Teenage son in Venice/Rome
 

Hi - I'm new to the forum (great information here) and am leaving for a trip to Rome and Venice next week. 3 questions:

- my 13-year old son has lots of hair, wears only black heavy metal t's and huge, baggy black pants. I don't want him to appear disrespectful or stand out as a very obvious tourist. I know he's not the first teenager to visit Italy, but any tips? Will he need to dress differently for certain attractions, restaurants?

- we'll be in Rome for 5 days. Am considering taking a day trip south. I understand Pompei is a very long day trip. Any advice for tour companies,other destinations that are doable in a day. Would love to see something of the coast towns.

- others have written a lot about reserving on Trenitalia online. Thanks -- very helpful. I haven't gotten any response to my registration request. I've received no password and therefore, can't reserve. Has anyone else experienced difficulty in the past few days with Trenitalia?

Thanks in advance!

Hi tub,

Re your son:
He won't change just because he's in Italy. Don't let people know that he is with you. If they won't let him in, tell him to stay where he is until you get back.

Re: Trenitalia

Try opening an email account at www.yahoo.com and reregistering.

((I))

I say let your son wear what he wants. People everywhere understand teenagers.

There was a wonderful detailed trip report awhile back from a Mom who traveled Italy very successfully with her two teenagers. Anyone remember the author or the thread? It would be encouraging for this poster to read.

Your teenager will look like all the other teenagers in Venice and Rome, especially if he decides to buy (and wear) an oversized felt novelty hat. Tourists everywhere.

So no problem during the day.

As for going out to dinner, you're paying, right? So he'll wear what you'd like him to wear (assuming you're going someplace nice enough that you're dressing up) or he can stay home and have a sandwich.

Teenagers all over the world dress oddly - and adults have come to expect it. He should not have trouble at sights or casuale restaurants.

For nicer restaurants it's your choice whether to avoid them - or force him to put on presentable clothing.

Tubs - There are several tour companies which run bus tours from Rome to Pompeii - Vastours, Appianline, Carrani, Greenline, American Express ...

VASTOURS (Tour 13)
http://www.romeguide.it/vastours/

CARRANI (Tour 13)
http://www.carrani.com/gb/viaggi/tour13.htm

APPIAN (Tour 14)
http://www.appianline.it/italy2004/fuldayro.htm

GREENLINE (Tour15)
http://www.romeguide.it/greenline/greenline_eng.htm

A problem, though, with these tours is that for most people they don't allow enough time at Pompei - usually only about 2 hours.

They usually include a cameo factory visit and lunch en route - so you don't get to Pompei till after lunch.
Some also include a short 30 mins. stop in Sorrento before returning to Rome.

It's all a bit rushed IMO - and not cheap; most charge approx. €100

..................

Alternatively you can do it rather more cheaply by public transport.

TRAIN

Lots of people do it as a day-trip by train from Rome.

Travel time is about 2.5 hrs each way - with a change of train in Naples to Pompeii Scavi on the Circumvesuviana (Sorrento) line.

You can find timetables on:
www.trenitalia.com (Rome-Naples)

http://www.massalubrense.it/circum.htm (Naples-Pompeii Scavi)

- With an early start you can be at Pompei by 10.00 or soon after.

[You could include Sorrento too - it's only 30 mins by train from Pompei].

BUS

- There are SHUTTLE BUSES from Rome in high season run by MAROZZI (approx. €29) and by ENJOY ROME (€45-55)

www.marozzivt.it/HomePage.htm
www.enjoyrome.com/shuttle_tour/pompeii.html

The MAROZZI Rome-Pompeii-Sorrento shuttle service runs in summer, leaving Rome at 07.00 (- deps. from outside Tiburtina station), arriving Pompeii about 10.00.

The return Marozzi bus leaves Sorrento approx. 18.00 and Pompeii approx. 18.45, arriving Rome about 21.30.

The ENJOY ROME Pompeii shuttle returns to Rome earlier - for details see the above link.


Hope this helps ...

Steve