Hey folks,

We will be in Rome (4 days) in late July with our two boys (13 and 11) - I know, it's going to be hot but it was the only time we could go. I would like to try and find any "fun" activities such as festivials, biking down the Appian Way, touring the catacombs in addition to the Vatican and Forum/Colusseum tours. I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions. Many thanks.

Your boys might like touring the Cappuchin Crypt. My nephews,(13 & 16), were there last week. They thought it was "cool". It contains the bones of 4,000 monks dating from the 16thC. to 18- something. The bones are displayed everywhere - some made into designs. The crypt is located underneath the church Santa Maria della Concezione - 27 Via Veneto. You do not need a reservation and the admission required is a donation. Have fun!

Thanks RSTraverlers.....that's a great recommendation, I'll check it out!!!

My boys are 13 and 11 too. It is a great age to travel.

The last time we were in Rome, we went to the Colosseum on a Sunday. The road leading to it was closed to traffic, so we walked down it. There were street entertainers and people selling things. It was a nice day, which we all enjoyed.

We also saw a small cheesy movie. It is called "The Time Elevator". There is a web site. It is similar to a motion ride at Disney, only smaller, and shows a short movie on the history of Rome. We saw it on our arrival day, when we were too tired to do anything else. Everyone had headphones to hear the movie in their language. As I said, it was cheesy, but we enjoyed it and it explained a little bit of what we were about to see around Rome.

I hope your kids love Rome. It is my 13 year old's favorite place and he keeps asking to go back.

thanks Travelgirl, I have seen the ads for that movies on some websited and was wondering if anyone had been there. We usually do "cheesy" stuff like that when we visit others places..we saw the same type of move in the Empire State Building and in Montreal...

Here is a link to Grinisa's "Thrills and Chills in the Eternal City". http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/rome/chills_thrills.htm.

She posts on here and SlowTravel.com. We used this info. as our guide through Rome with our kids last March. In addition to the Cappuchin Crypt already mentioned, we went to several of the churches she talks about and the Mammertime Prison, catacombs, San Clemente and Museo Criminologico. We enjoyed it all but top three from her list were Cappuchin crypt, catacombs and Museo Criminologico.

One tip, if you want to go to other churches as well as the Capucchin Crypt, do the other churches first. Once your kids have seen the crypt seeing just one head or body in a church is not that exciting (we learned this the hard way!!)

I haven't researched it yet, but there is a bicycle tour

http://www.enjoyrome.com/walking/bike.html

My 12 and 14yo (me too!) really enjoyed the bike tour we did in Paris last year and would definitely consider doing one in Rome but I would need to find out the route, and how safe it might be...

Also there is a tethered balloon in the Borghese Gardens which looks as though it might be good fun.

http://www.initaly.com/regions/latium/hotair.htm

And this website may be of help too

http://www.initaly.com/regions/kids/kid2.htm

http://www.initaly.com/regions/kids/kidintro.htm

Have a great trip! And please post back about the bike tour if you do it!

Thanks jgg and julia -- I saw the Hot air ballon ride and also thought that looked pretty neat...I've sent an email to the enjoyrome regarding their bike tours. Like you, a major concern is safety given the reputation (maybe unfairly) of Italian drivers!! The Cappuchin Crypt looked creepy to my husband and I but the boys thought it look awesome!! What a surprise.

Thanks again for the suggestions.