homeschoolmom Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 My daughter and her classmates are leaving next Friday for their pilgrimage to Rome. It's going to be fantastic. The timing is exciting and they are going to be right in the thick of things. My daughter was not originally going to be able to go, but... turns out, now she is. She found out on Thursday. I'm very excited for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 That is great that it worked out for her. :) I am sure she will enjoy it. Do you happen to know what stops they are making? I am trying to plan my honeymoon such that it will be equal parts pilgrimage and vacation, and I want to make sure I do not miss some of the better religious sites that are off the beaten path. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Your PM box is full so I'm just going to paste it here: Hello! Congratulations on your daughter's trip to Rome! I'm sure she's going to have a great time with her classmates! You probably already know this but American's get targeted for a lot of petty, non-Violent crime in Rome. Pickpockets are a huge thing and there is a huge market for scams. For example, the last time I was there guys would try to basically tie a braid of thread with the Italian colors on a kids hand and then demand payment. The idea is to rope an American who doesn't know the society or laws into feeling like they could get into trouble for not paying. Lot's of stuff like that. Nothing really scary or violent but a way for a kid to lose whatever spending money they have real quick and make a great trip not so fun. So, you seem like the sort of person who already knows this but just in case there are some good websites out there about how to avoid getting pickpocketed or ripped off in a place like Rome where there is basically an industry based on ripping off tourists. My personal experience with the Italian police (I actually had to report a lost passport in Rome) was that they were professional. I don't remember the Taxi situation in Rome but I know that in a lot of countries like Rome there are set rates for cab fares. If you have't already I'd just look up local laws like that and there are a lot of little things you can do to avoid getting ripped off (like when I was in Turkey I never called a cab. I had friends call when I was in Istanbul proper and when I was in the touristy area of Istanbul on the way back I had the hotel call since people stay professional with them and it hurts their business if people feel like they'll get them ripped off). The State Department usually has good travel warnings and local laws to be aware of. Her tour guide should know them but I personally have found it to know them personally. There's also a thing where you can register with the state department so they'll have all of your information, where you're going, phone number et cetera which is pretty good. It's also a good idea to carry some photocopies of your passport in different luggage and clothing so you have it just in case you lose your passport. Like I said I'm pretty sure you know all of that but I thought I'd just extend some thoughts just in case Anyway, have a great day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 That's pretty funny. I just saw this post after posting my own one on Rome. Congratulations to your daughter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 The really unfortunate thing about Rome is that you can only get there from here by way of air-travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 I was in Rome a couple years ago for a day. We found a taxi at the airport and prearranged a meet-up point and time for him to take us back to the airport, he gave us his cell phone number so we could call if things changed. It worked very well for us. Our driver was a great tour guide as he was driving as well. For us, 5 in our group, it was cheaper to pay the cab fare than use the metro to and from the airport. If this is a group thing I'm sure travel has already been figured out, but I figured since Hasan had mentioned not knowing the taxi situation in Rome I'd add. As well, I am happy for your daughter, he eternal city is a beautiful place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted March 10, 2013 Author Share Posted March 10, 2013 Fortunately, she is traveling with lots of experienced adult chaperones. They've been talked to quite a bit about getting scammed, etc. They're staying right off of St. Peter's Square. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inunionwithrome Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 My parish priest got to go with a group of pilgrims from TX! He also got to concelebrate Mass with a cardinal and bishop. What a once in a life tme opportunity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 How exciting! And razzle dazzle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 That is great that it worked out for her. :) I am sure she will enjoy it. Do you happen to know what stops they are making? I am trying to plan my honeymoon such that it will be equal parts pilgrimage and vacation, and I want to make sure I do not miss some of the better religious sites that are off the beaten path. :) I don't know exactly. They keep changing the itinerary, but I can let you know what they did after she gets home. How exciting! And razzle dazzle. Yes, very. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I don't know exactly. They keep changing the itinerary, but I can let you know what they did after she gets home. I would really appreciate that, if you do remember by the time they get back. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 The really unfortunate thing about Rome is that you can only get there from here by way of air-travel. Just for the record, I visited Rome by way of a cruise ship stop at Citaveccia(sp?) and then took a bus to Rome. (No air travel--at least for visiting Rome.) Unfortunately, that meant I was only in Rome for a day. My then-husband (a Catholic--at least in name) wanted to see the Vatican and so did I. That took the whole day, so I missed a lot of Rome, but I am VERY glad we chose to visit the Vatican. Seeing St. Peter's square last night brought back a lot of memories--I had forgotten how big it was--and how beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted March 24, 2013 Author Share Posted March 24, 2013 Well, she's home! She got to see and do a lot of cool things. They had good spots for the inaugural Mass and the Angelus. Tons of pictures (so glad they aren't film!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 One fun thing I forgot... The national networks were broadcasting from the roof of the kids' homebase. (eg NBC was broadcasting from the roof above their balcony.) NBC was interviewing Cardinal Dolan, and between interviews, they went out to the balcony and sang Ave Verum Corpus. Cardinal Dolan peeked over and watched with appreciation and gave them a thumbs up. Then he shouted down, "Do you know 'Danny Boy'?" :hehe: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidei Defensor Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 I can't wait to return to Rome some day… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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