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.

It blew my mind you couldn't hop on metro and colosseum was a stop. Also look for street artist doing caricatures. Definately do the hill and learn about the vestil virgins. Last time we went we did a horse and carriage tour which made it special. I wish I could have done that the first time I visited Rome. The fountains are spectacular.

Cat sanctuary is really just to look at from outside, not to go in.

Because it's supercool to see a load of cats roaming around an ancient Roman ruin.

For the Colosseum book as early a slot as you can, we had 9.15am and breezed in, didn't have to queue to get an audio guide and got a little while to admire it almost empty, but the longer we were there the more hundreds of people kept pouring in.

Pantheon is free to enter but again we got an audio guide for a few € which was well worth it to know what we were looking at.

Depending on your budget we took a 3 hour Vespa & Sidecar Tour and it was expensive but absolutely fantastic, the highlight of our trip.

We stayed at Hotel White which is about 300m from the Trevi Fountain and surrounded by restaurants / shops. Fairly basic but clean and tidy, we booked based on great reviews and a good rate.

As many people have said, just wondering around Rome is the best way to see it. Too much museum time could overwhelm most 10 year olds (and a few adults). The Colosseum and Pantheon are must-see sites, I'd also recommend Castel Sant Angelo for kids - plus it has a lovely park in the castle moat. For a self-guided treasure trail try Trova trails as a fun way to explore Rome.
www.trovatrails.com

Hotel Isola Sacra!! Cannot recommend enough!

Can anyone recommend a 2 bedroom villa or apartment in central Rome? Thinking of going with DS and DSS so we will need two rooms.

I'd recommend the child-friendly Santa Maria hotel in Trastevere - a great local spot crammed with cafes and restaurants but close to all the sites. For tours have a look at Trovatrails.com as you can choose a detective trail and scavenger hunt as an exciting way to learn about the historic sites - much more engaging for kids, and a good way to tour Rome on a budget. Don't forget Castel Sant Angelo - near the Vatican and often overlooked but it's got an Ancient Roman tomb with Renaissance rooms, armoury prison all rolled into one.

Thanks everyone we go in just over a week.

Trying to work out meal times and four course menus atm plus how to order an espresso but with milk when I want a coffee 🤣

I've booked tours for the Vatican (early every) and Colosseum.

Nobody eats all four courses - just order whatever you want.

Remember, you will stand out like a sore thumb if you order a cappuccino after 12 noon!

romesite.com/domus-romane.html This villa is central, great, recreates images and small numbers only. Might want to book from here it's not 7 days per week.

Depending on how sensitive your DD is, the Capuchin Crypt is absolutely fascinating. Only small. DS at 11 was fine.

Most overrated - the Spanish Steps.

Hi Ken,
For a ten year old I'd recommend skipping the Vatican museums which are jam-packed at the moment and going to the Capitoline museums instead. The square itself is designed by Michelangelo and it has great views over the forum. There you can download a Trova trail (3.99) which is a detective game that guides you around the most interesting sites and teaches you about Rome's history. More fun and your child will actually engage with the history. - Or see if they still do night tours of the Vatican museums otherwise they are so packed it detracts from the experience if you are herded through like sheep.

Rome is an amazing place to visit only one thing no one here has mentioned pickpockets are rife and very clever watch your handbag and backpacks on the metro they slice them with stanley knives to get your money out better to have a bum bag thats covered by a top , and they also watch you getting a ticket at the metro or paying for something watch where you put your purse or wallet back to it happened to us on our way back to the airport husband lost his wallet not a lot of money but things like bank cards had to be cancelled so a hassle when we got home

I was there recently and stayed in the generator hostel close to the train station, so handy for the bus to and from the airport. 30 to 40 min walk to Pantheon, Colosseum a bit closer and Spanish steps a bit further.

I did a free tour of Vatican which was St Peter's Square and the basilica including pope's tombs - but not including museums or sistene chapel. I enjoyed it and didn't feel like I'd missed out on seeing sistene. We had planned this way because we only had 3 days so couldn't do everything!

@PoptartPoptart We stayed at Relais Rassella 47. The kitchen was tiny but if you don't want to cook much it's fine. Position was excellent- we walked everywhere. It's near the Trevi fountain.

If you like cats, visit the Cat bistrot in Rome : Romeow! Eat and cuddle cats in a neighborhood not far from the centre. There is so much to see in Rome but if you pack too much in your child wont remember anything - there's only so much info a child - or adult -can take in. Make sure to plan fun activities - biking or boating around Villa Borghese, or visit the Leonardo da Vinci museum that is one of the few interactive museums in Rome.

If you want an espresso with a bit of milk (so a smaller, stronger cappuccino) then you want an espressino.