In the fall, our family traveled to Rome to meet up with family for a week-long vacation. The goal was to get away from the German cold and enjoy some sun and good food. Mission accomplished!
There is so much to do and see in Rome that it can be a bit overwhelming so I have a few posts which I hope will help plan the trip, including details on where we stayed and our itinerary.
Where we Stayed: Campo dei Fiori
During our Rome vacation, we stayed in the Campo dei Fiori neighborhood. I always do extensive research into the particular neighborhoods which are best for our family. Across the street from a coffee place and bar and upstairs from one of the most amazing bakeries in Rome, the location was fantastic. Nothing was more than a 20-minute walk from the apartment.
Usually a Google search of “Best Neighborhoods in [said city],” is a good starting point. Here is the apartment where we stayed with our family of four. It was a bit tight with four people, but our oldest slept on the couch since the second bedroom had a sleeper sofa.
8 Things to Know Before Traveling to Rome
Every city has its special quirks, and Rome is no different. From where you can sit to how to order your coffee is all part of the fun. But I wanted to pull a few things together to help you be aware of what to expect, even from the minute you step out of the airport.
Favorite Off-the-Beaten-Path Activities in Rome with Teens
Of course we saw the Colosseum, Forum, and Sistine Chapel, but Rome has so much more to experience. With more time, a few places off-the-beaten path places like the Borghese Gardens and the Domus Romane are worth considering. With teenagers, I’m looking for places where where things might be interactive or parks and places to explore outside.
How to Make Your Colosseum Visit Awesome
If you are traveling with your family to Rome, the Colosseum is most likely at the top of your list. Again, this monster-of-a-tourist-attraction can be overwhelming. Is it worth the tour? Should you go with a private guide? How much time do you need? A few tips to help your family have an awesome time, including some things our family would have done differently.
Explore 2,000 Years of Stone and Ruins Along the Roman Appian Way
As mentioned many times, when traveling with tweens and teens, it is a delicate balance between managing activities, museums, and downtime. The Appian Way piqued our interest, and we managed to work it into our plans. Since it’s not right in the middle of the city, I included a few things to know before heading outside the city to travel on Rome’s oldest road.
Want an Authentic Italian Experience? Learn to Make Homemade Pasta in Rome
When in Rome, eat pasta! We are a foodie family, and I wanted to include some kind of food-related activity in our trip to Rome. The entire family loved the experience of taking the train out to Frascati to learn how to make pasta. In fact, we enjoyed this activity so much, we did booked a similar cooking-class experience in Athens.
What We Did: Our 6-Day Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrive early evening. Take a taxi to the HomeAway apartment.
- Dinner at Danel Tavernae. (Permanently closed)
Day 2
- Walking Tour with New Free Rome Walking Tour
- Segwaying through the Borghese Gardens
- Lunch at Alice Pizza.
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Dinner at Emma (right across from our apartment, reservation required)
Day 3
- Colosseum Tour (paid for the one offered by the Colosseum)
- Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (No tour, but wished we had one)
- Biked the Appian Way
- Bocca della Verità (aka the Mouth of Truth)
Day 4
- St. Peter’s Basilica (Happened upon the Pope’s Wednesday morning prayer)
- Vatican Museum ( Tickets bought in advance)
- Back to St. Peter’s to see the inside (Long line which took about 20 minutes)
- Dinner at Queen Bee
Day 5
- Run in the morning at the Circus Maximum
- Pasta-Making Class in Frascati
Day 6
- Dominus Romane (Tickets bought in advance)
- Late flight home
All photos © Linda Kerr, TravelTeening
