Ugh - crazy change in plans - Venice to Rome? What would you do?

PS - the only costs incurred would be a $60 cancellation fee in Vienna, and about $200 more in hotel costs in Rome. And yes, Mom's Catholic. (We all are.)

I've been to all the places you've listed (even the caves). You could drop Salzburg. If you're going to Vienna Salzburg may be a little bit of a repeat. Each is wonderful, but I liked Vienna more. Or you can skip Slovenia and go to the salt mines & caves near Salzburg. The ones in Slovenia are primative and a little...well eastern European. I went to the ones with a castle. There was no lighting, Every 2nd of 3rd person was given a flash light and there was a really scary ladder that went up 2 stories. The ones near Salzburg are more touristy, but a lot easier if anyone in your group has limited mobility.

I'm not Catholic, but I really can't think of a person that would entice me to change my European vacation plans just to see him/her in person. Too much time, effort and planning goes into these trips to throw them all out for such a thing.

Thanks, Michelle! I'm gonna send you a quick question about the Salzburg mines/caves!

Yeah, I've been to all those places (except the Salt Mine's, and the Castle caves - though did two others there), but for the rest of the family, it's all first time.

Thanks Tim - I'm kind of there myself.

OK Chris it's your MOM. Depending on her age and health is it likely she'll have another chance to see the Pope? Yeah it's a lot of time and trouble and yeah you'd like to see the caves but if it means a lot to her then go to Rome.

Chris I wouldn't WANT to change plans, but I wouldn't want to deny my mom something she will likely NEVER have the chance to do again and would be significant to HER ...
You will likely if all goes well, have many decades of life left to you to do those trips again,, perhaps mom will not..

I am not Catholic, but I lost my mom 2 years ago and I can assure you ,, you will kick yourself if you deny your mom something like this that she really wants... especially as this type of thing likely gives her great comfort.. ( even if it does nothing for us right?)

I should mention - she's seen a pope before... John Paul.

take your mother to see the pope.

Well, its a tough decision, but I can tell you that in our family, if Mom isn't happy nobody is happy...... Personally, I preferred Salzburg to Vienna, so I wouldn't want to skip it. What if Mom took the train one day early from Venice to get to Rome for the audience and the rest of you meet up with her? Or is this something she really wants for all of you? When you present the options to Mom, what does she say? Good luck on this!

Skip Venice. It is the most touristy, expensive, crowded and decayed city in Europe.

I'll skip the value judgements on the pope, either way. We all have our own opinions.

The question, I guess, is more generic. "should the whole group change it's entire plan, so that one person can do something they are interested in, that was not part of the original itinerary?"

Thank you for your replies.

Chris

I would put all the options in front of your Mom, including her going to Rome earlier by herself to see the Pope, and see what she thinks. If the other places are important to you, make sure she knows that. Good luck!

Thank you Nadine. What I've done is made up an Excel spreadsheet, with all our different choices to see the places we wanted. So options to see the pope, not see him, skip another place to see him, night car/train etc. I'm hoping we can sit down as a family, and figure it out. Thanks for the advice!

Chris, that sounds like something my engineer husband would do! Good luck with the family meeting.

Melissa - is that a good thing, or a bad thing? ;)

Can your Mom manage this on her own? Can you put her on a train or flight to Rome (either one-way and you catch up or R/T)?

Thanks, Laura. She's 70, and has never been to Europe before. I think what's gong to happen, is I'm probably going to do an early morning/night drive, unless a good nigh train shows up.

Chris,

Being married to an engineer is nearly always a good thing. Being married to an engineer whose current career is an information analyst working with computers all day just adds another level of fun to his already quirky-yet-endearing personality. I woundn't trade him for anyone, even at his most anal! Thanks for the good chuckle.

I really hope things work out for your group and your mom. Having lost my dad in September and my mom in 2004, I'm partial to the other posters' suggestion to take care of your mom's wishes. I know it will all work out for the best in the end and you'll come out with great memories, as well as a few "brownie points" from Mom!

One of the things I like about this forum is that no one uses profanily.Got that James

Ok -- so your mom has seen a pope before, but not in Rome, correct? Has it been a papal audience? These details make a difference in my opinion. Seeing the pope in the Vatican is the ultimate experience for a Catholic. But I would definitely discuss the logistical problems in doing this with your mother, and hope that she can be as considerate of others going on the trip as you are of her.
good luck.