August 7th, 2009 | 
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Last September we organized a surprise, three day, vacation in Rome for our two grandchildren, aged eight and eleven. Like most kids of their age, they have a somewhat limited appetite for cultural and historical things. We knew they would absolutely love a trip to Rome – or anywhere else for that matter – but the problem we faced was how to maximize both pleasure and educational value at the same time for them. We came up with the idea of giving them a project based on the places we intended to see. The project was designed as a questionnaire with multi-choice answers and marks awarded so they could compete against each other. At the end of the vacation we would total the scores and award suitable prizes. The projects were put in covers printed with a picture of ancient Roman and bearing a pseudo Roman name that was recognizable as a corruption of each child’s name. For example, the kids real names are Charlotte and Dan, so we endorsed the project covers, Charlotus and Danicus. The hardest part was ensuring that answers to the questions were visibly available at the places on our itinerary and that their ability level matched the ages of the children. For example, one of the questions we chose for our visit to the Colosseum was “How long did it take the Romans to build it?” Before including this question with its five multi-choice answers, we had to ensure that there was an information source bearing the correct answer, clearly visible in the Colosseum. We did all the necessary research for this kind of thing, using guide books and the Internet over a three week period before the holiday.
We also needed to ensure that the project included plenty of humour and light-hearted answers amongst the multi-choices. For example, a question that asked “Who was the first king of a united Italy” included “Francesco Totti”, the A.S. Roma soccer star as one of the possible answers.
The vacation was kept as a complete surprise from the children until they actually boarded the plane. Their mother told them that Nanny and Grandad were coming to collect them and take them to stay at their house for a few days. When they arrived at Luton Airport and boarded the flight for Rome their surprise and delight brought tears of joy to our eyes as well as their’s.
We presented them with their projects and they studied them during the two and a half hour flight.
After booking into our hotel in Rome, we immediately headed for the Colosseum, the nearest of the places we had decided to include in our itinerary. By the end of our first afternoon in Rome, both children had correctly answered all the questions about this world famous historic monument but much more importantly, they had really enjoyed their first few hours in this wonderful, ancient city.
That evening, we ate a delicious Roman dinner, sitting outside at an inexpensive little restaurant in an atmospheric alleyway just off the Piazzo di Rotonda.
Day two included more of the ancient city area before ascending to the Piazza del Campidoglio and then across the Tiber to have our lunch in the Trastevere area at another excellent restaurant located in a busy Piazza. Four light lunches, two beers and two soft drinks in one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, should surely have cost more than a couple of burger meals with drinks in an English motorway service station? But it didn’t and we could have easily whiled the rest of the afternoon away sitting at our table in this charming piazza.
Instead, we got up and continued our tour, reaching the Vatican by the end of the afternoon and returning to our hotel exhausted by way of the Ponte Sant Angelo and the Trevi fountain.
Our final day, started by helping the children to discover the name of the famous English poet who had lived and died in a house at the foot of the Spanish Steps. Then we ascended the steps to find out where Galileo had been imprisoned by the inquisition whilst they investigated whether a case for heresy against him could be substantiated. From there, we entered the Piazza del Pollo before wandering through Rome’s upmarket shopping area, Another lunch, not quite so inexpensive this time, was enjoyed in a street near to the Piazza Navonna. Afterwards we made our way to the Pantheon where more project questions were completed. We finished our last afternoon by walking through the Campo di Fiori and then on to the ancient city once more. Here, we discovered some of the things we had missed the previous day and finally accepted that three days to see so much in Rome is really quite inadequate.
Charlotus and Danicus presented their completed projects to us that evening over dinner just around the corner from the Trevi fountain, into which they had earlier thrown the obligatory coins. It had been a wonderful Roman holiday for them and for us. For anyone thinking of doing something similar for children of this age group, our best travel tip is to prepare a project like the one described in this article. You’ll find its more than worth the effort.
Help answer the question about vacation tips
A week vacation – LA & San diego tips needed?Hi
I am planning a Vacation for a week in LA (I am from SFO) and cover disney,seaworld, hollywood and san diego zoo..I gonna use city pass from costco.
I would appreciate any tips on where to stay, where can i find good hotel deals and any places to visit around LA. Do we get good deals if we book for a week instead of 5 days or something?
I am planning this with my wife and 2 year daughter
Thanks
Posted in tips and tricks | 
Tags: autopia, Disneyland, disneymoments, driving, legoland, school, Tips, tomorrowland, vacation, volvo
Most people think that the sings that say those with back problems should not experience the ride, think it applies to the scoliosis crowd. For the majority of those with a rod in the back, your back is actually stronger, and yes, the rides put a little pressure on the back but so does any type of activity.
While of course consulting your surgeon or family doctor is advisable, depending the ride, for the most part those back problem signs don’t normally apply.
The train would probably be more cost effective. However, you must keep in mind the travel time, high probabilty of delays and transfers, cost of food and beverages (quite high) on the train. Of course much of this depends on where you are departing from. I have traveled by both and if time is of no factor, the train can be a reasonable and intertesting way to go. Something else, if you are travel by train and the trip will take more than a full day, check into a sleeper car. The regular seating can be uncomfortable after awhile. The prices can change from day to day with the cost of fuel for either one. You can call either one to get prices and possibly book now if rates are good.
I wish had this a few months ago when I went on this, I left the video recording up to my mom, who didn’t want to get wet so I went on this ride solo.
It is fun, a good ride. GRR and Soarin’ Over California are the top two rides in this DCA.
FYI: I had scoliosis surgery in 98 and a titanium rod is in my lower back. For me the ride didn’t bother me, kind of made my back a little better after all walking I did. See above for continuing…
The only all inclusive trips I have taken have been cruises which I liked because I just unpacked once, settled in, then could choose if/when I wanted to go on shore excursions, or explore all the wonderful activities offered aboard the ship.
As the other answerer said – drinks, massages, beauty salon, etc. on board were NOT included, but there was a lot that was. It all depends on what you like to do & what your tastes are.
Best thing would be for you & your wife to do what he did – type in all inclusive vacations in your browser search line & review what comes up, then keep adding a keyword until you narrow it down to just those that fit the activities, locations, etc. that both of you like.
Good luck!!
haha. i think maybe you’ve convinced me to try kali river rapids at disneyworld. i have to bring a rain pancho though. lol!
I love people who ask questions, especially when they people they’re asking are vetrans. As former Orlando residents, we’re prone chuckle evilly when questions are asked…Thank you for all the tips, they are appreciated.
It must be a slow day in the J.J. household today. But to answer another of your fabulously funny questions, I will give it my best shot. Go out in the garage, climb up into the attic and get out all the seldom used camping equipment. Then, after you have removed all the camping stuff, take into the living room and set up the tent with your sleeping bags, etc. You may have to go outside to find enough rocks to build your fire pit, but place it near the tent so you will not get cold during the night. Go to your local convenience store and pick up enough wood to last through the night. Then return home, turn your air conditioner down to 60 degrees. When your husband comes home, you can have a nice roaring fire going, with a cup of hot chocolate and only wearing a smile. It will be the best at home vacation ever. Good luck with that.
you seem underweight. If you are going on vacation, the best advice i can give you is to HAVE FUN and eat the best and tastiest foods while you are at it. With an active lifestyle, your not going to add or lose too much weight.
what I just did is that I bought a disney gift and took the bag and wrapped it around my camera with rubber bands.
or you could just get one of those new waterproof cameras.
You need to get a Japan Rail Pass which gives you unlimited travel for the time you opt to purchase for………1 week, or 2 or 3 weeks .If you are just going to be on Honshu Island you can actually get a pass that is a bit cheaper just for that island.You could also look at the JAL flight passes but you miss the scenery if you fly.You must buy this Pass in YOUR country…………..you cannot buy them in Japan and you will save yourself a huge amount of money.
Look around Tokyo ………and do take a day trip to Kamakura…….go to the Tsukiji Fish Market on the way.
If you plan to go to Kyoto which is gorgeous you can mostly walk if you choose accommodation in a good location. There are maps with walking routes you get at the station.You won't get top see it all just do one section – we opted for the area near Murayama Park.There are so many shrines, temples gardens etc near here.
Catch the bus to Fuji go ko – Fuji Five Lakes…it is only an hour and a half and just beautiful …….at the base of Mt Fuji. Then take the bus to Gotemba which is a beautiful trip round the base of Mt Fuji through old traditional villages with thatched cottages etc.Change to a bus for Mishima – just catch the bus behind they call it Station 2 to Station 3.but was quite literally just the bus behind the one we got off. This bus takes you right to the Shinkansen which you can catch through to Kyoto.
If you go to Osaka, you should try and go further on to Himeji and see the castle …………probably the best in Japan and the Shrine and then on to Osaka. You could go on a little further to Okayama which has one of japan's best gardens but from Okayama you can take an ordinary train to Kurashiki – only 30 minutes ……..which is a really beautiful Edo period town.
You can look at these places at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/japanese-holidays.html
This website might help , check it out –
http://www.usairwaysforum.com/
My brother & I took a vacation, or more like a trip. Here is our story:
The wildwood flower grew wild on the farm
And we never knowed what it was called
Some said it was a flower and some said it was weed
I didn't gave it much thought…
One day I was out there talking to my brother
Reached down for a weed to chew on
Things got fuzzy and things got blurry
And then everything was gone
I Didn't know what happened
But I knew it beat the hell out of sniffin' burlap
I come to and my brother was there
And he said, 'What's wrong with your eyes?'
I said, 'I don't know, I was chewing on a weed'
He said, 'Let me give it a try'
We spent the rest of that day and most of that night
Trying to find my brother, Bill
Caught up with him 'bout six o'clock the next mornin'
Naked, swinging on the windmill
He said he flew up there
I had to fly up and get him down
He was about half crazy
The very next day we picked a bunch of them weeds
And put 'em in the sun to dry
Then we mashed 'em up and we cleaned 'em all
And put 'em in the corncob pipe
Smokin' them wildwood flowers got to be a habit
We didn't see no harm
We thought it was kind of handy
Have you ever take a trip and never leave the farm
A big ol' puff on the wildwood weed
Next thing you know
We's just wandering behind the little animals
All good things gotta come to an end
And it's the same with the wildwood weed
One day this feller from Washington come by
And he spied us and he turned white as a sheet
And he dug and he burned
And he burned and he dug
And he killed all our cute little weeds
Then he drove away
We just smiled and waved
Sittin' there on that sack of seeds
Y'all come back now, ya hear
ya it’s still open….
I’ve never been to dineyland, but i’ve been to disney world. So i really want to go!
disneyland is awesome i’v been there a million times but i’v nvr been 2 disneyworld lol were loike the opposite
book supplier direct to avoid cancel or non refundable fares.
dig up association member cards, like AAA or AARP, you can get 10-15% off the weekly rate, (weekly rates are 5x the daily)
check with the company you work for, they may have a coporate agreement in place that may be available- many of these agreements waive airport fees and taxes, add'l driver and underage driver fees- real expensive fees here.
Also return the car to same location to avoid drop off charges and lastly, reserve a Compact car, most people are looking for smaller cars now with the most fuel efficiency. So reserve a smaller car and most likly they will upgrade you for free at counter.. if you wanbt a larger car, reserve in advance as paying for an upgrade at counter is usually much higher. oh, yeah, bring a copy of insurance card with you as well..
this is a really good tip thank you =) My mom, dad, grandma,friend Breanne, and I are going and wanted to film some of the water rides but didn’t want to get the camera wet. So with this video we can film without damaging our camera!!! THANK YOU!!!!!! we are leaving in 1 week and 5 days!!!!