Rome in late august with kids?
 

I have heard horror stories about Rome.
Any suggestions?

Yes Rome is a horrific place. Stay home.

What horror stories? Rome is one of the top visited cities in Europe no matter what time of the year it is-however,I must caution you that it is extremely hot in August. I travel there every week for work and the past few times it is too hot to even drink wine!!! Make sure that your hotel has air conditioning and do all your sightseeing in the earlier part of the day.

dutyfree is totally right. I've been in Rome twice during August with my kids and it is BOILING hot. The most important thing I can say is to echo dutyfree's excellent advice and suggest that you make sure to get a hotel with very good air conditioning so that you can take breaks inbetween sightseeing and get some sleep at night. I don't know what your budget is, but I happen to know that the ALBERGO DEL SENATO which is on the Rotunda della Pantheon ( very central to most of ancient Rome as well as Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona) has excellent AC and some accomodations which would work for a family.

Rome is a huge and very busy city. What kind of "horror stories" have you heard? And from who have you heard them? (Point being people who have spent time in Rome themselves, or are just passing on urban legend?)

Pam-that's a silly, provocative statement. If it was so horrible, why is it that T and L magazine readers have voted Rome the no. 1 city in the world, followed by Florence at no. 2? Must not be too horrible, right? Given that it has been playing host to tourists from around the world for hundreds of years now?

And as far as the heat goes, it might behoove one to do some checking on the 6-10 day extended weather outlook for Rome-highs of 78-86 and lows of 65, completely sunny skies.

Now, if that's not perfect weather, I don't know what is.

Venice, on the other hand, is having highs of 75-83 and lows of 60! A little too chilly for my tastes,-I'm hoping for a warm-up!

And as far as late August goes, the city of Rome is pretty much deserted, except for the tourists.

Matt, I like your response.

Well, I've been to Rome in late August, with a child. Yes, it was hot, but not as hot as it's been in Chicago the last few weeks. We did as others said above - we got a hotel with good AC, took frequent gelato breaks, planned our oudoor time a bit...and we had a fabulous time. I can't imagine Rome being a 'horror' at any time of the year.

Pam, Last year my wife and I with our 3 kids, then 3, 6 and 8 did Rome and LOVED it! We also did Florence, Siena, Sorrento, Pompeii, etc. Yes, it was toasty warm, but nothing a little gelato won't cure. Also, the trick is to have a siesta at mid-day or go to an a/c restaurant during that time. Plan to go out about 4 or 5 and stay out late. Rome has a great amusement park (forget the name) on the outskirts, Asti or something like that. We went there around 8 p.m. and stayed til midnite and the kids still remember it as their favorite part of Rome. But, note, getting taxis there is easy but not so easy getting one home. If you can arrange a car service home, it would we worth it. People were nice and helped us out at the watermelon stand outside the gate, open til at least one a.m. that night.

Like someone above, we stayed next to the Pantheon and it was a great, central location.

Cheers

I remembered the name: Luna Park.

Also, the park at the Villa Borghese (again, going from memory) has bicycles to rent, some rides and games for kids, and great views over Rome and the Vatican.

The crypts had morbid attraction for the kids. We asked if they wanted to see real skeletons and they were entralled that entire excursion (even though the crypt we visited did not have any).

Have fun.

Spygirl - a bit of an attack! I was stating that I had heard stories, of cabs overcharging, holding onto luggage until this visitor paid an extra 50euros. Too busy for kids, not being able to get dinner for kids at a normal hour. Pick pocketing. Never been
so just looking for information to the contrary. I want to go but my husband is hesitant.

Pamintaly, may I ask what wonderful place you are from?

Pam, just a little friendly advice: a general statement such as yours describing any world-class city as a horror is bound to make folks think that 1)you haven't done a lot of homework on the place, and 2)you might be someone who over-reacts to 1 or 2 stories.

You would probably get less vitriolic reponses if you actually stated your specific concerns as you did in your later post.

Suki - didn't refer to the city as a horror, said I had heard horrific stories. Am I the only one?
Matt - if you can't be useful don't bother.

Pam, we took our older kids (14 & 17)to Italy, including Rome in March. We would eat a late lunch and then have dinner between 7:30 and 8:30. At 7:30, you are usually alone in the restaurant. This is true in many European cities.

We did not have any problems with cab drivers. We did book Limoservice Rome from the airport to the hotel and I would encourage you to do that.It is very nice to have someone waiting for you when you arrive and the driver will point out some sights as you travel along. With 4 people, the price difference compared to a cab is negligible.

As for pickpockets, as everyone always says on Fodor's, you are going to a big city. Take reasonable precautions and you should be fine. We had no problems at all while we were there.

We also took our older kids (15 and 18) to Rome in June. We had nothing but positive experiences there. You just have to have a little more of an open mind about traveling perhaps. For instance your "normal" dinner time is not "normal" for everyone. Also, very few people who travel in large cities are expecting a swimming pool at the hotel (previous post). Security (i.e. pickpockets etc.) requires the same care in Rome as you'd take in any large city, or, for that matter, anyplace you're a tourist.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again though, I am NEVER sorry that we didn't take our kids to Europe when they were younger! To me the thought of dragging young kids around, who usually do not enjoy long, often expensive meals with different foods, people watching, museums, drinking espresso at a cafe, or walking aimlessly around...well, I just can't imagine enjoying it. But maybe some people might(?).

wliwl raises a good point; traveling with kids is different. But, I for one wouldn't ever want to leave them home. Over the past 8 years since my eldest was born, I've taken them to about 15 countries and loved every minute. I admit, the one trip my wife and I took alone to Belize was amazing and wonderful. But so were all the other ones with 1, then 2 and now 3 kids.

bermudacalling:
Actually, I don't advocate leaving them home (on a regular basis anyway). Unless you have endless funds for travel, I'd just advocate doing something simpler, that's all. Usually kids like that better anyway! Camping, or a place on the beach, or on a lake with other kids around. Anyway - I'm off topic here. Sorry.

wliwl - You have lots of good points Wliwl!

I guess I was just trying to reassure PaminItlay that if you like to travel with kids, like I do, it is doable. I've only had a couple times when it was stressful (like trying to catch a cab at 11 p.m. from Pireus to Athens after ferrying back from Crete -- Taxi drivers in Athens don't like to pick up families because they normally pick up several singles and charge each full fare). Rome I found very doable with 3 young kids, in August, staying at budget apartments.

Cheers.

Pam - In looking back at some of your questions, I do recall having long waits for dinner, especially in florence. But, we booked apartments with kitchenettes and had most dinners at home. Just went out for gelatto and snacks.

Again, in Florence, not Rome, at the train station a "pick pocket" stole my wife's "spare" purse (she keeps the important stuff in a money-belt type thing in her pants, as do I). But, we were almost asking for it because while I trekked around florence trying to locate our apartment, she was sheparding the 3 kids at the station with a pile of luggage. Not good to hang around the station with a lot of luggage; must be vigilant.

Never had the problem with taxis of overcharging and holding luggage hostage. I always try to agree an estimated (or fixed if possible) fare up front. Maybe there was a miscommunication as to how much that person's ride would cost.

On the flight to Rome my son had something happen to his ear. Drum began bleeding our first day. Everyone we asked for help was really helpful, from the people helping me find the all night farmecia our first night at midnight, to the taxi driver locating and taking us to the Bambini Hospital, where they treated him for free (and I think it was a sunday!). His ear and hearing are now fine. But, I have nothing but good feelings about Rome with kids.