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Rome, 6 days. Advice needed
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I think the biggest threat to children in Rome is lovestruck Roman women clasping their cheeks and emotionally saying "bella! bella! bella!" in their faces.
Word of warning to the OP: Italians will innocently touch, hug and kiss your children without any self-consciousness or hesitation or asking if it's okay first. Personally, I think it's a nice attitude. But if you're funny about that kind of thing - as many UKians are - beware.
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I remember visiting rome in 2004 and really liked it - i had to go via the sleeper train as the oh does not do flying, but at least it means i wake up in the city centre and a short stroll to the hotel rather than an expensive cab ride. i liked doing the st peters dome climb for the views, and i did the vatican & colloseum. i remember there was a dense network of narrow cobbled streets near the centre - i kind of "stumbled" on the trevi fountain on the first evening stroll and quite liked it. The best tactic with pushy street vendors is pretend they do not exit - the worst thing you can say is "no thanks" as that means "YES PLEASE" to them lol. It's a pity I was not really into photography much then so I hope to revisit sometime.
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I thought the Trevi was quite impressive, although busy. Didn't get any hassle from street vendors there, but did at the Spanish Steps. I didn't see what the attraction of the Steps was, but everyone to their own!
Yes, the steps aren't that impressive either. It was a bit of a let down.
The most awe inspiring areas are around the collosseum and the forum. Even the areas right on the street that aren't charged for.
LongLensPhotography
Th..th..that's all folks!
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The view is great; if you were running up and down it would behave just like normal staircase...
Obviously everything needs the right light to look good. When the light is wrong even the most famous place can look meh
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Random thoughts as they spill out.
When I was there last year almost everything I went to take pictures of had scaffold over it. That said, they are still great things to go and see. It is the remnants of the Roman Empire after all.
The Colosseum and Forum should be able to be seen on the same ticket. It usually lasts for 2 days, so on the 1st day, and the other on the 2nd. I wouldn't try to do them in the same day, especially with a child. On my first visit to the Forum I thought I saw it all, but went again last year and realised I'd only seen half of it.
Love the Pantheon. It is my favourite building in the World. And it's free too. I go there a couple of times during a trip to try and the 'the' pic to show it off to its best. I haven't got that pic yet. 
Trevi Fountain is worth a visit, whether there is building work there or not, just to marvel at what they built, and where they built it. A few lovely places to get Ice-cream there, with so many flavours to choose from. I think I had a Mint, Lemon, Mango and Strawberry combo there once. I hardly ever get hassled by street vendors, but a polite but firm 'No Grazie', is enough to get the message across.
I usually get a travel pass when I'm in any large city, as whilst it is easy to walk around Rome in this case, being stuck on the opposite side of the city to where you are staying makes the walk back feel 10x as long at the end of a hot day. I found the buses in Rome quite reliable and frequent.
Pick up some maps at the airport, or go to one of the Tourist Information Centres as soon as you can in the city to pick up maps and guides. It is a very easy city to lose your bearings in, as it is built around a twisty river. If you have an Android device with GPS, or even if it hasn't got GPS, I've found a great downloadable (free) offline map called OsmAnd. I haven't used it abroad yet, but it work great here.
Castel Sant'Angelo is interesting for the design of it inside, and you get a nice view of St Peter's from the top. And that area of the city is nice around sunset for view along the river again to St Peter's. A clichéd view maybe, but doesn't make it any the less beautiful.
I found Ostia Antica very good, but there is not much shade there. Scorchio in the July I visited there.
The Vatican Museum has lots to see, but get there early if your ticket allows it. If no one is averse to heights, there are great views over the city from the dome of St Peter's, but get there as soon as it opens. I got there just before 9am and waited 5-10 minutes to go up to the top of the Dome.
If museum visits are your thing, the Museum of Roman Civilisation in the EUR part of the city is worth a visit. They have amongst many fine things, a massive scale model of Ancient Rome, and a cast of Trajan's Column from the centre of the city. The detail, which is hard to see in situ, is unbelievable close up.
Also in the EUR part of the city is the The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also known as the Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro or simply the Colosseo Quadrato (Square Colosseum), is an icon of Fascist Architecture, but beautiful none the less. Best seen on a weekend when there surrounding offices are empty, and there are not many cars parked in front.
On my visit the year before last I went on a Segway tour of the City which I saw things I had never seen on the previous 3 visits. It's a great way to see the city. Unfortunately it's for 16+ only, but I advise anyone to have a go if they get the chance.
I try to holiday on the cheap, so my budget is about €20 a day. I get a couple of bottles of Coke in the airport, pre flight. I go to a local super market to get some 1.5lt bottles of Coke, and two of those bottles in a supermarket are normally close to the price of 500ml bottle of Coke from a street vendor. I use those bottles from the flight filled each morning with Coke. And then during the day I fill those bottles with water from the many fountains around the city. Drink all the time, especially in that heat, and keep the little one hydrated.
If you want a chill out day, a visit to the park around the Villa Borghese is a respite from the Sun, lots of trees and seats, and has lots of bikes and buggies, pedal and electric, to go look around the Park. It is quite busy on the weekend though as the locals flood the park. There's even a little boating lake.
Of course what you can and can't do will be dictated to large degree by the child you have with you, especially in that heat. It is their holiday too after all.
Woah, that's a lot. Hope you find something useful in all that.
When I was there last year almost everything I went to take pictures of had scaffold over it.
That said, they are still great things to go and see. It is the remnants of the Roman Empire after all. The Colosseum and Forum should be able to be seen on the same ticket. It usually lasts for 2 days, so on the 1st day, and the other on the 2nd. I wouldn't try to do them in the same day, especially with a child. On my first visit to the Forum I thought I saw it all, but went again last year and realised I'd only seen half of it.
Love the Pantheon. It is my favourite building in the World. And it's free too.
I go there a couple of times during a trip to try and the 'the' pic to show it off to its best. I haven't got that pic yet. Trevi Fountain is worth a visit, whether there is building work there or not, just to marvel at what they built, and where they built it.
A few lovely places to get Ice-cream there, with so many flavours to choose from. I think I had a Mint, Lemon, Mango and Strawberry combo there once. I hardly ever get hassled by street vendors, but a polite but firm 'No Grazie', is enough to get the message across. I usually get a travel pass when I'm in any large city, as whilst it is easy to walk around Rome in this case, being stuck on the opposite side of the city to where you are staying makes the walk back feel 10x as long at the end of a hot day. I found the buses in Rome quite reliable and frequent.
Pick up some maps at the airport, or go to one of the Tourist Information Centres as soon as you can in the city to pick up maps and guides. It is a very easy city to lose your bearings in, as it is built around a twisty river. If you have an Android device with GPS, or even if it hasn't got GPS, I've found a great downloadable (free) offline map called OsmAnd. I haven't used it abroad yet, but it work great here.
Castel Sant'Angelo is interesting for the design of it inside, and you get a nice view of St Peter's from the top. And that area of the city is nice around sunset for view along the river again to St Peter's. A clichéd view maybe, but doesn't make it any the less beautiful.
I found Ostia Antica very good, but there is not much shade there. Scorchio in the July I visited there.
The Vatican Museum has lots to see, but get there early if your ticket allows it. If no one is averse to heights, there are great views over the city from the dome of St Peter's, but get there as soon as it opens. I got there just before 9am and waited 5-10 minutes to go up to the top of the Dome.
Pay the extra to get the lift to the base of the Dome. It is still a climb to the top, but it is worth it imho. Whilst I was up there the queue had grown half way around the square. After I had come down, looked around the Basilica, the queue was looping back on itself, 360 degrees 3-4 people deep. Get there early.
If museum visits are your thing, the Museum of Roman Civilisation in the EUR part of the city is worth a visit. They have amongst many fine things, a massive scale model of Ancient Rome, and a cast of Trajan's Column from the centre of the city. The detail, which is hard to see in situ, is unbelievable close up.
Also in the EUR part of the city is the The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also known as the Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro or simply the Colosseo Quadrato (Square Colosseum), is an icon of Fascist Architecture, but beautiful none the less. Best seen on a weekend when there surrounding offices are empty, and there are not many cars parked in front.
On my visit the year before last I went on a Segway tour of the City which I saw things I had never seen on the previous 3 visits. It's a great way to see the city. Unfortunately it's for 16+ only, but I advise anyone to have a go if they get the chance.
I try to holiday on the cheap, so my budget is about €20 a day.
I get a couple of bottles of Coke in the airport, pre flight. I go to a local super market to get some 1.5lt bottles of Coke, and two of those bottles in a supermarket are normally close to the price of 500ml bottle of Coke from a street vendor. I use those bottles from the flight filled each morning with Coke. And then during the day I fill those bottles with water from the many fountains around the city. Drink all the time, especially in that heat, and keep the little one hydrated.If you want a chill out day, a visit to the park around the Villa Borghese is a respite from the Sun, lots of trees and seats,
and has lots of bikes and buggies, pedal and electric, to go look around the Park. It is quite busy on the weekend though as the locals flood the park. There's even a little boating lake.Of course what you can and can't do will be dictated to large degree by the child you have with you, especially in that heat. It is their holiday too after all.
Woah, that's a lot. Hope you find something useful in all that.
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I think the thing with the Trevi fountain is the fact such a huge fountain is squeezed into a tiny space.
we went to St Peters in the afternoon and queued for about 20mins. It's was a huge queue but moved really quickly.
If you're fit, ignore the lift to the top of the dome and walk the steps. Interesting construction, interesting sights on the way and the view from the top is definately worthwhile.
we went to St Peters in the afternoon and queued for about 20mins. It's was a huge queue but moved really quickly.
If you're fit, ignore the lift to the top of the dome and walk the steps. Interesting construction, interesting sights on the way and the view from the top is definately worthwhile.
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If it were just reasonably fit adults then just I'd say walk the stairs, and then the Dome, but the climb to the top of the Dome isn't that easy speaking as a reasonably 'unfit' person.
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A few practical tips for the OP.
Central Rome, where many of the attractions are situated, covers a relatively small area. Public transport is efficient and fairly inexpensive, but walking is a good option and will give you a real sense of the city. You'll probably do a lot of walking, but bear in mind that many of the side streets in the older parts of the city are cobbled and uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
August is very hot and humid. Churches, museums, art galleries and restaurants offer some respite in the middle of the day and early afternoon! Bottled water and cold drinks can be pricey, so carry a bottle and drink/refill from the street fountains which you'll find all over the place. They're perfectly safe, and the few that aren't have signs stating "non potabile".
Opening times for some attractions can be a bit random, so it's a good idea to get a local guidebook or check online for places that you're particularly interested in.
Central Rome, where many of the attractions are situated, covers a relatively small area. Public transport is efficient and fairly inexpensive, but walking is a good option and will give you a real sense of the city. You'll probably do a lot of walking, but bear in mind that many of the side streets in the older parts of the city are cobbled and uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
August is very hot and humid. Churches, museums, art galleries and restaurants offer some respite in the middle of the day and early afternoon! Bottled water and cold drinks can be pricey, so carry a bottle and drink/refill from the street fountains which you'll find all over the place. They're perfectly safe, and the few that aren't have signs stating "non potabile".
Opening times for some attractions can be a bit random, so it's a good idea to get a local guidebook or check online for places that you're particularly interested in.
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Or large. Luckily I was in front of a very large person. The stairs get very small and tight towards the top
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Please let us know how it went. I'm sure you'll have great time.
Maybe show us some pics if you get any nice ones. No pressure to do that though.
Buon viaggio.
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Churches are lovely and cool if its too hot and there are plenty of them,Taxi's are not too expensive at around 10 euro from the vatican to the colosseum.
And if you must have one of those lovely ice creams across from the main entrance to the Vatican Museum it will set you back 9 euro.Have a great time
And if you must have one of those lovely ice creams across from the main entrance to the Vatican Museum it will set you back 9 euro
.Have a great time
OP
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Well, back from Rome today!
Had an awesome holiday. Walked my feet off!
Used the Hop on Hop off bus too. Hotel was great. Aircon a biy iffy but otherwise very close to Vatican and close to a lot of places.
One thing that really annoyed us was the constant people trying to sell you water and hats!! lol
Will try and get a few pics up. Took over 1k of shots!
Had an awesome holiday. Walked my feet off!
Used the Hop on Hop off bus too. Hotel was great. Aircon a biy iffy but otherwise very close to Vatican and close to a lot of places.
One thing that really annoyed us was the constant people trying to sell you water and hats!! lol
Will try and get a few pics up. Took over 1k of shots!
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Glad you had a grand time
Water and hats? Think yourself lucky. In Vegas they try to sell you hookers
OP
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Lol.
It was constant though! Guys around every corner trying to sell water and hats. Then on the bridges and by the castle, guys trying to flog handbags!!
Anyway, we had a fantastic time. Saw so much. We loved Rome and we felt very safe and the people were great. Weather was stunning! Wife and daughter usually went back to hotel after lunch as they were completely exhausted. I then went on my own and did several walkabouts around the city.
It was constant though! Guys around every corner trying to sell water and hats. Then on the bridges and by the castle, guys trying to flog handbags!!
Anyway, we had a fantastic time. Saw so much. We loved Rome and we felt very safe and the people were great. Weather was stunning! Wife and daughter usually went back to hotel after lunch as they were completely exhausted. I then went on my own and did several walkabouts around the city.
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That's a lovely view I always try to get. You had a better sky than I have ever had.Here is a pic i took. Ok, i know it is rubbish, blurry and a crane in it etc! I am a complete noob but just wanted to show one pic for now:
That's too much. Rome to Pompeii or Herculaneum and back in a day is perfectly feasible, if you've only got a limited amount of time, but not both on the same day. We've done these trips a couple of times by train, leaving just after 07h00 and getting back about 20h00 that evening. That was on the Inter City, the Euro Star is much faster but a lot more expensive. You can get discounts by booking in advance.
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Here is a pic i took. Ok, i know it is rubbish, blurry and a crane in it etc! I am a complete noob but just wanted to show one pic for now:
I like it, and it's not rubbish at all. Sure, I could put on my 'critic' hat and comment on the technical points, but what for? It was your first trip to Rome, the colours and atmosphere of the shot are good, and it's your memory. Just enjoy it!
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