful of a mom and daughter together. My son and I have travelled a bit together, I find that you need to reduce your expectations by at least 1/2 over those with another adults and be prepared to only see a fraction of the wonderful and most recommended sites. (we had a deal--one hour max at the Uffizi--a shame, but I have been there before, will go again, and perhaps now he will also! Likewise David was a 20 minute maximum visit!) Things like the pizza at a small cafe in Verona, the boat ride to the Lido and a day on the beach in Venice etc. become the highlights of such a trip. I would recommend getting her involved in the planning and research and giving her a 40%25 sayso in all the decisions (you are the adult, after all!!) Have a great trip--hopefully you end up with great memories of a special time.
 
Old Mar 30th, 1998, 05:16 PM
  #13  
cirving
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Hi!... Two years ago I flew to Paris and the rented a car. I drove to Geneva and stopped many times along the way to partake in the scenery and food. I speak not French or Italian. In fact, I have a severe/profound hearing loss, so communication was a problem at times. After I got to Switzerland, I drove around and eventually ended back in Strasbourg, France. I then took the train to Italy. I had a wonderful time: in fact it was so much fun that I did it again a few monthgs later with MY mother. italy is no place for cars. But France, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria... all of it was wonderful and the freedom of a car helped. I would suggest a rail and ride pass. They really are great.
 
Old Apr 6th, 1998, 12:21 PM
  #14  
Alistair Bear
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I'm not a bear or man but a woman likely your age. I drove in France this year and had no problem at all
if you have a good navigator. The roads are excellent and I found the small rental cars very easy to handle. Do not attempt driving in Paris for
any reason. Best thing is stay outside and take the
train in but for all other places driving is fine. If your daughter is a Leonardo DiCaprio fan and has seen "The Man in the Iron Mask" you can visit that palace. It is all filmed at "Vaux-Le-Vicomte" near Fontainbleau (closer to Melun actually) but Fontainbleau is a really lovely city to stay in with
great train service into Paris. Fontainbleau is where Napoleon lived and has great restaurants and the little takeaway crepes are very nice. Sorry I can't help with Italy.
 
Old Apr 6th, 1998, 03:25 PM
  #15  
Rita
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Thanks to everyone who responded. You were a great help! We've decided to give it a try and are now deciding which country, itinerary, etc. Nothing like trying to turn into an adventurer in middle age!
 
Old Apr 25th, 1998, 01:30 PM
  #16  
Dorothy
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You and your daughter must have a very close relationship because I think I would be driven to madness (I'm sixteen) if I were confined to a car with my family. I do have a close relationship with my mother and the rest of my family, but I couldn't stand it when we drove halfway across the country to New York. I guess the deciding factor will be our trip this summer to London. I would probably choose train traveling as opposed to traveling by car. I wish you and your daughter the best of luck and have a nice trip!
 
Old Aug 25th, 1998, 03:28 PM
  #17  
Louise
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Sounds like a great trip...We have done driving trips in Eastern France (Alsace,
Jura, Haute Savoie, Provence), and in Tuscany - it was the best! I agree that Southern Italy is not prudent for two women and you couldn't PAY me to drive in Paris or Rome, although we did drive into Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca without problems.
We normally pick a place, rent a house or villa or apt and daytrip from there.
Train travel is great but you are subject to very limited schedules(and slow buss connections) when you go to the tiny most interesting villages.

Check out the site www.travelreview.com for some good links for France and Italy. Be sure to see the lavender fields if you'll be in Provence in August!
 

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