family travel

Non-School Vacations: Should Parents Be Allowed to Take Kids Out of School for Vacations?

Posted on

MAMMA’S DIARY – DIARIO DI MAMMA

Epcot flowers - Di Meglio
Epcot at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Non-school vacations, when parents take their children out of school to go on holiday, are stirring up controversy. The British Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the school that fined a father in the United Kingdom for taking his then 6-year-old daughter out of school for a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla. This case had people online, including the popular podcast Dis Unplugged, buzzing about whether it is all right for parents to take their kids out of school for a vacation.

Non-School Vacations Ruling Speaks to Bigger Problems

Even though the fine was small (about $180), the U.K. father wanted to make a point about the rights he has to parent his kid the way he wants. And ultimately he failed. Find out why you should side with dad in this case:

Parents Know Their Own Kids

This dad clearly felt his daughter could handle a week off from school. Some parents know their kid can’t miss the work and still keep up, so they do not take off unless the school is closed. While schools have good intentions and teachers can get to know their students fairly well, most parents know their own kids better. Ideally, the teachers and the parents are regularly communicating about what’s happening in school and at home, so that everyone can make more informed, customized decisions about each child’s education.

Grown-Ups Can Be Responsible

Unless they are abusing or neglecting their kids or acting immaturely or irresponsibly themselves, parents are adults capable of making responsible decisions. This father had not come up on charges of abuse or neglect. In fact, according to reports, his daughter had a 90+ attendance rate at school before and after the trip. Clearly, she and her parents were showing up, which demonstrates some responsibility.

Micro-Managing Parents Is Uncool

We joke about how in the 1970s our parents let us walk to the park by ourselves when we were in elementary school or how seat belts were optional, and we miraculously survived. Nowadays, we’ve gone to the complete opposite extreme. Now, we reprimand, fine, or even jail parents for allowing their kids an Oreo cookie at lunch, to walk anywhere by themselves until they are well into their teens, or take a vacation when school is open. Some of these changes are positive; seat belts and child safety seats are a great thing. But we’ve gone from one extreme to another. We need to find the sweet spot in the center. Let parents take that stick out of you know where and do their thing. An Oreo now and then won’t kill the kid and a modicum of independence might help us all.

Kids Should Be Kids

A teen who misses a week during junior year of high school, when the pressure is on to prepare for college admissions is one thing. A child in elementary school, especially in kindergarten or first grade, is another. Sure, school is always important. But soon enough kids will be growing up and getting jobs full of responsibility. Let them be kids while they’re kids. Life is too short to be a grown up from the start. Missing first grade should not be a life sentence to mediocrity. It should mean having to catch up on playing house and sounding out words. Of course, the amount of time one is absent should make a difference, too. A week is not three weeks, which is different and could require some sort of repercussions. Still, youth should be on the side of the dad and his daughter in this case.

The Vacation Might Be Better for Development Than School

This idea might be the most controversial opinion I’m sharing here. But I have found that when I can focus my attention solely on my child, he pays more attention, behaves better, and seems to feel more secure. Work and school get in the way of all that. On vacation, I can really place my energy on talking and bonding with my son. We’re both more relaxed than usual. Any chance we get to do that is fine by me. I’m not sure if he’s ever going to remember the algebra he will eventually learn, but I know he’ll remember our times at Disney World and in Italy forever. He is going to be this small for a short time, and it’s already flying by me. Kids who spend real quality time with their parents – eating at the dinner table, going on vacation – are less prone to peer pressure and, I would bet, do better in life.

My Child, My Choice

The bottom line is that this father should have had the right to make decisions about his daughter without interference from the government. While education is of the utmost importance, and I value teachers and all they do for us, in the end, my son is mine. He’s my responsibility. The same is true for this father and his daughter. As a result, we should all be able to make decisions we think are right for our children. Period.

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10. For more handmade crafts and party gear, visit the Italian Mamma store on Etsy.

A Day Trip to Turtle Back Zoo in New Jersey

Posted on

VIAGGI – FAMILY TRAVEL

Turtle Back Zoo - Di Meglio
Turtle Back Zoo offers some fun, but there were a few disappointments. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, N.J. is a quaint day trip for New Jerseyans or visitors to the area. The kids had a blast running through fountains that were turned on to help people cool off, gawking at the sea lions (see above), and feeding the birds. Discover what you’ll experience should you make the journey to TBZ:

 

Welcome to Turtle Back Zoo - Di Meglio
Welcome to Turtle Back Zoo, where you can check out some pretty cool animals. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

In the above sign, you’ll notice Family Fun Nights in the summer and ads for the Zoological Society of New Jersey. Encouraging guests to “have a wild day” was perfect for me and mine.The Turtle Back Zoo offers locals many opportunities to connect with nature. We were braving the zoo with three kids 5 and under. Indeed, it was wild. Frankly, the kids might have been wilder than the animals they were seeing.

The Charm of Turtle Back Zoo

Turtle Back Zoo Sign - Di Meglio
The Turtle Back Zoo offers cute details like this sign at the exit. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

The Animals

Turtles at Turtle Back Zoo - Di Meglio
Parent and baby turtle were a big hit with the kids. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Appropriately, the first animals we saw upon our visit to the Turtle Back Zoo were turtles. Actually, they were tortoises, but close enough. What fascinated the kids? The baby pooping right before their eyes. They found it downright hilarious. And we adults had the chance to sing, “Everybodyyyyy poopssss,” ala Dinosaur Train. My son was really looking forward to seeing the stars of Happy Feet, but there was a long penguin in the habitat, which had my sister the professional zookeeper concerned. Still, despite that disappointment, we charged on.

One of the unique aspects of the zoo is the interactive aviary. Guests are not allowed to touch the birds, which include parakeets (see photo below), but they can feed them. You can purchase sticks with birdseed on them and hold them out for the birds to come to you. The kids went wild. The birds were chirping directly in their ears and munching the food off the sticks that they held in their hands. My son and niece had grins as wide as the Hudson. My mom was another story. She had birds sitting on her feet and trying to fly up her leg because much of the bird seed lands on the ground. My sister-in-law and I had to maneuver the strollers with bird seeds on the wheels without rolling over an unsuspecting parakeet.

Sea lions and monkeys are always entertaining. A small petting zoo with all the usual suspects, including goats, rounded out the highlights. As we walked out of the gift shop on our way out of the zoo, a lovely peacock walked up to us and displayed his plumage despite the rain storm. The promise of giraffes existed when we went to the zoo, but they had not arrived yet. As of 2016, you can find them in the African Adventure.

World at Your Feet - Di Meglio

The Entertainment

What’s lovely about these little zoos is that they are not so overwhelming. The three kids actually amused themselves by observing the animals and taking in the details of the zoo. There was an elephant statue that they all climbed on to take a picture. Running through the fountains (see below) was not just for cooling off. It was also a memory in the making. They were dancing around without a care in the world, and it brought us all back to our own childhood. Isn’t that, in part, what a day at the zoo is all about?

Running through sprinkler - Di Meglio
Is there anything more refreshing than running through a sprinkler on a hot day? © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10. For more handmade crafts and party gear, visit the Italian Mamma store on Etsy.

Lavazza to Bring a New Dining Concept to Italy

Posted on

FAMILY TRAVEL – VIAGGI 

Lavazza headquarters in Torino, Italy - Lavazza
Construction on Lavazza’s new headquarters in Torino, Italy is well underway. © Photo courtesy of Lavazza

Lavazza, one of the big coffee companies in Italy, is promising to bring imagination to the country’s restaurant scene while invigorating its hometown. Its new headquarters in Torino, which is slated to open at the end of 2017, is more than mere office; it’s also a destination for visitors. One of the biggest draws is CONDIVIDERE by Lavazza, a restaurant that is aiming to change the way people think about food and eating. Lavazza announced the restaurant concept early in March, so there are still few specific details. Learn about what we know so far:

Coffee to Jolt the Experience

Appropriately, coffee will take the main stage in the Lavazza restaurant. “Lavazza is strongly committed to creating a new restaurant where the coffee experience is at the forefront of every dish, making it a unique concept found nowhere else,” according to the press release. There is little explanation of what this means. But am I wrong to imagine coffee rubs on meat or espresso in desserts or even a hint of coffee in a pasta dish? I’ve had a gourmet meal in Ischia, where chocolate was used in a pasta sauce, and it was surprisingly delicious. Maybe Lavazza could make coffee and pasta – among Italy’s main food groups – marry and live happily ever after. Who am I to judge? Lavazza is, after all, the company that gave us coffee caviar. True story.

Lavazza Hires an Experienced Team

  • Chef Ferran Adrià

Interestingly, Chef Ferran Adrià, who co-created the concept for the restaurant, isn’t Italian. He’s Spanish. More than celebrity chef, Adrià was called a “gastronomic genius” by The New York Times. During his time as head chef of elBulli, which Restaurant Magazine named as world’s best restaurant five times from 2002 to 2009, according to the Times, he helped people reimagine food. Americans would know him as the guy who turned food into foam and made that a thing in foodie circles. When he shut the doors of his restaurant in 2011, people wondered why. It might have been money troubles and family in-fighting or it could have been the desire to avoid repeating himself; you can decide for yourself after reading the Times article. Either way, Lavazza now has him helping it, presumably to reimagine how people consume coffee and the traditional dishes of Torino and its region. 

  • Chef Federico Zanasi

Federico Zanasi is the chef at the helm, however. Italy’s La Stampa described Zanasi as “giovane e brillante,” which means “young and brilliant.” He comes from Hotel Principe delle Nevi, a five-star restaurant in Cervinia, which is alpine resort territory known for skiing. Indeed, Zanasi is the chosen one. Adrià, who had worked with him, according to La Stampa, selected him for the job. The restaurant is already promoting its commitment to “food democracy,” an idea that has galvanized many Americans recently but has long been a part of the Italian culture. Basically, it’s a belief that food should be food without chemicals or byproducts. Everything should be fresh. But it’s not just about being healthy; it’s also about making everything delicious in its simplicity.

  • Set Designer Dante Ferretti 

The trifecta of greatness would be incomplete without the set designer, three-time Academy Award winner Dante Ferretti. He’s developing the interior of the restaurant. It will be urban, modern, and colorful, and will perfectly reflect Zanasi’s concepts for the menu, according to La Stampa. His Oscar-winning touch brought us The Aviator, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Hugo Cabret. Now, he’ll bring his vision to a place where people will gather to eat. The interior will undoubtedly be a showstopper, but it’s not just about looking at what’s around your own table. The place is going to be like a character, one can imagine. There will be movement. In fact, the press release explains that guests will actually move from one setting to another to enjoy different parts of the meal. 

More Than Good Eats

The restaurant is more than a restaurant, of course. Yes, it’s also the Lavazza company headquarters. In addition, visitors will find the Lavazza Museum, which is being designed by Ralph Appelbaum, who designed the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Hall of Biodiversity at the American Museum of Natural History. A convention center and a farm-to-table dining hall for employees and students of the nearby Istituto d’Arte Applicata e Design (IADD) round out the offerings. Of course, a place like this wouldn’t be Italian if it didn’t include a “lush, green” piazza for people watching and gathering. There visitors will find artifacts from a 4th and 5th century A.D. paleo-Christian basilica that the company found during construction, according to the press release.

A Higher Purpose for Lavazza

Finally, the name of the restaurant, CONDIVIDERE, is significant. It means to share. This place is intended to be as much about new concepts in food as an affirmation of the human need to break bread together. Perhaps, Adrià put it best in his discussion with La Stampa, where he waxed philosophical about the place. “You will find a place in which you feel at ease and have the desire to be together,” he said, according to my translation. “The intention is to provide exceptional cuisine that brings to the forefront man’s need to socialize, share, and analyze what’s on the table in a show of love for food.” Now, that kind of thinking couldn’t be more Italian.

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10. For more handmade crafts and party gear, visit the Italian Mamma store on Etsy.

How to Pack for Kids on the Plane

Posted on
Ischia Ponte - Alex Vaina
Mamma and Baby Boy in Ischia Ponte trying to remain calm. © Photo by Alex Vaina

This is the second in a series of lessons I learned traveling with my now 5-year-old son since he was a baby. The lessons are designed to help parents learn from my experiences and mistakes to have a smoother travel experience every time they muster the courage to take baby (or little men and little ladies) on a magnificent journey. You can read the first lesson, How to Pick a Family Friendly Airline. 

Lesson No. 2: Pack Up the Goodies

Pack distractions. Distractions can save a mamma’s life. I have firsthand knowledge. Packing the carry-on bags for any journey, but especially a lengthy one, is of the utmost importance. What you need to do is pack a slew of goodies to keep your child distracted in between naps on one of those lengthy flights. I’ve been bringing my son, who is now 5, back and forth between Italy and the United States since he was 6 months old. Pack correctly and ye shall survive such traumas. Discover what’s always in my bag:

Documents

Cash – in both the currencies from which and to which you are traveling – is important. You never know when you’ll need it. Of course, you must bring passports and identification for everyone traveling, including the little ones. One item many moms don’t realize they need is their child’s birth certificate. This is especially important if you and your child have different last names. In Germany, while in the airport on a layover, I was almost forced to part with my then 9-month-old son because I had only our passports and no birth certificate; the customs agents feared I was kidnapping my baby. A heated conversation and a phone call to my husband resolved the matter, but they warned that I should never travel without his birth certificate again. Indeed, I now take it with me even to the supermarket in Italy.

Food and Drink

No mamma ever wants a hangry child. A child – like any person – becomes unbearable when hungry. Imagine that kind of crankypants on a six- or ten- or 15-hour flight. Yikes! Always pack snacks. My son prefers pretzels, cheese crackers, or Cheerios. I carry them in resealable bags or little containers, and we’re good to go. Pick up a bottle of water (or a small container of milk for the start of the journey) once you’re in the terminal. Of course, bring whatever you need for younger babies, who require formula or baby food. Security will test any liquid items, and you’ll be on your way. Just don’t pack a lot of junk food, especially if your kid is not used to eating it. On one flight, I gave my son his favorite indulgence – Oreos – and it ended with projectile vomit.

Little Toys

A few weeks before we leave for Italy, I usually go around the house collecting some of his favorite tiny toys. He has a couple of cars, small action figures, and the like that can keep him busy for quite a while. I take them out of the rotation and put them near the luggage, where he can’t easily find them. Then, I pull them out one by one during the course of our flights. (It often requires to flights and a boat ride to get to our second home, Ischia, Italy.) I try to add one to three new toys (usually from the dollar store) to the mix. I pull out those when times get really tough in flight. Nothing like a little surprise – something shiny and new – to distract you from your troubles.

Books

Of course, you don’t want to carry too many books because that can weigh you down, especially if you have to run a marathon to reach a connecting flight in time. But a couple of small books to read and a few activity books and crayons or a pencil have pulled me out of a few ditches. My son particularly likes sticker books that have you finding stickers at the back of the book to place in short stories at the front. He also enjoys activity books that offer opportunities for him to learn to draw something, such as animals, or punch out card stock figures to build or make something. I track this kind of book down on Amazon or at the dollar store. I always look for deals, so I buy them when I find them and not necessarily just before we’re about to travel.Another favorite are the Highlights seek and find books for which he has a subscription. Keep stock and save stuff, so it’s completely new when he sees it on the plane.

Digital Device

My work forces me to carry my laptop with me wherever I go. So, we always have at least one computer. My son also owns a Kindle that is well stocked with his favorite movies, TV shows, and some games. Also, he recently received a LeapPad as a gift. I charge these babies to the max before our flight and bring them everywhere we go. They are not only for the plane. They are perfect for when we force him to spend many hours at dinner with only adults, a common occurrence for the poor little guy in Italy.

Necessities

No mamma should go home without extra clothes for the kiddies and her (and anyone else who is traveling with her). Don’t forget extra underwear and socks, maybe a clean pair of pajamas in addition to clothes. When that projectile vomit hit, my son and I were covered in toxicity. Those extra clothes came in handy. For my son, even though he’s 5 years old and potty trained, I still bring diapers and wipes. Diapers or pull ups are safer when young kids are planning to sleep in the plane, or at least that’s been my experience. Tissues and children’s Tylenol are among the other must haves to pack.

Comfort

Mamma’s goal should be to make the flight as comfortable as possible for her child (or children, God bless you). I bring pajamas for my son to change into when he’s ready to sleep. A favorite blankie and stuffed animal always comes along for the ride, too. He has earphones, so he can watch whatever movie the plane offers, and a neck pillow to help him get cozy.

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10. For more handmade crafts and party gear, visit the Italian Mamma store on Etsy.

How to Pick a Family Friendly Airline

Posted on

VIAGGI – FAMILY TRAVEL

Baby Boy and Mamma in Ischia Ponte © Photo by Antonio Gerenini

This is the first in a series of lessons I learned traveling with my now 5-year-old son since he was a baby. The lessons are designed to help parents learn from my experiences and mistakes to have a smoother travel experience every time they muster the courage to take baby (or little men and little ladies) on a magnificent journey.

Lesson No. 1 – Find a Family Friendly Airline

Traveling with a baby requires a heart, stomach, and mind of steel. My son was only six months old before he traveled by plane with my husband and me. And it was no simple plane ride. We were heading to Ischia, Italy, which requires two flights (one lengthy flight from New York or Newark to a European capital, one short connecting flight to Naples, Italy, and one 1.5- to 2-hour boat ride to Ischia, Italy). When we set off, we didn’t know what lie ahead, but we had vetted the airline to make sure it was family friendly.

To start our journey, we said tearful good-byes to my parents because we’d be gone for a few months, which is akin to a lifetime with an infant. Then, we rolled through security and boarded the plane with virtually no problem. The little guy was being an angel. Once aboard, we settled in. Lufthansa has carriers that hang on the wall of the first row of the economy class. All the families with infants are seated there, and the plane’s staff checked in with us from the start. We’ve traveled on other airlines, including Jet Blue, Alitalia, and Air France, and none of them were as accommodating to the kids. I kicked back and planned to nap along with my son.

But alas I would never get to dream aboard that flight. Before I could drift off to Dreamland, my son cried in hunger. I had him latch onto my breast and used a blankie to be discreet. He was happily drinking when the child next to us began screaming…loudly…and with oomph. Even though his mother seemed unbothered, I felt for her when the cries became prolonged. I knew what all the other passengers were thinking. I mean if looks could kill, well you know what would have happened. This scenario had been my biggest concern pre-trip, so I was sympathetic.

The airline attendants flocked to the mom, and gave her a hand. Finally, she soothed her son. But mine was already too distracted to breast feed (read more about that in a future post) or go right back to sleep. Still, he was being sweet and not giving anyone a problem. He did eventually go to sleep. Indeed, he mostly slept on that long flight. Of course, he has always been a powerful pooper, so we did have to make a few trips to change diapers in the airplane’s bathroom.

As for as airplane bathrooms go, this was one of the best. The bad news was that I actually had to carry the baby and go down steps to get to the bathrooms. The good news is that they were roomy compared to what we’d later face on other airlines, and there was plenty of room on the baby changing table that was provided.

Questions Parents Should Ask the Airlines

If you’re looking for a family friendly airline, particularly for a baby 2 and under, then you should ask the following questions of the airline beforehand:

  • Where do babies sit on the plane generally? (Lufthansa, for instance, provides those baby carriers that hook to the wall, and make it easy for baby to get comfortable, stretch out, and sleep.)
  • What is the general approach if a baby is crying or having a hard time in flight?
  • How much do they charge for baby? (In general, babies under 2 years old are free.)
  • What about baby’s stuff? (You are usually allowed to bring a stroller and car seat for free and not as part of your allotted luggage.)
  • What about baby’s food, formula, milk? (My son is a milkaholic, and we can still bring some milk for him on the plane – not necessarily from the gate – but the airport’s security, depending on the country, has some rules about it. In the United States, the security agents have to pass the milk through a test on a machine before we can bring it on board. There are also limits to how much milk, formula, etc. you can bring but it’s a decent amount and should get you through the flight and beyond.)
  • Is there anything else the airline would like parents to know before buying a ticket?

One bonus with Lufthansa was that they gave my son and the other children in flight an age appropriate gift. My son received a plush birdie busting out of an egg. It was soft and cuddly and small enough for his tiny hands. He still has it, actually. Yep, Lufthansa is one of the good ones for baby.

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10. For more handmade crafts and party gear, visit the Italian Mamma store on Etsy.

Why You Should Get a Zoo Membership

Posted on

VIAGGI – FAMILY TRAVEL 

Baboons at Bronx Zoo - Di Meglio
A family of baboons shows its softer side at the Bronx Zoo. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

In recent years, people have been tough on zoos and aquariums. The argument is that animals should not be locked up; instead, we should let them live in peace in nature and shut down these zoos. They have been talked about as outdated and decidedly unfriendly to all that is natural. I take a decidedly different position. It’s not just because I’m the sister of a zookeeper. Okay, that has something to do with it. She has educated me and continues to do so. But it’s also a result of my years as a self-proclaimed environmentalist.

Yep, I’ve been a tree hugger since the late 1980s when I read 50 Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth, which revolutionized my life. While I’m still not made of granola, I did help launch recycling in my town; in middle school, I actually spent my lunch periods analyzing garbage to determine how much could be recycled and how cost effective it would be. It worked, and I even won an American Legion award for my efforts. The reason I’m digressing is I want to show you that I have some street cred when it comes to this topic and that it’s not coming out of nowhere. Here are why families should consider getting zoo memberships:

Ostrich and Giraffe at Bronx Zoo - Di Meglio
An ostrich and a giraffe have a meeting of the minds at the Bronx Zoo. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

1. SEEING IS BELIEVING

You can talk to kids about the world around them all you want. But until you show them what you’re talking about, they don’t always understand. Seeing animals, some of which are endangered or near extinction, helps connects kids with them. My sister has shared her love of animals with my son, niece, and nephew from when they were wee little ones. None of them are afraid. My son was the only one in his class on a recent trip to the farm, who was willing to pet a chicken and milk a cow. He now knows that the milk (which supports his milkaholism) comes from a cow, and he understands exactly the process of getting it. Besides making him more appreciative, he was able to talk to me about how the cows have to stay healthy for him to get his milk. This was extra amazing for him because he had delayed speech and is only really starting to communicate regularly with us now.

Butterfly Garden at Bronx Zoo - Di Meglio
The butterly garden at the Bronx Zoo is a den of beauty. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

2. A CHANCE FOR EDUCATION

At the zoo, you’ll find plaques offering facts about the animals and sometimes even the plant life in an exhibit. My 6-year-old niece read every single one on our most recent visit. She learned about antelope and baboons, like the family in the photos here. A few zookeepers and volunteer educators stopped to see if we had questions and shared info, such as how the rhino’s horn is made of the same stuff as our nails. My niece also read a few quotes about why learning about animals is important. Basically, she decided she needs to understand animals, so she can recognize their place in our world and protect it. It’s a good lesson indeed. And that little lady will do it, I guarantee.

Pea Hen at Bronx Zoo - Di Meglio
A peacock shows its feathers at the Bronx Zoo. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

3. SUPPORT CONSERVATION

The money you spend on a membership helps maintain the zoo, the animals’ home, but it also helps pay for research and conservation efforts. My sister is a zookeeper in Florida, and she has traveled to help birds in the wild migrate or breed as part of her job. She also has friends who have helped save wildlife trapped in oil spills. There are all sorts of conservation projects in which zoos participate. They also make the habitats for each animal as close to nature as they can, which is in and of itself a conservation effort. It is not just a superficial means of re-branding zoos that have been criticized for locking up animals, even if that’s part of the motivation; it’s also a way to keep the animals and nature in balance and to improve the animals’ lives. This all costs money. Doing good ain’t cheap, folks.

4. MAKE MEMORIES

Disney commercials often warn parents that they have a limited number of years while their children are young to enjoy family trips all together. While the company’s motives are obviously to make a buck, it still holds true. The delight on the face of my child when he witnessed the ostrich’s racing one another or when he saw the baboons hugging one another was priceless. The fact that we were at the Boo at the Zoo event, so he and his cousins were in their costumes and I sometimes sported a witch’s hat made the day all the more fun. He was learning, we were bonding, and all the while we were just having fun.

Butterflies at Bronx Zoo - Di Meglio
Beautiful butterflies landed on us at times and tickled the kids. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

5. SAVE MONEY

While a Disney trip could break the bank, a zoo membership could actually be affordable and it can save you money. I opted for the membership when we wanted to go to the Boo at the Zoo event at the Bronx Zoo because it was only a few dollars more than the cost of the total experience ticket for one day for each of us. In the end, I spent $175 (there was a $20 discount when I bought into the family premium offer). Of course, your local zoos membership fees may be different. You’ll have to check with each for prices. With the Bronx Zoo, for one year, my mom, husband, three kids, and me are covered for the total experience anytime we want to go. That means, we don’t have to pay for parking, entrance, or most of the extras, such as the monorail, butterfly garden, etc. In addition, admission to four other places – the New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo – are covered. We did have to pay $7 per person for the camel rides. But the trip was still a bargain, and we received discounts in the souvenir shop and for food and drink purchases. For me, frankly, those broad smiles and precious pictures of the kids and animals already made it worth it, and our year of membership has only just begun.

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10. For handmade crafts and party gear, visit the Italian Mamma store on Etsy. 

7 Tourist Traps Parents Fall into at Disney World

Posted on

VIAGGI – FAMILY TRAVEL 

Pluto at Disney World Polynesian - Di Meglio
Careful, now, Disney is out to get your money. But you don’t have to give it all up. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

A family vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. is a dream for many people. That’s why parents spend much time and money on the trip. Magic ain’t cheap, people. But there are some add-ons that many get suckered into buying. It’s enough to bring on your worst case of buyer’s remorse, especially if you’re trying to stick to a travel budget. Since I’ve been to the “World” countless times and have some expertise in this area, here are the 7 tourist traps you should avoid like Mickey near a mouse trap:

7. Souvenirs

This one parents should see coming from miles and miles away. Disney is an empire, and they lead the world in marketing. They know that if your kid sees his favorite characters and toys at every turn (and when you get off any ride), he’s going to beg you for something. You’re on vacation, and you don’t want to experience one of those fall-down tantrums. So, you are going to say, “Yes,” at least some of the time. Cha-ching. Of course, similar toys are half the price outside Disney.

Parents and Disney forums often suggest purchasing Disney character toys and souvenirs at the local dollar store or Walmart ahead of your trip. Some of the moms offer up a little surprise each morning of the vacation. They might even wrap them and include notes from Tinker Bell. Much like Santa, they tell kids that if they behave they’ll get something from Tink, who will sneak in and leave it for them while they sleep. Then, they bring the trinket from Tink to the parks and meals and whip it out whenever the temptation for another souvenir pops up. (I can tell you from firsthand experience that this worked well with toddler and pre-K kids.) Another option is to pick up souvenirs at an off-site Disney Store, outlet or discount shop, or mall in the Orlando area. Look for coupons if you go that route.

6. Food

Back in the day, my parents would take us to Disney and we’d stay off property. We would have a rental car, and we almost always left the parks at meal times. It was cheaper and back then whatever we would get outside of the parks was usually better food. Times have changed. Now, there are many more resorts, and Disney makes it worth your time to stay “on property.” In addition, the food has gotten exponentially better. In fact, my husband and I often plan our travels there around our dining reservations.

Still, the food on property is expensive. They have you in jail, essentially, and they know that you’re not going to want to waste time (and miss out on rides and events, which cost a lot of money, too) by leaving the park. The good news is that there are some really delicious, vacation-worthy options. First step is to educate yourself on what’s worth the money. Disney’s Websites feature lengthy menus, and unaffiliated blogs, such as Disney Food Blog, can provide you with unbiased reviews. More importantly, you should set priorities about where you’d like to put your money, and decide exactly how much you’d like to spend. If you don’t want to go off property to eat, then you should consider staying at a Disney resort and buying into Disney dining, which allows you to pay ahead of time for your meals and snacks. Sometimes, there are even free dining deals, but Disney experts suggest those offers might have come to an end. It will come in handy when your kid sees and smells that Disney popcorn and starts begging.

5. Paying Full Price for the Resorts

Disney resorts are beautifully themed and come at different price points. There are value, moderate, and deluxe resorts. Parents, who want to give their kids the full flavor of the Disney magic, prefer staying on property. As mentioned, there are some perks, such as the ability to participate in the Disney dining plan and extra magic hours at the parks. You have no reason to pay full price for the hotels. At many times during the year, you can find discounts on the resorts. Going in the low season, if you’re willing, is a particularly effective way to stay in budget even if there is no discount. The thing is that there usually are discounts. What most people don’t realize is that even if you booked before the discount was available, if you call Disney reservations when the offer goes public, it will retroactively add the discount. You will get the money back if you had paid already. I’ve done it, and it’s seamless. Another option is to rent DVC points, which I’ve also done. This allows you to stay on property by renting points from a Disney Vacation Club member. The resorts in question are deluxe, and you can often get the price down to value or moderate prices. But you must be smart about it because there are some DVC renting scams out there. You can learn more about renting DVC points (and scoop on the DVC rentals at Polynesian Village Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge) right on this site.

4. Unnecessarily Buying Park Hopper Tickets

I used to fall for this trick every time. I thought I had to buy park hopper tickets and jump from one park to another in a single day to have fun. The idea is to pack in as much as you can all trip long. Wrong! Parents, especially those with younger children, are usually better off buying a park ticket package that has them traveling to one park per day. For starters, this helps you better plan because you’re forced into one zone of Disney World each day, which can help you decide on fast passes and dining reservations ahead of time. Also, it prevents you from running around, which can make for overtired, cranky children and adults. It’s better for sneaking a nap into your day, too. Of course, the single park tickets are cheaper than park hoppers.

3. Stylists for Your Kids

All over Disney you will see little girls dressed as princesses and, to a lesser extent, little boys dressed as pirates. They will look like those kids whose moms force them into pageant life, replete with make-up and perfectly coiffed hair with a shiny tiara on top. Nine times out of 10 they have been to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Cinderella’s Castle. The swashbuckling pirates, replete with painted on beard and sword, have been to the Pirates League, also at Magic Kingdom. Professionals dress them up and make them all fancy at a price. The princess packages start at $60, and the pirates start at $40. No one I know has ever done this, but they have always brought their kids dressed to impress. You can purchase affordable costumes on Amazon, Target or Walmart, or in the Disney Store (when there’s a sale). Then, you can do hair and make-up. I dressed my son as a pirate for a princess breakfast when he was a year old, and we got beautiful pictures that I still cherish. My niece always wears her princess dresses to the parks, and she’s never done the boutique. A little glitter for the eyes is way cheaper than one of those packages. It also takes less time away from the rides and dining reservations.

2. Extra Events (after Park Hours)

Disney has done all it can to monetize its offerings. Why not? There’s certainly demand. Loyal readers of the unaffiliated Disney dining blogs know that in recent years there have been a number of ticketed dessert events and parties. Often, guests end up paying more than $50 per person for these events, on top of their park admission. Again, this is a budget issue. You should decide where you want to put your vacation money. But I would suggest, based on what I’ve seen of these events, that they are not necessary. Avoiding them is a good way to save a buck.

The two exceptions are Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (which actually costs between $72 and $105 per person) and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (which costs between $86 and $100 per person). Both are super expensive, and I’ve never invested in them. But some experts say these are worth it if you can afford them. Additional entertainment and treats create value. Kids really get to feel some of that Disney magic. The costumed characters at the Halloween party and fake falling snow at the Christmas party are among the examples. The smaller, lesser known events, however, are probably less valuable and not worth your time or money.

1. Specially Themed Rooms

Oh, this one in particular gets my goat. A few years back, Disney began theming rooms at the moderate resorts. Mind you, all the Disney resorts are already themed. But there was additional in-room theming designed to lure parents, who want to wow their kids. At Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside resort, you can opt for a Royal Guest Room with gilded furniture, elaborate headboards, and bedazzled princess images. A late March package for these rooms with a standard view for a 7-day stay cost $326 more than the standard room with a standard view at the same resort. The pirate rooms package with a standard view for the same period at the Caribbean Beach Resort cost $404 more than the standard rooms, and they are located at the most remote part of the resort. They used to be cheaper rooms, according to the Disney Tourist Blog, until Disney added pirate ship beds and related decor.

Now, the Disney Tourist Blog recommends the Royal Guest rooms at Port Orleans over the pirate ones at Caribbean Beach Resort because many of those were cheaper rooms further away from the hotel’s lobby that are now at higher price point. The reason this is the top of the list is that people spend little time in the rooms at Disney World as it is. These were a little trick to charge people more for staying at a moderate resort. I prefer treats and no tricks when vacation planning at the happiest place on Earth.

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

Greetings from Ischia in My 20s

Posted on

FAMILY TRAVEL – VIAGGI

Woman in Ischia 2005 - Gerenini
A photo of me from 2005 in Ischia, Italy © Photo by Antonio Gerenini

I’ve become one of those people. You know, the kind who is always waxing nostalgic. I’m my grandparents now. Every sentence seems to begin, “Back in the old days…” And so it begins. In 10 days, I’m going to turn 38 years old. It’s not 40. But it’s closer to 40 than 30 was. Suddenly, I’m clinging to whatever time I have left with older relatives, recognizing my parent’s age, and feeling, well, old – or at least much older. It has me thinking about the past – a lot.

Rather than bore you with details of how I had it better back then in that time and galaxy far, far away, I thought I’d share some pictures. These are my keepsakes from Ischia in 2005, when I visited my then boyfriend (now husband) in his home and met his family for the first time. It was an age of innocence. It was also a time when Ischia was not a second home but still a dream vacation for me. It’s funny what a difference living in a place – seeing all its warts up close – makes in your perception of it. Anyway, here’s what I’ve been looking at, staring at, and wondering whatever happened to:

Two Italian men - Di Meglio
Two men commiserate while I’m waiting in a car. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

I couldn’t help but snap this shot while waiting in a car for someone’s arrival. Who? I can’t remember. But I do remember seeing these seniors sitting out there and fondly thinking about my grandfathers, both of whom were born and raised in Ischia. They always had close friends from the island, and whenever they got together, there would be intense conversation and rounds of Italian cards. They also all owned one of those hats.

Ischia view - Di Meglio
Ischia is just plain pretty. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

This photo always spoke to me. I believe I took it from Villa Arbusto, a museum in Ischia, where my husband and I would return to take wedding pictures. For one, the photo provides a beautiful look at the residences of the island. For two, it seems like a metaphor for life with its peaks and valleys.

Il Fungo Mushroom in Ischia - Di Meglio
The Mushroom, as this rock formation is known, is the highlight of Ischia’s Lacco Ameno town. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Ischia has quite a few naturally formed rocks that jut out of the ocean and are in the shape of something. This one, called il Fungo or the Mushroom, is the most famous and it is the symbol of the town of Lacco Ameno. From above, you can’t miss it.

 

Goat in Ischia - Di Meglio
Gotta love a goat. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

This is near my father’s hometown of Buonopane in Ischia. My husband was showing me around, and we spotted this goat on someone’s property, on top of a roof of sorts. I had to take his picture, but there was nowhere to park. So, I just took it from the car. It came out pretty well. And I always wonder what that goat was doing up there. Somebody was missing their milk or dinner with him hiding out up there.

Ischia Porto - Di Meglio
As an island, Ischia sees its ports as its epicenters. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

There was a refreshing quiet about the sea on this day in spring 2005. The docked boats – waiting for summer’s return – spoke for all the Ischitani natives anxious to get back to work. Most of them are in tourism, which is a seasonal industry lasting only about six months out of the year.

San Pietro in Ischia - Di Meglio
This is the quiet before the storm at San Pietro in Ischia Porto. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

In early spring, there are few tourists hanging around the beach in Ischia. But a few more weeks after this picture was taken and the place would see wall-to-wall people from sand to shore and in the sea. Taking a stroll on the sand with my then new love – hand in hand – with no one else around was a kind of peace I haven’t experienced in a long time, and for which we all long.

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

Why You Should Visit Italy in the Fall

Posted on

VIAGGI – FAMILY TRAVEL 

Ischia, Italy - Francesca Di Meglio
Italy is charming all year but especially in the fall. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Italy is beautiful year round. But fall is the sweet spot for tourists if you ask me. Climate, cost, and crowd control come together to create the perfect trifecta. In fact, I like it so much that I got married in Italy in October 2008. Especially for those who have never been to the Boot, the fall provides the perfect setting to take in the magnificent history, eat up the divine cuisine, and live that dolce vita uninterrupted and without all those (other) annoying tourists around. I know you’re not one of those.

In southern Italy, where I tend to be, the autumn afternoons are hot enough for the beach and the mornings and evenings are crisp enough for a lovely stroll and eating al fresco (with a jacket and scarf). Gelato stands are still up and running. It is, in a word, delightful. You get to experience two seasons in one. What’s lovely about the fall is the vendemmia, the time of year when the grapes are harvested and wine making begins. Of course, Tuscany is famous for its vineyards, but even in the south, in places, such as my family’s native Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples, people celebrate the vendemmia. Often, you’ll find feasts in the piazza. Sometimes, the food, which could include anything from baked pasta dishes to grilled sausage, and the wine are free. You read that right. If you are lucky enough to have a friend who has grape vines, you may be invited to their home to help harvest the grapes (yes, they’ll put you to work if you’re able bodied) and enjoy a homemade meal afterward. In Ischia, the elementary school kids even go to the wine museum and get to kick it old-school and crush grapes with their feet.

Whatever you end up doing – lounging on the beach, strolling the streets with gelato in hand, or picking grapes (even if it’s just an excuse to sample the vino) – bring sunblock and a hat. The sun is strong during the day, and I’ve gotten burned even when there was a slight chill in the air. Also, pack that jacket and scarf because you will probably need it in the evening. If you visit the islands, this is especially important because the beach breeze and the dampness can chill you to your bone even if it’s 80 degrees F in the early afternoon. This mix of hot and cold – and some rain – brings with it an abundance of porcini mushrooms in a number of places. The natives usually know where to find them (and can tell if they’re the real deal or poison) and how to prepare them. You can try them at local restaurants in pasta, pizza, or even raw in a salad. Foodies won’t be able to resist.

What draws many adults – and even some families – to Italy in the fall is the economic advantage. I’ve traveled at the height of the summer and in the fall, and I’ll take fall every time. Airfare usually costs between $500 and more than $1,000 less than it does in the summer. While I never have to stay in a hotel (I stay with relatives), I know that these prices are lower, too. A scan of Travelocity or Expedia will reveal this as will all those relatives and friends of mine, who work in Italian hotels. Some families could never afford a trip to Europe, and these price differences can make the journey more budget friendly, no doubt.

Finally, with fewer people around, you can really enjoy what you’re seeing without the claustrophobia of the August crowds. You have to understand that many Western schools are off in July and August and just about all the natives (barring those with jobs in tourism) are off, too. Many Italians get at least half the month of August, if not the whole month, off for vacation. They swarm to the same tourist hot spots that us foreigners do. Populations of these popular places doubles or triples. It triples in Ischia, where we are. There’s actual people traffic on the road from where I stay to the beach. It’s wild.  With kids back in school and the August siesta on steroids done, foreigners and natives alike are back to their routines and not going to be bothering you. That about sums up why an Italian vacation in the fall is truly a bit of paradiso on Earth.

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Is Wild and Wonderful

Posted on

VIAGGI – FAMILY TRAVEL

Animal Kingdom Lodge - Di Meglio
Zebras at Animal Kingdom Lodge greet visitors often. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is the coolest concept for a resort, perhaps, in the history of family travel. In the middle of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., you’ll find giraffes, zebras, and ostriches in your hotel’s backyard. Maybe I’m exaggerating because some kids would argue in favor of Legoland’s life-size brick creations in the bedrooms. And there are those hotels with rooms underwater, overwater, on ice, and in trees that offer some pretty stiff competition, I’ll admit.

Still, I was moved every day of my stay at AKL, every time I saw a majestic zebra walk toward me as I sipped my morning tea or caught a glimpse of a giant giraffe nibbling on leaves as I inched toward the elevator to my room. Friends, who were traveling with me, paid the extra fee to have a room with a balcony with the animals in full view. They would roll over in bed and look out the window to see Mother Nature in all its glory. Now, that’s a vacation if you ask me.

And oh how the children delighted! They could not turn away from the lovely animals, the ones they’d seen in books, behind cages in traditional zoos, and in all those Disney movies that gave animals a voice and personality. This was their chance to observe them from a safe, yet short, distance. They looked at what they ate and listened to the experts walking the grounds educating visitors about their natural habitats, diets, and tendencies.

Beauty is everywhere. It does not only come from the sight of the animals but also the look of the environment, their habitat, which is made to be as close to what they’d find in nature as possible. There are about 200 animals in four savannas. The buildings are built to form circles to kind of fence in the animals as they do in Africa. The resort itself is divided into two parts – Jambo House and Kidani Village, which is newer and encompasses the Disney Vacation Club villas. Although I’ve spent significant time in both, I actually stayed at Kidani Village.

Pros and cons of the resort are easy to surmise. Obviously, the ambiance and theming are over the top. In fact, this might be the best themed of all the hotels, and many a blogger has made such an argument. Those who have lived in Africa often say that every detail is authentic. In fact, the works of African artists are on display throughout the resort, as are popular African sayings. In addition, African construction workers were brought in to make the thatched roofs in the tradition they do back home. The famous imagineer Joe Rohde led the design of this resort, and has told guests about the smallest of details including the animal trim that runs atop the wall in the lounge and how they are all facing in the same direction to make it look as though they are running toward the window looking out on the savanna. That’s dedication, folks.

I try not to get too hung up on rooms when I visit Disney because I hardly find time to chill in the hotel anyway. But the deluxe resorts, which include AKL, have pretty nice rooms. In the outside world, they would hardly qualify as luxurious, but they definitely are at Disney World. In the outside world, they wouldn’t cost as much either. However, we rented DVC points, which brings down the price significantly. In fact, it’s often the equivalent of the price of one of Disney’s moderate resorts. Otherwise, you have to pay full price for a deluxe resort stay, which can run up to around $500 per night or more.

One of the greatest pros to staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is the food. There are some exceptional restaurants on the grounds, including the signature dining experience at Jiko – The Cooking Place. Offering guests some genuine African flavors in a sophisticated atmosphere Jiko also has some of that Disney magic. Twin wood-burning ovens that look like African cooking pots are the centerpiece of the show kitchen. The lighting changes from warm shades of red, orange, and gold t o mimic the African sunset. Then, there’s the food. I traveled with my parents, who are not adventurous when it comes to eating. It’s Italian or bust. My father is more open than my mom. Anyway, I had my doubts. While this was not their favorite place, they found items to eat. And I am still dreaming about the steak with a red wine sauce and topped with macaroni and cheese. I’ll admit some of the spicier food wasn’t my favorite, but I enjoyed sampling it and just being in such a warm place made the advanced dining reservation (ADR) worth it. This one meal was the equivalent of 2 on the Deluxe Dining plan. If you pay out of pocket, it’s significantly more expensive. Wine lovers rejoice; Jiko offers the most South African wines in one place than anywhere outside of Africa.

For a less costly meal, AKL also offers the sit-in restaurant Sanaa, which serves “African food with an Indian flair,” according to the Disney Website. I never ate here, but this place also has a great vibe. The windows that run from top to bottom allow diners to watch the animals on the savanna as they eat. The Indian-style bread service gets rave reviews from foodie bloggers.

Boma – Flavors of Africa, which offers a casual buffet at breakfast and dinner, is a fan favorite. Again, the African theming will blow you away down to the elephant statues, dark wood tones, and look of the buffet. I’ve heard great things about the dinner, but I have never eaten it. I’ve been to the breakfast buffet three times. Two out of the three times I had one of the best meals ever. The first time was in December 2009, and it was packed with people, service was poor, and the buffet was completely picked over when we got there. The last two times have been divine. The M&M pancakes are a big hit. The waffles feature the Lion King instead of being Mickey shaped, which was a novelty my son appreciated. African dishes, including 0ak-grilled asparagus and tomatoes, are mild enough to attract even picky eaters. The French toast bread pudding is the stuff of legend. Finally, there’s always The Mara, the on-site quick-service restaurant, too keep you refreshed and satisfied. It’s famous for its zebra dome and other themed cupcakes.

If the animals and the food are not enough, there are lots of activities at the hotel. As to be expected with Disney, there are outdoor movies, campfires, and some chances for the kids to do arts and crafts. But you can also meet people from Africa, who will share their own story and regale you with the continent’s history. There are experts on hand to help you better understand the animals, who live there. Sometimes, they have free cookie decorating for kids. Guests can get closer to the animals by paying for the Wanyama Safari (in a truck) and Dinner at Jiko. It is listed on the Website as being more than $60 per adult. There is another Night Safari at the hotel for an additional fee, but I’ve heard mixed reviews about that one. There are people who have taken it and say you can’t see the animals, so it’s not worth it. With Animal Kingdom itself offering night safaris now, I’m not sure if this is still an option anyway.

In the end, I loved Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I’d be happy to go there again. Of course, I’d only go if I could pay the fee for renting DVC points because it’s far too expensive – animals or not – any other way. For the right price, I’d highly recommend this beautiful place because it’s more than a hotel. It’s an unforgettable experience for adults and kids alike.

 

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.