Rastaguytoday

zeppole, my travels have taught me that it's the long trip (sun-wise) that's usually the killer.

I have less problems going East to Europe than going West.

For Asia, I have less problems going West than going East.

I definitely feel there's a sun orientation involved, as well a timezones.

I won't bore you with my wife's follies, but it took her 5-6 trips to Europe to try the stay up routine and have some outdoors to help her make it through the day.

annhig

I know people will jump on me for this, but I have more than once, and especially when traveling with my young son, bought an extra night in a hotel or apartment so we'd have it available for early morning arrival.>>

jubilada - i was thinking the same thing. once in Venice we had a 6pm departure and I paid for an extra day in the apartment - it was worth its weight in gold. no trapsing about with luggage, somewhere to nap, store our food purchases, have our last lunch on the terrace [aahh!] and our last cup of tea before we went.

we are taking my 80 year old mum to Holland at the end of April, and we are adapting our travel style accordingly - taxi to the airport, extra-comfy and central hotels, a gentler pace. Everyone needs to have a good time, and compromise [and a bit of extra expense] may be necessary to achieve this.

clareita

I guess I'm in the minority, but take a short nap in the afternoon on arrival day. I'm good for the morning through early afternoon, but I'm a zombie by 2. I sleep for about an hour and a half and then I'm good for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I go to bed at a normal time and take a benadryl to help get me to sleep. I'm fine the next day.

CalgaryDoll

We have done 2 european trips this way - we take "no jet-lag" tablets and drink lots of water on the plane (always try to book seats near - but not too near - the washrooms). The best thing to do is to push yourself to keep moving until 8pm and then crash - We're usually okay the next day. We also take melatonin throughout our trip & for about a week after we get home to help regulate our sleep patterns - we are early 50's, but the kids can take this as well - check with your doctor. The jet lag while on vacation isn't too bad - it's worse when you get home and don't have exciting things to do every day.

annhig

The best thing to do is to push yourself to keep moving until 8pm and then crash - We're usually okay the next day. We also take melatonin throughout our trip & for about a week after we get home to help regulate our sleep patterns - we are early 50's, but the kids can take this as well - check with your doctor.>>

it's not the 10 year old that would worry me, but the 70 year old [who apparently I'm not allowed to call "granny"]. i am in no way suggesting that she is anything other than fit for her age [though we don't know this} but pushing any 70 year old to keep going until 8pm is fraught with problems - i wouldn't want to risk ruining the whole trip by doing this.

my advice to the OP is to take it slowly and see how well everybody keeps up. lots of stops, lots of fluids, and if possible [and the budget will take it] one room at least booked to be available when they arrive.

nytraveler

What works for some people will not work for all - esp if yuo have some people that are used to going to bed early.

We find a 3 hour or so nap in the afternoon let's us stay up until 10 or 11 without getting really cranky (me) or exhausted and zombielike (him). And starting day 2 we are fine. But then we never take any sort of sleeping stuff (I suspect we both have permanent sleep deprivation, since we never have any trouble sleeping - at any hour.)

dfourh

>>>>>>>The best thing to do is to push yourself to keep moving until 8pm and then crash...

I agree 100%. And for me, it's more important to walk a lot than to see important things. If you get very little or no sleep, it is also harder to encode experiences into long-term memory - - so take lots of pictures. I also find it important to take each step and movement slowly, because reflexes and coordination can be off. The thing I do most slowly and carefully is put travel documents in the moneybelt - - very thoroughly, very systematically. And all day, anytime money or documents are involved, to be very aware, concentrated and precise with them.

denisea

I also say keep moving but make it an easy day. Hydrate and hydrate some more on the plane and all day. Certainly, coffee, gelato, whatever sounds good to keep you interested, is worth it. I always feels rejuvenated after I get out and start exploring.

Stay up until bedtime inRome and you will acclimate pretty well. Don't bother to make big dinner plans...we have done that and are usually too tired to really enjoy it!

You'll be fine...the excitement you get on the ground will help you power through.

Weadles

jubilada, When I can, I often book a hotel for the night before so that it's ready on arrival. But I do it not for a child, but for my husband, who is a complete grouch by about 2 or 3 PM on the day of arrival!

delvino

My recommendation would be to reserve a room for the night before, with a guaranteed late arrival. This way, you can check in, freshen up, whatever. Even if you do this with one room only you'll be glad you did.

I started doing this for business travel and will continue for personnel travel.

Fra_Diavolo

Perhaps I've just been lucky, but I have almost always been able to check into my hotels in Rome when I arrived mid-morning. Then I do what suits me and take a nap. Awake in early afternoon, shower, lunch. Walk until dinner, crash early and ok the next day.

European

Hi,

I highly recommend you to spend your time in the area around of Pantheon. It is very convenient because you could reach the Piazza Navona and Campo de Fiori as well. It is wonderful for walking a little bit, after exhausting trip, and you could always find some cute restaurant or bar to relax in the beautiful streets in this quartiere. If you don't feel so much tired you can also go by walk to Castello di Sant'Angelo (The Castle of Saint Angel) and to Trastevere as well.

TDudette

husband, child--sometimes, no difference. Just a joke. We couldn't keep up with DH's 70 year old parents--if you've got it, you've got it. It will take some time to get through customs and from the airport.

jubilada, I think that's a smashing idea. But, if folks are pooped, most hotels would at least let you park yourselves somewhere on the premises.

As others have said, each of us has different first days. Hub and I were always so stoked about being there, we had enough adrenaline to carry us until about 8 p.m.. We tended to walk around the hotel's neighborhood, grab a bite and explore. If there was a place to get info, tickets or bus plans handy, we'd do that too.

colduphere

I would go to Pompeii and then back to Rome for dinner. Watch out for pickpockets on the circumvenusia train, especially if you're sleepy.

amya237

Thank you everyone for your replies.
My mother is in quite good shape and will probably out do my son and I!

We are staying at the intercontinental at the Spanish steps arriving on april 15th.
We have a transfer from the airport so not sure if we can stop for something to eat
While there.

I think we will try our best to keep moving until 8pm
And appreciate the suggestions on where to go.

I considered an open bus tour but have heard you spend a lot of time in traffic.
I am prone to motion sickness so we will just have to see how the flight and ride to hotel goes.
I am leaning towards the Pantheon or maybe the churches at "pilgrims Rome". Or just getting our
Bearings around the hotel's neighborhood.
We have requested an early check in.

zeppole

Have a rainy day back up plan. My suggestion is walking over to St Peter's.

zeppole

Actually, if it is raining, I suggest the metro from the Spanish Steps to Lepanto, and then both the Castel Sant'Angelo and St Peter's for indoor activity. You'll be able to find umbrellas everywhere.

But I wish you sunny skies -- which are typical for April in Rome. But it is good to have some rainy day options if you can't get into your hotel room.

zzgloo

We have an up coming trip to Rome...with similar situation....and I read all comments on this forum regarding the jet-lagg problem,..I also check google to find out what Science and Doctors have to say..there are several videos on youtube about the latest findings....what they have concluded is that,there is a relation between eating times and sleeping times...and they suggest not to eat anything during the flight,and preferably sleep ,with the help a sleeping pill if youu have to.and behave as if you are already in the time zone of the destination....but do not eat...and eat bearkfast as soon as you get there in the morning and continue eating according to the new time zone....there will be no waking ups at nights.and

dutyfree

Most international airline crew members will tell you that if you can when you arrive in any foreign city-take a shower;lay down for no more than 2-3 hours(otherwise you get in a deep REM sleep and feel terrible);then get up and have some type of coffee or coke with a snack and get outside.This helps you to readjust and also to enjoy the late afternoon and early evening hours with a fresher mind in your new city.
If you arrive and cannot get into your room right away, I would suggest dropping your luggage and seeing the earliest you can check in.Then go out and get a bite to eat and drink with something with caffeine to keep you awake while sitting in a outside cafe. Keep moving-shopping or just walking around. Don't plan on sightseeing;tours or anything that requires brain power as you won't be playing with a full deck.

annhig

lay down for no more than 2-3 hours(otherwise you get in a deep REM sleep and feel terrible);>>

does this involve the use of an alarm clock? else how can you guarantee that you won't carry on sleeping?