I am looking at taking a 4-5 day trip with my 11 year old son in late March 2005. I am considering Rome - with a side trip to Pompeii.

As a "Mom" with a young boy, would I feel/be safe in Rome? I consider myself rather "street smart" having grown up in New Orleans. We presently live in Cairo, Egypt, and have travelled extensively in Europe and Africa (as a family), but we have not been to Italy.

Any recommendations on hotels? Any thoughts on sights to see for an 11-year old?

Would Venice be a better choice?

Hi gr,

For 4-5 days in Rome, I suggest a side trip to Ostia Antica instad of Pompeii.

Pompeii is a long day. See www.enjoyrome.com.

Rome is safer than New Orleans.

>Would Venice be a better choice?<

YES, but I am biased.

I love both Rome and Venice and Pompeii is wonderful as well. For a boy that age..and for you...I would agree with your plan of Rome and Pompeii. However, as ira suggests, Ostia is a good alternative in that it is not as big a trip out of the city.

My preference for a hotel is for the Centro Storico area near the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. If you do a search here for Rome hotels, you will find many, many good suggestions in that area. We stayed at two--the Hotel Portoghesi and Colonna Palace--and liked both.

Fodor's has a book on Rome with kids. Look at this for ideas: http://www.aviewoncities.com/zzbooks...&city=rome

We went to Italy in April with our 9 year old grandson. We were there three weeks and spent a week in Rome (we rented an apartment in Tratevere.) We took hime to all the major sights and also one day for Ostia Antica. It's an easy trip by train and he loved it. We have also been to Pompei and for a child this age Ostia was great and not such a long trip as Pompei. If you want more detailed info on our trip see our trip report on this board. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any more questions.

I think you'd be fine in Rome with your son. We spent 4 days in Rome (10day trip to italy) with our kids a few years ago. The one site that my kids requested was Pompeii and they were not disappointed. Take your son to the Coliseum and take a tour or rent the audio tour. My kids are not big museum kids but we did go the the Vatican Museum and limited the areas we spent time in. We also went to the Borghese Gallery which is great. It's small and much easier to absorb than the bigger museums. We walked around all the usual outdoor sites (spanish steps, piazza navonna, piazza venezia, via del corso, etc). My kids' favorite thing about Italy was the food (gelato at least once a day is a must).

We stayed at the Santa CHiara which is located bhind the pantheon. It's a great location and a very nice hotel. Do a search on the name here and you'll see lots of info.

Grcxx3:
As much as I love Venice, I would recommend Rome for you and your son. There is so much to see in Rome and your son is at a perfect age to absorb its history and culture.
My two sons (ages 12 & 16 yrs) and I spent 3 nights in Venice and 3 nights in Rome this past spring. I felt completely safe at all times. In both cities, I spent time shopping alone while they had gelato and wandered around. I recommend the Albergo del Senato Hotel in Rome for location, room size and staff kindness.
My question to you: I am fascinated by Egypt. Is it safe for my family to visit Egypt? If so, is March a good time to visit?

Having spent some time in Cairo and other parts of Egypt, if you can handle that, you certainly can handle Rome.

Our "Henry" who posted above - wrote an absolutely terrific report on his trip with his grandson earlier this year... "click" on his name and you'll see his report...

Henry, back in April, wasn't it?

You will bne fine in Rome with your son. Esp.as you have "experience" with traveling.
I have been taking my children there on my own for a few yrs now.
We ahve never had any problems, even walking around late at night.

Ve4nice is lovely, but Rome is jsut such an "exciting" city that I think it would appeal much more.

Have fun!