To Rome we must go ................

[StarWarsStanley]

Lucky us are going to Rome for a few days in April.

Me, DP and our 9yo son.

We've booked our flights and accommodation.

How shall we fill our days? We will try and do as much of the touristy stuff as we can but would also like to do something querky, although what that is, I have no idea! Maybe a quaint place to eat and/or touristy thing that is often overlooked.

All recommendations appreciated.

I've never been but my parents have. They said you don't have to go far off the main streets to find nice, cheaper eating places where the locals eat. I think they went to Pompeii one day.

I agree, don't eat right by the tourist attractions, wander down some side streets, and you will find many non touristy restaurants, cheaper and with better food.

Your 9 year old might like the Capuchin Crypt, with displays made from the bones of dead monks. Quite touristy but unusual.

Off the beaten track a bit is the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, its a lovely walk up through rose gardens, to a quiet piazza, find a door in the wall and look through the keyhole! The view of St Peters made me gasp. It was the highlight of my trip.

Just wander through the streets, the fabulous thing about Rome is that there is something new to see at every turn.

We're going for 4 days in March - found some great ideas here -travel.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/city-guides/rome-walking-tour-1/
and here- www.insightguides.com/destinations/europe/italy/central-italy/rome/cultural-features/enjoy-a-quiet-view-of-the-trevi-fountain-at-night

Oooh, when in April? They are canonising John Paul II on the 27th (I think).

If you are very fit, apparently you should climb up to the top of the dome at St Peters. I didn't but my DD said the view was amazing.

Ostia Antica - you can get there by train. It's the old port of Rome (though no longer on the coast) and has gloriously empty ruins, populated by lizards.

If your son (and husband) is anything like mine how about Gladiator School - mine absolutely adored it and still talk about it two years on and ask if they can go back. It is run in English by very serious and knowledgeable re-enactors. We went for a morning session and it was brilliant. Almost opposite the Catacombs which someone mentioned earlier. The instructor spoke English very well.

www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/attending-gladiator-school-in-rome/2013/11/07/13cc39bc-4343-11e3-8b74-d89d714ca4dd_story.html

The Scuola part of the website is in Italian this is the only English bit. Ignore the slightly cheesy looking site - it is the opposite of touristy. www.gsr-roma.com/inglese.htm They respond to English emails.