Loved the report!!!!!!!!!

We took our kids to Italy when they were much younger (5 and 8) and we are itching to go back, and your report makes me wantt to go NOW.

Wow, thanks Blueswimmer, I didn't realize how funny I was till I read your top 12 :-)

So um, my favorite 3 things...it's really hard because I just enjoyed the trip so much, I have to say the tour with Liz from Scala Reale of early Roman churches was a highlight, long leisurely meals with my kids laughing and talking, and finally, the sense of satisfaction that I showed my kids many famous sites and showed them how to travel with a sense of adventure and humour.

JOelle

Great report. I wish I had the time read every word but I did read a good chunk of it. That use tissue bit had me laughing real hard. Tell your son that is quite the interesting idea.

I give you a lot of credit for doing this with just you and your two children. You really showed your children a great time and something they can remember forever. When there friends are saying I worked this summer and I went to summer camp they can say "my mom wisked us off to Italy" while talking with their hands and finish all conversations with "ciao!". :-)

Joelle, I loved reading you report. Very humourous and entertaining. How much did your rental cellphone ended up costing? Thanks!

lv- to rent my phone was $39. I haven't got my bill for the calls yet, .325 a minute. I called my gentleman friend every night and sometimes we talked nearly a half hour -for some reason he couldn't get through to call. So I expect a bit of a phone bill

Joelle

Joelle, I add my voice of appreciation for your report. I had a hard time finding it tonite, I hadn't finished reading it before. I started to panic. I also agree that Blueswimmer did pick out some of my favorite lines. I hope you get to travel soon and send us another report!

I also had troubles finding this post so I could read the last part, but then I did a search for 'Isaac' and found it right away!

This is a great trip report. I seldom read entire postings but this one certainly caught my attention. I think that this trip report will be your best souvenir.

Joelle, I think that you are the bravest woman taking on a trip like that. Maybe I sould consider taking my daughter sooner than I thought!

Excellent trip report, joelle! You touched my heart and made me LOL several times. This is a keeper, one to go into my permanent file of places we hope to one day visit. And i can only hope we have as much fun as you!

Blessings to you and yours and hope you have many more wonderful adventures!!!

Joelle,

What a great trip report! I am sure you will figure out a way to be back in Europe for another vacation. The trip and the memories you gave your kids is priceless.

Wow, I don't read this forum as much now, just browsing to remember my trip and look what popped up again. Thanks for the kind words - glad you enjoyed it.

Love to go to Europe again, the Olympics made me want to go to Greece, love that feta cheese. Maybe after I pay off our recent trip to CHicago...

Joelle

topping because Sue said it's good reading! :-)

starrsville - thank you so much for this top-up!
It certainly has added much enjoyment to an otherwise dull Saturday morning.

Joelle - if you are still, sometimes, referring back to this site for memories, thank you for sharing such wonderful experiences!

Popped in to get some tips for a quick stop with church youth to New Orleans, clicked my name and saw people are still reading this report...well a few months ago anyway - thanks!

I just read your entire report this weekend and it has inspired me as I plan my trip to Italy with my 18 year old son. I too am a single mom and this is my graduation present to him but I am not an experienced european traveller and am abit scared about doing this all on my own. thanks to all your tips and experiences I think maybe we can pull this off!

Wow, what a great read! Thanks Joelle!

naneu - you can pull it off! It really was quite easy to travel around in Italy.