Rome for older teens travelling on own for first time

[Cathpot]

DD and a couple of friends had been hoping to go on a 6th form trip to Rome at Easter but it’s been cancelled. They have the itinerary ( history based) and plan to do it themselves after A levels . I’ve not been to Rome for 30 years and while I loved it , I had a couple of hairy moments and I was a great deal more streetwise and well travelled than DD. I really want her to go and have fun- any recommendations for good places to stay and any general tips from experienced Rome visitors very welcome. I know it’s early for planning- but thinking about it is cheering her up when work is a bit much.

I think first priority is to ensure that they stay somewhere central. Avoid the area around Termini which always seems more attractive because it's generally cheaper. It can be a bit iffy up there. Rome is always busy and I've never felt unsafe at night there but as with everywhere it's wise to do your research. I'd say anywhere around the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Via Nazionale, Via Cavour would be good places to start.

Thank you - that’s really useful, will pass that on

We went to Rome in February. It felt pretty safe to me, although, like in any city, you need to be aware of your surroundings. We were actually quite close to tge Termini, which lots of people on here said was quite dodgy, but I actually thought it was OK. Our hotel was lovely and the area around it quite quiet at night, which we preferred.

I guess planning is probably the key.

Read the hotel reviews before booking. Check the location isn't too far out from the centre. Work out how to get from the airport to the city centre, we used a prebooked shuttle bus which was cheap and straightforward.

Rome is lovely. They'll have a great time.

Thank you- that’s encouraging. Shuttle bus is good plan.

Dd stayed in Ostello Bello Collosseo in June - they had an ensuite triple room. Fine and close to everything. They walked miles.

It's worth pre-booking the Vatican and Colloseum. Under 25 yos/students get reduced entry - but not sure if that is only an EU thing now....

Thanks- passing this all on

Also worth remembering that next year is a jubilee year, so accommodation and travel options are like to be more expensive and it will be busy.

www.trafalgar.com/real-word/jubilee-2025/#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20special%20year,Peter's%2C%20St.

I have always been on my own and felt safer in Rome that in London. Keep her wits about her and she'll be fine. I had anti theft bag for piece of mind

They need to beware of pickpockets on public transport, in crowds and busy, touristy areas. Pickpocketing and bag snatching is endemic in the big European cities and young people who aren't very streetwise and don't really know where they're going are prime targets. Losing a bag, a phone or a wallet can absolutely ruin a holiday and awareness is key. If you don't make yourself an easy target, the thieves will look elsewhere.

Yes- I think that’s my main worry really, a friend had her phone taken out of her hand on a visit to London this month so I suppose it’s the same anywhere . Rural upbringing so no spidey senses will be the issue. We had a look at the Ostello website- but couldn’t get it to load properly so will try again as that looks good. I’m excited for her to go, just want to try and give her tips to avoid the usual pitfalls. She does have a tendency to summons pitfalls from thin air which I would never have thought of , so there is also that.

I went in January the first time, and it was very quiet. I stated in the Aventine.

I went in around 1998 and again in 2002 approx and then last year - I honestly felt it was safer and less edgy than before but busier with tourists- so the main tourist parts get very busy and I was very conscious of my bag. But the Vespas were almost non existent and a lot of crime previously was on Vespas like snatching bags and jewellery but crossing the roads etc was absolutely fine whereas in my previous visits it was a bit hairy! I stayed at the youth hostel on my first visit... set diary reminders on when tickets are released and book everything in advance- highly recommend they take a day trip to Tivoli which I did in 1998 and again last year it's amazing!

Hostess often have family rooms you can exclusively book, might work out ok for 3 and they tend to be central. Otherwise just check reviews. Felt safe to me. They need to book ahead for key sites

There are some great, reasonably priced, bed and breakfasts in the centre. You could always contact a local tour guide with the itinerary and see what they would charge to show the group around.

Oh yes quite like the idea of a tour guide if she has the budget. I think planning this in the Christmas break will be a really cheering thing for her to do. Thank you for the suggestions.

My top tip: stay near a metro stop. Much easier for transport. My DD went after GCSEs but a long time ago now. I’m not sure a guide is worth it. I would stick to the itinerary and read up about where they are going. Rome is pretty easy to navigate and get a shuttle from the airport.

I would also not arrive in the evening or late at night. Get an earlier flight in daylight. Plus it will be horribly hot so be prepared.

They should plan their journey from the airport to the city in advance. Pretty much as soon as you clear customs you get people trying to get you to go into their taxis, book this train ticket or that train ticket. As long as they keep their wits about them they’ll be ok - the train is easy and cheap.

restaurants around the tourist traps are eye watering expensive - €7 euro for a coke when McDonald’s is round the corner. And there are some places where you’ll ask for a table and they’ll take you to their “sister restaurant” which will invariably be in some side street, with a more expensive menu and a long old wait.

she should definitely check out the cat sanctuary in the Roman ruins if she likes cats. The baths of Caracalla were one of my favourite things to do to get away from crowds, they have a VR tour, and the castel sant Angelo is really good, they have a cafe in the castle so you can have tiramisu with a great view of the city

Agree about the day time flight arrival - much more manageable. I’ve suggested they go pretty much as exams finish so before school holidays and hopefully not as hot as August. She does like cats ( and tiramisu) so thank you for those suggestions !

Trastevere is cheaper for eating out. I’ve never been shuffled to a side street sister restaurant. Now DD speaks Italian we do quite well for tables and service!

@Cathpot I would suggest looking up cafes and restaurants before they go. Time Out or Lonely Planet can be useful. There can be cafes in book stores and tucked away. Don’t eat in glamorous locations. You just know the Piazza Navona will cost! Get a general idea of what costs should be before they go. Then they can gauge what’s expensive. If all cakes are €7, that’s the price!

Our Daughter aged 21 did 22 countries in one year. Her must haves.
Some Cash Euro's Dollars etc.
Credit card on Dads account incase of emergencies.
Phone chargers solar in car and mains
Plenty of Internet etc on phone.

@Funf This is just Rome. Hardly a world trip. Euros are just fine in Rome. Dad’s credit card surely not needed!

Just Rome? Things can go wrong in any place but it’s about having a plan that hopefully you never have to use. If things go wrong a credit card can get you food shelter and home that’s why she had it luckily never had to use it

We were there in July. There is a bus transfer from FCO to Termini which costs €6 pp and drops right at the station. We did stay right behind Termini for the night we had in Rome and felt safe, although that could just be the product of being old and city dwellers.