If it were you...

[RWMorris]

We lived in Italy for two years (had a baby there and everything!) Do NOT miss the opportunity to take a trip to see this beautiful country!
Make sure to apply for your passports early and DO request expedited ones. It’s worth the money - I had to do it last year.

 

[kage_ar]

Italy -

Rome
Florence
Venice

Have been there with a pile of family, even little bitty kids.

Rick Steves has great travel guides.

 

[KCT]

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!)

3 yrs ago, we had 10K to work with. There are 5 of us and we went at Christmas. First we flew to London, spent 2 nights there, then went on to Rome for a week in the apartment. Then we drove to Canara (outside Assisi) and stayed in a hotel for 5 nights. From there, we took day trips.

We flew back to London for 2 more nights, then home. Overall, it was about a 2 week trip. We were in Rome for Christmas and attended JPII’s last midnight Mass on Christmas. What a grace!

The side trips to London were because hubby likes London and it was more economical. From here on the east coast, you can fly to London for pretty cheap, then go on to anywhere else in Europe. I’ve gone to Rome by way of London twice. PM me if you have questions. I’ll see if I can dig up apartment info later —KCT

 

[homewardbound]

Happy birthday in advance!!! I remember being 22. I was just married at that age.

I hope you have a great time on your birthday!!!

Thank you! I’m sure it will be a good day

I’ll be married a year later, at 23…or so I’m told. crosses fingers

Take care and have lots a fun in Italy if thats where you go!

 

[DJgang]

I’d go to Italy!

I’ve been there, loved it!

10K should get you an awesome trip!

 

[eliza3b]

Personally, I’d take the trip to Italy. Those are memories that will last a life time. My husband, though, would opt for the big party with DJ. For his 40th, I threw him a big party, for mine, we went to Vegas (stayed at the Bellagio) for a few days.

 

[KCT]

Here are some links to apartments in Rome:

www.rentalinrome.com
www.romerentals.com
www.roma.cityapartments.it

I think the last one is the one we used. I don’t remember what we paid, but if you go on the sites, you can click to see various apartments and prices. Open xe.com/ucc/ to figure currency exchange.

If you decide to go, the first thing I’d do is get a Rick Steeves Rome guide. Then choose which area of the city you want to stay in. The above sites are arranged by location - near St. Peter’s, near Termini Station etc.

We LOVED our apartment. We saved on food because we had a kitchen and there was a grocery store across the square, so shopping was convenient. It was an old building with a wide staircase and tiny elevator. The stairway always smelled good, like an Italian grandma was cooking! Having an apartment felt homey, like we belonged there . . . we could sit around the kitchen table and talk about all we did that day. We also had a washing machine, which was nice. (few people in Rome have dryers; you hang dry!)

I could go on and on! For some a hotel works best. For us, since it was my second time in Rome and I felt comfortable there, the apartment was wonderful. —KCT (my other 2 trips I stayed in convents)

 

[iamrefreshed]

I vote Italy.

I went last year with my wife, children and MIL. A few things…

It is very expensive. Figure on $4-5K per person after all is said and done. You can probably do it a bit cheaper.

Go in the fall. Summers in Italy can be brutal. It is also much less crowded in the fall (or winter). We went in October and it was still quite warm (to us Floridians).

Of course you will go to the Vatican! Write ahead for tickets to a papal audience. Find out before planning your trip the Pope’s schedule.

DON’T miss Venice.

Let me know if you decide to go, I’d be happy to share our experience. Even some pictures!

 

[1ke]

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!

Only you know your family. I would choose any of the options other than #3 and #5.

I would not choose #3 because I do not believe in throwing big birthday parties for kids, nor do I see 16 as a particular milestone.

I would not choose #5 because I like birthday celebrations whether they are small or large.

#1 would be great if you have family nearby who like to celebrate and get along with each other.

#2 would be awesome if you, your DH, and your son all want to go, and if you can afford it and it fits into schedules.

#4 would be nice if you are more of an introvert, or your DH is, or if you aren’t in to big parties.

If I chose #2 or #4 without my son, I’d also let him have a party with his friends, like less than 10 people going out to their favorite restaurant/game arcade/movie, etc.

 

[lizaanne]

Hmmm - let’s see - a party or a family trip of a lifetime?

No brainer for me - go to Italy!!!

As a matter of fact, Saint Michael’s Media is sponsoring a pilgrimage to Rome in November next year! I can’t wait to go myself!

Whatever you do - I’m sure it will be wonderful that you are doing it as a family.

Congrats!

~Liza

 

[whatevergirl]

Only you know your family. I would choose any of the options other than #3 and #5.

I would not choose #3 because I do not believe in throwing big birthday parties for kids, nor do I see 16 as a particular milestone.

I would not choose #5 because I like birthday celebrations whether they are small or large.

#1 would be great if you have family nearby who like to celebrate and get along with each other.

#2 would be awesome if you, your DH, and your son all want to go, and if you can afford it and it fits into schedules.

#4 would be nice if you are more of an introvert, or your DH is, or if you aren’t in to big parties.

If I chose #2 or #4 without my son, I’d also let him have a party with his friends, like less than 10 people going out to their favorite restaurant/game arcade/movie, etc.

Your post is so very detailed…thank you! I think we will opt for the Italy trip. I somewhat concur with you about throwing ornate parties for teenagers…I think turning 21 is more of a ‘coming of age,’ type thing. Or even 18–when you are now legally an adult. But, 16 perhaps because of the driving age, is considered a milestone by many. I just hope we can make this dream trip happen.

 

[1ke]

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

When DH and I went to Italy for our honeymoon we stayed in a hotel. But, in 1998 I went with group of girlfriends and as the official trip planner (and cheap person that I am) I rented an apartment. It was 3 bedroom, slept 6 comfortably (except for the 1 bathroom, that was a pain with 6 girls) and had a living room, kitchen, dining area… I paid $1000 for 7 days. That was an AWESOME bargain for 6 people. Don’t know what it would be now.

Would a family of four cost somewhere around $8-10k…? I was hoping we could do this for under $10k. (so was my dh!)

There are so many variables-- how long you stay, where you go, what you do, and when you go.

Your biggest costs will be hotel and airfare. Admission to various museums/attractions can add up, and also food if you eat in restaurants is very expensive (but there are ways to cut costs).

Rick Steves is a good resource for traveling on the cheap.

Since you’ve never been overseas, you may want to consider a tour group-- Trafalgar Tours is a good middle-of-the-road tour… not super budget but not the most expensive.

You could possibly do the tour and then add on several days in Rome on your own… since you will likely want to see/do some Catholic things that a tour group wouldn’t focus on.

A tour is a great way to go to Europe for the first time.

Also, children often qualify for student discounts on admissions and such-- so find a travel agent who can help you sort through all your options.

Also-- personally, if it’s your first trip-- don’t try to do too much. Yes, Venice is awesome, yes Capri is not to be missed, yes Florence is worth it… BUT… if you only have a week you will spend all your time running from one place to the next and you will really cut into your time to see things. Italy is a big place.

I would focus on ROME, and maybe do a day trip to Assisi from Rome.

Tours make it easier to see multiple cities.

 

[Melissa2007]

I went to Italy right after I graduated from HS. It’s amazing. I didn’t really appreciate it at the time, but my parents wanted me to stay away from Cancun at Spring BReak so this was the alternative. I definitelay apprciate it now. I knew nothing about the Catholic Church at the time, and we went to the Vatican and I thought it was just a big church-can you believe that!!!
So, I vote trip and a party for the 16 year old if that is what he wants. Our trip was with EF education tours. It helped to have a guide, but I think they only do big groups-not sure.