sundowner

Thank you all for your replies. You've given me some great suggestions.

Katie has been very excited about the trip. When we first started talking about going the first thing she asked was if we would see some Roman aqueducts - something they were studying in school. I found a website that had pictures taken in Pompeii and she looked thru them and identified several.

I will say when we were standing in line at the post office the other day to apply for her passport she was acting real strange and I asked her what was wrong. She finally said she didn't want to go but wouldn't tell me why. I believe it's the long flight she is afraid of. Her older sister and I were talking about how long the flight is a few days before. Katie has flown from San Antonio to Disney at age 5 (another girl's trip which was totally fun) at age 7 to Cancun with no problems. And the last 3 winter breaks we've taken the 16 hour (one way) car trip to go skiing. So once we talk about it and what will happen on the plane - watching movies, sleeping, reading, snacking, bathroom, etc, I'm sure she'll be ready.

As far as the suggestions to spend more time in Rome - I'm sure you will all agree that although this trip is the first to Italy - it won't be the last. So we are getting the Naples/Sorrento area taken care of and the next time we go we'll spend more time in Rome. We will visit Pompeii, Naples, Herculeum, Sorrento in 3 days and leave the 4th morning for Rome. We'll have the rest of that day and 2 more full days in Rome. Right or wrong - that's the plan.

Again- thanks for all of your suggestions.

nanb

9 yr olds get bored periodically where ever they go, and they get tired,
but overall I think she should have a great time.
On our first trip, my daughter was 10, and both she and her older brother got bored.
but, overall, they both had a blast!

You will not regret taking both your children!
Try not to let H. take the wind out of your sails.

nocinonut

I think it is a personal decision, not for us to decide.

Which one of you knows the girl's personality and attention span better - you or him? What does the girl say about this?

I have known some kids (friend's and relatives's children) who would, I am sure, be total pills on a trip and I wouldn't travel longer than an hour with them. I am sure we have all heard and watched that type of child on a plane (or restaurant) and have wished for parachutes (for them, not us).

So, if you have done a good job in raising your child to be polite and interesting and interested, take her, if she is a brat or flighty leave her with husband and go with the older one.

JandaO

I think a 9 year old would have alot of fun learning a new place and culture. It cracks me up when someone says "My 3 year old loved Paris"
How in the world would a 3 year old know the difference between Paris or Omaha? I think 6-7 years old would be a wonderful time to introduce children to traveling. They will remember where they were and they can walk around and enjoy. I read where someone was taking a toddler to Venice. NOT.. I guess I am an old grump but I know I would never want to deal with diapers, bottles, and whining in Venice.

WillTravel

The problem is your husband does not want to go. I wouldn't make him go, because he'll probably succeed in making you all miserable if you try to force the issue.

JandaO

why doesnt your husband want to see a 3000 year old site? Is he going on the trip at all?

Weadles

My son went to Italy for the first time when he was 10, absolutely loved it, and would move there if he could. He walked much further than he might have done at home because there was no choice! Of course all the gelato breaks helped tremendously... We were there again this past July ( Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Rome) with both kids ( now 12 and 15) and they had a a blast. Just post again if I can help with any info.

Go and have a great time!
Go,and have a great time!

nytraveler

Have not traveled to Italy with kids but it must have been the school holidays when we we at Pompeii because the place was full of families with kids. I noticed one or two being cranky (perhaps just over tired) but the others seemed to be having a great time. the beware of dog sign was a great favorite - as were the bakery ovens.

I think your husband is just being manipulative - and add a vote to leave him home - you'll all be happier.

mcgeezer

I think it's an excellent opportunity for a child. Why not get her involved now with reading some fun/brief history of the area, the volcano, and the lives of the romans? Anyone gets bored if they don't understand what they are looking at. Pompeii is fascinating, just don't touch the dogs.

skimom53

Hi Sundowner, I agree with the others...let hubby stay home. As one who has traveled with a nine-year old to France, Germany, and Denmark, please let me make a few recommendations. Consider her interests and program them into your trip. Secondly, get her involved in pre-trip research. Practice Italian on CDs or tapes in the car together. Have her look up Pompeii and other destinations on the Internet and in books at the library. Plan a couple of rest days on the trip. My teen was the problem in Paris for example, not my nine-year old. Nine is a great age to go, because they're curious about everything. Take her food shopping with you for a picnic to see how Italian markets work, and to practice her Italian. Mine knew only a few words of the other languages, but everybody wanted to talk to her!

SalB

We took our kids all over the place and they were never bored. One thing we did that might help is having the kids do a little research before we left and write down things they would like to do.

When we planned a trip around the country, everyone in the family had to write down 7 places they wanted to see. I marked them all on a map and chose a route that included as many choices as possible. Everyone got to do a couple things on their list and no one got all of them. The kids thought it was fair and we all had a grand time. I think it's the fact that they feel they have some input. It's a thought anyway.

Have a great time. I'm sure your children will.

i_am_kane

ttt