My husband and I would like to visit Italy but would feel too guilty to go without our 11 children. Yes we planned this family! The oldest 4 are very capable and help tremendously with the little one when needed. Does anyone have any ideas of where our bood could stay and what we could do for meals etc. I have been told most restaurants don't have seating together for this many people. Please tell me if this is possible or just a pipe-dream.

A Troll Wannabbe?

What if she is not kidding? (This is what "being a troll" means - - a practical joker). Let us know, Mom. <BR><BR>We like to be polite to newcomers - - preferably with a little more information - - ages, desired destinations? I have considerable experience traveling with this many kids - - not all our own (but almost - - if you count nieces and nephews).<BR><BR>Is any kid over 21?<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Not a troll wannabee. I am serious, I read this forum all the time. As usual Rex is the one with true help. My eldest is 17, The twins are 15, The rest range from 1-14. I am very serious about this trip. I would like to see ancient Rome and I would like to see Pompei and Capri. Thanks Rex for realizing I am serious.

Have you tried looking into apartments? I think that it is great that you are trying to go but you will really need help from you slder children to make a go of it. You certainly do not want to stay in hotels. <BR>Good luck<BR>Art<BR>

If you can manage a household with 11 kids, then you can surely orchestrate a plan to take them all to Italy! This will definitely require strategic thinking. Sounds like you could use another adult or two in your group --- perhaps invite more family members along &amp; then you would have enough adults to assist with driving and supervision of the young ones. <BR><BR>And didn't I see a post in which Rex mentioned something about 10 or more people traveling together can get a 'group rate' from airlines? If you can get a decent rate, you really should try to get the brood into business class. I suspect you may be inclined towards a summertime visit when everyone's out of school; however if you can manage it, an off-season trip would be more economical.<BR><BR>As for accomadations, look into renting an apartment or possibly a villa.

Congratulations on your lovely family! I agree with the other posters that a home-away-from-home would serve you best. Check out Untours (www.untours.com)<BR>They have three different trips for Italy and they are a very family oriented company. As for meals, it's always fun to have your meals al fresco (just buy the makings at a market), but the many restaurants should be able to accomodate you, especially if you go a little earlier than is ususal for European meals. One other thought--is there someone who could care for the youngest (or maybe two youngest) while you are away? I know it's a real wrench to be separated, but those under the age of three really aren't able to appreciate an opportunity like this, and it gives you more time and attention to give the "middles". ( I do know a bit about this, as my sister has nine kids.) Let us know how it all works out!<BR>

Sorry if I called a real poster a "troll". Please accept my apologies. <BR>Congratulations on your family. I hope you may get your dream!

Taking a trip with 11 kids is not a vacation. The Italian police will arrest all of you for trying to invade the country. Stay home and have more kids.

To mike (pagen) - - how sad - - it used to be that EVERY good Italian family (I an ot Italian) had eleven kids. curiously, the birth rate in Italy is negative - - one of the lowest in the world.<BR><BR>Doesn't everybody know what answer I am going to give here? go ahead - - roll your eyes - - I would LOVE to put this together and plan and lead your trip with you. You DO need a house, and I virtually guarantee that 3 adults and 11 kids can travel cheaper than 10 times the cost of one adult.<BR><BR>You will not only be permitted to use the group rate. With the exception of a few airlines, you will actually be required to use the group desk for 13 tickets on the same flight on the same date. The advantages are rather neat actually. You generally get a fare as low as some of the lowest buy-it-today, non-refundable fares, but don't have to pay until 30 days before travel. ($100 a person typically, upfront, non-refundable within 2 weeks of making the reservation).<BR><BR>I am serious about being willing and able to plan and lead your trip. but I am also willing to provide free and unlimited advice for you to do it all for yourself. Yes, you will be able to find restaurants that will accommodate your family, even though I can't rattle off any names for Rome or Campania for you. I am headed to Rome, Assisi and Venice next month - - so I could do some scouting for you - - especially if you want me to join you.<BR><BR>Best...<BR><BR>R<BR>

You have my admiration! I grew up in a family with 9 kids, and a trip to McDonalds was a major excursion. I second the suggestion about leaving the young ones with someone who can care for them. They are much too young to appreciate or even remember. Also, I suggest you try eating in trattorias. Family-run restaurants, they usually love children. They are also flexible and very amenable. Pushing tables together to make one large one is common-place, especially since Italians tend to eat in large groups. (An added bonus is that trattorias tend to be cheaper than "real" restaurants.) Don't worry about traveling with children in Italy. Italians love children. Again, my admiration.

Linda,<BR><BR>I can't speak for Mom, but my wife is from a family of eight. they didn't have the money to travel to europe when they were growing up, but they would have taken every baby and toddler, if they could have.<BR><BR>I think that this is a common misconception about families who have lots of kids and love taking them to do everything. They don't take the kids for the kids' sake. They take them for the adults' sake. They love being around them more than any other people they know. And rightly so.<BR>

Hello "mom":<BR>I couldn't sit by and watch you get "it" any longer. I even asked my husband for his suggestions. He HATES that I am on this travel site so much and has begged me to not share any more "Fodors" stories, laughs and outlandish behaviors with him...for you he caved in, so here goes, its a little from both of us.<BR><BR>1) IGNORE THE MEAN PEOPLE.<BR>2) Get jazzed about your decision to "do" this trip.<BR>3) Contact a travel magazine to see if they are interested in "covering" your plans and actual trip. This "covering" may help fund a huge part of the tab. Good Housekeeping and the like are also great places to "shop" your proposed family journey.<BR>4)Restaurants serve huge (45 plus size) groups on a regular basis. Some of the frequented restaurants are very good. I would contact a few tour groups that specialize in tours for "research" purposes ONLY. The travel brochures that are available at any travel agency list the restaurants and hotels where groups stay and eat as well. You save tons of money doing an independent track. You can also learn which hotels accomodate "groups". Contact them directly and negeotiate, negeotiate and then negeotiate some more. Try and not let a TA get a hold of you because you will pay much more, trust me!<BR>5) Get maps for everybody. Childrens sections at most any bookstores/libraries have great books on Italy and other travel destinations for teens and choildren that will get them excited and keep them busy while you and hubby get down to the details.<BR>6) Work with an airline that REALLY wants to work with you. With 13 air fares you bring a lot to the table...work it momma!<BR>7) HAVE FUN DOING THE PLANNING, keep a journal if you can.<BR>8) I have to add that you need to go over SAFETY with ALL of your children. This is not an Italy slam it is what you probably do wherever you go. Setting a meeting spot, time, back up plans etc. Follow what you do when you all go to the fair, or the carnival etc.<BR>I would look into cell phones for at least 4 of the kids as you are all not going to be wanting to do the exact same thing the whole trip. I do not advocate recruiting another extended family member or adult unless you have traveled ABROAD with them and your family before. Many issues here if you wnat my perspectives on this later, I will share them with you. You are on a family trip, stick with that vision and agenda.<BR>I was one of 5 kids and my husband was one of 5 too. Sometimes we would all wear the same color. We rarely wore the same outfit as our parents treated us as individuals, but the color helped us to spot on another in a crowd and while on travel. We traveled lots, that another story later if you want me to share. <BR>9) Finally, as with any trip, plan your budget and bring twice the amount that you have planned to spend. Bring the medications and pescriptions. Have evry child be responsible for their own bags. I say bags because my older siter and I always had bags and not a bag. We loved to dress up and have a great time with colors...we still do while on travel. Today I bring 3 bags to check and one to carry on. Our teenage son is up to 2 bags and 2 carry on bags.<BR>Oh, do not forget the CAMERA! Keep us interested travelers posted. Feel free to ask additional questions...Start locating those birth certificates so that you can get those passports well in advance.<BR>QUESTION for you: When are you going?<BR>

MOM:<BR>While I was writing my above reply it seems that a few more replys came in. I want UNDERLINE what I have said about keeping the PLANNING and ACTUAL trip a FAMILY AFFAIR.<BR><BR>REX: You have me very scared. You mean well BUT, NO PARENT would consider letting a STRANGER from the INTERNET or their same city plan or lead a trip for them. That is a NO-NO. I have NOTHING against you but my "momma" instincts went on TOTAL red alert. Just, keep "it" to the post.<BR><BR>"MOM" bring ALL of the kids, you do not want any of them to grow up and write a book about you(smile).

Oaktown:<BR><BR>What you say makes total sense. So I'll clarify the offer. If mom is interested, part of the offer would include my coming to visit you and your family, at my expense before one penny changed hands (in fact, why does any money ever have to change hands?)<BR><BR>I've posted this before (on an obscure thread), so what the heck - - this will make it more public than ever. after a year and a half here, I don't know why I conceal this anyway.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex G. Bickers, M.D.<BR>Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics<BR>5282 Garand Drive<BR>Westerville, Ohio 43081<BR>

I was reading this thread and my thought was Wow. You need to have someone with experience plan this for you. Rex has made a nice offer, lucky devil goes often enough, he would be useful! You could also use a travel agent who specializes in group trips. I'd expect you'd probably want to first find places to accomodate you. While Tuscany/Umbria villas should be pretty easy to find, I think you'll really need assistance to get something in Rome. Good Luck!

When in Rome, why not trying staying in a convent. They are cheap and safe.<BR>http://www.romeguide.it<BR>check accommodation under religious institutes.<BR>A villa may be appropriate for your Capri/Pompeii visit <BR>try http://www.omnia.addr.com<BR>I know that they have villa's on/near Amalfi.<BR>Your best bet for meals would be picnic's, bread,cheese,meat etc..<BR>If you make a reservation I believe any restaurant will take 14 people.<BR>I would make sure that I stayed in a place for a while and do day trips..packing up 14 people every couple of days would be dreadful.<BR>I have 4 children, 17,15,14 and 13. Their idea of a holiday is sun and surf. They are not into sightseeing and thus I travel with friends and leave them at home with their dad. This works well for us. I miss them terribly but I know that I would not be a "happy chappy" with kids that get tired.<BR>As a child I had to look after my younger siblings and hated it..no fun at all.<BR>Take Rex up on his offer, sound advise.

I recommend that you look into youth hostels. Most of them are accustomed to groups of children. At hostels, you usually have run of a kitchen too, which will make it easier for you to prepare dinner, or lunch (breakfast is usually included).<BR>Also, the older kids would probably appreciate meeting other people outside the family, which is easy to do at hostels. <BR>http://www.hostels-aig.org/

Hey, just because Mom says she's for real doesn't mean she is. I still think she's a troll!<BR>And, gee, Rex, thanks for your address. I'll make sure you get all kinds of junk mail now!

Did you mean TROLL or SHILL?