Amazing Two Week Family Trip to Italy!
Jun 20th, 2007, 02:40 PM
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Amazing Two Week Family Trip to Italy!
Amazing Two Week Family Trip to Italy!
I can close my eyes and almost imagine that we are still there! Our trip was everything that I had hoped it would be and so much more! Our family of four: myself, DH and two boys (ages 12 and almost 9) had a truly grand adventure. My heart-felt thanks to many of you on this board who helped me create our trip!
Almost a year ago, my husband and I started to plan this trip. We had traveled to Europe several times, but this was our first European adventure for our children. At first, we booked a Mediterranean cruise, but then as I looked into excursions, I couldn’t imagine visiting Rome, Florence, etc. for just a few hours. I wanted to watch my children play in the great Piazzas of Italy and to stroll through it’s cobble-stoned streets late at night arm and arm with my three boys. Thanks to your encouragement, I changed our plans and I am so thrilled that I did. Most of the information in my trip report is not new – I duplicated many of your hotels, restaurants, etc., but I learned so much from the trip reports of others that I hope I can do the same for someone else. I apologize in advance for the incessant use of the words: amazing, magical and fantastic – but every day of our two week adventure was exactly that! I can still feel the magic and I hope it never wears off!
ROME – Day One
We arrive on May 31 via AA from Chicago at 7:50 a.m. We were all far too excited to really sleep on the plane. We had read our guide books, Magic Tree House books, watched the History Channel, Ben Hur and Roman Holiday. The long-awaited flight was finally here! My 8 year old declared that he was going to sleep the entire flight so that he would be fresh when we arrived in Rome – he slept the last 30 minutes of the flight. As we approached Rome, flying over the mountains, then the hills, then past the cruise ships in port, I had tears in my eyes (okay, I am a complete corn ball). We zipped through customs – the boys couldn’t wait to see the stamp on their passports – I think even the customs official was amused with them!
After reading and hearing about all the horrors of gypsies and thieves in the Rome airport, we felt prepared to face the gauntlet. We tried to prepare the kids for what may seem like chaos, but to no avail. There was a strong police presence at the airport and we found Giacarlo from www.romeshuttlelimousine.com very easily. For 35 Euro Giacarlo helped us with our luggage and transported us in his Mercedes for the 30 minute trip into Rome. All of our noses were almost up against the window enthralled as we approached the Eternal City. Once again, Giacarlo helped us with our luggage as we exited in front of the Albergo Cesari (www.albergocesari.it). The lovely and friendly staff of the hotel informed us that our room was not ready, so we stored our luggage and began our adventure!
As you know, the Cesari is located about one block from the Pantheon, so our youngest son led us on our first adventure – around the corner to Nice Ice for their first gelato and then to stare in amazement at the Pantheon, then a few blocks to the Trevi Fountain! Wow – we have only been in Rome a little over an hour. Someone later in our trip mentioned that they were disappointed with the Trevi Fountain, but I couldn’t even imagine being disappointed. I found it to be moving and exhilarating. We visited the fountain every day that we were in Rome and at every possible time of day – amazing! The 8 year old did not want to rest until we visited the Mouth of Truth – so began the long trek down the Via del Corso, around the right side of the Monumento a Vittorio Emanelle II, around ancient Roman ruins to the Santa Maria Maggiore. Yes, we all stuck our hands in the mouth of truth – took a few pictures – and then stood in awe at the mosaics within the church. On our way back to the hotel, we took a quick stop for a pizza and something cold to drink. The little pizzeria was located on the corner across from the church beside the Roman ruins. We sat outside – the pizza was fantastic. We felt a bit fatigued, so we walked back and thanks to the wonderful double paned windows of the hotel and great air conditioning, took a very peaceful two hour nap.
For dinner, we made reservations at Trattoria Armando al Pantheon (www.armandoalpantheon.it). We had the antipasto of fried zucchini flowers, buffalo mozzarella cheese and prosciutto – I have died and gone to heaven! For dinner, I have the pasta with pecorino, asparagus and strawberries – amazing! DH had the lamb – we share a bottle of wine and the boys have spaghetti. This was one of the best meals we had anywhere in Italy! Great staff and well priced! I can’t believe what wonderful gentlemen my boys have become!
With bellies full, we were ready to walk to Piazza Navona to view Bernini’s Four River’s Fountain, to imagine the chariot races, listen to the guitar player playing a Sting song, ooh and ahhh over the art and to watch our children play and play. I am totally enchanted with this night – magical! Then we walked a few blocks to take in the Pantheon at night. Again, DH and I sit by the fountain and watch our boys play around the two thousand year old columns of the Pantheon – somebody pinch me! Our second gelato of the day comes from Giolitti’s and enjoyed by the Trevi Fountain (the boys like the crema on top of the gelato). We could not have enjoyed more wonder, joy and excitement in our first day in Roma!
I can close my eyes and almost imagine that we are still there! Our trip was everything that I had hoped it would be and so much more! Our family of four: myself, DH and two boys (ages 12 and almost 9) had a truly grand adventure. My heart-felt thanks to many of you on this board who helped me create our trip!
Almost a year ago, my husband and I started to plan this trip. We had traveled to Europe several times, but this was our first European adventure for our children. At first, we booked a Mediterranean cruise, but then as I looked into excursions, I couldn’t imagine visiting Rome, Florence, etc. for just a few hours. I wanted to watch my children play in the great Piazzas of Italy and to stroll through it’s cobble-stoned streets late at night arm and arm with my three boys. Thanks to your encouragement, I changed our plans and I am so thrilled that I did. Most of the information in my trip report is not new – I duplicated many of your hotels, restaurants, etc., but I learned so much from the trip reports of others that I hope I can do the same for someone else. I apologize in advance for the incessant use of the words: amazing, magical and fantastic – but every day of our two week adventure was exactly that! I can still feel the magic and I hope it never wears off!
ROME – Day One
We arrive on May 31 via AA from Chicago at 7:50 a.m. We were all far too excited to really sleep on the plane. We had read our guide books, Magic Tree House books, watched the History Channel, Ben Hur and Roman Holiday. The long-awaited flight was finally here! My 8 year old declared that he was going to sleep the entire flight so that he would be fresh when we arrived in Rome – he slept the last 30 minutes of the flight. As we approached Rome, flying over the mountains, then the hills, then past the cruise ships in port, I had tears in my eyes (okay, I am a complete corn ball). We zipped through customs – the boys couldn’t wait to see the stamp on their passports – I think even the customs official was amused with them!
After reading and hearing about all the horrors of gypsies and thieves in the Rome airport, we felt prepared to face the gauntlet. We tried to prepare the kids for what may seem like chaos, but to no avail. There was a strong police presence at the airport and we found Giacarlo from www.romeshuttlelimousine.com very easily. For 35 Euro Giacarlo helped us with our luggage and transported us in his Mercedes for the 30 minute trip into Rome. All of our noses were almost up against the window enthralled as we approached the Eternal City. Once again, Giacarlo helped us with our luggage as we exited in front of the Albergo Cesari (www.albergocesari.it). The lovely and friendly staff of the hotel informed us that our room was not ready, so we stored our luggage and began our adventure!
As you know, the Cesari is located about one block from the Pantheon, so our youngest son led us on our first adventure – around the corner to Nice Ice for their first gelato and then to stare in amazement at the Pantheon, then a few blocks to the Trevi Fountain! Wow – we have only been in Rome a little over an hour. Someone later in our trip mentioned that they were disappointed with the Trevi Fountain, but I couldn’t even imagine being disappointed. I found it to be moving and exhilarating. We visited the fountain every day that we were in Rome and at every possible time of day – amazing! The 8 year old did not want to rest until we visited the Mouth of Truth – so began the long trek down the Via del Corso, around the right side of the Monumento a Vittorio Emanelle II, around ancient Roman ruins to the Santa Maria Maggiore. Yes, we all stuck our hands in the mouth of truth – took a few pictures – and then stood in awe at the mosaics within the church. On our way back to the hotel, we took a quick stop for a pizza and something cold to drink. The little pizzeria was located on the corner across from the church beside the Roman ruins. We sat outside – the pizza was fantastic. We felt a bit fatigued, so we walked back and thanks to the wonderful double paned windows of the hotel and great air conditioning, took a very peaceful two hour nap.
For dinner, we made reservations at Trattoria Armando al Pantheon (www.armandoalpantheon.it). We had the antipasto of fried zucchini flowers, buffalo mozzarella cheese and prosciutto – I have died and gone to heaven! For dinner, I have the pasta with pecorino, asparagus and strawberries – amazing! DH had the lamb – we share a bottle of wine and the boys have spaghetti. This was one of the best meals we had anywhere in Italy! Great staff and well priced! I can’t believe what wonderful gentlemen my boys have become!
With bellies full, we were ready to walk to Piazza Navona to view Bernini’s Four River’s Fountain, to imagine the chariot races, listen to the guitar player playing a Sting song, ooh and ahhh over the art and to watch our children play and play. I am totally enchanted with this night – magical! Then we walked a few blocks to take in the Pantheon at night. Again, DH and I sit by the fountain and watch our boys play around the two thousand year old columns of the Pantheon – somebody pinch me! Our second gelato of the day comes from Giolitti’s and enjoyed by the Trevi Fountain (the boys like the crema on top of the gelato). We could not have enjoyed more wonder, joy and excitement in our first day in Roma!
Jun 21st, 2007, 06:01 AM
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Thank you so much for your encouragement! It is a joy sharing our trip with you!
Day Two – June 1
I woke up an hour or so before my three boys (DH included) and Marina made me two cappuccinos to begin the day in the breakfast room. The Cesari is very nice. In Rome, I wanted to have my children near me and not in their own room across the hall. The Cesari has a “quad room” which is quite spacious. The staff could not be friendlier and are very helpful. The accommodations are not luxurious, but they are very comfortable and clean. The double-paned windows block out all the street sounds and the air conditioning was fantastic. We were literally only ever in our room to sleep. The breakfast room was full of excited tourists (just like us) and the breakfast was good. Once again, the staff was great – they were gracious, patient and helped make our stay in Rome very memorable!
When the boys woke up, we had a relaxing breakfast and then walked around our little area of Rome – it already feels like our Rome! The winding streets around the Cesari already feel so familiar. We rented the audio guide at the Pantheon – what an amazing structure. DH was impressed with the symmetry, I couldn’t believe such a building could be created in AD 120, the boys liked how the sunlight shining through the oculus moved around the building. We walked around the corner to Giolitti’s for a mid-day gelato (we will have to waddle back to the States), we walked past our Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps. Ottimo!
About a week ago, we realized that some friends of ours from the West Coast (we live in the South) were going to be in Rome with their boys while we were scheduled to be in Rome. I had previously arranged a Vatican tour through Vatican Tours Inc. (www.vaticantoursinc.com). They graciously allowed me to cancel the tour about a week in advance with no penalty. Instead, we joined our friends on their tour and paid for our half. I do not know what company they contracted, but we all enjoyed this day together. It is hard to describe the Vatican – so vast, so full of priceless objects. We were moving every second of the three hour tour and I felt guilty for just breezing down hallways past gorgeous paintings and sculptures on the way to the Sistine Chapel. I must say that this was more of a tour experience than a religious experience … I’m sure because there simply was not time to linger. We stayed the longest in the Sistine Chapel – wow. It’s an odd feeling to come eye to eye with something you have read about and seen pictures of your entire life – just breathtaking. I don’t think I realized how large St. Peter’s was until we were standing in it. As we walked into St. Peter’s to the right, I became teary eyed viewing La Pietra by Michelangelo. This was not a piece of art I had studied in my limited Art History class in college and did not realize it was created by Michelangelo until the guide pointed to his signature – to see Mary holding her dead son was very moving. It is humbling to stand where thousands and thousands of people have stood earnestly praying and seeking God for centuries. I am convinced that Michelangelo and Bernini must have never slept a day in their creative lives!
Following the tour, our boys hung out with their friends (they have a grandmother also traveling with them) and we were able to have an adult dinner. We dined at the very gorgeous and decadent Mirabelle (www.mirabelle.it). We sat on the terrace with the most amazing sunset view of Rome. It was a very romantic night full of great food, wine and friends!
Day Two – June 1
I woke up an hour or so before my three boys (DH included) and Marina made me two cappuccinos to begin the day in the breakfast room. The Cesari is very nice. In Rome, I wanted to have my children near me and not in their own room across the hall. The Cesari has a “quad room” which is quite spacious. The staff could not be friendlier and are very helpful. The accommodations are not luxurious, but they are very comfortable and clean. The double-paned windows block out all the street sounds and the air conditioning was fantastic. We were literally only ever in our room to sleep. The breakfast room was full of excited tourists (just like us) and the breakfast was good. Once again, the staff was great – they were gracious, patient and helped make our stay in Rome very memorable!
When the boys woke up, we had a relaxing breakfast and then walked around our little area of Rome – it already feels like our Rome! The winding streets around the Cesari already feel so familiar. We rented the audio guide at the Pantheon – what an amazing structure. DH was impressed with the symmetry, I couldn’t believe such a building could be created in AD 120, the boys liked how the sunlight shining through the oculus moved around the building. We walked around the corner to Giolitti’s for a mid-day gelato (we will have to waddle back to the States), we walked past our Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps. Ottimo!
About a week ago, we realized that some friends of ours from the West Coast (we live in the South) were going to be in Rome with their boys while we were scheduled to be in Rome. I had previously arranged a Vatican tour through Vatican Tours Inc. (www.vaticantoursinc.com). They graciously allowed me to cancel the tour about a week in advance with no penalty. Instead, we joined our friends on their tour and paid for our half. I do not know what company they contracted, but we all enjoyed this day together. It is hard to describe the Vatican – so vast, so full of priceless objects. We were moving every second of the three hour tour and I felt guilty for just breezing down hallways past gorgeous paintings and sculptures on the way to the Sistine Chapel. I must say that this was more of a tour experience than a religious experience … I’m sure because there simply was not time to linger. We stayed the longest in the Sistine Chapel – wow. It’s an odd feeling to come eye to eye with something you have read about and seen pictures of your entire life – just breathtaking. I don’t think I realized how large St. Peter’s was until we were standing in it. As we walked into St. Peter’s to the right, I became teary eyed viewing La Pietra by Michelangelo. This was not a piece of art I had studied in my limited Art History class in college and did not realize it was created by Michelangelo until the guide pointed to his signature – to see Mary holding her dead son was very moving. It is humbling to stand where thousands and thousands of people have stood earnestly praying and seeking God for centuries. I am convinced that Michelangelo and Bernini must have never slept a day in their creative lives!
Following the tour, our boys hung out with their friends (they have a grandmother also traveling with them) and we were able to have an adult dinner. We dined at the very gorgeous and decadent Mirabelle (www.mirabelle.it). We sat on the terrace with the most amazing sunset view of Rome. It was a very romantic night full of great food, wine and friends!
Jun 21st, 2007, 06:07 AM
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Can you get close to La Pieta now? When we were there last year, they were working on the ceiling or roof of that part of the building, so we could only see her from a distance.
Last year, we visted Italy with kids age 15, 13 and 10....our deal with them was: gelato every day. We missed it one day and the next day had gelato twice.
Last year, we visted Italy with kids age 15, 13 and 10....our deal with them was: gelato every day. We missed it one day and the next day had gelato twice.
Jun 21st, 2007, 06:25 AM
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Hi Kim, now I have grandchildren, ....when our four children were young we took them almost everyyear to Europe., may be that is why I understand your feeling so very well. I loved your travelodge, I love that used the words magical, fantastic, amazing....Let me tell you looking into the future how much they will profit from this experience. My children always tell me that, they might have thought at the time, that it was one museum too much, but now they are so greatful and helped them both through the University and now in their jobs,also in the way they learnt how to live.
Lovely report, I know you must be proud, oh...so proud of your boys,! In this time and age that children and parents alike find so hard to set priorities .... your story fill me with optimism.!
Lovely report, I know you must be proud, oh...so proud of your boys,! In this time and age that children and parents alike find so hard to set priorities .... your story fill me with optimism.!
Jun 21st, 2007, 10:34 AM
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Day Three – June 2
As I awake this morning, I am still basking in the glow of last night. What a magical evening in Roma. This morning we had scheduled a guide to meet us at our hotel, travel to the coliseum and Roman forum and for the guide to spend three hours with us. I made most of our arrangements myself, but since a friend/colleague of mine is a travel agent, I asked her opinion of our travel itinerary and in return asked her to book a few parts of our trip for us. This is one of the parts I turned over to her. She booked with a company she had used over and over again, however we encountered our first glitch of the trip. The tour guide showed up, but the coliseum (and most of the town for that matter) was closed due to a military national holiday. We let the tour guide go, I e-mailed my friend in the States and by the time we returned, I had confirmation of our refund by the company (however we also did not have the guided tour we wanted to have – they could not reschedule). We were a bit disappointed, but when faced with these challenges you can either sit in your room and sulk or realize how blessed you are to be in Italy and make the best of it – we chose the later.
So, if there is a parade going on in town, we decide to get in the middle of it. Once again, we venture down the Via del Corso, around the left side of the Monumento a Vittorio Emanelle II and now we are definitely in the middle of things, cheering with the crowd as the veterans and various branches of the military come by and then cheering enthusiastically with the fly over of the Italian military jets releasing smoke in the colors of the Italian flag – the finale. At this point, the crowd begins to break up and we continue our walk past the coliseum. Amazing – just walking past the coliseum! Our friends are staying near the coliseum at the Galdiatori Hotel (www.hotelgladiatori.it) – we join them on the terrace overlooking the coliseum and play cards as we wait for everything to reopen. How extraordinary to play cards with friends and family while also looking at the coliseum!
Finally the city began to reopen and we walked across the street, purchased our tickets, took photos with the gladiators and purchased a tour on the spot! Once again, sort of surreal to be walking in and around the coliseum – to marvel at their construction and cruelty in killing so many people there. Amazing that most of it still stands today! Our oldest son studied the History of Civilization this past year in 6th grade – we realize on this day that we could have rented him out all across Italy because the Roman Empire, the Caesars (good, bad and the evil), the Etruscans and the Renaissance are all so fresh on his memory. He recalls all the dates, all the names, all the influences – we didn’t need a guide, we just needed our 12 year old! He feels very empowered and important – I love his instant recall and ability to inform the rest of our party! The 8 year old declares himself to be Lunatic Maximus and we must refer to him as Lunatic Maximus the rest of the day – I love his mischievous spirit!
After touring the coliseum our two families are starving. We walk across the street and eat pizza and pasta at Gran Caffe Rossi Martini – our food was very good, the staff was accommodating and Luigi (our server) was full of personality! We walk back up to the terrace of the Gladiatori and share some prosecco and wine and play cards watching the sunset on the coliseum. I never want to forget this day and the roar of the lions and the clash of the gladiators that still echo through the peaceful night!
As I awake this morning, I am still basking in the glow of last night. What a magical evening in Roma. This morning we had scheduled a guide to meet us at our hotel, travel to the coliseum and Roman forum and for the guide to spend three hours with us. I made most of our arrangements myself, but since a friend/colleague of mine is a travel agent, I asked her opinion of our travel itinerary and in return asked her to book a few parts of our trip for us. This is one of the parts I turned over to her. She booked with a company she had used over and over again, however we encountered our first glitch of the trip. The tour guide showed up, but the coliseum (and most of the town for that matter) was closed due to a military national holiday. We let the tour guide go, I e-mailed my friend in the States and by the time we returned, I had confirmation of our refund by the company (however we also did not have the guided tour we wanted to have – they could not reschedule). We were a bit disappointed, but when faced with these challenges you can either sit in your room and sulk or realize how blessed you are to be in Italy and make the best of it – we chose the later.
So, if there is a parade going on in town, we decide to get in the middle of it. Once again, we venture down the Via del Corso, around the left side of the Monumento a Vittorio Emanelle II and now we are definitely in the middle of things, cheering with the crowd as the veterans and various branches of the military come by and then cheering enthusiastically with the fly over of the Italian military jets releasing smoke in the colors of the Italian flag – the finale. At this point, the crowd begins to break up and we continue our walk past the coliseum. Amazing – just walking past the coliseum! Our friends are staying near the coliseum at the Galdiatori Hotel (www.hotelgladiatori.it) – we join them on the terrace overlooking the coliseum and play cards as we wait for everything to reopen. How extraordinary to play cards with friends and family while also looking at the coliseum!
Finally the city began to reopen and we walked across the street, purchased our tickets, took photos with the gladiators and purchased a tour on the spot! Once again, sort of surreal to be walking in and around the coliseum – to marvel at their construction and cruelty in killing so many people there. Amazing that most of it still stands today! Our oldest son studied the History of Civilization this past year in 6th grade – we realize on this day that we could have rented him out all across Italy because the Roman Empire, the Caesars (good, bad and the evil), the Etruscans and the Renaissance are all so fresh on his memory. He recalls all the dates, all the names, all the influences – we didn’t need a guide, we just needed our 12 year old! He feels very empowered and important – I love his instant recall and ability to inform the rest of our party! The 8 year old declares himself to be Lunatic Maximus and we must refer to him as Lunatic Maximus the rest of the day – I love his mischievous spirit!
After touring the coliseum our two families are starving. We walk across the street and eat pizza and pasta at Gran Caffe Rossi Martini – our food was very good, the staff was accommodating and Luigi (our server) was full of personality! We walk back up to the terrace of the Gladiatori and share some prosecco and wine and play cards watching the sunset on the coliseum. I never want to forget this day and the roar of the lions and the clash of the gladiators that still echo through the peaceful night!
