Can We Make Our Children Happy Too?
 

I need to know if this is something "do-able". <BR>We are going to Italy for two weeks next summer. <BR>Our first trip to Europe. <BR>We will be in Rome our first week (already have rented an apt.) <BR>For our second week, we have chosen a beach area south of Rome, rather that north. <BR>Mainly because my husband wants to do Pompeii, etc.and the area looks/sounds lovely. <BR>Now the children(will be 10 and 13) have expressed a big desire to see Pisa (the tower)and seem dissapointed to learn it is not on our itinerary. <BR>Is it at all possible to get there, during our week in Rome? <BR>Take a train early am, return late in day? <BR>We would not want to do an overnight. <BR>Or is this just something we tell them we will try to do if we get to Italy again sometime? <BR>Thanks, <BR>Nancy

As best I can find out, the train trip to Pisa from Rome is about 3 hours. <BR> <BR>If your children have an interest in Pisa because of the Leaning Tower, and know something of the tower's place in history, why would you NOT take them to see it? <BR> <BR>I will admit that the town itself has less to offer than many other Italian towns. But the tower, because of the engineering efforts to keep it from listing farther and probably falling all together, and because it was the scene of Gallileo's famous experiment, is a noteworth tourist attraction. <BR> <BR>If this is a dad only trip, with his wishes paramount and the wishes of others ignored, then I have indeed a few choice words!!

Dear Bob, <BR>Thank you very much for first part of your response. <BR>But you sure got alittle touchy with that "dad only" remark. <BR>We had a choice of going north or south after Rome. <BR>Neither of the children or I, had a preference since we were only looking for a relaxing week at the beach with a few side trips, interspersed. <BR>Any part of Italy will be wonderful to see. <BR>Our traveling style is not the " See 5 cities in 10 days" type. <BR>Since Pompeii came up as a site to see, we chose to go south. <BR>Even though my husband and I would LOVE to do more traveling in our two weeks,and see more sites, <BR>We know our children would not have such a good time moving around alot, <BR>They like to settle in and stay put. <BR>Hence, one week in Rome, <BR>One week at the beach. <BR>So, Thank you for your concern, but you can relax, <BR>There is not need for your "few choice words" <BR>Nancy <BR>

A good part of making a vacation enjoyable for youngsters is getting them involved in the planning. Perhaps, if you get them doing some reading about where you're planning on going they'll find some things that seem better than the Leaning Tower. <BR> <BR>If not, it doesn't seem like a terrible disruption of your vacation to spend a day outside of Rome on jaunt to Pisa and back. If you do add this to your plans, though, do make sure the youngsters research Pisa and the tower thoroughly and become Mom and Dad's expert guides for the trip. <BR> <BR>Frankly, I think the tower and Pisa are much ado about nothing. But your youngsters aren't the first travelers to have their minds set on seeing a particularly thing as a priority far above anything else, or what it deserves. <BR> <BR>In the end, you and Dad have to strike the balance between 'catering' and including ... but the whole vacation will be a bit more pleasant for all if all have a chance to contribute to the plans. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com <BR>

Thanks Ed, <BR>This really is what we have in mind. <BR>We are trying to make planswhich take all of us into consideration. <BR>If we made plans revolving around my daughter, we would eat gelati,see puppetshows,SHOP for toys, books, clothes and jewelry.and occasionally see the sites <BR>If we made plans around my son, we would eat pizza all day, then eat gelati all day and then go "hang out"look at pretty girls and occasionally see the sites. <BR>If we planned this trip around my husband, ...you get the point. <BR>So we are indeed trying to strike a balance between what we want to see and do. <BR>AND what is practical to see and do. <BR>There are thousands of places to go in Italy! <BR>I am just trying to figure out if it would be a "do-able" day trip. <BR>If anyone has done this , or has advice on the actual "How do we get there and back" I would love to hear from you <BR>Thank you, <BR>Nancy

Dear Nancy, <BR> Just returned from a 'Taste of Europe' trip to London, Paris and Rome with my family, kids ages 9, 15 and 18. <BR>All 3 enjoyed Rome the most, and all (even the 9 year old) were mesmorized by the free Coliseum/Forum tour. They even requested that we sign up for the 2 hour night tour of sites in Rome. Their 2nd favorite site was Pompeii, but our tour guide had a thick accent and it was difficult for them to understand him. <BR> <BR>I was in Europe as a student many years ago, made a special side trip to Pisa, and was very disappointed. <BR> <BR>I think you have chosen well!!! <BR>

Nancy, <BR> <BR>Your plan sounds great, but I have an alternate suggestion. <BR> <BR>Have you looked into the Cinque Terre region or the south end of the Italian Riviera? I loved the Amalfi coast and there is alot to do but it seemed to be a little more adult level touring (but,I was not looking for teen age pursuits). <BR> <BR>It may be easier to do a bus tour from Rome to Pompeii - this is a commen offering - then a day trip to Pisa (which I agree with the others is the only disappointing site I have seen in Italy). <BR> <BR>If you stayed to the north you could do a quick stop in Pisa on the way north - there are also several towns which have less tourist infested roman ruins on the way to or back. There would also be alot more options for day trips from these towns. The Cinque Terre has hiking paths which connect the 5 towns. It may be fun to go to a different beach each day. <BR> <BR>You sound like great parents. My parents did a similiar trip with us and it is a treasured memory. <BR> <BR>Aileen <BR> <BR>

Robin and Aileen, <BR>Robin, <BR>Thanks for the Pisa advice. <BR>Already, children being children , they aren't even that gung ho on the Tower today. <BR>Big Question! <BR>You mentioned two hr. night tours. <BR>What are they about, where are they, how do I find out info. <BR>Did you do one? <BR>Aileen, <BR>Thanks for the alternate suggestions. <BR>The area we are going to is *not* the Almafi Coast. <BR>That area is South of Naples. <BR>We will be in the area north of Naples, but South of Rome. <BR>There sounds as if there will be enough of sites to see in that area to keep all of us more than happy. <BR>I also know that after a week in Rome, my children will be more than happy to swim in the pool, play on the beach, eat, watch italian tv, and just veg. <BR>Plus, Gaeta has a U.S. Naval Base,my son loves naval ships, so that may occupy us for a morning. <BR>I hope my children have happy memories like you do. <BR>that is why we are trying to balance our trip, and not get hyped up on "Things We Must See" <BR>It really does sound to me that pisa will probably be a place we visit on a next trip, when we do a more northern trip to Italy. <BR>Nancy

We had the same dilemna this last summer. And we chose to make a 2 hour drving detour to see the tower, and gave up the opportunity to go to the Lake Como area. (our children are 15 and 11). We were all prepared for a level of dispppointment as suggested by almost everyone in guidebooks and this forum. However, we are all glad we did take that detour. So many people say "don't see Stonehenge" We saw Stonehenge, and were impressed. So many people say "don't see the Leaning Tower of Pisa". But when travel is rare as it is for families, it is a thrill to see famous landmarks, even if they are disappointing in size, or history, or ambiance. And there was amazingly tasty food at good prices on the side streets.

For your daytrip to Pisa, Nancy, you'd have the following options: <BR> <BR>a) leave Rome on the 8:05am InterCity train, arriving at 11:20am; leave Pisa on the 5:39pm IC, arriving back in Rome at 8:57pm. <BR> <BR>b) leave Rome on the 10:04am IC, arriving at 1:20pm; back on the 6:35pm EuroStar, arriving at 9:27pm <BR> <BR>Both options would give you about 5 hours "usable" time to visit the Leaning Tower and else. <BR> <BR>Just to complete the picture, there's also an ES train leaving Pisa at 8:31pm, arriving at 11:30pm. <BR> <BR>When my daughters first visited Pisa they were a few years older than yours. They were really impressed with the Camposanto. This was completely blown to pieces by a WW2 bomb. Restauration works are underway on a continued basis on the site, giving one a chance to see how this is done. They were impressed to see the famous fresco cycle by a 14th Century artist restored from the rubble as shown in a photo. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Thank you so to Jet and Paolo! <BR>You both have given me a different perspective on this proposed sidetrip. <BR>It was good to hear your personal experiences with your children. <BR>And Paolo!! <BR>I have read your postings, and noticed how helpful you are. <BR>Grazie Mille ! for the schedule of trains. <BR>This gives me a very real idea of how the day/trip would go. <BR>Again, <BR>Thank you to all on this site ,who are ever so helpful. <BR>Nancy

Paulo, <BR>First an apology for misspelling your name,twice! <BR>Second, <BR>Do either of those trains have dining cars? <BR>It seems that a good part of the traveling would take place during at least one mealtime,if not two. <BR>Children tend to need food when they get hungry, and aren't as adept at waiting to eat as adults can be. <BR>If no food available, we can bring some along with us, or buy some in Pisa. <BR>thanks again, <BR>Nancy

First of all, if you are going to Pompeii please try to also see Herculaneum on your way to the coast. (might have more appeal to kids as there is more preserved--and the illustrations more interesting in the little museum there) I am thinking you are probably going to Sorrento? Kids like different types of transportation--how about the hydrofoil over to Capri and your husband will be interested to see Hadrian's Villa there. Perhaps the kids would like the Blue Grotto? For adults a bit of hoopla over not much, but it's touristy and a thing they could tell friends about on return. If they must have the Leaning Tower and you're willing then you've gotten good advice here. Do they know that they would not be able to climb it? I'm thinking that perhaps most of the appeal is that it's such a commonly recognized thing in Italy. I also would assign them the task of learning to order the gelati and learn the correct pronounciation of the various flavors. They sould know how to request so many (numbers) of gelati or a single gelato--as in "I would like" and how to say "thank you"at the end. Sometimes learning occurs at all kinds of curious levels! Have a great time--been to Italy many times with my kids and we always had fun.

Kam, <BR>Lots of good points. <BR>My husband was really more interested in Herculaneum, but I was too lazy to look up the spelling(!). <BR>We aren't going to Sorrento, but the Sperlonga-Gaeta area. <BR>I was actually going to post a new thread asking advice about going out to an island during our "beach " part of the vacation. <BR>Would Ischia be worth a trip for the children? <BR>Or Procida? <BR>Or would Capri be better? <BR>Will look up Blue Grotto, don't know about it. <BR>Yes, I did tell them ,no climbing the Tower. <BR>I think their interest is in seeing a building of that size slanting! <BR>Just the boat ride would be fun for all of us. <BR>My children already have a list with words they want to learn, and words I want them to learn. <BR>Learning as much of the language I can is very important to me,and my children must know the polite greetings,to enquire about one's "health", how to apologize, say they are lost, and words for any foods they will want to eat (no gelati unless they can ask for it!) <BR>I am so glad to know you and your children have enjoyed yourselves. <BR>we think this will be a really *fun* time for *all* of us, no matter where we go or don't go. <BR>Thanks for the input. <BR>Nancy <BR>

Nancy, <BR> <BR>If you do decide to go to Capri make sure you go up to Ana Capri which is the smaller town at the top of the island. From there you can take a chair lift up to the very top of the island. The views are amazing and the ride is fun. <BR> <BR>Aileen <BR> <BR>

Aileen, <BR>Sounds like a great idea, if we do Capri. <BR>Did a search here and some liked Capri, some thought it too packed with tourists, and it does seem that the Blue Grotto is very weather dependent. <BR>But a few others also mentioned the spectacular view that you mentioned. <BR>Nancy

Nancy, if I post on this thread, will you reply and thank me too?

Nancy, <BR>We took a detour on a drive from Nice to Florence so our kids (11 & 13) could see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was one of the only things that they really said they wanted to do. They were excited to see it, but we only stayed in the area a couple of hours and moved on. They love to show their friends their picture leaning like the tower. <BR> <BR>We also went to Rome (on a 3 week vacation through France & Italy). I second the recommendation for the free tour at the Forum. Our college student, Sarah, was fantastic. The kids had a living classroom and learned about the rise and fall of Rome right before their eyes. You can buy these small books that show before and after pictures of the sights around Rome. Make sure you have that and they can follow along on the tour. It was definitely a highlight of the trip for them! <BR> <BR>Have a great time - we loved it!

Nancy, Herculaneum is the old ancient name, Ercolano is the modern city nearby. There are exhibits of bodies found in the ashes as well as better preserved ruins that would probably appeal to teens. I recall that Pompeii was destroyed by the ash and lava flows from the volcano but Herculaneum was destroyed by the poisonous fumes and then later the ash. The residents had much more time to try to flee and the town still has mosaics and frescos. It also was a seaside resort for the wealthy and so the houses are very decorated and interesting. I don't know much about Gaeta except it is famous for its olives, but you might want to take a look at Sorrento as an alternative. That would allow you to explore down into the Amalfi Coast as well. Life is a compromise when you travel with teenagers, but remember you're paying the bills and so you're in charge ultimately!! Good luck.

Nancy, Just between us....the Tower of Pisa is not that tall--don't know the actual height, but maybe 8 stories,max, for us? I think the kids might have a distorted view of this. It's certainly not huge! I love Italy and have relatives there and so never want to criticize it, but the Leaning Tower is not too much to see!