HELP. Traveling to Italy with grandparents
May 2nd, 2013, 05:21 AM
#42
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Just an idea to kill a day:
Check into tours out of Rome to Pompeii. There might be something aimed at students, so there will be a lot of young people on the tour. I wouldn't even worry if most of the students are Italian or some other European nationality. Chances are, they'll speak English and welcome talking to someone from another country. Bring your camera.
Check into tours out of Rome to Pompeii. There might be something aimed at students, so there will be a lot of young people on the tour. I wouldn't even worry if most of the students are Italian or some other European nationality. Chances are, they'll speak English and welcome talking to someone from another country. Bring your camera.
May 2nd, 2013, 05:23 AM
#44
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Thank you, Vincenzo32951. I do appreciate that, but I already asked about Pompeii and was told that under no circumstances would we be going south of Rome. I don't know why, but everything we will do has to be north of Rome.
May 2nd, 2013, 05:35 AM
#45
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Here's another link of things to do with teenagers in Rome. Some pretty active ideas. The scavenger hunt is probably out since you aren't six years old. (who writes those guides for teenagers, anyway!)
http://www.tree.com/travel/blog-blog...s-in-rome.aspx
And another alternative list for Tuscany.
http://www.athomeintuscany.org/2011/...do-in-tuscany/
http://www.tree.com/travel/blog-blog...s-in-rome.aspx
And another alternative list for Tuscany.
http://www.athomeintuscany.org/2011/...do-in-tuscany/
May 2nd, 2013, 05:59 AM
#46
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As noted, many places have bike tours. You might look for hang gliding, depending on where you are going (may not be near you itinerary).
If you have to "see" things, look for things you wouldn't see at home, normally. For example, look for crypts with lots of bones! Rome has a crypts and catacombs tour, which sounds a bit creepy (and fun). (You can visit some of these on your own; a tour isn't necessary).
I don't know specifically about Italy, but Europe has some fun crime museums, with very sadistic exhibits. Again, kind of dark. There is a crime museum in Rome BUT I don't know if it fits this bill.
Obviously, you need to be careful and responsible, but depending on your age you may be able to go to bars, so to speak, in Italy where the drinking age is 16, I think.
No matter where you travel, I suspect there will be a bunch of teenagers hanging out in the main square(s) any given
evening, or at least on the weekend. You might have fun observing or interacting.
You sound pretty mature, but if I were with my cousins in a foreign country, we would inevitably have made some fun up as we went.
If you have to "see" things, look for things you wouldn't see at home, normally. For example, look for crypts with lots of bones! Rome has a crypts and catacombs tour, which sounds a bit creepy (and fun). (You can visit some of these on your own; a tour isn't necessary).
I don't know specifically about Italy, but Europe has some fun crime museums, with very sadistic exhibits. Again, kind of dark. There is a crime museum in Rome BUT I don't know if it fits this bill.
Obviously, you need to be careful and responsible, but depending on your age you may be able to go to bars, so to speak, in Italy where the drinking age is 16, I think.
No matter where you travel, I suspect there will be a bunch of teenagers hanging out in the main square(s) any given
evening, or at least on the weekend. You might have fun observing or interacting.
You sound pretty mature, but if I were with my cousins in a foreign country, we would inevitably have made some fun up as we went.
May 2nd, 2013, 06:06 AM
#47
You don't seem to have enough time in Rome to do a day trip to Pompeii.
>>>We will be in Rome for a couple of days and then we will travel through the countryside of Tuscany by car.<<<
I can't imagine your grandparents haven't booked hotels in Tuscany since there seems to be quite a few of you and you are traveling in season. Ask them which hotels or agriturismo they have booked and where.
There are a lot of festivals in Italy. You could research for the areas where your hotels are booked. Arezzo has a jousting festival. Cortona has a crossbow competition. Pisa has boat races. Florence has the famous Florentine traditional football that dates from the Renaissance - All of the players are dressed in mediaeval breeches. There are 27 players on each team which means that matches can by fairly violent given the large number of players. Rules are minimal, so that almost anything is allowed to get hold of the ball and score a 'caccia'.
I'm sure you can find plenty of things once you pin down your hotels. Tuscany is a big place and your grandparents can't expect to cover the entire region so they must have an idea of where they will be going/staying. No point in looking into areas you aren't going to visit.
>>>We will be in Rome for a couple of days and then we will travel through the countryside of Tuscany by car.<<<
I can't imagine your grandparents haven't booked hotels in Tuscany since there seems to be quite a few of you and you are traveling in season. Ask them which hotels or agriturismo they have booked and where.
There are a lot of festivals in Italy. You could research for the areas where your hotels are booked. Arezzo has a jousting festival. Cortona has a crossbow competition. Pisa has boat races. Florence has the famous Florentine traditional football that dates from the Renaissance - All of the players are dressed in mediaeval breeches. There are 27 players on each team which means that matches can by fairly violent given the large number of players. Rules are minimal, so that almost anything is allowed to get hold of the ball and score a 'caccia'.
I'm sure you can find plenty of things once you pin down your hotels. Tuscany is a big place and your grandparents can't expect to cover the entire region so they must have an idea of where they will be going/staying. No point in looking into areas you aren't going to visit.
May 2nd, 2013, 06:18 AM
#48
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Enjoy your grandparents. They are offering you a so great occasion to visit Italy and to spend time with them experiencing something new.. I do miss my grandparents so that much and I really would like to have them again so to ask them about life how I I wasn't, quite obviously perhaps, able to do when I was younger. Then, think that even if you don't speak the language you could better arrange than 2 elder people. I AM SO SURE YOU ARE GOING TO REMEMBER THIS AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TRIP OF YOUR LIFE. I really wish you the best, God bless you.
May 2nd, 2013, 06:26 AM
#49
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Ostia is a fun excursion. I agree that you should bring your camera and sign up for some good guided tours - that really helps make the museums/ruins fun and interesting, and it will enrich your experience.
How about a cooking class in Tuscany and a market/food tour in Rome? Get a private guide to take all the kids hiking/biking in Tuscany so the grandparents can have a day off?
I think you'll enjoy all the piazza sitting and people watching more than you might expect. And - gelato, gelato, gelato.
How about a cooking class in Tuscany and a market/food tour in Rome? Get a private guide to take all the kids hiking/biking in Tuscany so the grandparents can have a day off?
I think you'll enjoy all the piazza sitting and people watching more than you might expect. And - gelato, gelato, gelato.
May 2nd, 2013, 06:45 AM
#50
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JDiff: Italy, especially Tuscany, is so, so beautiful. The landscape, the atmosphere, the sights, smells, sounds, the people and the food; these things in and of themselves are experiences not to be missed. Aside from actually doing things and being active, make sure you take some time to really absorb it all. Don't just 'see' them; really take it all in. Don't hesitate to take your camera, and capture everything you can.
I know it's hard when a trip doesn't necessarily suit your interests, but do try and think positive. At the very least, you'll get to eat some great food, see some extraordinarily beautiful things and spend time with your family. And if you approach it with the intention of having as much fun as possible INSTEAD of just trying to avoid being bored, you'll have a much better time. I really believe it's all in the approach you take.
As for motion sickness: I have a huge problem with this myself. I take Gravol tablets when I know I'm going to be in a car, plane, boat or anything for an extended period of time. I never go on a trip without my gravol!
Good luck: I hope you have a blast!
I know it's hard when a trip doesn't necessarily suit your interests, but do try and think positive. At the very least, you'll get to eat some great food, see some extraordinarily beautiful things and spend time with your family. And if you approach it with the intention of having as much fun as possible INSTEAD of just trying to avoid being bored, you'll have a much better time. I really believe it's all in the approach you take.
As for motion sickness: I have a huge problem with this myself. I take Gravol tablets when I know I'm going to be in a car, plane, boat or anything for an extended period of time. I never go on a trip without my gravol!
Good luck: I hope you have a blast!
May 2nd, 2013, 06:53 AM
#51
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How about an open air birdcage ride in Gubbio?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaYogyg4ndM
Or a mini monorail in Perugia?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA8jP_Vic_g
Climbing the Duomo in Florence?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCPo5AbWrvw
Walking the roof of Duomo in Milan?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wODZ10oC-io
And of course the tower of Pisa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5Hw_Ejj3e4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaYogyg4ndM
Or a mini monorail in Perugia?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA8jP_Vic_g
Climbing the Duomo in Florence?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCPo5AbWrvw
Walking the roof of Duomo in Milan?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wODZ10oC-io
And of course the tower of Pisa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5Hw_Ejj3e4
May 2nd, 2013, 08:00 AM
#53
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Well, I was ready to provide a detailed answer and then relooked at the post.
And an awful lot of it does not sounde like an 11 or 12 year old. And if a 16 or 17 year old can't find a ton of things to do in Italy they are incredibly lacking in imagination - or ability to search online.
Dare I suggest that this is another troll? Is there an aura of Dobby the Turtle - with everything being wrong and awful and not what he (I'm asuming a he) wants???
And an awful lot of it does not sounde like an 11 or 12 year old. And if a 16 or 17 year old can't find a ton of things to do in Italy they are incredibly lacking in imagination - or ability to search online.
Dare I suggest that this is another troll? Is there an aura of Dobby the Turtle - with everything being wrong and awful and not what he (I'm asuming a he) wants???
May 2nd, 2013, 08:14 AM
#54
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JDiff - here's another suggestion : go on a free walking tour of Rome. Check out New Rome Free Tour on Trip Advisor, look under Things to Do.
I am currently travelling with my family in Europe. Although my teenaged daughter is younger than you and your cousins, she thoroughly enjoyed the couple of walking tours we did. You evaluate the value of the tour at the end and pay an amount you see fit. Many young backpackers join these tours so you will be with a group of young people.
Or you can join a Segway tour, it's fun (even a little dangerous) navigating busy cobblestone streets!!
Giolitti for gelato - that's an experience - so many flavours, you'll be spoilt for choice!!
Keep googling and researching - fingers crossed there'll be a pool or lake where you are staying in Tusany for swims and watersport. Plenty of cycling too!!
Good luck!!
I am currently travelling with my family in Europe. Although my teenaged daughter is younger than you and your cousins, she thoroughly enjoyed the couple of walking tours we did. You evaluate the value of the tour at the end and pay an amount you see fit. Many young backpackers join these tours so you will be with a group of young people.
Or you can join a Segway tour, it's fun (even a little dangerous) navigating busy cobblestone streets!!
Giolitti for gelato - that's an experience - so many flavours, you'll be spoilt for choice!!
Keep googling and researching - fingers crossed there'll be a pool or lake where you are staying in Tusany for swims and watersport. Plenty of cycling too!!
Good luck!!
May 2nd, 2013, 08:28 AM
#55
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nytraveler: I might have missed something but I don't see where the OP claimed to be 11 or 12? He says he's a teenager, and points out that all the kids going are between 17 and 19.
Teenagers are often known to be a bored, surly bunch, so I don't feel like this post is TOO out of character.
Teenagers are often known to be a bored, surly bunch, so I don't feel like this post is TOO out of character.
May 2nd, 2013, 08:34 AM
#56
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I missed the 17 to 19. So - this is college age kids - many of whom BEG their parents to pay fo a semester abroad. If they are this old and can't figure out what to do with themselves (and find active things to do in Tusany - of which there are many) they are either not trying - or remarkabley clueless.
I have lost any aynpathy I had. At these ages my daughters travleed with friends - through many parts of europe - and loved it. Not whined that their VERY generous grandparents were making them go to italy.
These "kids" should definitely stay home with summer jobs versus vacation in Italy.
I have lost any aynpathy I had. At these ages my daughters travleed with friends - through many parts of europe - and loved it. Not whined that their VERY generous grandparents were making them go to italy.
These "kids" should definitely stay home with summer jobs versus vacation in Italy.
May 2nd, 2013, 09:43 AM
#57
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My teenage daughter and tween son are looking forward to touring the lamborghini factory. It's not in Tuscany but north of Florence. We are driving there. Ferrari, Ducati, Maserati are all in that area if any of you are into it. Check out trip advisor reviews. I think bike tours are a great idea! Thanks for the information on this thread about photography, I'll now be taking my Canon Ti for sure!
You will get plenty of walking on this journey so you will be active, climb the towers. Also, consider Cinque Terra..you can get to the 5 towns by hiking, boating or by train. I think you have the right attitude to at least research and make best of the trip. Sounds like you love them very much! Your grandparents want to make memories with you, not just at their house. Don't deny them that privilege. I wish I could have one more trip with my grandparents who have now passed. Hope you can shift your cousins' attitudes. Once they see you are excited, they will follow suit. Have fun!
You will get plenty of walking on this journey so you will be active, climb the towers. Also, consider Cinque Terra..you can get to the 5 towns by hiking, boating or by train. I think you have the right attitude to at least research and make best of the trip. Sounds like you love them very much! Your grandparents want to make memories with you, not just at their house. Don't deny them that privilege. I wish I could have one more trip with my grandparents who have now passed. Hope you can shift your cousins' attitudes. Once they see you are excited, they will follow suit. Have fun!
