JDiff

I am going to be traveling to Italy with my grandparents and cousins during June. I am a teenager, and so are my cousins. Honestly, I am only going because it means so much to them. I am not the kind of person who enjoys sightseeing, and I cannot speak or understand a single word of Italian. We will be traveling in Rome and the Tuscany region. Is there anything for teenagers to do in Italy? I really want to make the best of this trip. Even if I am bored, I intend to keep my mouth shut about it, but it would be nice if I weren't bored in the first place. I would like to know if there are things for teenagers who cannot speak the language to do that don't cost a lot to do. I understand that seeing soccer games is out since the season ends in May. I have been researching Italy, and the only things I am finding are museums or ruins.

Finecheapboxofwine

Not many of us that travel can speak the language of the country we are traveling to so don't let that get you down or worried. You are a young person and young people in Italy are generally open and eager to train their English (from my experience). Start out by being positive about the trip! Maybe this is a chance to learn a few words of a foreign language or ruins that you never thought or knew about until now. Take Pompeii, for instance, FASCINATING stuff! The opportunity sounds pretty cush to me Why do you think you will be bored? You might have some down time if your Grandparents aren't on the go all the time but you could put that time to use, no? Surely you can Google and find SOMETHING that interests you!

Dukey1

Actually, when you finally GET to Italy I think you may be surprised at just how much Italian you already understand or can easily figure out. And a lot of Italians, especially those of your age speak plenty of English and would enjoy nothing better than to interact with someone who speaks "real English."

Are you going to actually have any time to yourself? I personally think watching a soccer game which you can see on TV would wasting an opportunity but perhaps it is too soon for that realization. Just go and enjoy BEING there; the depth will come later.

JDiff

I actually did want to see Pompeii, but I was told we would not be traveling in that direction.

JDiff

For the majority of the time we will be in the Tuscany region. From what I understand the only things to do are eat good food, see the leaning tower of Pisa, and go to museums. If we were only going for a week, that might be fine, but we will be going for 2 weeks.

JDiff

No, I won't have any time to myself, but my grandparents are asking each of us to research things we would like to see or do. My cousins can't find anything, and the only things that really seemed interesting to me were Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the coliseum in Rome. Since we will be traveling north, Pompeii and Herculaneum are out. We will get to see the coliseum.

JDiff

I have already googled this, and that is why I am asking for help. I can't find anything by googling the Tuscany region that looks even slightly interesting. From what I can tell it is mostly pretty scenery and good food.

JDiff

I guess I should tell you the kinds of things I enjoy in order for you to help me a little more. I am very action oriented. I love sports, especially live games. I enjoy theater and music, but I would not enjoy theater or music in a foreign language because I would not be able to follow what is happening.

JDiff

I like to DO things rather than SEE things, with the exceptions I just mentioned.

jamikins

I recommend going to the library or book store and look through guidebooks for the areas you are going to see. I would hope that something would grab your interest.

You may want to read some of these threads:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop...ome_Lazio.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/ar...teenagers.html

http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal...ed-tour-guide/

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-teenagers.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...with-teens.cfm

http://customtuscany.com/2011/06/tra...e-and-tuscany/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop...y-Tuscany.html

http://travelersc.com/tuscany-perfec...ive-teenagers/

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-tuscany.cfm

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract...ome_Lazio.html

http://www.timeout.com/rome/features...-to-do-in-rome

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract...s-Tuscany.html

http://goitaly.about.com/b/2007/09/2...in-tuscany.htm

jamikins

Honestly with your attitude as it is coming across here the nicest thing to do may be to tell your grandparents that you are not interested at this time and to save their money. There is nothing worse on a trip for everyone than someone who isnt interested and doesnt want to be there.

JDiff

You may be right, jamikins, but they already spent the money on the tickets, so I don't want them to throw it away entirely. I honestly don't enjoy traveling.

JDiff

The kayaking activity in one of the links you posted looks like fun. I had already seen most of those things that you posted, but I missed that one.

mjdh1957

If you go determined not to enjoy it and be miserable, then that is what will happen and even if you keep your mouth shut your grandparents will pick up on that and you will ruin the experience for them as well.

So, the choice is yours. Be miserable, or find things to do that you enjoy, and go on this trip determined to enjoy it and be open to new experiences.

If you're only a teenager, how do you know you don't enjoy travel? Where have you been that was so terrible that it's ruined your ability to enjoy new experiences?

ellenem

You might begin by learning a little Italian, since being able to greet people properly, or understand numbers will be helpful to you if you go shopping or have to pay for anything. This is a free 100-lesson course, just 5 minutes per lesson, geared at travelers.

http://radiolingua.com/shows/italian...hrase-italian/

Do you know exactly where you will be staying in Tuscany? We could advise you better is we knew the location.

Part of what is interesting to me when I visit a foreign land is just the way life works. I love to go into a supermarket or other shop and see the different products that are available and the different ways services are provided. Even riding the local bus or train can be an interesting adventure if you don't ride them at home.

JDiff

I have been drug along on other trips in the past. That's how I know I don't care for traveling. However, I am determined to make this work. That is why I asked for help. We are not staying in any particular place. We will be in Rome for a couple of days and then we will travel through the countryside of Tuscany by car.

jamikins

I enjoy photography, so maybe you could incorporate something like that into your travels that you do enjoy? Photography can be fun no matter where you are, and trying to capture where you are might be interesting to you?

jamikins

Tuscany is a very large place - can you find out where your lodging is going to be? It is pretty difficult to come up with things to do if you dont know exactly where you will be.

You could also recommend getting a place with a pool and having some down town each afternoon in Tuscany around the pool to give you some time to chill and read or whatever?

JDiff

Thank you for the link with the Italian lessons.

JDiff

I do like photography a lot, actually. That is a really good idea. I was worried about taking my camera, but I guess I should do it anyway.