Trip to rome in Feb, 2005
 

My 13 year old daughter will be spending 5 full days in Rome in Feb, 2005. Because of lack of time, I have not researched anything about Rome. Any suggestions? What are "must sees"? Is transportation around the city easy and safe? Any info would be appreciated!

Oops, My 13 year old and I will be going to Rome.

you don't say where you are staying..hopefully it is in the area around the pantheon and piazza navona~~ you can literally walk anywhere you would want to go.
get a few good guide books..Eyewitness Guide to Rome...Rome in Detail (pub. by Rizzoli with International Herald)..
Let your daughter look through the Eyewitness guide and choose some of the things she'd like to see..
Ask questions here and on other travel boards..particularly about taking children..We've taken a grandaughter and she loved it..
so will your daughter with some planning on your part..
enjoy..this is the fun part!

Dsmithberg,
First, your question about Rome transport. The metro is easy enough to figure out, but there are only two lines. So, it isn't exactly extensive. The busses reach a much broader area of the city but remain an enigma to me! But, the bottom line is you can reach almost all the major tourist destinations on the metro. Plus, there isn't anything like walking a city to really get a feel for it! Be careful, as pickpockets are NOTORIOUS on the metro, as they become almost unbelievably crowded. Keep your heads about you and be constantly aware of your belongings and you'll be fine.

As for must sees, I'm sure you know the drill, but I'll give you my opinion...in no particular order.
*Vatican City, particularly St Peter's--DO NOT MISS IT! The Sistine Chapel is impressive enough, but probably won't live up to expectations.
*The Forum. Do take a guided tour, it makes a lot more sense, as the pile of rocks don't seem like much to the naked eye.
*The Colisseum. Going in is optional, in my opinion. Seeing the outside is most impressive.
*The Church of St Peter in Chains. Has a spectacular sculpture of Moses by Michealangelo and the chains used to imprison St Peter.
*The Pantheon. Incredible.
*The Spanish steps, which are beautiful and are also just steps away from Rome's exclusive shopping district. Be ready to queue up if you want to get into Prada or Gucci!
*Trevi Fountain--throw in a coin!
I could go on, but there's a sampling. You really can't go wrong, I don't think. Be sure to follow the strict rule of at least two scoops of gelato a day, and you'll be fine!

Hi d,
>...I have not researched anything about Rome. Any suggestions?<

You might find the miniguide to Rome at www.fodors.com useful.

Pick-up a 'Roma Metro-Bus' map at a newstand.
It has an easy to follow map showing the major bus lines. The metro is only good if you are staying near a station or going from 1 site to another that are both near stations.
Perhaps take a daytrip on one of your days, Tivoli/Hadrain's Villa, Ostia Antica, etc.
Regards, Walter

Hadrian's Villa was one of my favorite places while in Rome. It's out of the hustle and bustle, the setting is beautiful and there is enough of it left to imagine it in it's "salad days". They have a mock up of what it looked like in it's glory. My brother and I were both thinking of Mel Brooks..."Tis good to be the king".

I too will be in Rome in Feb. with my 14 yr old daughter.I'm taking the Angels and Demons tour and on Slowtravel .com there is a "thrills and chills posting -the dark side of Rome.
Please post if you have had suggestions other than previous posts. Thanks