I have a kid studying abroad this summer she is 21 and headed to Italy for the program , then spending extra weeks traveling till the return home

I have to admit that I know nothing about EU my brother did a semester abroad but that was a few years ago and he had an apartment that was his base of operations.

my parents go every few years but face it they don't travel like a 21 year old college student
they take tours and everything is very much planned

also all my travel outside canoe or backpack trips when I was younger is very American midwestern in nature , I pack the truck/van and maybe boat and that is my base of operations.

she will have to haul everything with after leaving the 1 month for the program that comes with lodging then then 2 more weeks of travel.

my first question is would you go traditional luggage like a rectangular suitcase or back pack. I am encouraging them to really trim down what they bring for clothing make it comfortable but not bulky

I move them home from college this week then we need to get on luggage or pack and everything they will bring and then they need to take it for a walk probably a mile for a test.

they don't have a car and live in Milwaukee so they are a frequent bus user

my wife is nervous , I told her we where married with a kid on the way at 21 so it is all part of growing up we can help her get ready but on that day all we can do is drop her at the air port and let them be them.
we can't run over and get them but we can adjust flights home if needed or they can ditch their extra cloths and buy new stuff later if they found they brought to much.

any advice I know a few of you are in the EU some of you from there.

Italy is mostly safe, but areas with the African immigrants, that are invading Italy in huge numbers, are very, very unsafe for women.

My father, brother, sister in law, niece and nephew are going to Italy together this Summer. My aunt, uncle and 20 some cousins are going on a separate trip to Italy this Summer too. 30 some of my relatives went last year. I'm Facebook friends with 60 plus Italian relatives of mine. Sadly there are many parts of Italy that are no go for non-Africans.

I have not been to Italy since 1998. I spent 11 1/2 days in Sicily and 6 1/2 days in Rome. Italy is beautiful and very old. Agrigento in Sicily was my favorite spot to see. The Vatican Museum, in the country of Vatican City, surrounded by Rome, is a must see too. In Rome, I rented a limo, with an older, very well connected couple, that was driven by the driver for the largest single donor to the Catholic Church and several of the Cardinals. We got VIP treatment everywhere we went. The driver pulled up to the steps of the Vatican Museum and I walked straight in without having to stand in the 2 hour plus long line.

I hope your daughter has an educational, fun and safe trip.

Keith

Many Americans Travelling abroad will wear little Canadian flags on their clothing,backpacks etc,and Identify as Canadians in public.
They get a much friendlier respnse from foreigners by doing so.

good luck to the folks that go, hope they have fun.

No eu for me... I was there long ago before the eu.

Could not disagree with Boco more. Have traveled and bowhunted on 5 different continents in numerous countries and not once did anyone treat my wife and I disrespectfully. As a matter of fact, we were always treated exceptionally well. We never hid the fact that we were Americans. Why would we? The good people of Canada always treated us well also.

My wife and I went and we were Proud Americans and treated Great.

Lucky you didnt get kidnapped and held for ransome by some camel Humpers.

I was in Rome 4 years ago, toured around . Generally safe, did not see many cops around . Italian commandos were tricked out w M4’s around colosseum. Traffic and drivers are insane . I would not rent a vehicle over there😀

well I doubt she would rent any car

mostly looking to train through a few countries

My wife and daughter went on a trip over there, traveling by train some. Pick pockets were the worst thing they ran into.

Son went last year for 3 weeks. Took a soft sided backpack and soft side large luggage possible overly large backpack type item. He got a one month international cell plan extension. Stayed in a group/not alone. Was pretty conscious about meal money spending. No problems. When his great grandpas were his age they were all ready back from fighting the Japanese.

Did Italy a few years ago for about 18 days with a tour. Very hilly which was hard on my knee. Food was OK. Expected better.

My favorite is southern Spain, Madrid, and Barcelona. Seafood is exceptional. So is the cured pork. Least expensive of the European countries I think. Been four times to Spain. Rent a car, get a road map, and head into the hills to small villages.

I can't say I disagree with your wife. The last place I would want any of my family going now is overseas! With the moron in office having everyone from England, to Saudi, to Russia, to China hating us...

Can you convince your daughter how beautiful Alaska is this time of year?

I would guess her carrying concealed over there isn't an option?

Part of growing up I get but does she need to make herself a lamb being led to slaughter?

I get you can't change her mind though. Maybe you can train her to use waist and boot daggers before she leaves?

Prayers for her safety if she goes.

For added safety, I would recommend getting a 2nd phone. One she can keep hidden somewhere on her person, in case she had trouble or even if her battery died on main phone. Cheap insurance

Rome is very hilly, and you always seem to be going up hill. Not sure what the rest of the country is like. Plenty of taxi's to bring you to your hotel, or wherever you want to go, so walking would only be nessisary for sight seeing. I would bring a small backpack for walking around, and suitcase for clothing etc, which will be left at hotel, or wherever they are staying

I think Rome at night is just beautiful. I traveled mainly by train and a lot of walking. I had a Gregory Backpack vs a suitcase, I think a 55 liter. I liked it because you could lay it down and unzip it like a suitcase or enter it from the top, easily throw on my back when traveling vs pulling a suitcase. I could have gotten away with a smaller backpack, like in the 40L range, no problem getting it an overhead storage on planes or trains. It worked for me

LOL!

We did not go to Canada we went to Europe.

Did use the Eurorail pass several years ago for 6 months was great and we followed the younger folks around to the youth Hostels and such. Had a great time. And yes as Charles said Spain Portugal were very less expensive and good sea food too. Met a lot of people and made good friends but that was a one time thing. /there are other places that I would rather go to now......jk

that is what my mom said and gave some advice that the tour guides had given her