Category Archives: Parenting

Getting the Right Ski Boots for Your Kids

How to find the right ski boots for kids

So parents have for years had a love/hate relationship with kids’ ski boots. Yes it is the vehicle that helps keep their kids out on the hill and exercising every weekend, all winter long, but the downside is of course, those pesky growing feet.

Take your kid on a ski adventure this winter

There are several options modern parents have to get the right boot on their kids feet to keep them happy, healthy, warm and tearing up the mountain.

Sizing and Fit on Ski Books

Proper sizing is crucial. Children’s feet grow quickly, so it’s essential to measure their feet accurately before buying. Ski boot sizes are typically given in Mondopoint sizing (in centimeters), which is the length of the foot. Make sure there is a snug fit without being too tight. A good rule of thumb is to leave about a finger’s width of space at the heel.

Ski Boot Flex Rating

The flex rating of a ski boot determines how stiff or soft it is. For kids, you generally want softer flex ratings because they have less weight and strength to flex stiffer boots properly. The appropriate flex rating will depend on the child’s age, size, and skiing ability. Younger and less experienced skiers should have softer boots.

Types of Ski Boots Available

boots

First let me explain the types of boots you need to know about. There are two major types, rear entry and front entry boots.

 

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What Are Rear Entry Ski Boots?

rear entry

Rear entry boots are what they sound like, boots you enter from the rear. They fold forward and then once your child has placed his foot in the boot, he leans back and you crank the binding until it’s tight enough. The plus to rear entry is that it’s easy to get in, so great for little kids that need some help getting their boots on. This is easier on moms and dads’ backs as they spend less time hunched over trying to get a boot on a little kid’s foot.  The downside is that as kids advance, there are less points to fit the boot against the foot leaving some play inside the boot, which can make it harder for kids to stay in control of their turns and edging.

What Are Front Entry Ski Boots?

Salomon-T3-kids-ski-boot
Solomon T3 Front Entry boot for kids

These are boots that will give your child a better fit overall, the more buckles, the more fit. Buckles help you fit the boot to your child’s foot by adding multiple points to close the gap between the boot and your child’s foot. This means there’s less leeway when making turns. The better the fit the more responsive the ski will be to your child’s foot and leg.

But remember, every buckle you have on your child’s boot, means, one more buckle…to buckle..and unbuckle…every time you go in and out of the warming hut. So usually three or four buckles should be the max.

Think About Insulation

Cold feet can ruin a skiing experience. Consider boots with adequate insulation to keep your child’s feet warm in chilly conditions. Some boots also come with heat-moldable liners for added comfort. Here are some of the things to consider when looking at warmth and comfort for your child’s boots.

Thinsulate in Your Boots

Thinsulate is a popular insulation material known for its warmth-to-weight ratio. It provides excellent insulation without adding significant bulk to the boot. Many ski boots, including those designed for kids, use Thinsulate to keep feet warm.

PrimaLoft Insulation in Boots

PrimaLoft is another high-performance insulation material used in ski boots. It’s known for its lightweight and water-resistant properties, making it a good choice to keep kids’ feet dry and warm.

Fleece Insulation in Ski Boots

Some ski boots have fleece liners or fleece-lined cuffs to provide warmth and comfort. Fleece is soft and retains heat well, making it a suitable option for keeping feet cozy.

Thermal Liners In Your Child’s Boots

Some ski boots, especially those designed for colder conditions, come with thermal liners. These liners are designed to trap heat and provide additional insulation to keep feet warm in frigid temperatures.

Custom Moldable Liners in Ski Boots

Some high-end ski boots come with custom moldable liners that can be heated and molded to the shape of the child’s foot. These liners not only provide a personalized fit but also enhance insulation by reducing air gaps. This might be a bit much for boots they are going to grow out of but if you’ve got a racer, or a future high perfomance skier and you can afford it, it’s worth considering.

Ski Boot Insulation Reflective Foil

Some boots have a layer of reflective foil integrated into the liner or shell. This foil reflects body heat back towards the foot, helping to maintain warmth.

Gore-Tex

While not an insulation material per se, Gore-Tex is a waterproof and breathable membrane often used in the construction of ski boot liners. It helps keep feet dry by preventing moisture from entering the boot while allowing moisture vapor (sweat) to escape. Dry feet are more likely to stay warm.

Layered Insulation

Some ski boot liners combine multiple insulation materials in layers to maximize warmth and comfort.

Where to find ski boots for your kids

Rent at the ski area

You have a number of options when renting skis and boots. Here’s my breakdown of how to get them:

You can rent boots at the ski area where you are going, usually. If you are renting boots you’ll really need to rent the skis there as well. Not sure how many places just rent boots and if they do, don’t expect them to fit the ski bindings to your boots. Many ski resort rental areas won’t touch someone else’s skis. Bring your own screwdriver to set your bindings, and that’s only if you are sure you know how to do it.

The downsides to renting at the area you are skiing at? Well, it’s usually a zoo and lines can be long, especially on weekends. There’s a chance your size might not be available when you get there, screwing up your whole day. It also eats up time on the hill that you are paying a lot of money for.

If you have friends with you who have their own skis, they will kind of hate you if they have to stare at the mountain and wait for you while you get your kids’ skis. It’s an icky way to start the day off at a mountain. It’s infinitely better to walk up, get your ticket and hit the hill. Or better yet, have your tickets sent to you in advance. Then with skis in hand, you simply walk onto the hill. It’s like the feeling you get with TSA PreCheck at the airport, only times a thousand because you are standing on a ski mountain instead of staring at a security line. But you get the point.

Renting Boots and Skis at a Local Ski Area Near the Mountain

How to choose the right ski boot
You can get great ski boots to rent in ski and snow sport shops near your local ski area

This is far more civilized than trying to rent at the mountain. Call ahead, reserve your boots and/or skis at a shop on the way to the mountain. Tell them your child’s size and they’ll have your skis waiting for you. They will likely be a better price, and can probably sell you discounted ski area tickets. Not always, but make sure to ask. You get more one on one attention and you know they’ve reserved what you need. It still eats into your time on the snow as you’ll need to spend a little time making sure the skis fit. But it’s worth it, especially if you are skiing for a few days. This way you only have to do this once and it’s like you have your own skis for the stay. If you can, time it so you are picking up your skis the night before you’ll need them so you can spend your whole day on the hill without stopping to fit your skis. Use the morning to eat a longer breakfast if you like.

Renting Boots and Skis at a Place Near Home

This is a nice option if you have a place near you at home that rents skis. If you are flying or spending a day just driving, make sure to compare what it will cost you to what it would cost you near or at the mountain. Even if you are not skiing, if you are spending a few days to get there and back, you’ll still have to pay for those days. You’ll also need to schlep them, either in the car or on the plane. The nice part is you can pick them up at your leisure early enough before your trip so that you are not eating into snow time.

Renting Boots and Skis for the Season

This is my personal favorite and what I do every year. For about $100, I get my daughter fitted at Miller Ski and Sports in Warwick, New York in August. I get an early bird discount, and as soon as the first snowfall, they’ll have her skis ready and I’ll have them for the whole season. Bring them back at the end of the season and you are good. If you are going to ski more than three or four times in the year then it’s definitely worth it to have this option.

Now, you do have to schlep them the same as you do when you own your skis, so that is a consideration. And if your kids can carry their own skis, or you don’t mind, that’s not a problem, but if you are a single mom like me, I used to have to make sure I could carry my skis as well as my daughters. A double ski bag solved that problem for me. But the benefits to renting skis for the season from a local shop are you get one-on-one attention, you get your own skis for the season as if you owned them, and you can get fitted at your leisure.

The only time I’d say this really wouldn’t work for you is if your child is such a high performance skier, or in the racing program that he needs his own, top of the line skis. Now when I was a ski instructor, we had racing teams come after school and about half of them had season rentals and they seemed fine enough. But again, if your kid is racing and needs the best of the best and you can afford it, then ski swaps or buying new might be a better bet.

Finding Gear at Ski Swaps

Every ski area and community usually has some local ski swap, usually in the late summer or early Fall. Parents of kids who belong to the local ski programs often run these ski swaps hoping to make better use of the short lived fitting of perfectly good ski boots and skis. Aside from that there are also online places to try. Ski swaps or used gear sites take a little more effort to find just what you want, but you can get some awesome deals on ski products. They also often have other things like pants, gloves and jackets, also expensive gear that children grow out of. Here are some sites to try. Many of the big, local ski swaps can offer both used and new gear.

Purchasing your Child’s Boots and Skis 

This is the easiest one of course. You have several options. In person or online. If you have ski shops near you, by all means check in, and do so in the Fall when the boots first come in, or end of season to see if you can get lucky on next years. I’d be a little careful with boots though for end of season deals, as kids feet do grow. So end of season is good for skis and clothes, but boots for children, you don’t want to have a growth spurt over the summer that will ruin your new boot purchase. Don’t wait too long past Christmas though to purchase as pickins get slim.

There are of course, ski shops on the mountain itself but if you wait until then, plan on paying top dollar–and getting what you get. You really want to do your research if you are buying new, so picking out of whatever’s in the shop doesn’t seem smart to me. Unless you shatter your boots on the mountain (which I have done once in my life–it was amazing to see your boots just shatter around your feet–they were old) I can’t imagine a reason for something like boots or skis right on the mountain. Maybe I’m wrong but someone will have to convince me why that makes total sense.

Here are some links to some very decent sources of gear. A lot of little local shops also carry gear so I recommend doing your homework.

Photo by Victoire Joncheray on Unsplash

Photo by Maxwell Ingham on Unsplash

Image by prostooleh on Freepik

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Aquarium Adventure: Great Ideas for the Best Aquariums Around the World

Hey Adventure parents, do you need a break from the kayaking and biking and other outdoor adventures you are having with the family? Looking for some chill, educational family entertainment that still has a big wow factor. How about some fun time at the aquarium?

There are several amazing aquariums around the world that are great options for a family outing. Here are some renowned aquariums that that families around the world love:

Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

One of the largest aquariums in the world, the Georgia Aquarium offers a diverse collection of marine life, including whale sharks, beluga whales, sea otters, and penguins. It’s an educational and interactive experience for visitors of all ages.

Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey, California, USA)

Situated on the stunning California coastline, the Monterey Bay Aquarium focuses on the marine life found in the nearby Pacific Ocean. The exhibits showcase a variety of sea creatures, and the facility is known for its dedication to marine conservation. Click for Self-Guided tour around Monterey Bay

Or find a hotel in the area:

Monterey Bay Inn

Monterey Bay Inn

Located in Monterey, this beachfront hotel is in the city center, just steps from San Carlos Beach – The Breakwater, Cannery Row, and Monterey Bay. Monterey Bay Aquarium and Fisherman’s Wharf are also within 15 minutes.


Vancouver Aquarium (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

Located in beautiful Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is a top-notch facility featuring diverse marine habitats and a strong focus on wildlife conservation. It offers interactive displays and opportunities to get up close with marine animals.

Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, California, USA)

This aquarium is known for its expansive and diverse exhibits representing the Pacific Ocean’s ecosystems. Visitors can see sharks, jellyfish, sea lions, and other fascinating marine life. The facility also has engaging educational programs. Click here for tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Okinawa, Japan)

Located in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, this aquarium features one of the largest tanks in the world, known for housing whale sharks. It also showcases various marine habitats from the region and highlights the unique aquatic life of the area.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (Dubai, UAE)

Part of the Dubai Mall, this impressive aquarium has a massive tank where visitors can walk through a tunnel, surrounded by sharks, rays, and other marine species. The Underwater Zoo offers additional exhibits and interactive experiences.

Sydney Sea Life Aquarium (Sydney, Australia)

Situated in Darling Harbour, this aquarium showcases the rich marine biodiversity of Australia. It features an array of native marine species, including sharks, stingrays, and colorful reef fish.

Lisbon Oceanarium (Lisbon, Portugal)

The Lisbon Oceanarium is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe, designed to mimic various ocean habitats. It houses marine life from different regions, and its central tank is mesmerizing with its diversity of species.

When choosing an aquarium for your family trip, consider factors like location, available exhibits, educational programs, interactive activities, and the overall experience that each one offers. Enjoy your time exploring the wonders of the underwater world with your family!

Photo by Biljana Martinić on Unsplash

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Traveling On Airplanes with Kids

Traveling with kids on an airplane doesn’t have to be a drama. Sure, airports, security, all that, can make for a stress inducing start to a trip, but accept that you’ll get through it and you’ll be fine. Here are some tips to make it easier to get to the finish line–usually a beach somewhere or Grandma’s house.

Consider packing one carry on just for snacks. Since each child can have one carry on as well as you, pick one piece of luggage to store snacks, wipes, plastic forks and spoons, toys.

prepare for taking your child on an airplane
Even just looking at this picture, gives me a twinge of stress. Even though it’s just a picture. Am I right or am I right?

Good Snacks for the Plane

Fruit if allowed (apples, oranges, pears, peaches, bananas), granola bars, Kind bars, cheese (I brought a big chunk of cheddar and a plastic knife once and that got us through the first half of a trip to Hawaii.), Oatmeal cookies. Now is not the time to make a fuss about their eating habits. It’s all about getting through the day and keeping them from driving you and everyone else crazy on the plane. No I would not recommend this on a normal day, but there is nothing normal about trying to get little kids to manage through hours of sitting still on a plane, in a seat with very little room. So give yourself a break, and pack the Skittles.

Good but Messy Snacks

These of course are kid favorites, but take into account the amount of hours your flight is. Bring these by all means, but resign yourself to the fact that you will be sitting in mounting piles of crumbs once these babies are unleashed. If you can look the flight attendant in the eye after you peel out of the seat, go ahead and pack them. Besides, it’s nothing they haven’t seen before. So pack the crackers, Cheeze Its, cookies, raisins, fruit roll ups, dried fruit, seaweed snacks, graham crackers,  cheerios, pretzels, and nuts and make your peace with it.

Toys, Toys, Toys, Did We Mention Toys?

Let there be toys! However, try to bring ones without lots of small parts. Also bring books, cards, stuffed animals (only take a few-they take up space and are easily left behind), simple crafts that can be done on a tray table and don’t have a zillion pieces, or require scissors, better yet, unless you see something that works, skip the crafts as there’s likely no room. If you are in first class, then maybe you can bring the crafts-but keep them simple. Coloring books but prepare to be picking up crayons from weird places for the majority of the trip. I would go as far as tying strings on the crayons and only bringing a few. I’m not kidding.

A Note About Favorite Stuffed Animals

And a reminder about stuffed animals. If you can get away with it, I highly advise you bring the B side team of stuffed animals. If you bring the favorites and they get left behind it will ruin your trip. Think about all the places between home and your destination that that one tiny stuffed animal can end up lost forever. So either bring a doppleganger, or bring the B side of creatures that will not send your child into a fit of dispair if one of them disappears.

Electronics on A Plane

God bless electronics. DS and other handheld games, Ipad, mini DVD players, laptops. Remember to charge everything up ahead of time and download the movies you want to see. You might be able to get wifi on the plane but it usually doesn’t allow movie streaming. Invest in a juicebox type charger that will allow you to add additional charges to your gear. If the upgrade to first class is doable, consider it on long flights as many of the seats now come with charging stations. Check first.

Don’t make the rookie mistake of forgetting the headphones and bring a spare.

In case you don’t have time to read, check out my video on traveling on planes with kids

Bring the Car Seat on The Plane

If your child is very small, you’ll need to bring a car seat on the plane if you don’t want them sitting in your lap. Many car seats convert to airplane travel friendly. It’s not counted as luggage. Strollers can be checked at the gate and that’s handy as it will be waiting for you on the other side.

Safety Harnesses, Don’t Judge

I had one on my daughter at customs coming back from Turks and Caicos to JFK and it was a God-send. Long lines and little kids don’t mix. I could let her wander around and she couldn’t go very far, but I had the comfort of knowing she could move around a little without disappearing in a crowd–where I’d have to lose my place in line to go get her. And they come in cute designs like teddy bear backpacks, etc.

When we were in Turks and Caicos, my daughter was like a fish on a line, The minute I felt a tug I knew to check on what was going on a few feet away. Did I get the stink-eye from the Uber parents and the people who don’t have kids but think they know everything? Sure. But she’s alive and sitting on her bed, reading in her room today. God forbid, I’m not wondering where she is.

I say get over the leash thing if you can. People may frown upon it but who cares. It’s your child’s safety. No need to apologize. And if you don’t use it anywhere else, consider taking one if you have a potentially long customs line waiting for you. After awhile I found the only place I ever really used a leash/harness was on long lines. But it depends on how rambunctious your child is.

Temporary Tattoos and Skin Writable Markers

Safety temporary tattoos are awesome. Put them on, write your phone number on the tattoo with the special pen and you’ve got one less worry. You don’t really need the tattoos but they are cute and somehow make you look less neurotic. I had a handful sent to me back when I was an editor for Disney and they were fantastic. Little buttlerflies and stuff with a space for “If Found, call XXX.” I would not write your child’s name on them though in case someone uses it to their advantage. A phone number can be called, traced etc. A name can be used to subvert a kids’ normal sense of discomfort around a creepy stranger. I’ve also seen markers in toy stores for this purpose. Just make sure it’s not going to hurt your child and avoid the sharpies if you can. Otherwise, there is always the Sharpies.

Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash

Photo by Christopher Ott on Unsplash

Taking Your Teen To Florence, Italy

So this summer I used my Chase Sapphire card points and booked a trip to Italy for my daughter and me. She decided to go to an art high school in NYC and so I figured it was the perfect time to go.

Taking Your Teen to Florence, Italy

There is something amazing about taking your child to a city like Florence, Italy. It feels good to be able to be the first to show them this kind of place and you are doing your job as a parent by taking them on an educational adventure like this. We hit all the usuals, the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, the Santa Maria Del la Fiori, the Baptistry doors, the Uffizi, the leather market, lots of great food and of course gelato. But I have to tell you the best part of the adventure was taking the cute, new tram straight into Florence from just outside the city. And I’ll tell you why.

Taking the Tram in Florence

So my daughter is going on fifteen and she’s starting to get more independent. When I booked the hotel in Florence I didn’t realize that I booked it about 20 minutes outside of Florence. We had landed in the train station when we came up from Rome and then hopped in a cab and it was a bit of a drive to the hotel. “Great,” I thought as we moved away from the tile roofs and domes of Florence. But it turned out to be the best thing.

So we got our tickets, the nice, clean, bright tram pulled up. We got in and my daughter was in love. What did she do, she went and sat on the other side of the tram car from me. At first I was insulted and then I realized what was happening. She was trying to pretend she was there on her own, like a student, just getting around. There she was, reading her phone with her headphones and her backpack, sitting on the tram seat, like this is what she did every day. She was feeling pretty proud of herself I think. She did this every time we got on the tram.

So I was watching my daughter grow up a little right before my eyes. When we got off she was a little braver than usual, found a place she wanted to get breakfast and we walked in. She went up to the counter and attempted her Italian and he answered her in English and gave her the pastry she pointed out. She was pretty darn proud of herself. The tram takes you straight into Florence so it was super easy to get to the middle of the city from there. She noticed a big posted for a graphic design school in Florence called the Sign. She was again in love. She wanted to know more about this school so on our last day in Florence we did go check out the school.

The Statue of David In Florence, Italy

Morgan and I made our way through the city and saw all the usual sights. I have to tell you it was really hot in Florence this August but we made due. We headed over to the Academia to see the David. I don’t think the last time I was there I took the time to see the rest of the museum so we took the opportunity to really go through and see everything else. There’s quite a bit of sculpture and Renaissance art up close, so I strongly suggest you take the time to look around. Don’t just go in say Hi to David and leave.

Touring the Uffizi

After that we had lunch at one of the many cool al fresco restaurants in the area and found the price to a bit more reasonable than Rome. Afterward, I brought her to the Uffizi. I looked at Morgan pretty incredulously when she asked me why we needed to go into the Uffizi. I said “you can’t be an art student and not go to the Uffizi, we are going.” So the nice thing about August is that the lines are not insane. We got in after maybe a 10 minute wait and we headed up. The Uffizi as usual is amazing. I made a bee line to see my all time favorite painting. Botticelli’s birth of Venus. And of course across the room was La Primavera. I thought, “OK now I can die.” I’ve actually stood in its presence once before but I was probably 20 and I’m um, not 20 anymore. I’ve also found that since I survived a bout of septic shock last year, my memory of certain things is foggy. I knew I went to the Uffizi before but I couldn’t remember a thing from that trip, so it was nice to renew some of these memories.

So we saw work by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. So many famous names in one place it’s a little overwhelming. My daughter was of course, cooler about it than I was, but I let her wander on her own and we texted to find each other again.

After an amazing time in the Uffizi we went out and walked more around the city. We stopped at the leather market and the walked across the Ponte Vecchio. I thought about the last time I was here I was with my mother and she bought my a tri-colored gold necklace that I still have. Now I was making my new memories with my daughter. She found an old woman selling watercolors. We looked closely and could see they were real and not printed copies. She signed all her work and told us that her name goes way back in Florence as painters and there’s a painting in the Uffizi with her family name and says the artist is a relative. I thought, why doubt her? She’s here living in Florence all her life, why wouldn’t she be related to an artist. My daughter was absolutely fascinated with this woman and chatted with her about going to art school. She loved the watercolors this woman had done and they were indeed very different than the scam ones you can see on the street.

My daughter ended up buying two paintings and now they sit in her room waiting to be hung up. I thought it was a great memory from her trip to Florence. She’s now convinced by the way that she wants to go to college in Florence. So I said well, you better get rolling on the Italian lessons.

We hit a few more restaurants and walked a lot more then took the tram back to our hotel. In the morning we left our bags with the front desk and took the tram again back to the city and had breakfast al fresco. There are definitely worse places to have breakfast than to have the Brunelesci’s dome in the background. My daughter had not had a chance to go back to school shopping so we went to some of the shops we saw and bought some back to school clothes. How is that for first day of school clothes? We also bought some handbags for me and some nice lingerie. I got three really nice bras for only $90 so I think I’m just going to go back to Florence with some empty suitcases. I hope she goes to school there so I have an excuse to go shopping.

Checking Out Some Colleges in Florence, Italy

After that we went outa nearby design college. The outside wasn’t much but we got to check out the area where the school was. It was a little outside the old, touristy part of town. But the best part was this amazing school housing space right next store. It’s like a WeWork for students and it has a courtyard and pool, and cafeteria and a beautiful bike room. The kids all get bikes when they take up a room. The place was run by a company out of the Netherlands and they just expanded into Florence, so it was brand new. Morgan was intrigued. Of course she was embarrassed when I dragged her in but I said look, we’re not going to be back here anytime soon so we should check it out while we’re here. So we asked the lady some questions and she let us look around. We took a brochure and I’m definitely putting this on our list. I would very much like it if she went to Florence for college, but just not sure they have a lot of programs taught in English. At least definitely taking some classes in the summer would be a good thing.

While we think the college that we had gone to look at may have closed down after Covid, there are plenty of other design programs in the city.

We had lunch, went back and got our bags and then got a cab to the Florence train station. I was a little worried about how it would be at the train station since I read a bunch of reviews saying it was a bit intense and confusing. When I got there I thought it was cute. Then I reminded myself that I live ten minutes from grand central station and that not everyone who writes travel reviews on TripAdvisor comes from where I come from. So there’s nothing to worry about in the Florence train station. Or the one in Rome for that matter. We bought our tickets and on the high speed train to Venice.

Hi speed trains in Europe are just awesome I must say. We took a train that went over 200 miles an hour up to Venice and it was complete luxury. Great, big, wide seats, plenty of table top space, plugs to charge your stuff and they come around with food. Also plenty of places to put your bags. I wish we had trains like this all over the US. The Acela to Boston is as close as you get but it doesn’t go 200 miles an hour or make you think you are on a private plane. My daughter loved taking these trains and I know she’ll remember it. It’s really fun to turn on Google maps and the train wifi and watch how fast you are moving and passing towns.

So if you are thinking of visiting Italy, you really need to stop in Florence. It’s a slightly calmer, more manageable city than Rome but just as beautiful. I’d honestly feel better if my daughter was going to school in Florence rather than Rome. All the cities are great, but Florence is just clean and bright and easy-paced. Make sure you bring extra room in your suitcases because out of all the cities we went I found the best bargains there. And oh my God the leather handbags. So gorgeous. I could have brought the whole market home. I got a beautiful patent leather handbag that doubles as a backpack that I’ve gotten tons of compliments on already. For $40! I can’t even imagine what this would be in the states and it’s just as good as anything I’ve seen on 5th ave. So plan on shopping and eating. And bring good walking shoes. I think when I stay again I will do the same thing with the tram. The prices for the hotels were great and we didn’t have to be those people dragging rolling suitcases across the cobblestone in the city. Just make sure the hotel is close to the Tram. In addition, the tram will take you straight to the airport if that’s your next stop. It also brings you straight to the train station if you plan on going elsewhere in Italy. Have fun!

The “Be Nice” Algorithm

Being nice doesn’t always come naturally, especially to other kids that your kids run into. This can be on the playground, park or out on the hiking or ski trails.

However, just because others aren’t so nice, doesn’t mean your kids, or you for that matter, don’t need to invest in being nice. To help you out we’ve put together an algorithm for how to be nice. Follow this and your life will improve at work, out on the hiking trail, in line at the waterpark, and at the deli counter.

eing a nice person is not something that can be precisely quantified with a mathematical equation. However, we can metaphorically express the qualities and behaviors that contribute to being a nice person as follows:

Being a Nice Person = (Empathy + Kindness + Respect) ÷ (Judgment + Selfishness)

Here’s what each component of the metaphorical equation represents:

  1. Empathy: Practice putting yourself in others’ shoes, understanding their feelings, and showing compassion and concern for their well-being.
  2. Kindness: Be considerate and thoughtful in your interactions with others. Small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in people’s lives.
  3. Respect: Treat others with respect and dignity, valuing their individuality and showing regard for their thoughts and feelings.
  4. Judgment: Avoid being judgmental and critical of others. Instead, focus on understanding and supporting them.
  5. Selfishness: Be willing to put others’ needs and interests before your own sometimes. Selflessness and generosity are key components of being a nice person.

Remember that being a nice person is a continuous process, and nobody is perfect. It’s about making a conscious effort to treat others well and contribute positively to the world around you. Embrace these qualities, and strive to cultivate empathy, kindness, and respect in your daily interactions with others. Over time, these behaviors will become part of your character, and you’ll contribute to creating a more positive and compassionate community.

Enjoying the Outdoors with Your Kids as A Single Parent

single parent with kids outdoorsWhen you were younger you had dreams of when you had kids of your own, you and your spouse would go camping, biking and hiking with your kids. You’d spend the day as a family exploring nature and tag teaming it together to share the burden of schlepping gear and prepping. But that’s not how it turned out.  It’s all on you. And let’s be honest, prepping to take even a short hike with your child, can be a bit of work. And when it’s just you and your child out in the great outdoors, the decisions are all on you.

You might be finding excuses for not going, and telling yourself you’ll wait until your kids are older and can handle themselves better in the woods. Don’t wait. Life is short and don’t cheat yourself or your child out of the experience because things didn’t turn out as you planned. Here are some tips to get it done and enjoy yourself with your child

Go easy on yourself. Don’t try to do it all. And take the breaks when you can find them. For example, don’t beat yourself up that you’re not up to taking them deep woods camping and doing all the cooking yourself. Do the cushy camping thing, with a nice campsite with lots of activities for the kids, restaurants nearby and clean bathrooms. They may not be experiencing what it’s like to be in the middle of nowhere, but so what, you’re outside and you are having fun together.

Invest in good carrying gear. Pay a little more for the lighter gear, and a backpack that can help you carry more while not killing your back.

Rent when you can. Don’t schlepp beach chairs or a beach umbrella if you can rent it.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid. You can do this. You are capable of much more than you give yourself credit for. Single parents are a resourceful lot when it comes to raising kids, why should getting out in nature be any different.

Post it! It may be a little lonely having no one to turn to to point out the latest cool thing your child just did, but don’t deny yourself this joy. So post it to your friends and family on Instagram and FaceBook. Let your friends and relatives gush about how adorable your kid is sitting on that rock or splashing in a spring. We read enough about everyone else’s adorable kids, so why should yours be left out. It may seem a bit silly, but it really does help get over the lonelies to read that “OMG she’s so adorable,” and “Wow she looks like she’s having a great time,” from your friends who care about you but don’t have the chops to be there in person.

And remember, you are not half a family just because it’s you and your child. I’ll admit it’s times like these that I feel guilty for being the one to end my marriage and making it fairly impossible for my daughter to explore nature with both of her parents at the same time. But then I remember I did it for a good reason and my daughter has a much happier single parent than she ever had as a married one. Then I remind myself, we are a whole family, even if it’s just the two of us. You deserve the same fun and experiences as other families have and it’s your job to make sure your kids make great memories with you. It’s a little extra work, but you’ll be glad you made the effort and so will they.

 

Why You Should Consider Overseas College for Your Child (US Students)

It’s an Adventure!

You can do what everyone else does and just follow the herd to your local, overpriced university or you can try something new. Not only will your child get a college level education, they will learn about the world around them and meet people from other cultures. This one could argue is even more valuable than the classroom work they do.

It’s Cost Effective

The cost of a college education has risen outrageously over the last four years. It’s an absolute tragedy how many kids come out of school with huge debts that make them risk adverse. They can’t afford to start a business because they have to start paying off those debts in six months, so they have to find a job and be on someone else’s payroll. They can’t even goof around and travel for a year if they want, because these education debts are weighing them down.

The US should be ashamed at what they are doing to our young adults, at the most vulnerable periods in their lives. It’s a form of indentured servitude if you ask me. It’s the only loan that can’t be thrown into bankruptcy, so there really is no way out. You either pay it off or have it haunt you for years. Europe and other countries do not do this to their students. In Germany, it’s even free to non-residents after a year.

There are also so many programs now in English taught in Europe that with a little extra work, and a little nerve, your child can walk away with a solid education, great connections and little to no debt.

Your Child Can Learn a New Language

Didn’t do as well as you’d hope they would in those couple of language classes they taught your kids in school? Not surprised. It’s really tough to learn a language and stick with it, in the US. Unless you go out of your way to find those that speak the same language–some are easier than others depending on the language–it’s tough to maintain it.

I have always regretted not speaking at least one other language and am always so impressed when I hear someone switch back and forth. It will open up a world of doors and give your child a competitive advantage in this global economy. By going to college abroad, even if your child’s program is taught in English, they will still be exposed to another language outside the classroom. And, since it’s going to be used for practical purposes, the language your child picks up with be more functional and stay in their heads longer, than if they learned it in a classroom.

It Builds Confidence

As adventurous parent types, we know getting out there into the unknown and trying new things and meeting new people, and seeing that you can succeed, is the biggest confidence booster you can have. When I was an exchange student I remember being terrified at first, but then realizing, this isn’t so bad. I think I can be dropped anywhere and be able to figure it out. That lesson stayed with me from my 20s all through my life. Finding out that the world is not as big and scary as you thought, and people are not as different as you thought, gives you the confidence to know you can make it anywhere, even if it’s only for a few days. It changes your mindset to think globally, and understand that you are part of this big world, and not on the outside looking in from just your little corner.

You have an Excuse to Travel

Selfishly, I’d love my daughter to go to Italy. We joked that if she goes to Florence, I’ll just show up with empty suitcases. When you go to look at colleges or visit your child at school or on break, you have a good excuse to do amazing travel you might not have otherwise done. If your child goes to college in Europe, maybe you can crash at their place for the week and head out for some sightseeing fun either on your own or with them as your tour guide of wherever they have landed. Since they are already there, that’s one less ticket for you to buy. You can catch them at the end of the school year and do a little touring before heading home. I know cost can be a factor, but think about all the money being saved by having them go to school in another country to begin with.

Where to Find Out More

There’s a site I love, and when my daughter goes away to college the year after next, she’ll be leaning heavily into this site. It has everything you need to know about going to college overseas. Check it out. It’s called BeyondtheStates.com.

Photo by Amit Lahav on Unsplash

How To Dress for Winter Sports

How to Dress for Winter Sports

The key to enjoying winter sports is to dress right. There’s nothing more miserable and potentially day ruining than letting your child get cold, wet and uncomfortable kid. It’s important to also take into account what your activities are, what the weather predictions throughout the day will be and since most of it will change from hour to hour, you need to dress in layers. And layering in the right gear is also important.

whistlerFollow these guidelines and you’ll be good to go for a full day of family adventure.

First, what are you planning on doing? Will there be a lot of hiking up a mountain, skiing, duck walking up to the lift line? Will you be Alpine or Nordic skiing? What I’m getting at is, how hot do you expect to get under all those layers? If you think you’ll be sweating that’s important to know.

Dressing Your Core in The Winter

Base Layer (top and bottom):

A good moisture wicking, tightly woven, flexible technical fiber will keep you cool and dry. Keeping dry is important because while you are hot while you are sweating, if you don’t get rid of the moisture you just shed, it will make you colder than when you started out. Remember why we sweat in the first place? We sweat to cool our bodies down by evaporating the moisture off our bodies. Getting soaked even in your own sweat is just as bad as if you accidentally got wet. So, moisture wicking is key.

Also keep it flexible. The more flexible your under layer is the more you’ll enjoy yourself. And try to find the thinnest, with the most protection that you can. It can be a bit more costly but it’s so worth it when you are out there in the elements. Cold weather gear is not the place to cheap out.

For really cold days, you can add a layer of fleece on top of the under layer. Make sure that’s flexible as well for both your torso and legs. You want to be free to move at your own pace. Remember the kid in Christmas Story that looked like a marshmallow? Don’t be him.

Your Core Middle Layer:

We’ve already talked about Fleece but there are a number of technical fabrics you can use to layer up over your base layer. Wool is also a good choice as long as it’s flexible. This middle layer is the part you will want to remove and add as the weather changes. So for really cold days one more thin layer that can be easily taken off and stuffed in a bag if the sun comes out, might not be a bad idea. Just don’t make this layer a big heavy one. Stay away from the big cable knit sweaters. A turtle neck is fine to throw over your base layer but try to avoid cotton. Make sure if you do put anything cotton on, that it’s sitting on top of your base layer (as opposed to touching your skin directly–neck is OK) and you can peel it off easily.

Your Core Outer Layer: 

First it MUST cut the wind. It’s not worth anything unless it cuts the wind. I don’t care how pretty the jacket is, you’re not going to care if you are miserably cold. Tight fibers like Gortex and other types of material are good for blocking wind and water. You want a nice, water and windproof shell. This way even if you do get sweaty under there, the wind won’t be getting through to evaporate the sweat. You can get a super heavy duty jacket that has goose down or layers of insulation that will keep you super warm standing still. If you will be standing around watching an event or minimally active outside, this is a good choice.

For skiing, or hiking I’d recommend a mid weight shell with air vents and plenty of pockets to hold your stuff. If you think it might be super cold out, I’d go with yet another fleece layer with a shell on top of it, than a very thick jacket. The weather can change on a dime and when you are skiing hard or Nordic skiing (which you’ll find yourself dripping in sweat even on the coldest days) you will get hot. If you have a fleece layer that you can remove and a shell with vents under the armpits you can better regulate your body temperature. If you only have a big honking goose down jacket to remove, you’ll be stuck with either freezing or sweating your brains out. Or you’ll be putting it on and taking it off every five minutes. One important thing to remember about technical fiber, don’t stick pins in it. No name tags, no stick pins. If you push a pin through that fiber, you’ll start to ruin the whole “wind-proof” part of it.

Preparing Your Head for the Cold

If you grew up under a rock you might have missed the fact that 70% of your body heat leaves through your head. That includes if you have a thick skull or a thick head of hair. So ladies, I know I hate them too, it’s hat time. Granted if it’s not super cold out, you can get away with a fleece headband or earmuffs but a hat is your ticket to long term fun. I have always hated hats, but I’ve come to Jesus about it and found a better way. Instead of a hair flattening, stupid looking hat, I bought a neoprene full head hood. I look like I’m ready to dive off a pier but it has this great affect of keeping my head warm, plus my hair stays relatively intact. It’s similar to when you put your clothes in a suitcase still wrapped in the dry cleaner plastic. My thick hair is flattened out and tucked away so it’s not getting stuck under my goggles, so it makes it easy to put on my helmet (also another item I finally grew up and started wearing).

Ski Helmet:

If you are skiing, helmets are not just for kids anymore, everyone should be wearing a helmet. It took me awhile to get over the dork factor, even though I’d think nothing of wearing a bike helmet, but seriously, there are rocks out there, and ice as hard as rocks. When you think about how crazy it is to be strapped to a board sliding down the side of a mountain…on snow… it’s kind of crazy that we didn’t always wear helmets. So invest in a good one. Make sure it comes from a reputable company and make sure it fits comfortably on your head. Air vents are also a nice feature to have. Another nice feature are the kind that come with cushioned pockets that let you drop little speakers in. Make sure to replace it every few years and for kids, check every year to see that it still feels comfortable or go get a new one. Never use a hand-me-down helmet. Treat helmets like you would car seats.

Mounting Things on your Helmet:

I know a lot of people like to mount cameras on their helmets. I’m not an expert on them by any means, but something about drilling through or attaching mounts to a helmet never sat right with me. If the helmet comes with a mount that’s a better choice. When I read that the formula one racer, Michael Schumacker’s freak off-piste ski accident, which left him in a coma, was possibly caused by his Go Pro mounting, that kind of made sense to me. It’s just good policy not to modify safety equipment after market.

Ski Goggles:

My least favorite piece of equipment. I am yet to find the perfect pair that never fogs, is dark enough for sunny days, and still lets me see the dips and peaks of a very gray/white looking terrain. Depth perception is the bane of my existence when the sun is not out. And I want ones infused with Google Glass or something like that, that shows me where to go and how to hit the mogul…and an arrow pointing to the lodge, but I digress. If you are a heavy breather like me, invest in a pair that leads with no fog as their key feature. They even have ones with fans in them. Truth is, it’s best to have a couple of pairs ready, one for sun, one for clouds, or a set that allows you to change lenses. And it has to fit your face or you’ll be miserable. There’s no easy win with Goggles, do your research and take your time to get them fitted. This is one of those items (unlike Swaravski- encrusted ski jackets) where the more you spend, the better the gear will be.

Keeping Your Neck Warm

Scarves are Ok in a pinch but if you are planning to be active at all, invest in a neck gator. It’s a nice round, usually fleece scarf that stays snug around your neck (not too tight of course) and you can pull it up over your face when you need.

Try to have at least one of your layers zip up your neck. You want to make sure there’s no way for air to get down your shirt, or blowing on a naked neck. When skiing your chin gets cold because along with your nose, it’s one of the first body parts heading into the wind. So at the least a gator, at the most, something that zips up completely covering your neck.

Scarves are also bad because they get caught in chair lifts and under skis. They’re kind of deadly actually, so if you have a scarf tied around your neck, be very careful about loose ends.

Keeping Your Legs Warm During Winter Activities

The same as mentioned above applies for pants. My recommendation is get the most flexible, comfy pair you can find. They can be baggy as long as they cling to you on the inside and are water repellent. Unless you don’t plan on ever falling, ever, or it’s warm enough for you to ski around in wet drawers, only invest in water resistant. The more waterproof, the less flexible they tend to be, so try to strike a balance, or don’t plan on falling down. And no sitting in the snow while waiting for your less than perfect friends to catch up either.

Keeping Your Feet Dry and Happy

Winter Socks:

Wool, silk or technical fiber socks. No cotton. Repeat. No cotton. They can come in different thicknesses so choose them based on how cold you think it will be. Keep in mind what boots you are going to be wearing. I usually go with thinner. My boots are pretty well lined and hopefully stay water proof (but even the best boots can manage to get water in them). Feet sweat too remember. Avoid doubling up socks unless you have to. And did I mention, no cotton?

Boots–for Winter Hiking

Waterproof, covering your ankle is preferred. In summer I’d say a lighter shoe is fine, but when there’s a potential for any snow or slush, you want something covering at least your ankles, preferably up to your calf. You want a good grip on the bottom of your shoe. If you hit ice and there’s no tread on your shoe, down you will go unceremoniously. If it’s really icy, invest in a pair of crampons, it makes exploring in icy areas, so much easier. They are not just for ice climbing. Any hiking trail that gets trampled in the snow is going to get icy.

Boots–for Specialized Winter Sports

With any specialized boot you need to get fitted properly. Nordic, Alpine and Snowboarding boots are all different, so you need to get fitted by an expert and discuss the features that best work for you. Most importantly, they should feel comfortable even with a pair of mid grade thickness socks on as it’s likely that’s what you’ll be wearing. Don’t try them on with light, dress socks. Make sure your toes are not jammed in there and that if they lace or buckle up, they can handle your calf. For front entry boots for example if you have big calves, you might need to have the buckles moved. I’ve never tried the molded fit boots but they sound fabulous, but can be pricier. The idea behind them is the less wiggle room between you and the boot, the better control you’ll have over your equipment. I’ve also heard complaints from people who say the fitting wasn’t done right and it’s too tight out on the hill (which is just the worst). So you’ll have to explore that one on your own with a qualified sales rep.

Also, this may sound weird but make sure you clip your toe nails. If you are in between pedicures your nails might not be bothering you in regular sneakers as you walk around but you’ll find that if you are in a pair of boots and hiking, walking, running or skiing downhill and your nails are a little long, it won’t take long before they start cutting into each other. This can be really painful, so don’t underestimate it. Clip them good and lace up tight before you head out.

Keeping Your Hands Warm

 

Gloves

This is a key item. The first things that will get cold are your hands and feet. Invest in a good, waterproof, windproof, insulated ski glove. If you need to, you can also buy inserts as they can wick sweat away and keep your gloves dry for days of skiing. Just make sure your gloves still fit when you put them on. You don’t want your fingers to be too tight in them, or cut off your circulation. The last thing you want is less blood flowing to your fingers, since as it is, it will be making a mad dash to protect your core as soon as you get a bit chilly. Even with the best gloves, your fingers are likely to get chilly. Go inside when you need to, or take the time to warm your hands up, even if it means sticking them under your armpits. My recommendation, especially if you have kids with you, buy a big box of hand warmers, the kind you shake and they heat up. They are the best thing in the universe when you are out skiing and the only thing making you uncomfortable are your bitter cold hands. There’s no shame in them. I have them for the boots as well but they tend to bunch up in my ski boots and end up hurting. It really depends on the shoes and socks you have on so try them out before you go.

How to Handle Kids and Cold

Now I’ve written this with an adult in mind, but everything applies to a child even more so. When you are with children in the cold, remember they get cold faster, and are less tolerant that us adults. Keep checking on them, ask them how they feel because they may not always tell you, and be ready to carry their layers if they need to take them off or put them on. Keep an idea in your head of where all the good spots to warm up will be, and be realistic about how much you can push them.

Having a kid have a melt down because they are cold and miserable in the middle of nowhere on a cold, snowy day, believe me, can be a bit scary. I know because it happened to me. It was late in the day with a zero wind chill factor and my daughter threw a tantrum and refused to move, half way down the hill. Luckily I convinced her to move, but it was frightening to think what do you do to keep them from freezing. So cold weather is not the time to push them, even though you are dying for one more run, or to check out that ridge just a little further up ahead.

Oh and those hand and toe warmers? They are fantastic for shoving down a pair of kids ski pants if needed. They work magic. I just stockpile them each winter and bring fistfuls with me on every outdoor trip.

I’d love to hear about your outdoor winter adventures with your kids. Feel free to share below in the comments section. –Chris

Our Trip to St John’s, Part of the US Virgin Islands

The road along St. John's Virgin Islands

St John’s, US Virgin Islands

So over Spring Break we took a much needed trip to the US Virgin Islands. While we stayed on St Thomas, we took the car to the ferry in the morning and headed over to St John’s by the port in Redhook.

My advice is to get to the ferry early. Sometimes there are not as many ferries as expected because they are still rebuilding on the islands after the Hurricane, and may need the ferry for supplies. Other times one is just plain ol’ broken down, so you have to wait for the next one. Even if you get on the line, the ferries can fill up quickly so you might find yourself parked and waiting for the next one that could be an hour later. Welcome to island time.

Making the Ferry

If you miss the ferry it’s not the end of the world as you can walk over to the little shops and cafes across the street from the Redhook ferry and get a smoothie and chill out and drool over all the beautiful yachts parked in the Marina. Then you can dream about how you will sell everything and move down here and live on one of them.

Waiting for the ferry in redhook virgin islands
Me after we missed the ferry and had to wait for the next one at Redhook. I had to drink smoothies and check out yachts in the beautiful weather. Poor me.

It only really stinks if you’ve already gotten a really late start. Remember the last boat back is around 6 pm so its not a bad idea to book a room for a night or two on St John’s, if you are going to head over there and really want to see it. I know people do it without renting cars but I think it’s a much better experience if you get to drive wherever you want.

The Beaches

We drove to the different beaches in St John’s and while parking can be an issue, the beaches are absolutely amazing. And remote. Think Blue Lagoon remote. The beaches on St John’s are very raw and pristine and don’t have a lot of amenities or restaurants nearby, so make sure you bring your own water and snacks. Some of the beaches look like they had amenities but then the Hurricane came along and wiped them out. However, every one of the beaches we went to had bathrooms, so that’s one thing not to worry about.

Hawknest Beach on St John's Virgin Islands

We drove with my picky, hot and sweaty teen to see the various beaches on St John’s and finally stopped at Turtle Bay. We parked and strolled right in and vegged out on this medium-sized, blue-water gem, and there were only a few other families around.

Turtle Bay, Virgin Islands
Me at Turtle Bay on St. John’s Island, US Virgin Islands

Across the way from the Turtle Bay parking lot, we went for a hike on the nature trail and my daughter was in her glory looking for Golden Orb spiders. She thinks she saw one in between discovering all the other critters she was enthralled with–deer, hermit crabs, lizards, spiders, dragonflies, and Lord knows what else. This trip was great for getting her out in the woods and breathing in the sea air. She only took out her phone to either take pictures or look up what she’s looking at.

Cell Reception

Be aware that you don’t get a ton of reception on this island and it’s dead in some places. We also got a text while we were on the East side of the island that our AT&T International plan had kicked in because we must’ve been close enough to the UK part of the Virgin Islands. We had to pay $10 for that but I’m sure if I gotten around to to to call AT&T I would’ve likely gotten that reversed. Same thing can happen when you are near the Canadian border by the way.

We then drove through all the twisty, narrow, island roads, got turned around a lot, and then eventually made our way back to town in time to pick up the ferry.

Nature Hike on St John's Island, Virgin Islands
Morgan looking for her Golden Orb spiders

Of course we were the first car in the cut off and had to wait for the next one so we parked the car and headed into town to check out the scenery and get some food. We went into one restaurant and ordered a chicken burger.

Free-Range Chickens

As I was about to bite into my chicken burger, I felt a pair of eyes staring at me. I looked up from my burger and there was a big Red Rooster with his big flowing tail feathers, glaring at me. And his girlfriend was right next to him. Clearly they were horrified. I felt a little guilty but once he strutted off down the aisle and out the door I went back to eating my burger.

Feeling guilty in a restaurant eating chicken with a rooster giving me the stink eye. St John's Virgin Islands.
Feeling guilty in a restaurant eating chicken on St. John’s with a rooster giving me the stink eye.

So apparently, this is a pretty common thing in St John’s. Free-range chickens alright. They have the life these guys. After we left the restaurant, we strolled around into a few shops and art galleries, a and had a lovely conversation with a woman who had moved down there from Boston and opened her own gallery. It was great to hear her story and chat with the locals. We also bought some nice jewelry out in the plaza.

More Ferry

I am an awesome car ferry parker!

Morgan and I started heading back to the ferry and there were already cars going around us and getting on the boat. I was freaked out thinking we’d missed our spot but there was still plenty of room. So I turned the car on and headed on. I then found myself having to go through the Herculean task of parking super close to every other car on the boat, and squeeze right up on the side of the boat.

It was no small feat. While I was comfortable driving stick, I had to stay away because the stick was on the right, like any other car in the US, but the roads were opposite. So it’s like driving in England with an American car so you have to stay really aware of your surroundings.

Here are some pics from our trip to St John's Island in the Virgin Islands

I got help from the guys working on the boat who were guiding me in from the outside, but I will say after I finally turned the car off, I felt like I’d killed my first buffalo. If you didn’t have to drive the car off the ferry in a half hour I’d otherwise recommend a good stiff drink after that. But either way, you make it. And you’re on an island, in the Caribbean, so you know…just chill.

For more information about Turtle Bay and the rest of St. John’s, go here:

https://www.visitusvi.com/st-john

Traveling to Rome with my Teen Daughter

My Teen eating spaghetti in Rome Italy

When my fourteen-year-old daughter Morgan told me she wanted to be an art major, I said well if that’s the case we’re going to do it right. So I started hunting for cheap tickets to Italy.

She’s only fourteen but she got into an art and design high school in New York City, so I knew she was serious. So if you have a little artist in your family I highly recommend a trip to Italy to tour the museums, see the Sistine Chapel, check out the architecture and eat great food. By the way, my daughter is now completely spoiled when it comes to spaghetti and wants to go to art school in Florence. I’m all for that. We went back to school shopping in Florence, how is that for serious Mom points? 

My daughter Morgan and I started our trip in Rome. While I knew it was going to be hot there, because we were going in August, we dealt with it. It wasn’t too bad if you embraced it and packed for it. The hot weather also meant smaller lines and less crowds. 

Landing in Rome

While I have a dual EU passport (Thank you Grandpa), when I’m traveling with my daughter I usually keep my EU passport handy but use my US passport. We already have different last names so I don’t need any hiccups. But when we got to Rome we discovered there is an agreement in place between the US and Italy to allow US passport holders that are fourteen years of age or older, to fast track through immigration the way they Europeans can. We were brought to a different line, put our passports in a scanner, had our pictures taken and were sent through. We never even had to speak to a human. This was a great thing to discover because there was no need to pull out the permission to travel from my daughter’s father because it was just my daughter and I. We’re divorced and sometimes it’s a hassle to ask him to go out of his way to provide a document with permission and get it notarized. But I think it’s still best to get it signed and have it with you. I know the one time I don’t bring it will be the time I need it. I did bring the letter, and even though we flew into Italy, Switzerland and Germany we were never asked. Still, why risk it if you don’t have to?

 Teen daughter looking at Roman Ruins in Rome Italy.

So anyway, first night in Rome. We stayed near Trevi fountain and Spanish steps in this cute hotel called the White Hotel. It was in a perfect location. A friend of mine had recommended a few hotels near the Pantheon, but I liked this area way better. The little streets and shops were perfect for finding a good spot to eat or shop and wander.

My daughter and I at the Spanish Steps in Rome Italy

I saw a number of cute hotels in the area, so my recommendation unless you really want to focus on the Vatican or Coliseum, consider staying near Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. 

Rome is not very big in actuality, so we walked to the Coliseum from our hotel and back. There are also those hop on and off buses. By the way, I used my Chase Sapphire points not just for my hotel but also, since it’s really a white-labeled version of Expedia, I was able to use my points to buy our hop on bus tickets as well as the tour of the Vatican. That came in really handy. 

We spent three days in Rome and did all the usual activities. We didn’t tour the Coliseum weirdly enough but we did walk around it. My teen was in a mood and didn’t want to go in, so we walked around the outside. Fine, there was plenty to do. And she was far more interested in the gelatto at times than the sites. 

Italian Breakfast and We’re Off

On our second day there my daughter discovered what an Italian breakfast was. Coffee and a pastry. We had tea because the two of us with our Irish roots never managed to get used to the taste of coffee. So we had our tea and pastries and off we went. Morgan got used to saying Grazie for everything. I laughed when she said it on our layover in Dusseldorf. 🙂 

In Rome we saw the Trevi Fountain and then walked to the Spanish Steps. New thing to know about the steps, don’t sit down on them or you will be fined. They are really serious about that now. Afterwards we went to the Vatican and signed up for an English speaking tour. Of course, there was a family there from Iran and so the Italian guide had to say, “we have Americans here, you don’t have a nuclear bomb do you?” Har Har. It’s always fun to be the easy target for cracks when traveling. There’s something about being American that just makes people have to make cracks whenever they get the chance. What are you going to do? 

Hitting the Vatican


So the Vatican was phenomenal and we got to see the Sistine Chapel. Watching her face as we walked through the door and the room just opened up to her, was priceless. I looked at Morgan and thought, “yes, mission accomplished.” We stared at the ceiling for awhile and listened to people get yelled at for taking pictures of the ceiling. The people that paid for the restoration hold the rights to the ceiling, or the Vatican does and they hold it for them. Either way, no photos. Morgan was very disappointed there that the Raphael rooms were closed so she could not see the school of Athens painting that she was dying to see. But what can you do. That will give us an excuse for another visit. 

The Castle

Another great spot I admit I missed on my other trips to Rome, was the Castel St. Angelo also known as the mausoleum of Hadrian. It was well worth the entry fee and the views are spectacular. Morgan loved the little cafe at the top and sat there enjoying her tea as she looked out through the thick portico windows out at the Vatican, complete with pigeons peeping in at us from the outside. There’s a museum inside with some pretty cool armour and frescos, and just a good all around stop before heading to the Vatican. Make sure you get some good pictures on the beautiful bridge right before the castle. 


the view of the vatican from the castel st angelo in Rome italy

After we had our fill of restaurants, gelato and walking, we took a taxi to the train station to head out to Florence. So I’ll write about that in my next article.

Travel Scams

One thing I want to tell you about though is the scams they try to pull on tourists. Several times during our trip an African man would approach me and ask me where I was from and tell me I look like I’m from East Africa. And he kept trying to talk to me. As a female traveler with a child in tow I don’t need to stop for conversation in a fairly remote section of the tourist area, so I voiced a firm, “No Grazie,” and he went on his way. I wasn’t sure what was going on but found out later, the scam is the men will walk up to you chatting with you and when they get close enough will slip a cheap “friendship” bracelet on your wrist that you can’t untie and then demand ten Euros. So just stay clear.

Taxis

And for the taxis, check that the meter is on. If the driver tells you the meter isn’t working, get out and get in another one. The meter will tell you exactly what your fare is and sometimes they turn it off and tell you it’s broken and then overcharge you. And they sometimes round up without asking you first. If they have to move luggage for you, a tip is fine, otherwise it’s not necessary, so ask for your change back please. Better yet, use your credit card. 

Also, make sure to bring an debit card if you are coming from the states. In many of the ticket machines, it will ask you for a pin number. If you are using a credit card and don’t know the pin, or it doesn’t have one, you’ll get stuck. So bring a debit card that requires a pin with you as backup. Or make sure you know the cash pin on your credit card.