missypie

Two of my kids are going to Italy on a school choir trip. For their last afternoon (Good Friday, no less) the itinerary is, "the afternoon is free for last minute shopping." Of course, they don't have to shop-they could sight see. But their hotel is in an area where, at least according to my limited knowledge, there are no well known sights. Doesn't seem to be a big shopping district, either.

They will be at the Jolly Hotel Leonardo DaVinci, on v. dei Gracchi. This is north of Castel Sant Angelo, and northeast of the Vatican, and a few blocks west of the river. They are just a few blocks away from the metro but I don't know that anyone would be brave enough to use it. (Each group of kids will be with an adult chaperone, none of whom could be described as well traveled.)

I see that Santa Maria del Miracoli is just across the river. They will have already gone to the Vatican and my kids have already been to Castel Sant Angelo.

Is ANYONE familiar with this part of town? Any recommendations of things for them to see or do?

WillTravel

I don't think I'm a true Rome expert, but I put the location into Google Maps, and I can see this is only a few blocks from Piazza del Popolo, which is only a few blocks from the Borghese and the Spanish Steps. I'd say most of Rome is within easy walking distance, particularly for teenagers.

Have they been to the Galleria Borghese? It wouldn't hurt to go again, and the grounds are beautiful in any event. There are other museums there as well.

Zerlina

One street over from via dei Gracchi is via Cola di Rienzo, a big shopping street for Romans who are not into the designer shops in the via Condotti area.

Santa Maria del Popolo is more interesting than Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

The Ara Pacis is within easy walking distance of Piazza del Popolo.

bobludlow

I'll second the Borghese recommendation. It is a nice city park, but if the kids are interested the Borghese museum is my favorite in the city. Each ticket comes with a set time (there is plenty to see in the park if you have to wait a little) which means that the museum is guaranteed to be uncrowded when your time arrives.

kayd

Good Friday afternoon? Churches will be holding services, were you thinking they would attend?
Wandering around Pza del Popolo, Spanish Steps, and up into the Borghese Gardens might be a good idea.

Some businesses may be closed for religious observance, but I bet plenty will be open on such a busy weekend for tourism.

missypie

My kids have been to Galleria Borghese and there's really no way to plan another trip there....they won't know what small group of people they'll be with until they get there, so there's no way to make reservations.

If there is a good shopping street nearby, my daughter will probably be content with that. We've been to the Piazza del Popolo, but when we were there, the obelesque (sp) was covered up with video screens; that might be a possiblity for my son. Wherever they go, it's got to be EASY...I have no confidence that the adults will be anxious to sally forth for parts unknown.

Are there any interesting churches on that side of the river? It seems such a shame to be in Rome on Good Friday and not at least pop your head into a church. If we were Roman Catholic, I'd be trying to organize a group to actually attend a service.

Grinisa

There aren't too many interesting churches in that neighborhood, but they could peek into Santa Anna which is a small church just inside the gate of St. Anna and is where many people who live in Vatican city attend Mass. Santa Maria in Traspontina and Santo Spirito both on Via Conciliazione are worth a quick visit. They also might be interested in the musuem of the souls in Purgatory located in a small hallway in the church of Sacro Coure which is next to the Palace of Justice and south of the Ponte Cavour on the river. Very interesting "museum" which has items "marked" by souls in Purgatory trying to get the attention of their loved ones to pray for them.

missypie

Oooh, the Museum of Souls in Purgatory would be just up my son's alley (he's a Dante fanatic.)

risab

I go to Rome often with my daughter, now 17 (she will be studying in Italy this summer)...and she loves shopping around the Pantheon, the little streets west of P.Navona for interesting boutiques,& wondering around Trastevere, but her favorite shopping area is Cola di Rienzo.

Your kids will be right near Via Cola di Rienzo - we all love shopping here- the streets are wide and there are wonderful stores and it is much nicer than the Corso. Via Cola di Rienzo is parallel to Via Dei Gracchi.

As other posters said your kids can walk right across the river to Piazza del Popolo and head to the park or down Via Babuino to Piazza di Spagna. My daughter loves to rent the bikes (actually a surry) in Borghese and ride in the afternoon.

If your kids are with people not too familiar with Rome I recommend the Knopf Mapguide Rome book. It is laid out by neighborhoods and has great fold out maps that are easy to read -even under street lights. And the book easily fits in purse or pocket. When we were in Rome last Feb. my daughter and her friend used it when they were out and about.

vetralla

Guidebook writers tips:
-agree with Cola di Rienzo for shopping, gelato, forget about churches that afternoon but see if they can organize a visit to the Coliseum for the Good Friday stations of the cross.
-Check the DK Eyewitness guide to Rome
-nearby Via Dei Gracchi & Cola di Rienzo try Borgo Pio and via del Mascherino with several good, inexpensive souvenir shops for gifts to take home.
-for tips, articles on unique , weird museums and Awesome Italy articles written by students see elegantetruria website.

Vttraveler

Do you mean a church on the east or west side of the Tiber? As mentioned, Santa Maria del Popolo is a beautiful church full of great artwork. It is usually closed mid-day--might be open longer on Good Friday?
They could get to San Giovanni in Laterano and the famous Scala Santa (supposedly the steps that Christ climbed in Pontius Pilate's house) quite easily by metro--but I am not sure that would really appeal to teenagers. It would be much easier for them to walk over to the Piazza del Popolo/Ara Pacis, etc.

daveesl

Go over to Piazza del Popolo. Santa Maria del Popolo is fantastic. The obelisk is from Ramses II, about 3500 years old, taken by Augustus in 10 BC. Walk south from the Piazza, down Via del Corso about 5 blocks. Turn right on Via Vittoria to see Mausoleum of Augustus and the Ara Pacis. Corso has some cool shops.

After the Ara Pacis, walk down to the light, turn left onto Via Tomacelli (across from the Ponte Cavour). Follow this a couple of blocks to where it becomes Via dei Condotti. This is the Rodeo Drive of Rome. You want "shopping", this is shopping. It ends at the Spanish Steps. Almost at the end of Condotti, on the left side, you'll find Caffe Greco, the oldest coffee house in Rome. This is where Keats, Shelley, Faust, Hemmingway and Orson Wells all hung out.

If there is still time, from Spanish Steps, take the subway 1 stop towards Termini to the Berberini/Trevi stop. Exit to Via Veneto. Right next to the metro stop is the church of Santa Maria della Concezione, the home of the Capuchin Crypts.

Here is a link to a google map I made of central Rome...

http://maps.google.com/maps
/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=1132047890 56161928600.00043aeb13e3558c88892&ll=41.906876 ,
12.484503&spn=0.044906,0.080338&z=14&i wloc=00043aeb89ce6924dbcce

Have Fun,

dave

daveesl

Oops, sorry, I should have done the tinyURL on that one. Just copy it to your browser address bar and it will show up...

dave

daveesl

OK, never mind, here is the tinyURL...

http://tinyurl.com/ysab4y

dave