I just went to my almost-monthly Italian conversation group today. There are only 5-6 of us, two native speakers and the rest of us "learners" in one form or another. Today, the moderator and hostess, Alessandra had her mother visiting from Italy. For a little while, we discussed my upcoming trip to Italy, where we were going to stay and what we might do. The fact that I was going to be traveling with two young boys was an important aspect of the conversation. I mentioned that Nate and Sam were excited about seeing things underground in Rome like catacombs and indications of former buildings and structures that had been built over as the city developed. One of the women asked if we were planning on going to Pompeii and I shocked them by saying, "maybe not". I think there are a few iconic Italian sights that we will probably not go to see - by design not because of the crunch of a tight schedule:
1. Pompeii. I have heard that it's incredible, but I have also heard it's huge (a LOT of walking), it's unbearably hot and dusty in the summer, it's a long trip from Rome, AND that there are a couple of interesting options instead. We will likely make it to Ostia Antica and perhaps Herculaneum, but probably not Pompeii.
2. The leaning tower of Pisa. Everything I have read says, ho-hum to me. The town of Pisa itself is not much to see, a bit tourist trap-y and some even say, "Why are we celebrating a building that was so poorly engineered and built that it started leaning before it was even finished?" That being said, if the boys can't stand the idea of a trip to Italy without the "Torre di Pisa", maybe we'll make a road trip from Florence. But I'd rather go to Bologna for a fantastic meal or two...
3. St. Peters Basilica et al. As non-Catholics, this just doesn't hold our interests the way it would to some. Brian and I saw the basilica in 1994 and that was probably enough. And, while I know there is some famous art there, we will probably skip the crowds and find some unusual off-the-beaten-path thing to see instead.
4. Cinque Terre. I might like to see this cluster of villages some other time in my life - just like I might like to meander around Tuscany in an old Fiat. However, we are trying our best with this trip to find things that are entertaining to all 5 members of our traveling party, and I'm pretty sure "picturesque" and "quaint" don't mean much to 4 and 8 year olds.
Ok, if you think I'm off my rocker or you have other sights to miss to add to my list, let me know!
