Need advice on taking my 13 year old grand-daughter to Italy
Nov 11th, 2015, 10:25 AM
#1
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Need advice on taking my 13 year old grand-daughter to Italy
My wife and I are planning on taking our 13 year old grand-daughter to Italy next summer for 8-12 days. We realize that it is high season, but she will be off from school then.
Our question is whether we should plan our own trip, as we have done many time before or book a tour for her.
We want her to be able to get the most out of her experience. We think that maybe a tour might show her things that we might miss on our own.
We are in the 65-75 age group. We are in excellent condition but we do tire and her safety is our primary concern.
We are thinking of Venice, Florence and Rome, but are open to other suggestions.
Does anyone know of a good tour operator we could check out.
Thank you for your assistance.
Our question is whether we should plan our own trip, as we have done many time before or book a tour for her.
We want her to be able to get the most out of her experience. We think that maybe a tour might show her things that we might miss on our own.
We are in the 65-75 age group. We are in excellent condition but we do tire and her safety is our primary concern.
We are thinking of Venice, Florence and Rome, but are open to other suggestions.
Does anyone know of a good tour operator we could check out.
Thank you for your assistance.
Nov 11th, 2015, 10:53 AM
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Not a tour group, but if you are interested in basing yourself for one to two weeks in 2 places I would check out Untours. You stay in an apartment, but you have the support of onsite staff and they also pick you up and return you to the airport. They will also help you with trip planning. I have used them 5 times and love it. I, for some reason, do not like organized tours.
Nov 11th, 2015, 10:54 AM
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If you are used to traveling on your own, I would not do a tour this time. Imagine her with a bunch of older people vs with the two grandparents she loves. (And she ought to love the heck out of you for taking her to Italy!) All three of those places are relatively easy to do on your own and give you lots of opportunities to relax and rest. I think at 13 she could even go out and explore a bit on her own in the close area around your hotel/apartment if she feels comfortable.
Bless you for doing this! It will create wonderful memories and enhance your relationship.
Bless you for doing this! It will create wonderful memories and enhance your relationship.
Nov 11th, 2015, 11:05 AM
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There isn't any way she could be sent on a tour by herself, no matter what due to her age, so I don't think the OP means to not go with her (I hope). I think she means do they all go on a tour together, or do they plan everything on their own, perhaps?
Not sure, but I presume that's what they mean.
I really don't think they should be sending any 13 year old child out alone to roam around a city in a foreign country by herself.
Not sure, but I presume that's what they mean.
I really don't think they should be sending any 13 year old child out alone to roam around a city in a foreign country by herself.
Nov 11th, 2015, 11:19 AM
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I think the attractiveness of the trip is that your granddaughter will be with you.
It is a fabulous opportunity for her to be with you, and being the center of interest of the trip !
Don't waste it by going with a group...
It is a fabulous opportunity for her to be with you, and being the center of interest of the trip !
Don't waste it by going with a group...
Nov 11th, 2015, 11:50 AM
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You have a very short time, and all three of the cities you mentione will be very crowded in the summer. I really think Rome, Florence, and Venice in eight days, or even in twelve days may be too hectic and tiring. You'd be fighting crowds the whole time.
Florence and Rome are also usually very hot at that time of year. You might want to spend some of your time in some place a little cooler and possibly less crowded.
One idea that comes to my mind is Venice - Verona - Lake Garda. They are all near each other; Verona and at least some of the towns on Lake Garda are probably less crowded than Venice. I say "probably" because just in the past few years the number of tourists visiting the most famous places in Italy has exploded. I was in Rome this past June, and I have never seen anything like it, even though I go to Rome a few times a year, and had been there in the summer just two years ago.
We took my granddaughter, age ten, to Venice this past year in July. This was an unusually hot summer, and my husband and I suffered from the heat, especially when packed in like sardines in a vaporetto. My granddaughter absolutely loved it, though.
Verona is a beautiful city, with an ancient Roman amphitheater, the Arena, which is very well preserved and hosts a summer opera festival. Lots of people also visit the so-called House of Juliet. Of course, there's no evidence that Romeo and Juliet ever lived, but it might be fun for a 13-year-old.
I've never been to Lake Garda, but I'm hoping to take my granddaughter there before long. Many of the lakeside towns are very popular with tourists of various nationalities. The northern towns have the most beautiful Alpine scenery. There is a big amusement park, Gardaland, near Peschiera. You can take boat excursions on the lake, but it takes almost three hours from north to south. If you want to visit Gardaland you should probably stay not too far fro Peschiera, and take a boat excursion on a different day.
Three nights in Venice, two nights in Verona, and three nights on Lake Garda might be just about right. If you can stretch the time, another night in Venice and maybe one other town, could be added. You should plan to finish in Venice, to be near the airport for your departure, so I would go straight to Verona on arrival, then Lake Garda, and end in Venice.
Rome is possibly my favorite city in the world, but if you go there in the summer I would have to discourage you from visiting any of the big "must-sees". I was there in June with some visiting cousins, with three teenagers. This was before the heat wave started, but the kids just couldn't work up much enthusiasm for anything, because of the heat and the crowds. I must say their characters were quite different from my granddaughter as well. They seemed to be striving to appear elaborately bored.
Their hotel had a pool (maybe a mistake) and all they wnated to do was go back to the hotel and swim. We waited 45 minites to get into the Colosseum even though we already had tickets, because there were already too many people inside. My cousin had booked a tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, which I begged off, because nothing would induce me to go there again in the summer. When they got inside and saw the hordes, they left without taking the tour. (I had warned them.)
We often take my granddaughter to Rome, usually in the summer when she's off school, but we've never taken her inside the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums. That can wait until she can make an off-season visit. We have taken her to lots of other museums and archaelogical sites, and she loves Rome even more than Venice.
If you really want to see Rome, you could combine a visit to Rome with some seaside destination. You could make a day trip to Florence while in Rome. (Florence is generally hotter and even more crowded than Rome, so I wouldn't want to spend much time there in the summer.) I still like my first suggestion better, though.
Florence and Rome are also usually very hot at that time of year. You might want to spend some of your time in some place a little cooler and possibly less crowded.
One idea that comes to my mind is Venice - Verona - Lake Garda. They are all near each other; Verona and at least some of the towns on Lake Garda are probably less crowded than Venice. I say "probably" because just in the past few years the number of tourists visiting the most famous places in Italy has exploded. I was in Rome this past June, and I have never seen anything like it, even though I go to Rome a few times a year, and had been there in the summer just two years ago.
We took my granddaughter, age ten, to Venice this past year in July. This was an unusually hot summer, and my husband and I suffered from the heat, especially when packed in like sardines in a vaporetto. My granddaughter absolutely loved it, though.
Verona is a beautiful city, with an ancient Roman amphitheater, the Arena, which is very well preserved and hosts a summer opera festival. Lots of people also visit the so-called House of Juliet. Of course, there's no evidence that Romeo and Juliet ever lived, but it might be fun for a 13-year-old.
I've never been to Lake Garda, but I'm hoping to take my granddaughter there before long. Many of the lakeside towns are very popular with tourists of various nationalities. The northern towns have the most beautiful Alpine scenery. There is a big amusement park, Gardaland, near Peschiera. You can take boat excursions on the lake, but it takes almost three hours from north to south. If you want to visit Gardaland you should probably stay not too far fro Peschiera, and take a boat excursion on a different day.
Three nights in Venice, two nights in Verona, and three nights on Lake Garda might be just about right. If you can stretch the time, another night in Venice and maybe one other town, could be added. You should plan to finish in Venice, to be near the airport for your departure, so I would go straight to Verona on arrival, then Lake Garda, and end in Venice.
Rome is possibly my favorite city in the world, but if you go there in the summer I would have to discourage you from visiting any of the big "must-sees". I was there in June with some visiting cousins, with three teenagers. This was before the heat wave started, but the kids just couldn't work up much enthusiasm for anything, because of the heat and the crowds. I must say their characters were quite different from my granddaughter as well. They seemed to be striving to appear elaborately bored.
Their hotel had a pool (maybe a mistake) and all they wnated to do was go back to the hotel and swim. We waited 45 minites to get into the Colosseum even though we already had tickets, because there were already too many people inside. My cousin had booked a tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, which I begged off, because nothing would induce me to go there again in the summer. When they got inside and saw the hordes, they left without taking the tour. (I had warned them.)
We often take my granddaughter to Rome, usually in the summer when she's off school, but we've never taken her inside the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums. That can wait until she can make an off-season visit. We have taken her to lots of other museums and archaelogical sites, and she loves Rome even more than Venice.
If you really want to see Rome, you could combine a visit to Rome with some seaside destination. You could make a day trip to Florence while in Rome. (Florence is generally hotter and even more crowded than Rome, so I wouldn't want to spend much time there in the summer.) I still like my first suggestion better, though.
Nov 11th, 2015, 11:53 AM
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Group tours usually mean hours on a bus every day, surrounded by strangers.
Since there will be three of you one will have to sit beside someone you don't know if you are on a bus tour. That could turn out good, or really bad. When I went to Paris with a tour group all seats were full and there was a nasty argument when the women in a family of five refused to sit beside a strange male.
Most of the other people on the bus will be closer to your age than hers.
Since there will be three of you one will have to sit beside someone you don't know if you are on a bus tour. That could turn out good, or really bad. When I went to Paris with a tour group all seats were full and there was a nasty argument when the women in a family of five refused to sit beside a strange male.
Most of the other people on the bus will be closer to your age than hers.
Nov 11th, 2015, 11:57 AM
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How is a tour special? The trip with gramma and gramps is special.
A tour group means having the girl travel with a TON of oldies. She likely wants to travel with two specific oldies - you.
Teenagers don't need to be around groups of AARP-eligibles. A tour means she's around a geriatric ward, not just the two grandparents she knows, loves, and has dealt with for 13 years. That's the last thing she needs.
<< I think at 13 she could even go out and explore a bit on her own in the close area around your hotel/apartment if she feels comfortable.>>
Uh, no.
A tour group means having the girl travel with a TON of oldies. She likely wants to travel with two specific oldies - you.
Teenagers don't need to be around groups of AARP-eligibles. A tour means she's around a geriatric ward, not just the two grandparents she knows, loves, and has dealt with for 13 years. That's the last thing she needs.
<< I think at 13 she could even go out and explore a bit on her own in the close area around your hotel/apartment if she feels comfortable.>>
Uh, no.
Nov 11th, 2015, 12:11 PM
#10
We have taken grandchildren on trips to Europe several times, including Italy. We planned it ourselves, totally independent. You need to be flexible when traveling with kids so a tour is not a good fit.
Nov 11th, 2015, 12:15 PM
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I agree with bvlienci's suggested itineraries.
I've hosted more than one 13-year old at my home in Italy, and you really cannot predict what will pique their curiosity, but you can be pretty sure that a relentless pre-planned march of sightseeing, with constant urgings of "Look at this! Look at that! Do you know how old that building is? Do you know who Michaelangeo was?" can get you just a lot of head-nodding in return, eyes-glazed over.
Taking the two cities that bvlienci suggested -- Venice and Verona -- I would book ONE morning outdoor walking tour in each city that is specifically geared toward young minds, and don't have it be any longer than 3 hours and it doesn't need to "comprehensive". But otherwise -- play it by ear. Is she excited by the gondolas? The masks? Would she have fun shopping for glass? Visit the orchestras in piazza San Marco. Make her the official family photographer.
I always suggest packing small flashlights and playing cards (or if she likes to draw, a sketchbook) to while away the time sitting in a shady cafe enjoying each other's company -- and you get a rest!
I've hosted more than one 13-year old at my home in Italy, and you really cannot predict what will pique their curiosity, but you can be pretty sure that a relentless pre-planned march of sightseeing, with constant urgings of "Look at this! Look at that! Do you know how old that building is? Do you know who Michaelangeo was?" can get you just a lot of head-nodding in return, eyes-glazed over.
Taking the two cities that bvlienci suggested -- Venice and Verona -- I would book ONE morning outdoor walking tour in each city that is specifically geared toward young minds, and don't have it be any longer than 3 hours and it doesn't need to "comprehensive". But otherwise -- play it by ear. Is she excited by the gondolas? The masks? Would she have fun shopping for glass? Visit the orchestras in piazza San Marco. Make her the official family photographer.
I always suggest packing small flashlights and playing cards (or if she likes to draw, a sketchbook) to while away the time sitting in a shady cafe enjoying each other's company -- and you get a rest!
Nov 11th, 2015, 12:21 PM
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Venice is safe and there are opportunities for kids to enjoy events in the piazze and wander away from immediate supervision, but it is also a place where grown adults with a GPS become totally lost in its alleyways and unable to find their way back to where they started without help. Venetian schoolchildren know their way home. Visitors should stick together.
I understand your concern about being responsible for your granddaughters safety. Rest assured that should any glitch arise, Italian hotel staff and Italians in general would go the ultimate mile to help you with everything.
I understand your concern about being responsible for your granddaughters safety. Rest assured that should any glitch arise, Italian hotel staff and Italians in general would go the ultimate mile to help you with everything.
Nov 11th, 2015, 12:21 PM
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A Venice, Florence and Rome itinerary is easy to plan on your own, if you choose that route.
Road Scholars, which generally gets good reviews, offers inter-generational tours. I don't know if these would fit your budget, and I have not done any tours with them. However, it might give you some ideas for structuring your trip. One advantage might be the chance that your grandchild makes some new friends with fellow travelers.
http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program...d=1-8LMPZF&MC=
Road Scholars, which generally gets good reviews, offers inter-generational tours. I don't know if these would fit your budget, and I have not done any tours with them. However, it might give you some ideas for structuring your trip. One advantage might be the chance that your grandchild makes some new friends with fellow travelers.
http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program...d=1-8LMPZF&MC=
Nov 11th, 2015, 02:42 PM
#15
I've taken young relatives (both boys and girls) to Europe at slightly older ages. They were all up for the main/famous sights, but most of them had other things they wanted to do/see. An organized tour probably would have bored them, but a private guide here and there was OK as long as the youngsters had input as to plans, itinerary, etc.
I think your grand-daughter is old enough to have some input in the destinations and sightseeing, but at the same time she should be happy to go wherever you're willing to take her.
Have you and your wife been to these cities before on your own? If your interests and the interests of your grand-daughter don't overlap, I'd look for a guide who could take her for a few hours for a day in each city.
Road Scholars recommended upthread by mama_mia sounds good. Some U.S. universities offer similar family tours. I'm familiar with Stanford University's program (very expensive), but I'm sure there are others. You don't have to be an alum.
https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page...browse/?type=9
I think your grand-daughter is old enough to have some input in the destinations and sightseeing, but at the same time she should be happy to go wherever you're willing to take her.
Have you and your wife been to these cities before on your own? If your interests and the interests of your grand-daughter don't overlap, I'd look for a guide who could take her for a few hours for a day in each city.
Road Scholars recommended upthread by mama_mia sounds good. Some U.S. universities offer similar family tours. I'm familiar with Stanford University's program (very expensive), but I'm sure there are others. You don't have to be an alum.
https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page...browse/?type=9
Nov 11th, 2015, 04:07 PM
#16
Although I have done these trips independently with grandkids, I have a friend who has taken her grandchildren on several of the Road Scholar intergenerational international trips and thought they were excellent. The tours were even divided by age groups.
Nov 11th, 2015, 04:10 PM
#17
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I think group tours are really a bad idea for teens - esp younger ones. It will be way too much time just sitting on a bus rather than sight seeing - as well as all of the stops for "shopping" she will not be interested in.
I would get her a couple of guide books- including the Let's Go Student Guide - and figure out between you what your 4 or 5 must sees are and then build the trip around them.
Planning will be half of the fun - and you will be sure to move at your own pace and see what you really want.
I would get her a couple of guide books- including the Let's Go Student Guide - and figure out between you what your 4 or 5 must sees are and then build the trip around them.
Planning will be half of the fun - and you will be sure to move at your own pace and see what you really want.
Nov 11th, 2015, 04:37 PM
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Question? If tours are divided by age groups then that seems to negate the idea of grandparents doing a trip with their granddaughter. I'm taking my family ( son, daughter their spouses and three grand children to Europe this coming summer. The idea is that I get a chance to interact with grand children and their first experience in Europe. I would never dream of during a tour especially one that seperated us.
I agree with those who advise getting your granddaughter involved in the planning. Perhaps a private tour guide for special visits, but I'd avoid any tours in your particular situation.
I agree with those who advise getting your granddaughter involved in the planning. Perhaps a private tour guide for special visits, but I'd avoid any tours in your particular situation.
Nov 12th, 2015, 02:00 AM
#19
i like bvlenci's ideas very much.
I'd like to suggest you also thing about a 2 centre with one centre being out of the city. I think Garda might be great but I'd also take a bit of time to check the lakes website and see if there is stuff like a sailing club or a horse riding club (check with kid and parents on this) so that she can burn off some energy and you guys can get a little rest each day.
I learnt to sail and ski in french despite not knowing the language at all. She'll do fine.
I would not do a tour with her, she'll be bored and you'll hate it. Really not a sensible solution.
In terms of visiting cities in the high season. Limit it to places you really want to go to and get a guide to make it fun. So a day in Verona sounds great but with the heat why not make a it a morning in Verona and an afternoon by the pool.
I'd like to suggest you also thing about a 2 centre with one centre being out of the city. I think Garda might be great but I'd also take a bit of time to check the lakes website and see if there is stuff like a sailing club or a horse riding club (check with kid and parents on this) so that she can burn off some energy and you guys can get a little rest each day.
I learnt to sail and ski in french despite not knowing the language at all. She'll do fine.
I would not do a tour with her, she'll be bored and you'll hate it. Really not a sensible solution.
In terms of visiting cities in the high season. Limit it to places you really want to go to and get a guide to make it fun. So a day in Verona sounds great but with the heat why not make a it a morning in Verona and an afternoon by the pool.
Nov 12th, 2015, 10:14 AM
#20
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Thank you everyone for your invaluable advice.
Our original inclination was to plan the trip ourselves.
Then we overthought everything and thought that perhaps a tour would be better.
After reading all of your suggestions, we will be planning our own trip with our grand-daughter.
Having her participate is a fantastic idea and we appreciate all of the input from this forum.
Our original inclination was to plan the trip ourselves.
Then we overthought everything and thought that perhaps a tour would be better.
After reading all of your suggestions, we will be planning our own trip with our grand-daughter.
Having her participate is a fantastic idea and we appreciate all of the input from this forum.
