Have you sent your teen to Europe with school group, my DS is going, need tips!

[disneynutt1225]

My brother went to Italy with his Italian class last year and he had so much fun! Definitely make sure your DS has cold medicine, as other posters said.

My mother called American Express and had them issue a Travelfunds card with his name printed on it. It's a small fee, and he didn't have any problems using it while over there. You also can do it with a VISA card I believe.

Make sure he has plenty of cameras (if disposable) and if not, make sure there's plenty of room on the memory card! And don't forget those chargers!!

 

[Sleepy]

The water is not good to drink, but ok to brush teeth/rinse. When in a restaurant and need water, ask for "aqua no gas". Otherwise, you will get fizzy water.

 

[CarolA]

Do you think that this tour company has a deal with the pickpockets in Italy? If they make them wear those backpacks everyone it talking about, doesn't that make them an easy target .

You know on my EF tour I wondered that. We did not make the girls wear them and NONE of them did, they found thier normal school bags were much nicer (Let's get real a group of American kids stick out like sore thumbs... I didn't need a back pack to count them)

Also, when I traveled to Italy I drank the water so I think the water is fine.

One other thing.. Cokes are VERY expensive and coke refills are NOT free.

I maintained control on cokes until one night in Paris. I just let my girls order as many as they wanted. When the bill came they had spent 110 Euros (Probably $160) on Cokes!!!! (This group only had 8 girls)

Since they had earned the money for the trip, boy did that shake them up (We were in good financial shape or I would have forbidden the bottemless refills) From that point on they ordered tap water everywhere. They felt that sofl drinks were WAY too much money!

 

[Carl]

A way around the expensive Coke is to buy a large bottle of it at a grocery store. Usually costs between one and two dollars for a 2 liter Coke there. You will probably have to pay a small fee for the bottle - even if it is plastic. It is refundable if you bring the empty bottle back. Who has time to do that on a vacation?

 

[Sleepy]

Also, when I traveled to Italy I drank the water so I think the water is fine.

From that point on they ordered tap water everywhere.

If you could see what I clean out of my screen traps from the faucets in my house, you would not want to drink the water here. Even the veterinarians tell you not to give your pets faucet water.

Personally, I would not recommend a tourist drinking tap water. If it does not agree with your stomach, would you really want to spend a once in a lifetime vacation sick in a hotel room with intestinal problems?

 

[Sleepy]

A way around the expensive Coke is to buy a large bottle of it at a grocery store.

Wanted to add that when thinking of a grocery store, think "Mom and Pop's" convenience store....where it is the size of a 7-11 (usually smaller) and the main focus is a deli. Those Cokes can be found in 1 liter as well. If you like Oreos, grab a pack of Ringos to go with it. They are packaged like the tube of Ritz crackers in a white and red package.

 

[Jillpie]

I am now just getting back to my thread and I can't thank you all enough. You have given my son invaluable tips, thanks a million!!!! I had him sit down at the computer this morning and read the entire thread, I'm sure all the little tips will stay in his memory when he goes. I will get the debit card this week!

Sleepy, wow, can't get any better than someone who lives there. Your tips were fantastic and he read each one. I really appreciate it!