Hi, I'm contmemplating 2 very different trips for our February vacation. We have 2 boys ages 14 and 17, and we're trying to decide whether to go to a dude ranch in Arizona (White Stallion or Lazy K Bar) or to Rome. The trip will be about 6 days, and approximately the same cost (actually, the dude ranch will probably be a bit more).

We're flying from NYC. My husband is bored with Rome (go figure) and would rather go to the dude ranch. My oldest son would rather go to Italy (the kids have never been), the youngest doesn't care and I'm leaning towards Rome.

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much fodorites!

Go with Rome Nina!

Promise hubby bottles and bottles of his favorite wines!

Also, try getting him an off the cuff guidebook for Rome so he can be wowed with new stuff.

Thanks Go, I'm lobbying for Rome too, and he's a sucker for wine....

Rome... you are already leaning towards Rome plus your son would rather go to Italy so just take a family vote and if younger son abstains; Rome is the answer!

Buy a bottle or two of your husbands favorite Italian wine to get him in the mood for the trip.

Rome! But a dude ranch sounds pretty fun, too.

I haven'e been to either, but I know my sone (just a tad older than yours) would vote for Rome hands down. (So would I). A lot of similar thinking on this board!

simple solution: family goes to the ranch, equals special time with dad.. Mom goes to Rome with "a dude". Case closed.

I am always of the thinking that is nice to make everyone happy, but then again, it is not always living in my 'rose colored glasses' world.

So, I would lean towards Rome, and please make sure to do a day trip to Pompei, the boys (all three of them hopefully) will love it!

Rome, Rome and another vote for Rome. Being a hubby myself, I like the idea of out-of-the-box guide books. Besides the vino, set aside a day when the family will do whatever he wants. Let him pick something out of the ordinary or uniquely him. Think that should sooth any ruffled feathers.

With only about 6 days, I'm thinking Rome is too far to travel. Two days would be travel days, and your first day in Rome would be slow-paced, considering some possible jet-lag. I'd save Rome for a longer stay.

IMO Rome is too far for only 6 days. Secondly your husband doesn't want to go there!

So I vote dude ranch. And save Europe for another time, plus pick a different city (one your husband IS interested in).

I know a family that has been to a dude ranch twice and say it was the best family vacation ever.

6 days in Rome does seem short.

If you are going to do the dude ranch, I suggest that you need to sell the idea to your kids first, and decide that you want to go to also. It sounds like only your husband wants to go to a dude ranch. Personally I've never understood the appeal of a dude ranch and my teen boy and girl would not ever want to go to one w/our limited vacation time.

Oh heavens, I am afraid I did not notice the first time around that the length of your vacation is only 6 days.

May I vote again????

Dude Ranch.

As much as I love Jetset's solution...

One son wants Rome, another son is OK with it, and for it's still a dilemma? Wouldn't be for me if my sons would agree on anything at this age

I think you've already decided on Rome and that is certainly a great choice. On the other hand, I think the ranch experience can be amazing in a very different way. You and your family will get some exposure to another side of the U.S. and I really feel there is more family bonding in that type of environment.

Now I know I'm going to get flamed for suggesting that and I'm not saying you can't have plenty of good family bonding time in Rome. The advantage, to me is that in a beautiful rural ranch setting you are less distracted by shopping, dining, travelling to and fro and all the other necessities of being in a large city.


I've done both the vacations you suggest. You and kids are lucky to have that choice!

i know i already voted once, but the husband doesn't want to go to Rome. seems like that should be taken into consideration!!!

aren't there any other options besides Rome and a dude ranch? i've gotta say that there are.

I spoil my children so I would go to Rome for the oldest son.
But...Az will have better weather than Rome in Feb, so if everyone is OK with that, go to Rome.
I am of the group that thinks that if you can go to Italy ( France or wherever far far away) you should do that before you go to a Dude Ranch.

Is there a spa at the dude ranch? Do either boys like horses? Have they been riding? Have you or your husband? Does anyone have allergies? I would not take one of my kids anywhere near a dude ranch because of that. Just food for thought. Maybe you could combine the dude ranch with a couple of days in Scottsdale.

I'm afraid the cultural, historical, and culinary experiences that await your children in Rome just can't compare to a dude ranch in arizona. Your children are getting older, too. They're at such a great age to go to Rome!