My husband and I will be traveling to Rome in a few weeks with our 1.5 year old daughter. We would like to visit Villa Borghese but primarily we want to explore the grounds. Is that free? Does it require a reservation? What types of things could we do there (can we take a picnic, rent a bike?)

Also, we will have a sitter for at least two evenings. Any top restaurant recommendations near Piazza Navona, or other ideas for a fun night on the town for us?

Thank you very much.

Polo, enjoy your first visit to Rome! I just returned and we walked through the wonderful grounds of Villa Borghese. There is no charge to explore the grounds and you don't need a reservation but there is a fee for the museum and reservations are required. It would be a wonderful place for a picnic. They have little golf cart type things that you can rent and that looked like great fun. I think they also rent bicycles.

There are many wonderful restaurants in Rome. We especially liked Piperno, closer to Campo di Fiori.

We loved Ponte e Parione a minute from Piazza Navona. It's busy and friendly and the food is terrific. We were in Rome earlier this month and it was one of our favourite places to eat, always outside. I don't know what their desserts were like, as we selected a different place for gelato after dinner each evening!

For Roman food, I would recommend Armando al Pantheon, which is a short walk from the piazza Navona.

They also rent bikes and bicycle carts, go-karts, and lots of other means of locomotion. There's also a little lake with boats, and a small zoo. There carnival-type rides for small children, although your little one may be too small for that, and they may not be open in October. Finally, there's a puppet theatre, but I don't know the times of the performances.

There are great views of the city from the Pincian Overlook, in the northern part of the park. There are signs to it (Pincio).

I agree that Armando al Pantheon is a great choice. I've been there on previous visits but we waited too late to make reservations this time and were unable to get a table.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the information. We're really looking forward to our trip!