FAMILY RAIL TRIP (Kids 12 & 14) Creating our own amazing race
Apr 27th, 2011, 09:50 PM
#21
>>>Train reservations are done... so... as I mentioned.... I am not looking for help with trains.<<<
How could train reservations be done when you don't even know what day you are going to Pompeii?
Constructive criticism is helpful.
How could train reservations be done when you don't even know what day you are going to Pompeii?
Constructive criticism is helpful.
Apr 27th, 2011, 10:37 PM
#22
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Well, we have traveled with our three kids in Europe since our now 17 year old was just a year old. The trips have evolved with their ages. Not a criticism, but I think you should be prepared with some alternates in case there's a mutiny.
In June, we're taking our three, now ages 13, 15 and 17, to southern France and northern Spain.
They'll have quite a bit of free time to explore what they're interested in as well as plan the days for us. It's a tradition. They each select a location and plan what we'll do for that location. So, my 13 year old is planning Carcassonne including everything from where we will stay, restaurants, museums or events. The key is that HE gets to plan it. Years ago, when he planned our day in Madrid, he was very sneaky. He brought sidewalk chalk with him so that we could all create a masterpiece on the sidewalk in Retiro Park! I doubt he'll do something like that this time, but it is very memorable. He was completely invested in the Madrid day, doing all of his own research.
DD planned a shopping day in each Rome, London and Paris. It was fantastic! She learned all of the sale lingo so that we could read the banners in the store window. (She can now translate "sale" in about five languages!)
Finally, my eldest planned a completely free day in Siena. Wow. We wandered from one cafe to the next, sipping the afternoon away. The boys ended up playing futbol with some Italian boys in one of the squares off the plaza.
All this to say that we've done the run our butts off trips and quite honestly, they were all a blur. BUT the kids beautifully planned things we wouldn't have and were most happy having some input. We had very few "I'm over it." moments. Then there was the time that we had tandem barfs across the back seat en route to Granada. I really knew better than to let them have an entire bag of berries.
That being said, this is YOUR trip and you should do it your way. Some of us were just exhausted reading it! LOL
As to some of your plans, I think that prior posters wanted you to consider the season when you'll be there compared to whether that activity was available at that time of the year. There are some very seasoned travellers on this site and their suggestions can be invaluable.
Just don't be disappointed if, in ten years, you say to one of the kids, "Remember the time you made Pizza in Naples?" And the response is something like.... "Is that the time we took all those trains?"
In June, we're taking our three, now ages 13, 15 and 17, to southern France and northern Spain.
They'll have quite a bit of free time to explore what they're interested in as well as plan the days for us. It's a tradition. They each select a location and plan what we'll do for that location. So, my 13 year old is planning Carcassonne including everything from where we will stay, restaurants, museums or events. The key is that HE gets to plan it. Years ago, when he planned our day in Madrid, he was very sneaky. He brought sidewalk chalk with him so that we could all create a masterpiece on the sidewalk in Retiro Park! I doubt he'll do something like that this time, but it is very memorable. He was completely invested in the Madrid day, doing all of his own research.
DD planned a shopping day in each Rome, London and Paris. It was fantastic! She learned all of the sale lingo so that we could read the banners in the store window. (She can now translate "sale" in about five languages!)
Finally, my eldest planned a completely free day in Siena. Wow. We wandered from one cafe to the next, sipping the afternoon away. The boys ended up playing futbol with some Italian boys in one of the squares off the plaza.
All this to say that we've done the run our butts off trips and quite honestly, they were all a blur. BUT the kids beautifully planned things we wouldn't have and were most happy having some input. We had very few "I'm over it." moments. Then there was the time that we had tandem barfs across the back seat en route to Granada. I really knew better than to let them have an entire bag of berries.
That being said, this is YOUR trip and you should do it your way. Some of us were just exhausted reading it! LOL
As to some of your plans, I think that prior posters wanted you to consider the season when you'll be there compared to whether that activity was available at that time of the year. There are some very seasoned travellers on this site and their suggestions can be invaluable.
Just don't be disappointed if, in ten years, you say to one of the kids, "Remember the time you made Pizza in Naples?" And the response is something like.... "Is that the time we took all those trains?"
Apr 28th, 2011, 07:01 AM
#23
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THank you so much Continental & Kybourbon. My "reaction" was to posters offering me their seasoned travel advise... rather than help. They may believe they are helping in their heart, but really it was not what I asked for, at this point... we are only looking for activities. we are VERY aware of the trips pace... and it is the children & visiting family that is guiding this adventure. Not two crazy parents.
That being said... in order to add in some FUN in each place, (As we are mostly traveling on evening trains) is to get out and enjoy what is indigionous to each area. NOT the museaums & such... as we have been there.
The kids each are responisble for a destination, read up on the area and have their sights & things they want to do. I am wanting to add a few things that are unique. Disney Adventures does this with 7-10 day tours. My hope was that I am able to incorporate ONE unique activity in each area.
Kybourbon. I have made train reservations for ONE of the days to Pompeii... what I was trying to point out was that if something (like a festival, or a particular location might be closed on tuesdays) that we could SWITCH the reservations to another date. trying to show the flexibility we have concerning the Cinque Terre/Tuscany Days & Pompeii.We have that flexibility because of where we are staying in Rome. we have 4 nights there... but I can easily adjust it downwards if there is something cool we might want to do either place that happens at night.
SCATCAT - I failed to mention the Amsterdam to Zurich part of the train trip. We are flying in and out of Zurich. And Zurich does not have a reasonable hotel/B&B/hostel for the night of the 6th. We have looked extensively on how to get from Paris to Zurich easily in order to overnight somewhere nearby... but it is turning out easier to overnight on the train. We didn't care where we went... just that the train did not make a stop on the way to Zurich. We really are unable to move D-Land or Paris to any other date because of Family visits. So we are stuck.
My request... I thought was simple. But it has turned out to have just caused a few people to have a heart attack.
That being said... in order to add in some FUN in each place, (As we are mostly traveling on evening trains) is to get out and enjoy what is indigionous to each area. NOT the museaums & such... as we have been there.
The kids each are responisble for a destination, read up on the area and have their sights & things they want to do. I am wanting to add a few things that are unique. Disney Adventures does this with 7-10 day tours. My hope was that I am able to incorporate ONE unique activity in each area.
Kybourbon. I have made train reservations for ONE of the days to Pompeii... what I was trying to point out was that if something (like a festival, or a particular location might be closed on tuesdays) that we could SWITCH the reservations to another date. trying to show the flexibility we have concerning the Cinque Terre/Tuscany Days & Pompeii.We have that flexibility because of where we are staying in Rome. we have 4 nights there... but I can easily adjust it downwards if there is something cool we might want to do either place that happens at night.
SCATCAT - I failed to mention the Amsterdam to Zurich part of the train trip. We are flying in and out of Zurich. And Zurich does not have a reasonable hotel/B&B/hostel for the night of the 6th. We have looked extensively on how to get from Paris to Zurich easily in order to overnight somewhere nearby... but it is turning out easier to overnight on the train. We didn't care where we went... just that the train did not make a stop on the way to Zurich. We really are unable to move D-Land or Paris to any other date because of Family visits. So we are stuck.
My request... I thought was simple. But it has turned out to have just caused a few people to have a heart attack.
Apr 28th, 2011, 07:46 AM
#24
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Consider looking at a place somewhere within an hour or two of Zurich to stay the last night, Lucerne and Basel come to mind. I would not trust a long train ride on the day you fly out, too many chances of delays or cancellations.
May 28th- probably only have time for Neustenstein as you have a 5 hour drive to Munich.
I would skip the Cinque Terre. I love it there but hiking and relaxing and eating are the best/only things to do there. If you do go, dinner in Vernazza at one of the "certified local food" places is best.
Tuscany without a car is actually pretty hard to do. You'll need to stay in a larger city and probably won't be able to see much of the countryside. Consider Florence, Lucca, or Orvieto. All have plenty of wandering for a day.
The catacombs in Rome were awesome, your kids would probably like them.
I would skip Venice this time, with only a few hours there it's probably not worth it. Wouldn't say there is much for kids to explore there either.
Good luck
May 28th- probably only have time for Neustenstein as you have a 5 hour drive to Munich.
I would skip the Cinque Terre. I love it there but hiking and relaxing and eating are the best/only things to do there. If you do go, dinner in Vernazza at one of the "certified local food" places is best.
Tuscany without a car is actually pretty hard to do. You'll need to stay in a larger city and probably won't be able to see much of the countryside. Consider Florence, Lucca, or Orvieto. All have plenty of wandering for a day.
The catacombs in Rome were awesome, your kids would probably like them.
I would skip Venice this time, with only a few hours there it's probably not worth it. Wouldn't say there is much for kids to explore there either.
Good luck
Apr 28th, 2011, 08:03 AM
#25
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You didn't mention where in Tuscany you will be for the day (or day & night).
In Volterra, I really like the Roman amphitheatre on the north side of town, outside the walls. I don't know why more people don't visit it. You said you have your museums set, but Volterra has a very good Etruscan museum, if anyone in your family is interested in that era.
In Siena, for a break, in amongst the touristy restaurants on the Campo, there's a wine bar that has a decent wine selection, along with complimentary snacks, called Liberamente Osteria Wine Bar.
In Venice, it may be too museum-like for you, but I really like Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, and DD did too. It's basically a small guildhall; the walls of the upstairs room are entirely covered by paintings from the lives of Sts. Sts. George and Jerome, by Carpaccio. Another, even better, little jewel, is Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
Another fun location in Rome is St. Ignatius, which is a tricky trompe d'oiel ceiling - see if the kids realize it.
In Paris, something we try to do every trip is to hang out at the Arc de Triomphe and watch the cars go round and round. It's hilarious! We give awards for most scared driver (the one who gets stuck on the inside), the bravest person driving the tiniest vehicle (many of those), and so on.
Another Rome site, especially if any of you is into cats; the cat sanctuary at Largo di Torre Argentina (also happens to be where Julius Caesar was assassinated). You can visit, and they have a tour once a day of the site. And across the street is a great little pizza-by-the-slice place, Pizza la Florida (on via Florida, no surprise). Fabulous pizza, with a great selection. Because it's so popular, the pizza move fast, so they're always fresh.
In Volterra, I really like the Roman amphitheatre on the north side of town, outside the walls. I don't know why more people don't visit it. You said you have your museums set, but Volterra has a very good Etruscan museum, if anyone in your family is interested in that era.
In Siena, for a break, in amongst the touristy restaurants on the Campo, there's a wine bar that has a decent wine selection, along with complimentary snacks, called Liberamente Osteria Wine Bar.
In Venice, it may be too museum-like for you, but I really like Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, and DD did too. It's basically a small guildhall; the walls of the upstairs room are entirely covered by paintings from the lives of Sts. Sts. George and Jerome, by Carpaccio. Another, even better, little jewel, is Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
Another fun location in Rome is St. Ignatius, which is a tricky trompe d'oiel ceiling - see if the kids realize it.
In Paris, something we try to do every trip is to hang out at the Arc de Triomphe and watch the cars go round and round. It's hilarious! We give awards for most scared driver (the one who gets stuck on the inside), the bravest person driving the tiniest vehicle (many of those), and so on.
Another Rome site, especially if any of you is into cats; the cat sanctuary at Largo di Torre Argentina (also happens to be where Julius Caesar was assassinated). You can visit, and they have a tour once a day of the site. And across the street is a great little pizza-by-the-slice place, Pizza la Florida (on via Florida, no surprise). Fabulous pizza, with a great selection. Because it's so popular, the pizza move fast, so they're always fresh.
Apr 28th, 2011, 08:10 AM
#26
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Okay, I see now. You are training from Paris to Amsterdam for your overnight to Zurich. I really can't criticize you for your itinerary. I have done some pretty hectic trips before. Like I said in my first post, I am hyper and get bored easily, so I tend to do things at a fast pace.
As far as one day in Tuscany, there is a bus to Siena from Florence. I'm unclear as to where you are staying that night. Another town that I like is Orvieto. It is about 2 hours from Florence. Or San Gimignano is another pretty place near by.
I have never hiked all the villages in Cinque Terre. I guess I take the easy way and go by boat. But I love the views as the boat approaches. I have a picture of Manarola from the boat set as my desktop right now.
I've been to Venice several times, but I don't remember seeing a workshop for making masks. But ask at the tourist office or at a shop with masks. Never know til you ask.
As far as one day in Tuscany, there is a bus to Siena from Florence. I'm unclear as to where you are staying that night. Another town that I like is Orvieto. It is about 2 hours from Florence. Or San Gimignano is another pretty place near by.
I have never hiked all the villages in Cinque Terre. I guess I take the easy way and go by boat. But I love the views as the boat approaches. I have a picture of Manarola from the boat set as my desktop right now.
I've been to Venice several times, but I don't remember seeing a workshop for making masks. But ask at the tourist office or at a shop with masks. Never know til you ask.
Apr 28th, 2011, 08:46 AM
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"Tuscany without a car is actually pretty hard to do. " Ditto.
Our kids LOVED Venice. When we arrived last time, the water taxis were on strike, so we wandered our way to St. Mark's square. A little gelato along the way and lunch on the square fit the bill for us. Some pigeon feeding, local street art purchases, dinner and more meandering completed the day for us. We took a private boat back late in the evening and the pilot was kind enough to take us touring through the canals at night. Beautiful and the kids really appreciated it.
Have a wonderful trip and make sure everyone has a different job. One for taking photos, one for posting and corresponding with family back home, etc.
Enjoy!
Our kids LOVED Venice. When we arrived last time, the water taxis were on strike, so we wandered our way to St. Mark's square. A little gelato along the way and lunch on the square fit the bill for us. Some pigeon feeding, local street art purchases, dinner and more meandering completed the day for us. We took a private boat back late in the evening and the pilot was kind enough to take us touring through the canals at night. Beautiful and the kids really appreciated it.
Have a wonderful trip and make sure everyone has a different job. One for taking photos, one for posting and corresponding with family back home, etc.
Enjoy!
Apr 28th, 2011, 08:54 AM
#28
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magical, I would focus on what will make this a magical vacation for your family.
You mentioned Disney Adventures - before we went to Paris and London last year, I read through many people's trip reports and looked at the things they do. Other than seeing Mary Poppins and visiting backstage in London, I felt that I put together a much better trip. Of course, we aren't a "go 24/7 family" either, so downtime is important for the kids. (and me!) We also hate hotels and much prefer apartments so that has something to do with the 'limit the locations' argument.
Here are my thoughts -
Create a passport essentially that is your kids traveling document. I would have spaces for each place they are going to go. Have a clue or something they must do in each place and when they have completed that, they get a sticker for that task. Maybe each city could even have 5 different choices and they must do 3 ?
Make each one unique to each city -- or even make some relatively generic. For example,
=> Must know how to say hello, goodbye, please and thank you in the local language. Must use please and thank you at least twice in the local language during the day.
=> Must try one new food that is a specialty of the city (or country) you will be visiting. Alternate between this being fun and being hard. For example, croissants in France or mussels in France.
=> Must try gelato in every country. (let one be fun!)
=> Must know the capital of every country.
=> Must get their picture taken with a.... (local person? a tourist ? a church ? )
You get the idea. At the end, have there be something that they've worked towards. I would even have a section entitled, "en route". During this section, have a few math problems (easy ones... still want to be fun!), a few geography questions, maybe they have to do some journal writing, etc. This they could pull out and accomplish while on the trains. Also could add some things they need to do here
=> Must take at least one taxi.
=> Must take an overnight train.
=> Must take a tram.
=> Must be responsible on the journey in leading the family from point A (where you arrive) to ultimate destination. Including how to buy tickets, and which metro lines to take, etc.
For Disney, include things:
=> must get their picture taken with a Princess (or something else ...)
Give them a camera and let them document their tasks along the way. Would then make a fun photo book after the fact.
At the end, let them have their choice of things to earn. You know your kids... the fun will be in the tasks themselves, not the final end, but they do have to 'earn' something!
------------------------------------------------
I know you are saying that you didn't want criticism on your itinerary, I'm just trying to understand how it will work. For example.
May 28th - pick up husband in Zurich - 9ish ?
- 12noon - arrive Neuschwanstein (about 2 1/2 hr. drive from Zurich)
- lunch (not sit down)
- 1pm - get a tour
- 2:30pm - depart Neuschwanstein, drive to Munich for train
- 4:30pm - arrive Munich (about 1 1/2 hr. drive + getting lost time) - drop off car - Where ???
- dinner + have a few hours to walk around central Munich
- 21.02 (9pm) - train to Florence
visited: Neuschwanstein. central Munich
time in car: 4+ hours
May 29th
6am - arrive Florence
=> any time spent in Florence ???
- 2 hr. train to CT
- 9 - 10 am (ish? assuming no time spent in Florence) - arrive CT.
- would recommend overnighting here since you will not have showered this am on the overnight train. (for me, showering is how I wake up in the morning!)
- hike the trails between CT cities.
visited: CT, cities, hiking
time on train: 2 hours (after arriving in Florence)
May 30th
- you said Tuscany. Do you want to do something in the country ? Need to figure out where, logistics, etc. if no car.
- "late train to Rome" - depart La Spezia about 6pm - arrive Rome about 10pm - is this what you're thinking ?
- overnight in Rome
visited: Tuscany ? CT ?
time on train? about 4 hours
May 31st - June 2nd - Rome
Pompeii, Vatican City, etc.
June 3rd - "morning train to Venice"
7am - depart Rome
11:30am - arrive Venice
12noon ish - lunch
1pm - walk around Venice -
Doge's tour? St. Mark's ? Climb the Campanile ?
dinner
8 pm - depart Venice for Paris via overnight train
visited: Venice
time on train: 4 hours + overnight
June 4th - Paris - or DLP
arrive 8am -
----------------
Again, I know you aren't asking for this, but you posted... so I'm explaining my thoughts. I just think it is unrealistic. For example, take June 3rd - the Rome to Venice to Paris day.
To make the 7am train, you need to leave by ... say 6am to give yourself 30-40 minutes to get to the train station and get oriented and on the train. That means waking everyone up at 5:30am ? Remember, everything needs to be packed and with you, so that adds a little time.
It arrives Venice about 11:30am. By the time you get off, get oriented, drop your bags in a locker or at luggage services (I assume Venice train station has one ?), it will be 12 noon. Everyone will be hungry, so you will walk into Venice and try to agree on a restaurant. You sit down and eat lunch - now, its 1:30pm and you are ready to see Venice. You will have time to see St. Mark's Square, maybe climb the Campanile or visit the Doge's Palace. By then, everyone is hungry again, so you take a gelato break. Its now 4pm... maybe have time to do the above activity you skipped (either climb or Doge's Palace). At the end, everyone is hungry, so you get dinner with an eye on your watch. You need to allow time to walk back to the train station, get your luggage and get on the train - that will take at least 30-45 minutes.
My point is that each time you move places you need to build in about an hour on each side of the "transport" - train, car, etc. to allow for getting there, fumbling, etc. While a 4 hour train ride isn't a big deal, the 6 hours that it really takes out of your day is the bigger deal.
If you're still reading and not throwing things at me, I'll relate something fun we just did. After each tour we took I would quiz the kids. I would ask them about 10 questions from "what was our tour guides name?" to "What country was Sweden in a war against when the king ordered the Vasa ship to be built ?" to "What color is the Gold Room in City Hall ?" to "How many female members of the City Council in Stockholm are there ?" For each right answer, you earned a smartie (or a jelly bean... or a Skittle... or sprinkles on ice cream....take your pick!) Most of the kids got each of the answers correct (although my 7yo thought Sweden was fighting Polynesia in the 1500's ?!!!) so they got a bonus of candy. It was very fun and when the kids realized the level (and relative ease) of the questions, they had fun and looked forward to it after each tour.
So... there's my thoughts.
You mentioned Disney Adventures - before we went to Paris and London last year, I read through many people's trip reports and looked at the things they do. Other than seeing Mary Poppins and visiting backstage in London, I felt that I put together a much better trip. Of course, we aren't a "go 24/7 family" either, so downtime is important for the kids. (and me!) We also hate hotels and much prefer apartments so that has something to do with the 'limit the locations' argument.
Here are my thoughts -
Create a passport essentially that is your kids traveling document. I would have spaces for each place they are going to go. Have a clue or something they must do in each place and when they have completed that, they get a sticker for that task. Maybe each city could even have 5 different choices and they must do 3 ?
Make each one unique to each city -- or even make some relatively generic. For example,
=> Must know how to say hello, goodbye, please and thank you in the local language. Must use please and thank you at least twice in the local language during the day.
=> Must try one new food that is a specialty of the city (or country) you will be visiting. Alternate between this being fun and being hard. For example, croissants in France or mussels in France.
=> Must try gelato in every country. (let one be fun!)
=> Must know the capital of every country.
=> Must get their picture taken with a.... (local person? a tourist ? a church ? )
You get the idea. At the end, have there be something that they've worked towards. I would even have a section entitled, "en route". During this section, have a few math problems (easy ones... still want to be fun!), a few geography questions, maybe they have to do some journal writing, etc. This they could pull out and accomplish while on the trains. Also could add some things they need to do here
=> Must take at least one taxi.
=> Must take an overnight train.
=> Must take a tram.
=> Must be responsible on the journey in leading the family from point A (where you arrive) to ultimate destination. Including how to buy tickets, and which metro lines to take, etc.
For Disney, include things:
=> must get their picture taken with a Princess (or something else ...)
Give them a camera and let them document their tasks along the way. Would then make a fun photo book after the fact.
At the end, let them have their choice of things to earn. You know your kids... the fun will be in the tasks themselves, not the final end, but they do have to 'earn' something!
------------------------------------------------
I know you are saying that you didn't want criticism on your itinerary, I'm just trying to understand how it will work. For example.
May 28th - pick up husband in Zurich - 9ish ?
- 12noon - arrive Neuschwanstein (about 2 1/2 hr. drive from Zurich)
- lunch (not sit down)
- 1pm - get a tour
- 2:30pm - depart Neuschwanstein, drive to Munich for train
- 4:30pm - arrive Munich (about 1 1/2 hr. drive + getting lost time) - drop off car - Where ???
- dinner + have a few hours to walk around central Munich
- 21.02 (9pm) - train to Florence
visited: Neuschwanstein. central Munich
time in car: 4+ hours
May 29th
6am - arrive Florence
=> any time spent in Florence ???
- 2 hr. train to CT
- 9 - 10 am (ish? assuming no time spent in Florence) - arrive CT.
- would recommend overnighting here since you will not have showered this am on the overnight train. (for me, showering is how I wake up in the morning!)
- hike the trails between CT cities.
visited: CT, cities, hiking
time on train: 2 hours (after arriving in Florence)
May 30th
- you said Tuscany. Do you want to do something in the country ? Need to figure out where, logistics, etc. if no car.
- "late train to Rome" - depart La Spezia about 6pm - arrive Rome about 10pm - is this what you're thinking ?
- overnight in Rome
visited: Tuscany ? CT ?
time on train? about 4 hours
May 31st - June 2nd - Rome
Pompeii, Vatican City, etc.
June 3rd - "morning train to Venice"
7am - depart Rome
11:30am - arrive Venice
12noon ish - lunch
1pm - walk around Venice -
Doge's tour? St. Mark's ? Climb the Campanile ?
dinner
8 pm - depart Venice for Paris via overnight train
visited: Venice
time on train: 4 hours + overnight
June 4th - Paris - or DLP
arrive 8am -
----------------
Again, I know you aren't asking for this, but you posted... so I'm explaining my thoughts. I just think it is unrealistic. For example, take June 3rd - the Rome to Venice to Paris day.
To make the 7am train, you need to leave by ... say 6am to give yourself 30-40 minutes to get to the train station and get oriented and on the train. That means waking everyone up at 5:30am ? Remember, everything needs to be packed and with you, so that adds a little time.
It arrives Venice about 11:30am. By the time you get off, get oriented, drop your bags in a locker or at luggage services (I assume Venice train station has one ?), it will be 12 noon. Everyone will be hungry, so you will walk into Venice and try to agree on a restaurant. You sit down and eat lunch - now, its 1:30pm and you are ready to see Venice. You will have time to see St. Mark's Square, maybe climb the Campanile or visit the Doge's Palace. By then, everyone is hungry again, so you take a gelato break. Its now 4pm... maybe have time to do the above activity you skipped (either climb or Doge's Palace). At the end, everyone is hungry, so you get dinner with an eye on your watch. You need to allow time to walk back to the train station, get your luggage and get on the train - that will take at least 30-45 minutes.
My point is that each time you move places you need to build in about an hour on each side of the "transport" - train, car, etc. to allow for getting there, fumbling, etc. While a 4 hour train ride isn't a big deal, the 6 hours that it really takes out of your day is the bigger deal.
If you're still reading and not throwing things at me, I'll relate something fun we just did. After each tour we took I would quiz the kids. I would ask them about 10 questions from "what was our tour guides name?" to "What country was Sweden in a war against when the king ordered the Vasa ship to be built ?" to "What color is the Gold Room in City Hall ?" to "How many female members of the City Council in Stockholm are there ?" For each right answer, you earned a smartie (or a jelly bean... or a Skittle... or sprinkles on ice cream....take your pick!) Most of the kids got each of the answers correct (although my 7yo thought Sweden was fighting Polynesia in the 1500's ?!!!) so they got a bonus of candy. It was very fun and when the kids realized the level (and relative ease) of the questions, they had fun and looked forward to it after each tour.
So... there's my thoughts.
Apr 28th, 2011, 09:15 AM
#29
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Here are some things that worked with our kids in Italy ...
Venice -- random walk tour. As you enter a piazza, flip two coins: hh, turn left, ht, go straight, th go right, tt, turn back (or whatever, you get the idea). After you are thoroughly lost, let the kids guide your way back to the Duomo (or something well-signed) -- split up, one per parent, and have a race.
Florence (or anywhere) go on a sampling tour to find the best gelato shop. Go back multiple times, if necessary, to compare and contrast. Everybody picks a different flavor to become expert on.
Vinci -- the Leonardo Museum has many working models of daVinci's mechanical contraptions. You could have them try one each of the main types of machines (lever, screw, etc.)
Florence (or wherever)-- pose to mimic the sculptures outside the art museum, and take photos. The person with the most accurate set of poses wins.
Venice -- photo scavenger hunt to find representations of the Lions that guard the city everywhere.
Venice -- random walk tour. As you enter a piazza, flip two coins: hh, turn left, ht, go straight, th go right, tt, turn back (or whatever, you get the idea). After you are thoroughly lost, let the kids guide your way back to the Duomo (or something well-signed) -- split up, one per parent, and have a race.
Florence (or anywhere) go on a sampling tour to find the best gelato shop. Go back multiple times, if necessary, to compare and contrast. Everybody picks a different flavor to become expert on.
Vinci -- the Leonardo Museum has many working models of daVinci's mechanical contraptions. You could have them try one each of the main types of machines (lever, screw, etc.)
Florence (or wherever)-- pose to mimic the sculptures outside the art museum, and take photos. The person with the most accurate set of poses wins.
Venice -- photo scavenger hunt to find representations of the Lions that guard the city everywhere.
Apr 28th, 2011, 09:30 AM
#30
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cap, love the ideas!
Our rule is how well the kids do on the flight home determines if they get to go next year... unfortunately, for the wallet... they did great! We're thinking about Italy...
I may have to start my word document for next year... as I run across things I like, I start a document that I just paste everything into. Then I have a '1-stop shopping' to find all my ideas!
Our rule is how well the kids do on the flight home determines if they get to go next year... unfortunately, for the wallet... they did great! We're thinking about Italy...
I may have to start my word document for next year... as I run across things I like, I start a document that I just paste everything into. Then I have a '1-stop shopping' to find all my ideas!
Apr 28th, 2011, 11:14 AM
#31
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Some good ideas here, all. However, I'm just thinking that if I gave my 15 year old daughter a sticker, or my 13 year old son "a" skittle or jelly bean, I'd face certain mutiny in short order. The 17 year old would lead the charge!
Apr 28th, 2011, 01:59 PM
#33
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More ideas...
You see artists young and old in front of (or inside) every Duomo, copying the art. Bring along some sketchbooks and
art pencils and try it yourselves (including mom and dad).
Appoint a child to order lunch for the table, practicing food pronunciations (the 14-year old really enjoyed this).
Give each child X euros and take them to the Mercato Centrale in Florence to buy their own provisions for a picnic lunch. (Don't pick up the produce: you point to what you want and the shopkeeper bags it for you.) We packed a lunchbox with cutting board, wet-wipes, paper cups, corkscrew, small knife, small cloth, baggies, etc. to make picnics easy.
The boys took a frisbee and bought a soccer ball, and played in many parks and piazzas. A special perk was when the local kids joined in, even when nobody spoke anybody's language. You could make it a challenge to get a local kid to throw a frisbee in the park.
Make it a point to visit the highest point you can in each town you visit.
Bring along a copy of any picture of Neuschwanstein Castle, and try to figure out where the photo was taken from. (Or, to make it a competition, collect X postcards when you get into town and have the kids figure out where the photographer was standing.)
You see artists young and old in front of (or inside) every Duomo, copying the art. Bring along some sketchbooks and
art pencils and try it yourselves (including mom and dad).
Appoint a child to order lunch for the table, practicing food pronunciations (the 14-year old really enjoyed this).
Give each child X euros and take them to the Mercato Centrale in Florence to buy their own provisions for a picnic lunch. (Don't pick up the produce: you point to what you want and the shopkeeper bags it for you.) We packed a lunchbox with cutting board, wet-wipes, paper cups, corkscrew, small knife, small cloth, baggies, etc. to make picnics easy.
The boys took a frisbee and bought a soccer ball, and played in many parks and piazzas. A special perk was when the local kids joined in, even when nobody spoke anybody's language. You could make it a challenge to get a local kid to throw a frisbee in the park.
Make it a point to visit the highest point you can in each town you visit.
Bring along a copy of any picture of Neuschwanstein Castle, and try to figure out where the photo was taken from. (Or, to make it a competition, collect X postcards when you get into town and have the kids figure out where the photographer was standing.)
Apr 28th, 2011, 03:07 PM
#34
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CAPXXX & SURFMOM - You guys rock! THIS is what I am looking for! Since we have been to most of the destinations before... we just wanted to have fun, get the kids into the trip and not redo things we have done before.
KEEP GOING WITH THE IDEAS! THESE ARE FUN! and I can adapt/substitute the jelly bean/skittles idea for other things they like. They both are hunters/// so looking for things on a scavenger hunt is exactly the contest I need.
SURFMOM... I know you and the others are worried so much about the train thing... and believe me.... this is not my idea of the PERFECT european vacation. A week at Club Med would have been nice... you know??? We are not spending any time in Munich. The ONLY reason we are heading that way is because we have to drop the car there and grab the overnight train to FLorence. We are not spending any time in Florence either. we are going there to change to the CT.
As for Tuscany... we are prepared to get a car in Florence to explore the countryside... but wanted to wait & see if there were any great ideas for wineries/farms etc in the countryside that were accessible by local bus.
KEEP IT COMING!
KEEP GOING WITH THE IDEAS! THESE ARE FUN! and I can adapt/substitute the jelly bean/skittles idea for other things they like. They both are hunters/// so looking for things on a scavenger hunt is exactly the contest I need.
SURFMOM... I know you and the others are worried so much about the train thing... and believe me.... this is not my idea of the PERFECT european vacation. A week at Club Med would have been nice... you know??? We are not spending any time in Munich. The ONLY reason we are heading that way is because we have to drop the car there and grab the overnight train to FLorence. We are not spending any time in Florence either. we are going there to change to the CT.
As for Tuscany... we are prepared to get a car in Florence to explore the countryside... but wanted to wait & see if there were any great ideas for wineries/farms etc in the countryside that were accessible by local bus.
KEEP IT COMING!
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