Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

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
Whataretheodds · 03/02/2023 19:49

I was also going to suggest a breakfast tour of Vatican /Sistine Chapel. I haven't done one but i can't see how else you can minimise queuing. Some will be inevitable. I was glad we did a tour because it gave us confidence to skip a lot of stuff in the Vatican (There is just too much to take in) to conserve some energy for the Sistine Chapel.

Tour also of the colosseum as it really beings it to life.

If your children are macabre then look for the ossuary in the crypt of a chapel off the Via Vittoria Veneto.
Capuchin Crypt
+39 06 8880 3695
maps.app.goo.gl/awua5Z7vbVdEPfWTA

GoChasingWaterfalls · 03/02/2023 19:49

I've ordered the book!

GiantKitten · 03/02/2023 19:52

StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:42

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

Show quote history

I think so, although they limit numbers, so if a lot of people are already inside you have to wait for a bit, but you will love it!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:52

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

Right, sold, this is now top of the list!!

OP posts:
007DoubleOSeven · 03/02/2023 19:52

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 😅😅

Iirc there are different tour packages for the Vatican depending on how much of it you want to see.

The Basilica is beautiful and I loved the museum but found the sistene Chapel underwhelming (unlike a notorious poster ;) )

dew141 · 03/02/2023 19:52

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!)

We stayed at the Vittoriano Suites via booking.com. Two bedroom areas sleeping four, loads of storage, centrally located, nice breakfast.

I'm usually quite picky so was much more impressed than I expected. Was €800 for 3 nights in peak summer.

Zwicky · 03/02/2023 19:53

I love the Vatican, Sistine chapel and St Peter’s but the first time I went we were in a tour and we were rushed through and it was all a bit much. There used to be a cut through from the Sistine chapel to St Peter’s if you were on a tour, which was a big incentive for going on the tour but you can’t do that now. I’ve never been in a long queue to get in but it does get crazy busy at times. My last visit we didn’t go until after 4 and the Sistine chapel was really quiet and we sat for ages. An omnia card is the easiest way to get a ticket and you can use it to travel on the Vatican tourist bus.

St John in the Laterern is a very impressive church that you can quickly pop into and don’t need a ticket for. Fabulous apostle statues - but the pieta and Bernini monument in St Peter’s are extraordinary.

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:53

Whataretheodds · 03/02/2023 19:49

I was also going to suggest a breakfast tour of Vatican /Sistine Chapel. I haven't done one but i can't see how else you can minimise queuing. Some will be inevitable. I was glad we did a tour because it gave us confidence to skip a lot of stuff in the Vatican (There is just too much to take in) to conserve some energy for the Sistine Chapel.

Tour also of the colosseum as it really beings it to life.

If your children are macabre then look for the ossuary in the crypt of a chapel off the Via Vittoria Veneto.
Capuchin Crypt
+39 06 8880 3695
maps.app.goo.gl/awua5Z7vbVdEPfWTA

I don’t think children will be conscious to get there in time for breakfast 😬🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:54

GoChasingWaterfalls · 03/02/2023 19:49

I've ordered the book!

Hope you all like it too!

OP posts:
villamariavintrapp · 03/02/2023 19:55

We really enjoyed the light show thing in the evening-like they project how the buildings would have been onto the ruins, while telling the history.

Geamhradh · 03/02/2023 19:56

We stayed about 200 metres from the entrance to the Vatican Museums in a Best Western. Cheap and cheerful and so handy for everything. We walked everywhere except to the Colosseum and the Knights of Malta keyhole photo op.

As the Chinese tourists aren't yet back in huge numbers, nowhere is nearly as busy as it was pre-Covid. Though handy to book in advance nevertheless.

Eating out is as cheap as chips as long as you choose trattorie that serve the 3 main Roman pasta dishes (carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe) I can recommend Arlu just around the corner from the Vatican for great pasta. Pizzerias tend to be a bit more pull the tourists in.

BitOutOfPractice · 03/02/2023 19:56

I think the forum is one place where it’s vital to have a guide. A really good guide can bring it to life.

go to san Clemente. Just go.

romesite.com/basilica-di-san-clemente.html

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:57

Zwicky · 03/02/2023 19:53

I love the Vatican, Sistine chapel and St Peter’s but the first time I went we were in a tour and we were rushed through and it was all a bit much. There used to be a cut through from the Sistine chapel to St Peter’s if you were on a tour, which was a big incentive for going on the tour but you can’t do that now. I’ve never been in a long queue to get in but it does get crazy busy at times. My last visit we didn’t go until after 4 and the Sistine chapel was really quiet and we sat for ages. An omnia card is the easiest way to get a ticket and you can use it to travel on the Vatican tourist bus.

St John in the Laterern is a very impressive church that you can quickly pop into and don’t need a ticket for. Fabulous apostle statues - but the pieta and Bernini monument in St Peter’s are extraordinary.

Hmm. I think if we do do Sistine chapel, we need to go late…

I find this so hard. I always like to do All The Things when I’m away, but I know DS needs more processing time and not constant crowds.

If our hotel is nice I’ll post back on this thread for future readers.

You are all being so helpful and I love you all (my DC are at youth group and I am drinking wine after a looooong week).

OP posts:
crackofdoom · 03/02/2023 19:58

This is so useful- I'm going with mine at Easter. That tip for the cat sanctuary is golden, and so is the one for the book. In return, can I tell you about the Olympic grade skate park overlooking the Colosseum? (It's in the Colle Oppida park- think I've got the name right there). DS1 is trying to work out whether it's worth humping his skateboard and helmet all round Europe (we're Interrailing) just so he can go!

One thing we are NOT intending to visit is the Vatican museums. Way too hassly and crowded.

We probably won't pay to go into much except the Forum. I also want to show them the Bocca della Verita, on the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. And I really want to visit S.Clemente.

29052022J · 03/02/2023 19:58

We went on a cycling tour and they took us to all the typical landmarks. It was great, a good way to know your way around Rome. There was also children in the group so I would say ideal for a family.

YoBeaches · 03/02/2023 19:58

I'd be tempted to skip the vatican to be honest. It's lots of walking through what can become very samey artwork and statues (from their age group view) and the Sistine chapel is an in - out affair.

There's loads to see within the city if you look for the squares, fountains etc and if you give them a map and a target location each day they can help decide the route to take through the amazing streets.

The colleseum is great and can be done in under 2 hours. So I good one for before lunch or afternoon in and around other things.

Have fun! It's awesome. You really get to see how Ancient Rome meets modern west.

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:59

BitOutOfPractice · 03/02/2023 19:56

I think the forum is one place where it’s vital to have a guide. A really good guide can bring it to life.

go to san Clemente. Just go.

romesite.com/basilica-di-san-clemente.html

Oh my word this is glorious.

Right. Keep the recommendations coming!! Once I’ve figured out a draft itinerary I’ll post it here, then I’ll be back after our trip to say what worked!

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 03/02/2023 20:02

If I dig about I also have a fantastic little cafe nearby.

my kids still talk all the time about our trip to Rome. They were 12 and 9 at the time and sponges for all the city had to offer.

WeAreTheHeroes · 03/02/2023 20:05

It was a good while ago now, but we did an official guided tour of the Vatican museum with the Sistine Chapel at the end. It was rammed and they tell you about the SC right at the beginning because everywhere is so busy and you can't talk in the chapel. I'd give it a miss with kids. St Peters is worth a visit though - go early.

There's lots to see just by walking around. The best meal we had in Rome (there's a lot of tourist trap, overpriced crap ime) was in the Jewish Quarter.

Maestro12 · 03/02/2023 20:09

@dew141 thank you!

@StJulian2023 - if you can be bothered to post back afterwards with any tips on things that have worked with an ADHD child that would be fab ( my eldest also has ADHD)

Svalberg · 03/02/2023 20:12

The cat sanctuary only opened between 12 and 14 a fortnight ago, on Monday and I'd agree with a guide for the Forum. The best that I've been on was one whose tour I joined there & then, a sort of ad hoc but regular tour - not sure if they still do them. We did a food tour but unless DC have massive appetites, it may be too much for them (ignore this if teenage boys...)

Vermin · 03/02/2023 20:15

Yy Jewish Roman artichokes!

I would skip the forum and go to the Vatican… all the good stuff from the forum was nicked and put in the Vatican museum anyway - the sculpture gallery there is amazing, as is the map room. You can also go to St Peter’s without the entire Vatican and that’s very much worth it - the piazza in front is a brilliant mathematical and architectural solution to the site and the optical tricks are wonderful. The Swiss guard are impressive too.

you can see the fountains in the evening on the way to dinner : having an ice cream passeggiata- piazza navona with the wonderful 4 rivers fountain is by Campo dei Fioti which is good for dinner or pre dinner mozzarella bars (nice restaurants to sit down in the adjacent piazza Farnese in front of the Farnese palace - much calmer and quieter.

crackofdoom · 03/02/2023 20:16

In my recollection some of the best inexpensive restaurants are in the Vatican, in the streets leading up to St. Peter's. Priests have to get their earthly pleasures from somewhere 😆

chipsandpeas · 03/02/2023 20:16

if your wanting to do the sistine chapel then book early, im going to Rome in a few weeks and already missed out and dont want to do a tour just to see it