Long weekend in Rome coming up - advice please!

[MammaRoly]

We have a long weekend in Rome (Thurs- Sun) in June with our DS9 and DD8 and two of our friends. This will be the first time DC have been on an airplane.

DH and I were regular travellers pre children and backpacked around the world in our younger days . But this weekend away is causing me some anxiety, I think just because it is the first flight with our children.

So does anyone have any advice?

We are travelling with Ryanair and booked it as part of a package with our accommodation. Athough fully paid up, we haven't been allocated our airplane seats yet. Will we be allocated together or at least 2x2?

We don't have any cabin baggage and last minute.com website doesn't allow us to add any so I have emailed their Customer Service to see if I can add this. We have plenty of checked baggage allowance.

I have been thinking about hard sweets for the children to suck onboard and to take their games consoles with them for entertainment but anything else?

Thank you in advance!

Wear comfy shoes and eat loads of gelato.

Yes, be careful with your valuables OP, particularly in and around Roma Termini station, if you'll be passing through there. The 64 bus is also notorious for pick pockets.

As for your DC, I'm guessing they'll be really excited to be going on a plane for the first time! Yes, buy food and some snacks and drinks to take with you, as the selection on Ryanair is expensive and not particularly appetising. The flight is only a couple of hours, but electronic devices or games are a good idea.

Try and sort out your seats now. On the Ryanair help page it says All passenger fare types include a small personal bag, which must fit under the seat in front of you so that may suffice if you've already got hold luggage. The dimensions of hand luggage are shown here: help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360017824658-Ryanair-s-Bag-Policy]]

Agreed the Colosseum isn't interesting just to wander around. The Forum is more so and my kids enjoyed climbing and scrambling about. The Roma Pass is good for skipping queues, but do check if you need to book a timed slot. The catacombs are quite fun for kids, make sure you have gelato at least once per day and if you're feeling hot and frazzled just find a cafe, order a beer, an aperol spritz and some fanta for the kids and enjoy. Bella Roma! It's am amazing place.

www.ciampinoairport.co.uk/rome-ciampino-airport-to-city-centre/

Eat lots of gelato! Trastavere for restaurants & a bit of buzz in the evenings.

Re: the flight, I’m sure your kids will love it. Depending on time of day, bring breakfast/snacks/lunch on board from somewhere in the airport. And if they’re using games consoles, please make sure they use headphones!!

Taxis are easy to get right outside ciampino and if your destination is inside the city walls it's a flat €31 fee and takes approx 30 mins. The Ryanair app lets you do stuff like add luggage to your booking, possibly book seats too. Fees will be charged of course my best tips about Rome , 1 as PP said don't buy bottled water, take refillables with you as there are drinking fountains everywhere and the water is cold and delicious. 2 be aware that at zebra crossings (non light controlled ones) drivers won't stop, you have to make the 1st move. You'll end up feeling like you're playing frogga because drivers will cross in front and behind while you're crossing but you soon get the hang of it. I think your DC might like Vatican museums just for the fact there are a LOT of nude statues, many with the genitals broken off and my similar age DC found 'winky watch' hilarious. Have a brilliant time!

Suck barley sugar, have wipes in your bag, watch films.
Ask the hotel porter to recommend non-tourist places to eat fab food.

The pope’s cars and carriages through the ages are in the underground car park at the Vatican

• cool in both senses of the word and easy to miss!

If you check in online with Ryan Air I'm pretty sure it has your seat numbers on the boarding pass but you can buy seats before you check in anyway. It's hot here in Italy right now, even up here in the north it's been between 27-32°c for three weeks now. Take hats for all the family to protect from the sun and comfy shoes.

Kids that age will love the Colosseum. We wandered up one night after a very heavy pasta tea and although you obviously can't go in it was fantastic to see lit up. Lots of people milling around so felt safe.

Piazza Navona for gelato and people watching. I think the fountains were used in the film Angels and Demons?

Our young teen DD loved the underground crypt at Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. Not for the faint hearted mind . Easy to find, up the Spanish Steps and to the right.

I ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Rome. It's wonderful. If budget allows if hugely recommended a private car from the airport. Your kids will feel like Rock Stars! And the drivers always smell gorgeous and look like they may Be Connected 😁

Have a great time!

Depending on where in the city your staying you may not even need the Metro. Rome is cobbled in many areas so best that in mind when packing footwear.

There are so many beautiful churches in Rome and they welcome visitors to look in and linger provided your respectful. It's a lovely way to catch your breath and even as a non believer I get goosebumps when I'm in some of them.

Obviously the main church is the Basillica which is just incredible and, provided your all mobile and not claustrophobic well worth the walk up the dome. You can send yourself a postcard home from the shop at the top with a Vatican City stamp!

Agree regards the little things, Rome is wonderful for this!

Oh yes the cat sanctuary was fab!

This / it's a great way to start your holiday

The trevi fountain will be busy- if you pop into the shop opposite(gap I think) you can see it perfectly fro the upstairs window.