long weekend in Rome....any ideas/suggestions?

smeeinit · 2008-01-07T19:14:29+00:00

im looking to take my ds2 (15) for a long weekend in rome as im desperate to see the colleseum! we shall proberly go fri and come back monday, possibly in march/april. any ideas or suggestions anyone?

claricebeansmum · 07/01/2008 19:19

We took DS (11) and DD (9) in October - we did the Coliseum, which we walked to through some interesting bits, Vatican museum, Zara, Trevi fountain, Spanish steps, Trajan's forum and the bit opposite the colisseum which is full of ruins and the Pantheon which blows your mind.

The top floor of the Radisson Es has a swanky bar/restaurant for style.

Stop for lots of hot chocolates - basically it's crammed with stuff to see but not much of the Roman stuff is labelled so take a decent guide book!

filthymindedvixen · 07/01/2008 19:22

There is the most amazing sunday flea market near the vatican which is mind-blowing in terms of tat/tack/foodstalls and local colour! Not recommended for anyone who can't do crowds though but some lovely bargains to be had.
Just promenading is great, especially the long street leading up to the colliseum. On sundays all the children dress up in fancy dress (for some reason) and it is very lovely with buskers etc.

Original poster

smeeinit · 07/01/2008 19:24

thanks guys, where did you stay? and did you go with a travel firm? im looking at thomson short breaks.....

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bodiddly · 07/01/2008 19:25

I agree with claricebeansmum ... it is good to wander around but there are no signs on even some of the most famous attractions. it is definitely worth gettting a good guide book or you will miss half of it!

Original poster

smeeinit · 07/01/2008 23:14

bump

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6leggedeater · 07/01/2008 23:26

use Search for messages, enter ROME over the last 2 years, 20 0r so threads with top advise.. I know cos one of them was mine!

Original poster

smeeinit · 08/01/2008 13:47

thanks 6.

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bluesky · 08/01/2008 15:29

we took our 2 sons and stayed at hotel White, perfect location, we walked everywhere except the vatican, when we got a day ticket for the open top bus, did a tour - got off at Vatican/Sistine Chapel had lunch - got back on bus and carried on the tour!

Can thoroughly recommend Angel Tours, as small group fun guides. We booked them for the Colosseum to make it come alive for the boys and the girl we got was excellent, she was irish and lived in Rome. They keep their groups small, I didn't think it was pricey. There were 10 of us, we met outside the tube next to the Colosseum, and got he tickets for for us, so we didn't have to queue, normal queue in April was about 3 hrs long, but there is a separate queue for groups.

One of my highlights was getting up early-ish and walking. At 8am we had the Trevi fountain to ourselves.

The Hotel White is 2 min walk to Trevi.

I can't remember if I booked through BA city breaks or whether I did the Hotel and then the flights separately.

Sunshinemummy · 08/01/2008 15:48

A few things spring to mind:

The Vatican is fabulous, awe inspiring and a shocking display of wealth. Worth a visit but get there for when it opens. The queues build up very quickly.

The Hotel Eden, at the top of the Spanish Steps and then further up the hill, has the most amazing bar on its top floor, with a huge picture window where you get a great view of Rome from above.

The Appian Way is closed to traffic on a Sunday, so well worth going. There are a lot of catacombs along it and also there is a very moving monument to a group of Italians that were murdered by the Nazis.

If you like art the Villa Borghese is amazing. Has some fabulous Bernini scuptures and some wonderful Caravaggio paintings.

Trastevere is fantastic for a meal and a promenade at night but is dead until 10pm.

Hope this helps.

NoNickname · 08/01/2008 15:50

If you can afford it, the ES Hotel (now the Radisson I think) is fantastic. Stylish, modern rooms, rooftop swimming pool, classy restaurant. Fab place, but pricey unless you can get a good deal on it like we did through Expedia a few years ago.

Sunshinemummy · 08/01/2008 15:58

Oh and if your son likes football take him to a Roma or Lazio game at the Stadio Olympico on a Sunday. DP wanted to go rather than me, but it is one of my highlights. The stadium and atmosphere is amazing. Don't go into the home end though as it can be quite intimidating. Best to get one of the seats running either side of the stadium.

Sunshinemummy · 08/01/2008 16:11

Oh and if your son likes football take him to a Roma or Lazio game at the Stadio Olympico on a Sunday. DP wanted to go rather than me, but it is one of my highlights. The stadium and atmosphere is amazing. Don't go into the home end though as it can be quite intimidating. Best to get one of the seats running either side of the stadium.

Sunshinemummy · 08/01/2008 16:12

Oh and if your son likes football take him to a Roma or Lazio game at the Stadio Olympico on a Sunday. DP wanted to go rather than me, but it is one of my highlights. The stadium and atmosphere is amazing. Don't go into the home end though as it can be quite intimidating. Best to get one of the seats running either side of the stadium.

lilyloo · 08/01/2008 16:19

we went with thompsons and can't remeber the name of the hotel but it was very close to Trevi fountain and this was a great location right in the middle of everything.
Agree with the Vatican it's fab but queued for two hours to get in
We took a bus tour which was good and saved on the feet and we saw lot's of things.
Also Trastevere is great at night but be prepared to eat late.
It's lovely have a lovely time wish it was me !

bluesky · 08/01/2008 17:12

double check opening times and days, as the Vatican was closed on one of our days, but luckily I had found that out beforehand.

Original poster

smeeinit · 08/01/2008 18:49

omg i dont like the sound of waiting hours in a queue!
ds would drive me mad standing in a queue for that long!

will go for the guided tours if it cuts the queueing time down.

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Trolleydolly71 · 18/01/2008 14:32

Message withdrawn

TutorGirl · 25/01/2008 12:11

The Keats museum next to the Spanish steps is interesting - it's got the room and bed Keats died in, and it feels really strange in there. It's definitely more a non-touristy tip.

I would also recommend the Catacombs outside of Rome - this is where the prosecuted Christians hid, and it's fascinating!

TheMuppetMuggle · 25/01/2008 12:14

I'm going to Rome on 12th Feb what will the weather be like?
Our hotel is opposite the Trevi fountain

Sputnik · 25/01/2008 12:30

Cold probably. But you've a good chance of sunshine

TheMuppetMuggle · 25/01/2008 12:38

Well i would like sunshine not bothered if cold!

gybegirl · 25/01/2008 12:50

If you fax the vatican you can ask for one of their guided tours (much cheaper than the others). You by-pass all the queues and then wander through with a nice guide. We took our 1 yr old in a back pack and it was brilliant to just swan past the long line. If you look at the forums section of www.tripadvisor.com, it will tell you the procedure for the fax. It's also got loads of other great hints plus places to stay. I second the Trestevere idea (which is near where we stayed) and the open top bus tour on the first day.
Have a lovely time. I really loved it!

gybegirl · 25/01/2008 12:50

If you fax the vatican you can ask for one of their guided tours (much cheaper than the others). You by-pass all the queues and then wander through with a nice guide. We took our 1 yr old in a back pack and it was brilliant to just swan past the long line. If you look at the forums section of www.tripadvisor.com, it will tell you the procedure for the fax. It's also got loads of other great hints plus places to stay. I second the Trestevere idea (which is near where we stayed) and the open top bus tour on the first day.
Have a lovely time. I really loved it!

gybegirl · 25/01/2008 12:51

oops