banoffi

hi, I'll be in Rome in December and staying near the Spanish Steps. I am travellnig with 2 children, aged 10 and 12 years.

Is the Villa Borghese worth going in winter? will there be bike rides, and hopefully, an ice skating rink? I am looking for a kids to 'chill out' after 2-3 consecutive days of sightseeing, and hoping this park might be fun for them.

Thanks!

letsgeaux

Yes. I don't know about the ice skating but it is a beautiful park to go to if the weather is nice. The museum is first rate. Reserve timed tickets in advance if the kids aren't museumed out. Best way to get there is to walk through the Spanish Steps metro station.

kybourbon

You can rent one of these.

http://www.ascolbike.com/

There are paddleboat rentals too, but I don't know if they are available that time of year.

There's also the zoo which is on the far side.

http://www.bioparco.it/

banoffi

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to try searching (maybe nearer Dec) to see if there are some ice skating rinks - although we are from the tropics, we love ice skating!

banoffi

anyone knows if Florence, Venice or Milan normally have ice skating rinks in Dec? Just thinking that Rome might be a little too warm in Early Dec (11 -15 degrees celcius?)

sandralist

All the major cities usually do them at Christmas but I don't know if the one in Rome will be open by Dec 11. However this news story seems to indicate that one was open as early as Dec 6 a few years ago

http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/canal..._11057742.html

(That particular rink is beyond the Villa Borghese. You can get a tram up there or take a taxi.)

Your hotel can probably help you identify the closest ones in Florence and Milan.