Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Anyone been on a tour in Rome? Any other Rome tips?

154 replies

StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:06

Taking DC to Rome on my own for half term, we’ll have 3 full days. DC 11 and 13, eldest with ADHD. Has anyone booked a collosseum tour they’d recommend? Would need to be small group or just us for it to work for eldest.

Was hoping to just wander in the Sistine chapel but big long queue would be a challenge.

And anyone know what needs to be booked in advance?

Thanks for any help, excited but also getting cold feet! Oh - the cat sanctuary is essential according to DD, anyone been?!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:26

007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 19:25

If you want to visit the bowels of the Colesseum then you'll need to book a separate ticket - although tour companies will probably offer it as part of their tour packages. Point is though that it's separate entry to the rest of the monument. Or at least it was, been a couple of years since I was there.

If you only take a tour for one thing make it the Vatican, the queues are horrendous otherwise. All the other main sites in Rome are quite close to each other and easily walkable when you're wandering around.

Jealous - I love Rome:)

Thanks really helpful. I think once I’ve got a plan sorted for collosseum and Vatican we’re in business

OP posts:
007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 19:27

StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:25

DD will love the cat sanctuary!!

Show quote history

The cat sanctuary is in ruins which is the site where Julius Ceasar was stabbed

007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 19:27

Good food in trastevere

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:28

007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 19:27

The cat sanctuary is in ruins which is the site where Julius Ceasar was stabbed

Show quote history

This makes it extra appealing to DD 🤣

OP posts:
007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 19:29

StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:28

This makes it extra appealing to DD 🤣

Show quote history

Yep - it's a great spot :)

I'm getting serious travel envy!

QuadsZilla · 03/02/2023 19:29

The cat sanctuary is ace! Worth a visit but it’s only small, it won’t take long.

I visited the Sistine Chapel in a February and it was heaving then. You’ve got to keep moving and be silent. I was a bit miffed as I’d trailed around the other parts of the boring Vatican to see it. The Vatican felt like a waste of my time tbh unless you like paintings.

The Coloseum and Roman Forum are worth the money.

We had 3 full days in Rome and I think we tried to squeeze too much in. You can walk around for hours without a planned activity because there’s just so much to look at on every street.

007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 19:30

It's a bit further out than the other sites but the Aventine Keyhole is pretty cool

007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 19:30

It's a bit further out than the other sites but the Aventine Keyhole is pretty cool

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:31

QuadsZilla · 03/02/2023 19:29

The cat sanctuary is ace! Worth a visit but it’s only small, it won’t take long.

I visited the Sistine Chapel in a February and it was heaving then. You’ve got to keep moving and be silent. I was a bit miffed as I’d trailed around the other parts of the boring Vatican to see it. The Vatican felt like a waste of my time tbh unless you like paintings.

The Coloseum and Roman Forum are worth the money.

We had 3 full days in Rome and I think we tried to squeeze too much in. You can walk around for hours without a planned activity because there’s just so much to look at on every street.

I’m not sure DS will cope with the Vatican. Hmmm…

This just arrived! Looks perfect

OP posts:
Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:34

007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 19:30

It's a bit further out than the other sites but the Aventine Keyhole is pretty cool

Oh this is beautiful

OP posts:
GoChasingWaterfalls · 03/02/2023 19:35

Ooh this thread is useful as I'm also going to Rome in Feb half term with the DC. So far all we have planned is a trip to the colesseum. We might get the train to Ostia Antica one day though we only have three full days there so will have to see.

I'll see you there OP!

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:36

Feel like I’m a bit mad to be considering not doing Vatican. But I really think DS would struggle. He loves being outside and exploring. Inside is fine, just not for too long 😅😅

OP posts:
GoChasingWaterfalls · 03/02/2023 19:37

StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:36

Feel like I’m a bit mad to be considering not doing Vatican. But I really think DS would struggle. He loves being outside and exploring. Inside is fine, just not for too long 😅😅

We're not doing it either. It helps that DH and I have been before. I'm just not sure the kids would get anything out of it.

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:37

GoChasingWaterfalls · 03/02/2023 19:35

Ooh this thread is useful as I'm also going to Rome in Feb half term with the DC. So far all we have planned is a trip to the colesseum. We might get the train to Ostia Antica one day though we only have three full days there so will have to see.

I'll see you there OP!

Order the book I linked to, it really is great!! Hope you have a lovely time too! So pleased to hear you’re not thoroughly planned, I was starting to panic this week!

OP posts:
Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:38

GoChasingWaterfalls · 03/02/2023 19:37

We're not doing it either. It helps that DH and I have been before. I'm just not sure the kids would get anything out of it.

Show quote history

Great, I feel justified now! I’ve been before with friends and with late DH so already ticked off. It’s not high up DDs bucket list either (the cats come first, naturally)

OP posts:
Pearfacebanana · 03/02/2023 19:38

www.eatingeurope.com/rome/

They dont have the tour we did any more but it was a good way to see things you may not otherwise see.

GiantKitten · 03/02/2023 19:40

GoChasingWaterfalls · 03/02/2023 19:35

Ooh this thread is useful as I'm also going to Rome in Feb half term with the DC. So far all we have planned is a trip to the colesseum. We might get the train to Ostia Antica one day though we only have three full days there so will have to see.

I'll see you there OP!

We had 4 days, and did fit in Ostia Antica, but it was tight. Fascinating place if you have time.

Pics here of the Caesar site next to the sanctuary (which is below and to the R of where the photo was taken, in vaults under the road), and of a sweet grey tabby which was one of the cats which had me!

Anyone been on a tour in Rome? Any other Rome tips?
Anyone been on a tour in Rome? Any other Rome tips?
Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:41

Pearfacebanana · 03/02/2023 19:38

www.eatingeurope.com/rome/

They dont have the tour we did any more but it was a good way to see things you may not otherwise see.

Thank you!

OP posts:
dew141 · 03/02/2023 19:42

The underground tour is a complete nightmare to book for their own guided tour. You have to log on at a certain time and usually don't manage it (I think the auto-bots jump in).

Finally managed to see the underground part last summer with LivTours for not a ridiculous price. Think it was a forum and colosseum tour combined.

We did the early (8am?) Museum and Sistine Chapel official tour but it just went on too long and my teenagers got bored (as did I!).

They really enjoyed a food tour we booked, plus wandering around Travestere. We also hired a four person electric bicycle thing round the park which was quite fun.

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:42

GiantKitten · 03/02/2023 19:40

We had 4 days, and did fit in Ostia Antica, but it was tight. Fascinating place if you have time.

Pics here of the Caesar site next to the sanctuary (which is below and to the R of where the photo was taken, in vaults under the road), and of a sweet grey tabby which was one of the cats which had me!

Show quote history

Oh the Caesar/cat site is awesome! Looks from the website that you can pop in most times?

OP posts:
dew141 · 03/02/2023 19:45

Also be careful on the buses. Someone kindly helped themselves to €500 from one of our bags, which was doubly annoying as it had been in the hotel safe until we were moving on to the next place.

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:46

Book I’m recommending. Would suit age 6-14ish I reckon. A lovely intro to some key sites and some things to find (but not too many, I couldn’t cope with that haha)

Anyone been on a tour in Rome? Any other Rome tips?
OP posts:
Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:46

dew141 · 03/02/2023 19:45

Also be careful on the buses. Someone kindly helped themselves to €500 from one of our bags, which was doubly annoying as it had been in the hotel safe until we were moving on to the next place.

Oh poor you, how rubbish :-(

OP posts:
Vermin · 03/02/2023 19:47

Ignore @HermioneWeasley recommendation of fella palms at your peril! It’s mere steps away from the Pantheon which is hands down the most spectacular of the ancient buildings, and is largely intact rather than broken columns.
also impressive for that age - the catacombs and the ossuary at the cappuccin church

Maestro12 · 03/02/2023 19:47

Could I ask if anyone has recommendations for a good hotel - need a room for 3 ideally ( also single parent with 2 DC just booking off Bev if Easter hols ( trying to avoid Easter itself!)