WORRIED! Okay to walk in Italy's cities with kids from train stations to hotels????
May 27th, 2007, 03:09 PM
#42
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For 4 people do yourself a favor and take a cab.
Your issue isn;t safety or theft (assuming you have your wits about you). It's the fact that train stations are in the center of old cities with extremely narrow sidewalks, often uneven cobblestone strets and nothing like a new city grid pattern.
You much more likely to get lost, turn an ankle, or break a wheel on the suitcase than have something stolen.
Your issue isn;t safety or theft (assuming you have your wits about you). It's the fact that train stations are in the center of old cities with extremely narrow sidewalks, often uneven cobblestone strets and nothing like a new city grid pattern.
You much more likely to get lost, turn an ankle, or break a wheel on the suitcase than have something stolen.
May 27th, 2007, 06:41 PM
#46
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Could you contact your hotel and see if they can arrange pick up for you from Termini? If you have not been to Rome before it can be intimidating and overwhelming upon first arrival. At least that was my experience. I fell in love with Rome, but it was not love at first sight. I would definitely contact the hotel and see if they can help you with pick up.
May 28th, 2007, 12:40 AM
#47
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Grinisa is correct, yelling at people is just plain daft. girlspy seems you have a lot of trouble where ever you go, maybe its your attitude.arizonagal relax and be aware of your surroundings and you will be ok.
May 28th, 2007, 01:01 AM
#48
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I remember when I was 14 walking with my aunt and cousin to our hotel a few blocks away from Rome termini. It was a bit dodgy, but safe. However, if you're not sure of the exact location of your hotel, with 4 suitcases, I'd just take a cab for the ease.
May 28th, 2007, 02:48 AM
#49
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Ummm...I'm more of a lurker here but WOW, what happened to this post!!
Arizonagal - you will be fine walking to your hotel. It will be light out (assuming you are traveling this summer) and the area will be full of people. Of course there are scammers and pickpockets but a few simple things will give you peace of mind.
Don't keep anything in your pockets and don't carry something like a backpack or handbag behind you. If you have a handbag, always keep it worn across your body and to the front.
Pack light!! The advice about one small suitcase a piece is spot on. And your kids are old enough to manage their own so make sure they can before you go.
Walk with confidence. Check you map before you get off the train so it is well in your head. Even if you feel lost, carry yourself as if you know where you are going and what you are doing.
If approached, I agree with those who say a firm but not hysterical "no" (in any language!) will do the trick.
Most of all - have fun and relax!! You will be in Italy and Rome is wonderful. I have felt less safe in neighborhoods in my mid-sized hometown in the US than I have around termini in Rome!
Arizonagal - you will be fine walking to your hotel. It will be light out (assuming you are traveling this summer) and the area will be full of people. Of course there are scammers and pickpockets but a few simple things will give you peace of mind.
Don't keep anything in your pockets and don't carry something like a backpack or handbag behind you. If you have a handbag, always keep it worn across your body and to the front.
Pack light!! The advice about one small suitcase a piece is spot on. And your kids are old enough to manage their own so make sure they can before you go.
Walk with confidence. Check you map before you get off the train so it is well in your head. Even if you feel lost, carry yourself as if you know where you are going and what you are doing.
If approached, I agree with those who say a firm but not hysterical "no" (in any language!) will do the trick.
Most of all - have fun and relax!! You will be in Italy and Rome is wonderful. I have felt less safe in neighborhoods in my mid-sized hometown in the US than I have around termini in Rome!
May 28th, 2007, 05:34 AM
#50
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Thanks so much for all of the advice!
To answer some questions: no, we have never been to Europe. I have been to NYC a couple times, and that model is kind of what is in my mind when I think about Milan and Rome, per some things I have read, but big-city rush and craziness WITH a language barrier. If it were just my husband and I, no problem, but bringing my son (13), and daughter (11), I feel more compelled to try to keep us out of risky situations.
I am really wired for directions, thus I am always the navigator wherever we go, and I have a map from the hotel's website of it's location, so I am confident that I can easily find it if I go scout it, and if the streets are marked! I'll probably do that, or e-mail the hotel to meet us. I know how close it is, thus I would know if a taxi was taking us on a "joy ride", and I can sure understand how they may not want to drive such a short distance. And I have wondered if our bags and us would fit-we are gone 3 1/2 weeks on this trip, and it has been challenging to downsize what we take! We are going this week, so yes, it'll be summer!
I appreciate all of the advice- I like info- then I sift through it and use it all in my awareness and decisions- just like advice from other friends with experience, and from guidebooks. Lots of learning! We all are so excited, and have talked a lot about relaxing, and being open to a different way of life, and new experiences!
To answer some questions: no, we have never been to Europe. I have been to NYC a couple times, and that model is kind of what is in my mind when I think about Milan and Rome, per some things I have read, but big-city rush and craziness WITH a language barrier. If it were just my husband and I, no problem, but bringing my son (13), and daughter (11), I feel more compelled to try to keep us out of risky situations.
I am really wired for directions, thus I am always the navigator wherever we go, and I have a map from the hotel's website of it's location, so I am confident that I can easily find it if I go scout it, and if the streets are marked! I'll probably do that, or e-mail the hotel to meet us. I know how close it is, thus I would know if a taxi was taking us on a "joy ride", and I can sure understand how they may not want to drive such a short distance. And I have wondered if our bags and us would fit-we are gone 3 1/2 weeks on this trip, and it has been challenging to downsize what we take! We are going this week, so yes, it'll be summer!
I appreciate all of the advice- I like info- then I sift through it and use it all in my awareness and decisions- just like advice from other friends with experience, and from guidebooks. Lots of learning! We all are so excited, and have talked a lot about relaxing, and being open to a different way of life, and new experiences!
May 28th, 2007, 06:28 AM
#51
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> And I have wondered if our bags and us would fit-we are gone 3 1/2 weeks on this trip, and it has been challenging to downsize what we take!
Can you leave a part of your bags (whatever you don't need over the days in Rome) into the luggage storage at Termini? Then you carry only the stuff that you actually need, not everything you need over 3 1/2 weeks.
Can you leave a part of your bags (whatever you don't need over the days in Rome) into the luggage storage at Termini? Then you carry only the stuff that you actually need, not everything you need over 3 1/2 weeks.
May 28th, 2007, 07:09 AM
#52
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The street names are on the buildings, above eye level. Don't look for "street signs". Good idea to have your maps, of the termini (it is large with more than one exit) and of the streets. You all will be fine, have fun.
May 28th, 2007, 08:23 AM
#53
arizonagal~~ For packing, think of 1 week only, then do laundry twice along the way. I guarantee you will have much lighter, smaller suitcases with this mindset, than trying to think of the total 3-1/2 weeks.
May 28th, 2007, 08:33 AM
#54
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arizona, after you arrive at the station, turn left to the Via Giolitti Exit..Turn left again..
Dont pay attention to the Scam free lance so called taxi drivers that are around the exit.They are a pest.
Take a look at this web site:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp...&city=Roma
Dont pay attention to the Scam free lance so called taxi drivers that are around the exit.They are a pest.
Take a look at this web site:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp...&city=Roma
May 28th, 2007, 08:37 AM
#55
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Enjoy my beautiful city, just be aware and keep your purse and belonging under control..Unfortunately Rome is not what it used to be 30 years ago..Too many undesirable people from other countries are living there..
PS, I am just stating facts that Unfortunately are true..So everyone, dont start your battles gears against me, please..
PS, I am just stating facts that Unfortunately are true..So everyone, dont start your battles gears against me, please..
May 28th, 2007, 10:31 AM
#56
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Cabs will take you any distance you want - and a ride of a mile - with surcharges for the luggage would be worth his while. I've taken cabs half a mile with luggage and no one ever objected.
If they do, just offer a little larger tip.
To me - trekking through dark, uneven streets dragging 2 kids and 4 suitcases is simply too irritating to contemplate.
If they do, just offer a little larger tip.
To me - trekking through dark, uneven streets dragging 2 kids and 4 suitcases is simply too irritating to contemplate.
May 29th, 2007, 08:40 AM
#60
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arizonagal...one more bit of advice before entering an unfamiliar city is to check it out on google earth. It is an awesome free program from Google that gives you great, high res photos of most large eruopean cities (and the rest of the world as well). "Fly" on over to Rome and check it out before you get there. The images are clear enough that you can get totally acquainted with the area right around the train station. You'll come out of the building already somewhat familiar with your surroundings. I did this at each city we visited last summer and it worked great.
