jrmama496

Well, it's finally here! I'm leaving on Saturday for my tour of Italy!I'll be on a Globus tour, which I thought would be the best way to go since it's my first trip to Europe and I'm travelling alone with my 10-year old son.

There are some glitches already (certain sites like the Vatican closed on days we will be there) but I have backup plans which I think will work if Globus doesn't re-arrange the itinerary.

Although I've done tons of research on this site, I just wanted to see if anybody who has just come back has some last minute advice. Is the heat really that bad? Is it flooding in Venice? Anything special going on right now ( Rome, Capri, Assisi, Venice, Florence) that would be fun for a 10-year old?

Any last minute tips would be appreciated.

braziliantraveller

I spent my spring break in Italy.
1- As soon as you get to Capri, take the funiculare to the highest part of the city (there's nothing by the port). We were not able to go to the Blue Grotto (tide conditions)but that place is supposed to be awesome.
1- Take care of you camera and your wallet. Even though we had been warned before and took very good care of our belongings (we are Brazilians, we are used to having to keep an eye on others), we were robbed in Rome. Please, take care - those guys are fast!

Enjoy!

Kathryncee

Also in Capri- you can take the "ski lift" up to the top of the mountain and hike down if you want. There is a small restaurant on top that sells gelato. Really beautiful views- I can see a 10 year old liking going up the mountain. Have fun!

Tiff

Hi jrmama ~ I remember you from your Parental Auth Form thread... were you able to get a new form?

My best advice is to pack light!

There is so much to see in Rome, you and your son will have a splendid time no matter what.

Cool, lightweight clothing. Comfy, well broken-in shoes, your feet will swell a bit on the long flight and with the heat of the summer.

When we were in Venice we were told by the owners of our hotel that the worst month for the high waters (Aqua Alta) is November.

Have a wonderful journey with your son. We will look forward to hearing all about it!

gard

Hi

My wife and I went to Rome last year. I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there We also went to Venice a couple of years back and here is the trip report from that trip: http://gardkarlsen.com/italy_venice.htm . Have a great trip...I'm sure it will be wonderful. Check the weather forecast on e.g. cnn.com to get an impression of what the weather is like before you go.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

jrmama496

Yes Tiff, I looked at some examples of forms and just put one together and had his Dad sign and notarize. So we are all set. I've made my copies of passports, authorization letter, credit cards, etc. My bags are packed and waiting to go!

missypie

Kids love to climb towers and domes...St. Peter's in Rome, the Duomo and the Bell Tower in Florence, the Campinele (sp) in Venice (okay, that one is an elevator). Climb everything you can and I think your little guy will be happy.

My 10 year old could have fed the pigeons ALL DAY in Venice. She loved it! Bring some anti-bacterial wipes or something like that with you...don't know how well they work, but at least you will feel better after he has lots of pigeon contact.

Gelato AT LEAST once a day. My 10 year old concentrated on chocolate chip so she could compare.

laartista

I remeber in Capri, I walked from Ana Capri center down to where the Blue Grotto was. Kind of a long walk but beautiful through the country roads. It was closed the day I was there but was able to walk down the stairs to where people were jumping in the water to swim in. I wasn't so adventourous but the views were beautiful.

jgg

I agree with missypie about climbing everything. That was also one of my 10 y.o. son's favorite things to do. He also enjoyed the human statues, so be sure and have some change that he can give them.

missypie

I know nothing about your religious beliefs, but a trip to Rome and Florence may well prompt religious questions from your 10 year old. When you climb the Duomo in Florence, you encounter a vivid fresco of the Last Judgment...right there and then, my 10 year old asked whether there is really a hell. We are Christian but not Catholic, so the kids had lots of questions about saints, relics, etc. You might want to think through your own beliefs so you have an idea of what you're going to say when and if asked.

Another issue is with beggars. There are lots of beggars in Rome, Florence and Venice. Think about what you'll say to your son about them. Will you or he give them money? They can really tug at a child's heartstrings, so whether you give or pass them by, you might want to be prepared to answer your child's questions.

crefloors

I took a Globus Tour my first trip in 1999. The have been around for years, and are very professional. Of course your tour guide will make a big difference and I think they have pretty high standards. Not sure what they will do with the time opening up because of the Vatican closure. They may offer a free alternative for one of the optional tours that they may have on offer. Or you might get lucky and a wonderful free day in Rome. Have a wonderful trip.

monorailgold

Hello,
The weather right now is verrrrry hot. Bring sunscreen with you so you don't burn. The flooding in Venice happens in the winter and spring so you shouldn't worry about that. Make sure you have a money belt, and don't sit your bag on the ground or the back or your chair when you eat. It will be stolen. Take tons of photos!!!!! If you have "free" days on your tour, just wander around the cities, have a gelato or a coffee and just enjoy the fact that you are in Italy.

Have a great trip, Donna

jrmama496

Well, three days and counting! I have a couple of last minute questions. I plan to go to St. Peter's for mass when I arrive on Sunday. We also want to climb the dome. Are the lines for the dome long to buy tickets, to actually go up, or both. If I buy the tickets before mass, will it take less time to go up afterwards?

Also, is there a tour ( or at least audio tour) of St. Peter's itself? I can't do the scavi tour because my son is too young. I know we can just walk around ourselves but I like being told what I'm looking at.

One last thing. I read somewhere that you are only allowed to bring back one litre of alcohol to the U.S. Is that correct? I was planning on bringing some wine and some limoncello (sp?)for people as gifts.

julia_t

Have a wonderful trip!

One thing I came across when researching Rome and no-one seems to have done is the hot-sir balloon 'flight' from the Borghese Gardens. It looks fun and isn't expensive.

http://www.romeguide.it/mongolfiera/mongolfiera.htm

Also this website has lots of info on kids in Italy and fun things to do...

http://www.initaly.com/regions/kids/kidintro.htm

nytraveler

I know the temptation is to try to DO everything possible. But - esp in this heat- try to live like the Italians. Do one sight here, one sight there, relax and have a nice long relaxing lunch. Do one more sight then sit in the a cafe with a cold drink. Then stroll and window shop.

this is really the only way to get the real flavor of the country.

The last time we were in Rome it was very hot - even though the last week in May and we just slowed down. After we saw the Pantheon we went to one of the cafes in the piazza in front for a cold drink. they served some delicious munchies for free and we got to hear the rehearsal of a musical program from some nearby church (couldn't see it - but could hear clearly). A great way to spend an hour or two rather than rushing to the next sight - and developing heat exhaustion.

missypie

You can email the Borghese hot air balloon folks to see if they're open yet but I bet they won't be. They seem to be closed indefinitely.

monorailgold

Hello,
First off, the balloon tour is no longer working. They closed it late last year. The line to go to the top of the dome will be at least an hour. The elevator only takes up so many people at a time, but you can climb the stairs if you want (lots and lots of stairs). As far as a tour of St. Peters, the bag check area to the rifght of the basilica entrance rents audio walking tours. Or you can check the information dest near the Post office on the left of the basilica for a free guided tour schedule. These tours depart around 2:15. Other tour companies offer free tours of the basilica which meet around 10:00. Usually after the St. Peters tour they ask you to join in their tour of the vatican museums, which are very good and worth the money.
Not sure about the alcohol, maybe when you go thru customs you can ask someone just to make sure.

Have a great trip, Donna

P.S. If you want any more detailed info, you can email me. I have been to Rome dozens of times. I am, if fact, going back in Feb.

kam1

Take copy of any legal agreements with wife and notarized statement that you're allowed to travel alone with son, in the event of passport theft!!!Keep that with your passport, not his!
make sure your interac card and visa in different wallets, same for your passports.. Don't keep them all together. If one of you gets robbed, you need the 2nd set!!!! Let him carry 1/2 the valuables.
Take condensed version of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare to the Forum, and allow a full day in that and area, to rest and absorb the history of the most important place in the world bc decisions made there still affect our daily life...Research on internet Caesar's influence, read it to him in the Forum...or on the plane on the way.
Tour Trevi, Spanish steps, and as many sites possible at night, bc more exciting, as well as cool. Be sure to take him to Pompeii, every kid's dream, can be done in a day from Rome...but the artifacts he'll want to see are all in Naples at Anthropology Museum.....?
Book wine/whine time in afternoon. It'll be hot. You rest, drink wine, he has gelato...and you talk about what you saw and learned so it sinks in better, vs a whirlwind of history that's too much for 10 year old. This worked well for my 14 year old historian/art lover.
Find the gladiators at the Colisum for interesting informative tours if you don't have tour guides. Fast seeing requires someone with knowledge or it's too confusing.
Given a choice, skip Capri and take him to Pompeii and Naples museum. Capri's blue grotto fabulous, but nothing else there for kids except the ride on the ferry. Sorrento has trains and ferries to both, as well as Capri. If you stay overnight in Capri, you're allowed to swim in blue grotto after 7pm. Definitely one of my life dreams! aLL THE OTHER TIPS ALREADY MENTIONED ARE GOOD, he'll remember the climbing. The silk neck wallets that can be worn on your back are more comfortable and less obvious than the money belts. Make sure he does some internet research before he goes, on Michelangeo, Bertini, DaVinci and Julius Caesar. It's best to know what you're going to see to enjoy it the best. Take your research on the plane to read on way over. See the copy of the David outside Medici palace vs wasting 1/2 day for Academie, but study why he's famous (head/hands/sling/stone) to understand better why you're studying him....
And to the questions about religion...yes, be prepared, and know the difference between paganism and catholism before you go. (Hint: power)

billbray

OSTERIA PUCCI...Trastevare...ROME.

This smart and attractive restaurant sits in a small square just off Vialle Trastevare, near the bridge over the Tiber.

It has been in operation since 1948, serving good food, pleasantly presented by friendly staff.

A Family Business, steeped in tradition, charming.

However, there is another side to this story.

The elderly patron, impeccable and charming, now shares responsibility for the operation with his son.

This gentleman does for Osterria Pucci,
what Calligula did for Rome a while ago, and what Pohl Pot did for Cambodia, more recently.

Rude, Abrasive, Bullying, Ignorant, all of these qualities are exhibited, incredibly towards customers.

What the staff suffer can only be guessed at.

So to sum up, Osterria Pucci, a fine traditional restaurant, run by a nerd.

Whose previous experience in hospitallity could have been with Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Though that is probably unfair to them, since he wouldnt have lasted.

So,for a really bad time, in pleasant surroundings, where blood pressure is sure to rise.

Rush To Osterria Pucci, Trastevare.

ira

Hi Jr,

>Any last minute tips would be appreciated.

Turn off the coffee pot.

Enjoy your visit.