During out trip to So. Germany, I would like to do a side trip for a couple of days to Rome where my youngsters can see some of the relics of the Ancient Roman empire that they will soon be studying. We have our Eurail passes. Can you suggest an itenerary appropriate for us? It's been a long time since I studied this subject! Do you know about a safe area/hotel for Mom and 2 girls to stay?

Thanks for any suggestions! Suzy

Hello Suzy,
I think Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio), Palazzo dei Conservatori, and Palazzo Nuovo (museo Capitolino) would be appropriate. You will see famous Capitoline Wolf, the Dying Gaul, Lo Spinario (a little boy picking a thorn from his foot), not mentioning the statue of Marc Aurelius.
Colosseum would be impressive for them, if you have time. Go through the Forum to see Curia with its bronze doors.
Pantheon would be another ancient building equally interesting for kids and adults.
Another place I would recommend is the National Museum of Rome (impressive collection of Roman statuary at the Palazzo Massimo (just a block from the Termini train station).
I understand that you are primarily interested in ancient Rome, so I did not mention any Renaissance highlights.
In Rome we stayed in hotel Margutta on
Via Laurina 34, 00187 Roma
Phone: 06/3223674 (near Piazza del Popolo). Our room was with private bath and private terrace; I got the info about it from one of the Fodorites.
Enjoy Rome!

I was just in Rome for ten days with my girls, ages 8 and 5. I posted a trip report about Rome With Kids that I'll top for you. It has suggestions on sights, our hotel and restaurants the girls enjoyed. They did like the Colosseum but I think the Forum would be a bit much for such young children. I do suggest you buy one of those books that has pictures of the current state of the ruins and then a transparent overlay that shows how they looked in Ancient Rome.

A couple of years ago I went to Rome with my 7 years old grandaughter... She just adored the Roman Forum and the colosseum..It was like a mystery for her and she took her time going into every niche or look behind every stone or small holes in the ground..Of course her favourite place was the Trevi Fountain..we spent a lots of time there..
We stayed a the Hotel parlamento, off Via del Corso, very close to Trevi.. quite safe, clean and friendly staff.Going back again next month..
Have Fun,
kismet

Thanks for taking your time to post this information. Did you take pre-packaged tours or just go on your own? Is getting around pretty easy in Rome? I look forward to more kid-friendly suggestions!
Suzy

The highlights for me when I visited Rome as a child were the Cappuccin Crypt, the Colosseum, throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona for good gelato, and seeing the Pope.

Grinisa,

Your very thorough diary of your trip was wonderful! Thank you.

Suzy