Opera or road trip? Hmmm...

[K'Ehleyr]

So my brother's had this crazy idea... Dad and Brother are very into bikes, I am too in an intense 'watch it from the sofa' kinda way. So Mum and Dad have a motorhome, and Bro has this idea that we pursuade Dad that driving from UK to Mugello, Italy to watch to MotoGP in June would be a fun trip!

Adds important information: We are not a close family. The thought of spending 5 days in a closed environment with them alternately thrills and horrors me.

Roughly working out costs will mean saving £100 a month from now. Plus the purchase of a new passport.

Alternatively, for my birthday I could have a trip to London(no passport neccessary) with my Man, to potter around the art galleries and museums and end with a Night at the Opera to see Káťa Kabanová.

I like opera, I want to broaden my horizons ~ but do I need to go as far as Italy to do so?

So chaps, what would you do? Risk probably a months wages on a ridiculous road trip or a safe night at the Opera, even though you won't have a clue what they're singing about?

ETA. Forgot the question ~ Any roadtrip stories? Good or Bad...

 

[trampledamage]

The idea of going in a motorhome with my family totally horrifies me. mr trampledamage stands out as the only person I've ever known who I could be in close quarters with for a week and not want to kill (we went on a canal boat together), with my blood family we'd be going insane within minutes!

So I'd go for the opera - even though I don't particularly like opera!

The only way I'd agree to the trip to Italy by motorhome is if there was something specific along the way that we'd be stopping at. Otherwise, why not fly?

 

[Vulcan Princess]

Well, I voted for opera. (I hate roadtrips, and I was an opera singer in college, so you're probably asking the wrong person.)

 

[Spot's Meow]

I had the same sort of choice about a year ago and I chose to go on a family vacation to Hawaii because I had never been there before. Hawaii was beautiful...but it was the trip from hell. I am not especially close to my family either but we used to go on family vacations all the time when I was a kid so I thought I could handle it. But I realized that ever since I moved out of the house and settled into my own way of doing things I just can't get along with my family for that long. I'm glad I got to see Hawaii but I'm still not sure if it was worth it. Only halfway into the first day we had already gotten in a verbal fight that involved name calling and tears...it went downhill from there. God what an awful trip that was.

 

[auntiehill]

The idea of going in a motorhome with my family totally horrifies me. mr trampledamage stands out as the only person I've ever known who I could be in close quarters with for a week and not want to kill (we went on a canal boat together), with my blood family we'd be going insane within minutes!

So I'd go for the opera - even though I don't particularly like opera!

The only way I'd agree to the trip to Italy by motorhome is if there was something specific along the way that we'd be stopping at. Otherwise, why not fly?

^This. That much time in close quarters with relatives sounds like a very bad idea. There's the opera, museums and galleries---sounds like more variety, more space, and far more romantic.

 

[MANT!]

Road trip? Nahh..preferably by air, but you could MEET them there if you time it right..

 

[K'Ehleyr]

The idea of going in a motorhome with my family totally horrifies me...

This was the first sentence I read when I logged on and I have an awful feeling it's going to be how I'll feel if this happens, and after reading Spot's story I'm scared

Flying would be my choice too, but I think Bro's got it into his head that we should use the van. I feel I would be letting him down if I pointed out it sounds like a really bad idea.

The more I think about this, the more I feel it is a bad idea.
I'm definately heading towards VPs and aunties choices.

 

[trekkiedane]

I too would be horrified by the thought of being locked up with my family for any duration of time longer than a few hours, but I have nevertheless spent a few vacations with them (we did have separate bedrooms though) over the years and even if there were anger and tears and the like*, it's the good times I remember today!

How about taking a week-end trip somewhere first? -to test whether the closed quarters really is too much for you all.

The opera and the museums and galleries will all still be there any time you might want to see them -this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; If that van leaves and you're not on it, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.¤

______________
*)Dad -certainly- and mum -possibly-, my sister, my nephew and my niece -certifiedly- have ADHD... Imagine for a second, if you will, how chaotic that makes any family gathering!

¤)I know you haven't seen the film I snatched that from

 

[K'Ehleyr]

^ Okay, Bogie but I can't quite see this trip being as romantic as Casablanca ~ as tragic maybe!

The other thing would be the race itself. It will be enormously packed, very noisy and very chaotic. Also you only get to see one part of the track whereas on tv you get total coverage, and it only lasts 45 minutes! Yes, the atmosphere would be incredible but if Rossi (my racing hero) lost I would be distraught and that would be a dreadful trip home for I doubt if Dad and Bro could resist the teasing.
I am so talking myself out of this.

 

[trekkiedane]

The race... you could always go see something else while they're going to the race -say, the race, but on TV in a local café

Sure, the one quote everyone knows

 

[Shikarnov]

Your family won't always be there (or won't always have time to be together), but the opera, museums, and art galleries will. Go with your family. Moments like these are rare, and the memories will last a lifetime (even if they're not all good).

 

[K'Ehleyr]

^ But the whole point is to go to the race... I think my problem is I have to confess to my family that I am an 'armchair Motogp fan' and don't relish the roar of the engines or queuing for a portaloo. Oh the shame

OMG that's the other thing ~ my 'poo-phobia'. If I'm in a van with them I won't be able to go for 5 days! I like my own loo OK!

 

[K'Ehleyr]

Your family won't always be there (or won't always have time to be together), but the opera, museums, and art galleries will. Go with your family. Moments like these are rare, and the memories will last a lifetime (even if they're not all good).

That is a great point Shikarnov. And the fact that my Bro is so keen makes me feel a bit mean for not being as enthusiastic.
Then again, there's always next year...

 

[Yeoman Randi]

In a perfect world the family trip would be full of closeness, good times and bonding.

But this ain't a perfect world and if i had to make that trip i'd probably be homicidal within 3 days. Don't know about you, but i'd go to the opera.

 

[SmoothieX]

Road trip!

I love a good road trip. Generally I go with the wife and dog though. I remember long car trips with my parents over the years. Not cool.

 

[snakespeare]

I would point out that La Scala is on the road to Mugello.

Imagine, if the Moto GP is on June 5th, that means you could be at La Scala in Milan on May 29th (the weekend before) to see Wagner's Das Rheingold and if the family likes it, you can go back each year to see the rest of the tetralogy! We are talking a NEW production of Barenboim's Ring!!! That beats the heck out of Janacek any time. It will probably even be recorded and released, maybe by 2013 they will even be planning the blu-ray / surround release, and you could say you were there!

http://www.teatroallascala.org/en/stagioni/2009_2010/opera-e-balletto/Das_Rheingolda.html

:-)

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I am simply a huge fan of road trips, so do that.

 

[trampledamage]

OMG that's the other thing ~ my 'poo-phobia'. If I'm in a van with them I won't be able to go for 5 days! I like my own loo OK!

Okay, that's a bit TMI but I totally understand! I just don't like close quarters with anyone - for me, it's hearing people breathing while I'm trying to sleep. (okay, your problem sounds less psychotic... ). A family holiday in a hotel in Italy, where you go to the MotoGP with them (and suffer for 45 minutes ) but you also get time to yourself. That would be fun.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

I would point out that La Scala is on the road to Mugello.

Imagine, if the Moto GP is on June 5th, that means you could be at La Scala in Milan on May 29th (the weekend before) to see Wagner's Das Rheingold and if the family likes it, you can go back each year to see the rest of the tetralogy! We are talking a NEW production of Barenboim's Ring!!! That beats the heck out of Janacek any time. It will probably even be recorded and released, maybe by 2013 they will even be planning the blu-ray / surround release, and you could say you were there!

http://www.teatroallascala.org/en/stagioni/2009_2010/opera-e-balletto/Das_Rheingolda.html

:-)

Wow! You have this trip planned better than us . Wagner is a bit heavy for me though, and certainly for Dad and Bro, but your calender is correct. But would also mean more than a week in a van with them.
But thanks snakespeare

 

[K'Ehleyr]

OMG that's the other thing ~ my 'poo-phobia'. If I'm in a van with them I won't be able to go for 5 days! I like my own loo OK!

Okay, that's a bit TMI but I totally understand! I just don't like close quarters with anyone - for me, it's hearing people breathing while I'm trying to sleep. (okay, your problem sounds less psychotic... ). A family holiday in a hotel in Italy, where you go to the MotoGP with them (and suffer for 45 minutes ) but you also get time to yourself. That would be fun.

sorry about that! But it's important!
And I actually worry when I can't hear people breathing whilst they're asleep
But the whole thing about the van is to avoid the cost of hotels and planes.
But I don't think I could cope...