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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?!

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ErrolTheDragon · 04/02/2023 00:10

I reckon getting the train out to Ostia Antica is a much better bet than the Vatican for most kids/teens, and especially for ones who love being outside and exploring.

I've not seen the Baths of Caracalla mentioned yet, that's a good site to explore, and not as busy as some of the others iirc.

Geamhradh · 04/02/2023 06:05

I'm not sure if it's now changed, (I'll have a look on the website in a sec) but certainly up until recently the Vatican museums + Sistine route had been drastically reduced. We did all of it in about 2 hours. There was very little on the official route after the SC. Partly this was because of the usual ongoing renovation and restoration work meaning various areas aren't open, and partly because they'd introduced a fixed route through because of ongoing social distancing recommendations at the time. (last summer) Of course, if you only want to see the SC then you just walk quickly along the route to get there, but it's very much at the end of the "usual" route.

Make sure you book things through the official websites. If you go to the Pantheon (which you should) then it's free, although you can book an audio guide in advance. That ticket, unlike other entry tickets in other places, doesn't get you past the queue though (as we discovered) In all the places we visited, the queue for the Pantheon was the longest at about half an hour.

Geamhradh · 04/02/2023 06:08

Also, the easiest thing to do with trains is to download the Trenitalia app and buy online. Then you don't need to worry about forgetting to validate paper tickets, or, to buy online and print tickets. These don't need validation either. Only the ones you buy in the stations. But the app is very functional and in English as well. (you also automatically get your refund for any delays!)

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Buttalapasta · 04/02/2023 06:26

Our favourite places with kids:

  • Ostia Antica
  • the dome of St Peter's - but get there 30 minutes before opening to avoid horrendous queues. Not for the claustrophobic!
Don't worry too much about tipping. You can round up e.g if taxi is €9, pay 10 if you're paying in cash. It's not like the US though, you don't have to tip in restaurants unless you want to and even then I would tip in cash, don't add it on a card. Avoid buses!
crivit · 04/02/2023 07:17

If you all find a VR headset ok then I found this rather fun - www.circomaximoexperience.it/en/

ErrolTheDragon · 04/02/2023 09:17

the queue for the Pantheon was the longest at about half an hour.

Hopefully won't be that bad in feb half term - we went one October half term which was perfect for sight seeing weather-wise and just strolled into the pantheon with no queue at all.

Thatcatisdrivingmenuts · 04/02/2023 09:25

I did the Vatican and Sistine tour recently, and it wasn't rammed, but it was looong!

Geamhradh · 04/02/2023 09:40

ErrolTheDragon · 04/02/2023 09:17

the queue for the Pantheon was the longest at about half an hour.

Hopefully won't be that bad in feb half term - we went one October half term which was perfect for sight seeing weather-wise and just strolled into the pantheon with no queue at all.

Yeah hopefully, though UK half term does coincide with carnevale this year I think, but shouldn't be too bad.

Pearfacebanana · 04/02/2023 09:46

@StJulian2023 ah that's great I hope you like it as much as we did!

Buttalapasta · 04/02/2023 09:50

Lots of places can be booked online. We found ourselves in a huge queue for Castel Sant'Angelo so I booked there and then on my phone and walked to the front. Worth checking out if you are stuck waiting.

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 04/02/2023 10:08

Oh brilliant, more great ideas 😊 thanks everyone!

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Original poster
StJulian2023 · 04/02/2023 10:08

Oh - assuming I need to take more Euros than to Greece then where I took virtually none and paid for everything by card?

OP posts:
Geamhradh · 04/02/2023 10:32

You can pay for almost everything by card.

Geamhradh · 04/02/2023 10:35

Minimum to pay by debit/credit is 5€. There was talk of abolishing this but it wasn't passed by the govt.

Original poster
StJulian2023 · 04/02/2023 10:45

So helpful thank you!

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AnnaMagnani · 04/02/2023 10:48

StJulian2023 · 03/02/2023 19:53

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

Show quote history

We did a breakfast tour of the Sistine Chapel.

While it was amazing, I can't see it being child friendly.

You have to be there at insane o'clock in the morning. We missed the bus and so did a massive high-speed walk all the way there and were knackered on arrival.

The guide basically rushes you the direct walk from the entrance to the Sistine Chapel and then leaves you there. So there is an expectation that you are art obsessed and know what you are looking at.

You get a few minutes while you and the group are the only people there and then for the next 30 minute people pour through the door. If you go back after having gone round the Vatican Museum it is shoulder to shoulder.

Finally it cost a fortune. Was worth it for us as it was a high point of the holiday - however if you are not massively excited about it then don't spend the money.

If you do go to the Vatican, avoid the Vatican Cafe outside at all costs. There are v few places to eat round there and they know it and make a fortune fleecing hangry tourists with the worst panini you will have in your whole stay.

BitOutOfPractice · 04/02/2023 10:55

Kids also enjoy the Bocca di Verita too!

Buttalapasta · 04/02/2023 10:57

Geamhradh · 04/02/2023 10:35

Minimum to pay by debit/credit is 5€. There was talk of abolishing this but it wasn't passed by the govt.

It's been abolished. In theory you can always use a card but probably not worth arguing over if they want you to pay cash for a coffee!

Geamhradh · 04/02/2023 11:03

@Buttalapasta I meant the plan to abolish the minimum had been shelved, so shops could refuse payments by card unless it was for €100 or whatever. Sorry for confusion!

BitOutOfPractice · 04/02/2023 11:03

And I just want to say again in case you missed it, you must go to St Clement basilica.

church on top, next level down, very early Christian church with some frescos that I think the kids will love, next level down again a Mithrean temple apparently used by Roman gladiators before they fought in the coliseum. Absolutely amazing and the kids were enthralled!

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 04/02/2023 11:08

Do the segway tour! Its great fun and you cover a lot of ground. I did it with my mum and it was the highlight of our trip.

tpmumtobe · 04/02/2023 11:34

We were there with DS12 and DS10 in Oct half term. The cat sanctuary grounds were closed so you could literally only pop down into the cattery bit and weren't allowed to approach the cats. It was very busy and a bit of a let down so don't overhype it!

You must go here first: www.welcometo-rome.it/

Incredible 3D intro to Rome, which superimposes new buildings onto the original city, amazing, really helps fit things together as you walk around!

Be careful to book through official websites and book early. Lots of the tout sites look very official. We mistakenly booked colloseum tickets through a tout website and had to trek back into the centre to collect them and paid over the odds.

Highlights were hiring pedal carriages in the Borghese Park, Castel San Angelo, the Da Vinci museum near the Vatican, views from the wedding cake and all the food everywhere.

The open top bus tours aren't brilliant, you do better to walk everywhere. We did 25000 steps a day and the kids never complained, too much to see.

The best ice cream shop in the world, recommended by DH's Roman born colleague is this one, it was incredible: www.giolitti.it/

tpmumtobe · 04/02/2023 11:40

Oh and yes Basilica San Clemente is amazing, a must see, and the Vatican is rammed, huge queues. We've been before pre kids, didn't bother taking them this time and don't regret it at all.

AnnaMagnani · 04/02/2023 12:18

I know I'm in a minority of 1 here, but I didn't like San Clemente - basically because it is now massively on the tourist trail and was completely packed.

Went to a different church where the caretaker said 'do you want to see our ruins' and we wandered around their Roman ruins in the crypt on our own. Fair enough, they didn't have a Mithraeum but it was very magical.

BitOutOfPractice · 04/02/2023 13:16

It was completely deserted when we went to st Clement but that was 10 years ago when nobody seemed to have heard of it. What a shame.

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