If it were you...

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whatevergirl

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…And you were going to be experiencing milestone birthdays in your family (I will be 40 next year, my husband will be 50…my son will be 16 next year, as well) which of the following would you pick to celebrate?
  1. have a big party–family friends, DJ, catered, etc…
  2. take a trip to Italy (this is where my dad was born, and we have been talking about doing this for a while)
  3. only throw a big party for my son for his 16th birthday
  4. Go away for a few nights, locally (we are in FL)
  5. Do nothing
If you select #2 – please let me know if you have been with your family to Europe, and when to prepare. Thanks!
 
Before I can give you an answer, I’ll have to wait until December 12th. My mom is our world traveler and can give you good advice, but she’s currently touring Germany and Austria, so I can’t contact her.

I think you need to take me along on your trip, by the way.😃 I’ll carry the bag for you “old folks.”
 
mommyof4 said:
Before I can give you an answer, I’ll have to wait until December 12th. My mom is our world traveler and can give you good advice, but she’s currently touring Germany and Austria, so I can’t contact her.

I think you need to take me along on your trip, by the way.😃 I’ll carry the bag for you “old folks.”
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LOL:D Yes, please come…the more, the merrier, I say!

I am sorry–I changed the name of the thread…and a bit of the content. We have been tossing a few things around…so, thought I’d show all of the ideas–Italy being one of them. That is soooo awesome that your mom travels like this–does she do this with a group??
 
They all sound good to me 🙂 Hope you guys have a wonderful year, sounds like you surely will!
 
whatevergirl said:
LOL:D Yes, please come…the more, the merrier, I say!

I am sorry–I changed the name of the thread…and a bit of the content. We have been tossing a few things around…so, thought I’d show all of the ideas–Italy being one of them. That is soooo awesome that your mom travels like this–does she do this with a group??
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Yes- she goes to a different part of the world every fall around this time. They do a bit of charity work, and travel at the same time. They get great rates, too. If you are interested in traveling with a tour group, let me know and I can pm you the information for their group.

She’s been to Italy, Greece, Africa, India, France, China, Japan, Denmark, Ireland, England, Scotland, Thailand, Turkey, Nepal, and a few other places I can’t recall off the top of my head.
 
mommyof4 said:
Yes- she goes to a different part of the world every fall around this time. They do a bit of charity work, and travel at the same time. They get great rates, too. If you are interested in traveling with a tour group, let me know and I can pm you the information for their group.

She’s been to Italy, Greece, Africa, India, France, China, Japan, Denmark, Ireland, England, Scotland, Thailand, Turkey, Nepal, and a few other places I can’t recall off the top of my head.
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Oh wow!!! I want your mom’s life.😃 Japan? I bet that was absolutely awesome…what was her favorite place??

Yes, could you please send me the info via pm? That would be great.🙂 Grazie! (only thing I know in Italian)😊
 
whatevergirl said:
Oh wow!!! I want your mom’s life.😃 Japan? I bet that was absolutely awesome…what was her favorite place??

Yes, could you please send me the info via pm? That would be great.🙂 Grazie! (only thing I know in Italian)😊
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Hold on, let me go find the info. It’s in one of the paper piles in my bedroom.😊
 
I think it depends on what each person wants for their birthday. I personally hate big crowds and parties and would never have a big bash. I’d probably either travel, haha if I only had the money! Or just have a nice quiet day with those I love.

My 22nd birthday is Friday and I am going out to dinner with my two best friends(my best girl friend and my boyfriend) and probably will spend the evening watching movies with them. Thats good enough for me. But everyone is different.

I’m sure whatever happens will be great. I hope you all have great birthdays!🙂
 
**If you do decide to do the family trip (which sounds like the most amazing option;)) just be sure to make a big deal out of your son’s birthday while there. He is the only minor and a teenager at that so remember that the world still revolves around him, lol.

Ok, that sounded not the way I intended. I don’t mean you have a selfish child:confused:. What I’m trying to say is that the rest of you adults will most likely be a bit more flexible to things not going “your” way because of maturity… arrrgghhhh…I hope you know what I mean:o

malia
**
 
I would choose #2…but then again, I ADORE travelling (been to 21 countries, including Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, etc).

I’d say to start planning soon. These things take time to plan. And research every place you are going. Lonelyplanet is a good guide for travelers. Also, check reviews online on places you are planning to visit (especially for hotels/hostels…one of the hostels my friends and i stayed in…the people didnt speak english and i found out later that the store next to us was a crack house:eek: ).

You can get those via rail passes (they make travel alot easier, cuz you dont have to waste time waiting in queues). However, they work only on certain trains…some nicer trains require you to have a reservation, so you need to pay a bit extra (around 10-15 euros).

As for Italy, avoid going during Easter week (unless you want to make it really special). It’s usually very busy during this time, but it is still nice if you are going for spiritual fullfillment. My time there with family, we did the trinidium (holy thurs, good fri, holy sat, easter sun) at Vatican City. and it was amazing.

but, if one wants to do touristy stuff…it’s not great… we barely could get in the plaza for the Trevi Fountain…let alone take a decent picture. Italy is usually less touristy during the summery months (july, aug) due to the heat. I dont know how you and your family deal with heat, but I dont find it that bad (you can usually dip your feet in a fountain to cool off …but be careful of the police 😉 ).

of course, i am thinking the major cities…Venice, Rome, Florence …and not small towns.

note: if you are considering Naples, be forewarned that it’s rather dirty…but outside of this city is really beautiful.

note# 2 : if you are considering renting a car, it will usually be a standard. and certain gas places need exact change.
 
Feanaro_s_Wife said:
**If you do decide to do the family trip (which sounds like the most amazing option;)) just be sure to make a big deal out of your son’s birthday while there. He is the only minor and a teenager at that so remember that the world still revolves around him, lol.

Ok, that sounded not the way I intended. I don’t mean you have a selfish child:confused:. What I’m trying to say is that the rest of you adults will most likely be a bit more flexible to things not going “your” way because of maturity… arrrgghhhh…I hope you know what I mean:o

malia
**
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HAHA I know what you mean! Actually, good point.:o I truly am not a big birthday–let’s go all out–weeeee it’s our birthdays–kind of person…I mean, big woop if you ask me on most of my birthdays…BUT…these are milestone birthdays…🙂 So…I thought we could make a bigger ‘fuss’ this year.

Perhaps my interest in these birthdays, is that my mom passed away when she was 52, my dad when he was 54…so, we never know how long we really have…:o
 
Ankabaranka_87 said:
I would choose #2…but then again, I ADORE travelling (been to 21 countries, including Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, etc).

I’d say to start planning soon. These things take time to plan. And research every place you are going. Lonelyplanet is a good guide for travelers. Also, check reviews online on places you are planning to visit (especially for hotels/hostels…one of the hostels my friends and i stayed in…the people didnt speak english and i found out later that the store next to us was a crack house:eek: ).

You can get those via rail passes (they make travel alot easier, cuz you dont have to waste time waiting in queues). However, they work only on certain trains…some nicer trains require you to have a reservation, so you need to pay a bit extra (around 10-15 euros).

As for Italy, avoid going during Easter week (unless you want to make it really special). It’s usually very busy during this time, but it is still nice if you are going for spiritual fullfillment. My time there with family, we did the trinidium (holy thurs, good fri, holy sat, easter sun) at Vatican City. and it was amazing.

but, if one wants to do touristy stuff…it’s not great… we barely could get in the plaza for the Trevi Fountain…let alone take a decent picture. Italy is usually less touristy during the summery months (july, aug) due to the heat. I dont know how you and your family deal with heat, but I dont find it that bad (you can usually dip your feet in a fountain to cool off …but be careful of the police 😉 ).

of course, i am thinking the major cities…Venice, Rome, Florence …and not small towns.

note: if you are considering Naples, be forewarned that it’s rather dirty…but outside of this city is really beautiful.

note# 2 : if you are considering renting a car, it will usually be a standard. and certain gas places need exact change.
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Oh boy–would I like to pick your brain!!!😃 (I never liked that phrase…sounds gross doesn’t it? lol)

But, I must run now…my son needs the computer, but I’d love to pm you some of my questions, ie: passport costs, how we can get the most for our money, great areas to shop, safe places to stay, etc…

I hope you don’t mind me bugging you soon.🙂
 
I’ve been to Italy 3 times and would go back in a heartbeat! It’s the best. Rome is amazing - the history, art, architecture, food, people . . . it’s all amazing.

If you do this, choose your dates, book flights then start looking for lodging. We rented an apartment in Rome for a week and it was fabulous. (I found it on line; I searched on ‘Rome apartments’) —KCT
 
whatevergirl said:
Oh boy–would I like to pick your brain!!!😃 (I never liked that phrase…sounds gross doesn’t it? lol)

But, I must run now…my son needs the computer, but I’d love to pm you some of my questions, ie: passport costs, how we can get the most for our money, great areas to shop, safe places to stay, etc…

I hope you don’t mind me bugging you soon.🙂
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Dont worry about it :). I’d love to help…I just hope I can answer your questions.
 
KCT said:
I’ve been to Italy 3 times and would go back in a heartbeat! It’s the best. Rome is amazing - the history, art, architecture, food, people . . . it’s all amazing.

If you do this, choose your dates, book flights then start looking for lodging. We rented an apartment in Rome for a week and it was fabulous. (I found it on line; I searched on ‘Rome apartments’) —KCT
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My dad’s dad was born in Rome…his mom in Capri…and I’d like to visit all of the places he spoke of when I was a kid. And oh, of course have mass with the Pope…that would be the ultimate!

May I ask…how much was your apartment? I hadn’t thought of renting an apartment?

Would a family of four cost somewhere around $8-10k…? I was hoping we could do this for under $10k. (so was my dh!)🙂
 
homewardbound said:
I think it depends on what each person wants for their birthday. I personally hate big crowds and parties and would never have a big bash. I’d probably either travel, haha if I only had the money! Or just have a nice quiet day with those I love.

My 22nd birthday is Friday and I am going out to dinner with my two best friends(my best girl friend and my boyfriend) and probably will spend the evening watching movies with them. Thats good enough for me. But everyone is different.

I’m sure whatever happens will be great. I hope you all have great birthdays!🙂
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Happy birthday in advance!!! I remember being 22. I was just married at that age.:love:

I hope you have a great time on your birthday!!!🙂
 
I’d go with Italy! But then again, my father is also Italian (Florence:))
 
KCT might have something going there…

But, another suggestion is Pilgrim houses. I am not really sure about this, because my dad organized staying in these places, but this link may help: meleterc.com/Page6monistaries.html

or, ask your church, they may provide some help.

They provide simple stay. definately no 5 star treatment. Just a bed, shower, sink (sometimes there are shared washrooms…) and some places provide breakfast and dinner. I know that the place my parents and i stayed at (Polish Pilgrim house)…the nuns made AMAZING homecooked meals. When we went, it costed about 40 euro/night. But that was a few years ago. and this wasnt exactly in downtown Rome. But, as a bonus (and probably because my dad has alot of connections with the place)…we got to see to have an audience (well, 200-500 ppl) with the Pope…and got to spend ~ 1 min (because there were many people who wanted to see him)- one-on-one with him (I even got blessed by him 🙂 )…this included a couple of pics by professionals with him

I dont know how much you know about Italy…but they are notorious for pick pocketers (or was that only Rome). I personally never had a problem with this (knock on wood), but my dad did…so be careful with your wallets…just dont be those ‘obnoxious’ tourists ;).

Also, they usually weigh out your pizza. you dont pay for slice. There’s an amazing pizza place near the spanish steps…cant recall what it’s called, but its also near the subway station.

As for water, better bring your nalgene bottles…buying water in Rome is quite expensive…so most people get their water from drinking fountains (in the style of old Rome ;))

and don’t worry about the flights…i myself am nervous when getting on a plane…so i usually go to confession prior to the flight…just in case 😉
 
I would chose #2 and on top of that I would try hard to meet the Pope or atleast see him from far!! 😉

I myself went when I was 16 on a trip with my family and visited Venice, Florence, and Rome!

I had a blast! I am sure your 16 year old son, will too!
 
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