Rome first timer

[KenAdams]

Hi all,

I'm visiting Rome for the first time in October - it's also my first time in Italy.

We're going for 4 nights (taking DD 10).

We don't have a hotel yet so any recommendations would be great, we're looking to stay centralish.

In terms of tours, would you recommend them for the Vatican and Collosseum? Has anyone done one? DD is quite interested in history but she is still 10 so would like it to be engaging for her if possible.

Following with interest as we’re planning the same with (will be) 12yo DD next October.

I went to Rome last month and had a great time. I would definitely recommend a guided tour for both the Vatican and Colosseum (ideally the underground tour with Roman forum and Palestine Hill) as it added so much to the overall experience, you really got to know what you were looking at, the background, interesting facts. We booked with Carpe Diem Tours who have a very informative Facebook page with lots of advice and chat going on. Both tours were expensive but worth every penny. As far as hotels go, we stayed in the Hotel Colosseum which was fairly central, clean and tidy with lovely comfy beds. The staff were helpful too. Have fun!

I did a “highlights of the Vatican” tour the first time I visited and it was worth it! There’s so much to see there that it’s easy to miss, plus you did used to get to use “guide entrance/exits”, which is really handy. I also got free time to wander around. Subsequent visits I’ve gone solo because I’ve seen the big things and can just wander without feeling I’ve missed out. I believe entrance to the Vatican automatically gets you into the Sistine Chapel. Guides aren’t allowed to “guide” in there but will generally give an over view and tell you where to look.

For the colosseum I’ve always gone without a guide but that’s because I’ve got the combo ticket and that gives entrance to Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, which is a vast area so I prefer to wander with a guide book/audio guide.

I think whatever you decide I’d definitely book tickets in advance and skip the line if you can.

Its a wonderful city and until the pandemic I would go once a year and I’ve missed my trips so very much.

If you’re a poetry fan, Keats’ grave is in the Protestant Graveyard at the Pyramid metro stop. Shelley’s ashes are also scattered there.

Sorry meant to say there are Free Walking Tours available which are also great for general wondering, mainly run by volunteers who are working towards being licensed guided. There are pages on Facebook - so worth a look.

Thanks all I'll look into your suggestions so far 😀

I agree with everything that's been said, but would like to add the open top bus tour. Rome is surprising compact and this is a great way to get your bearings whilst seeing all the main sights.
I love Rome.

You can buy hop on / hop off river cruise tickets as well. I'm going for the first time in September with my Auntie. We've booked the combo tour so I'm really glad to see it's really good.

Who cares. Go to Alfredo’s for the Fettuccini 😉

Deffo pre-book the Vatican tour - queues are horrendous.
I didn't have an organised tour of the Colosseum, as above I had the combo ticket & it really doesn't need a guide.
Went too long ago to recommend an hotel.

The Trevi fountain is a must. I love that, it’s magnificent.
Vatican is well worth it. Especially the tombs of previous Popes, and the chapel of course. Don’t forget the dress code (not too much flesh on show) or you will be turned away. The Pantheon and Colosseum are really good. Rome is my favourite place.

YY to Vatican dress code - two of our daughters were in strappy summer dresses and we had to go back out to a conveniently located stall selling scarves at ten euro a pop for them to cover shoulders and legs

I'd also recommend a tour of the Coliseum. The guides can give you a good idea of the history and have interesting tales
Keep an eye on the website for when your dates come up.

I'd actually put the Vatican as the worst trip I've ever had. It was heaving so you were carried along on a sweaty tide of humanity. When you finally get to the Sistine Chapel they hurry you through, shushing everyone whilst also shouting 'no photo'. Nightmare and money grabbing IMO. I wish they'd charged twice as much for half as many people, then you could actually see something.

St Peters is much calmer and you can go up into the dome, (lots of climbing) and down into the catacombs underground.

Don't forget the Pantheon (cool in the heat) and the Roman Forum. You used to be able to buy a book there that had photos of the landmarks now, and with an acetate overlay to show how it used to look.

And the fountains are everywhere. The Trevi Fountain is magnificent - and tucked round a corner!

But the best bit is just wandering around, stopping for pizza and ice cream!

Piazza Novona and Spanish steps also worth a visit. I think Keats house is at the bottom?? It’s been years since I’ve been. There are nice restaurants and fountains in the Piazza. Above that are some nice shopping streets.

Yes to all of the above!

I did Rome with the DC a few years back (then 8 & 14) and booked the Colloseum & Vatican with a company called Rome tours with kids. They were great we had a guide all to ourselves. They did ask about the kis ages and interest beforehand and tailored the tour accordingly. They were very knowledgeable (Art history & archeology students from University) and our DC got a souvenir at the end of each tour. If I remember rightly it was only something like €30.- PP for 2.5 - 3 hours (total bargain!!) - but not sure what it's like post covid.

PS: this is a must! Also great fun for big kids!

www.leonardodavincimuseo.com/

Not sure if clear from link but it was the Stendhal Luxury Suites that I'd recommend.
We did an open top bus tour to get our bearings and avoid too much walking as it was very hot. Definitely worth taking a tour guide for colusseum as made it far more interesting for kids. Pantheon and Vatican interesting too even if not religious yourself. Generally just enjoyed wandering the streets, eating and people watching.
Would love to go back. Have a fantastic time.

I visited earlier this year with DC - 9. We did guided Colosseum tour to access underground which you can’t get into without, it was well worth it. Although our guide was great, and the group quite small, DC was bored 20 min in, something to bear in mind.
For Vatican, we didn’t do tour just booked entry tickets in advance, we got straight in without queuing. You can get audio guide, including children friendly version once in. It is huge, but when we went (on Tuesday) it was not really busy, we were able to access all areas without any issues.
If your DD likes cats highly recommend visiting Cats Sanctuary.
DC loved Rome, the food, the ice cream, amazing parks and lots of naked statues 😂
We stayed in a lovely central hotel, walking distance to all points of interest, but it was ££££, not sure what your budget is.
Enjoy!

We did a walking foodie tour. Expensive but absolutely amazing. I will treasure that memory. We were taken to all the real eateries, and producers of fine foods, we ate the best pizza (potato on a focaccia base) in Rome and the best gnocchi in places that had been making for 100's of years. Full history of food from Rome and how it had been influenced.

Just amazing. We ate so much, it took 4-5 hours and 7 stops/venues.

You lucky thing!

Rome is amazing, I really enjoyed staying out of the city, aware from the tourists, good to see how real people live and also cheaper.

public transport is great

i would also recommend checking what days cruises come in and avoid the main attractions then (or go early morning or late evening)

Also this Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta was awesome

Colosseum definitely needs a tour, otherwise it's surprisingly dull. The Forum is a lot more interesting and you can selfguide around it - we used a guide book but I think there is an app now!

The Vatican is huge. You need to pick which bits you want to go to and be selective. My personal fave bit are the Borgia Apartments which have great frescoes, with not remotely Christian imagery. They also aren't as well known so do don't tend to be as busy as the Raphael Rooms above which are usually heaving.

CAT SANCTUARY?! I'm in!

The cat sanctuary was a disappointment last week, allowed in one room for 5 minutes and then ushered out

main room was for people adopting.

I wanted to spend the whole day cuddling cats!

Do NOT book a hotel near the station!
We like Albergo del Senato hotel, opposite the Pantheon. Location is great, & you can walk absolutely everywhere.

Everyone has mentioned the Vatican & Colosseum, but don't forget the Forum - easiest point of entry is from Palatine Hill.
Capitoline Museum is good, if your child likes history.

Maybe watch "Roman Holiday", and then you can recreate some of the scenes, incl Bocca del Verita ("mouth of truth") and Castel Sant'Angelo.

Recommend going to the top of the Vittorio Emmanuele monument for good views of the city.

Enjoy just wandering around the streets etc - Piazza Navona is quite fun, as are Spanish Steps. Also Campo dei Fiori for the market & cafes.

Plan your time carefully so that you concentrate on just one area in a day, & don't try to do too much. I have been to Rome 8 times, and there are still places I either haven't been or want to revisit.