sher11

We arrive in Rome for 3 1/2 before our organized tour of (1. Rome incl. the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi fountain, Circus Maximus,2. Orvieto and Florence, 3. Venice.)

What should we do with our 3 days prior to the tour. Also, what is the best way from the airport to downtown Rome. Should we consider a car or can we get around on our own?
Thanks

sher11

I forgot to mention that we have 3 children 16 is the oldest 9 is the youngest.

sandi_travelnut

A lot of people hire a limo service that they seem happy with. That might be the most comfotable with the kids and luggage. Do a search here for information, or someone will post their web address.

Regarding other things to do...are you asking about thing in Rome or more like side trips? I would recommend getting a good guidebook and clicking on "Destinations" at the top of this page to get other suggestion on great things to see and do.

sher11

Yes, I mean in Rome. What should we see that our tour doesn't cover or is there something else nearby that is worth seeing?

Eloise

There are thousands of things to see and do in Rome, more than enough to fill your 3 1/2 days.

But I agree with SandiTravelnut: Click on Destinations above, navigate to Rome, and look at the suggestions there, as a start.

Lily

Sidetrip to Pompeii would be very interesting for the kids as well as the adults. Also we loved the Borghese Museum. It's in a lovely park and when we were there in May there was a tethered ballon ride which the kids would probably enjoy.

sharkmom

You absolutely do not want to drive in Rome. The streets are narrow, difficult to find and have lots of one-way directions. We used a private driver to take us from the airport directly to our hotel. It was about the same price as a cab and worked out very well, especially given the fact that you are a group and will have a fair amount of luggage. Also, it is very easy to get ripped off by one of the rogue cabs (this happened to some friends of mine who ending up paying 100E to get into Rome from the airport. i booked the service at [email protected]. It cost 45 Euro.

tuscanlifeedit

It's pretty easy to get ripped off in Rome by the real cabs, too. ;-)

It would be hard to say what you should see that isn't on your tour, without knowing what is on the tour.

Some things that I enjoy that may not be on your tour have already been mentioned, such as the Galleria Borghese and the Villa Borghese park. Both are wonderful.

The Terme de Caracalla is a wonderful experience, especially if the weather is nice.

There are lists and lists of great churches to visit in Rome: you might want to show the kids pictures of some of the great art that is inside Rome churches, and ask them to pick a few.

The morning market at Campo di Fiori is great.

There are just so many things. Do some reading, and run ideas by your family. Maybe make a list of all that you want to see, cross off what's on your tour, then there you go!

wliwl

Yeah, I was wondering what was on the tour too. Is this like a bus tour thing?

Rome is small. You are likely to have your most enjoyable time there not on an organized tour.

Anyway, let us know about the tour.

sher11

In Rome our tour only covers a day at the Vatican and a trip to the Colosseum, Trevi fountain and Circus Maximus then we are off to Florence. Since we will be on a fairly organized tour for the rest of the trip--I'd like a it a little low key. People have scared me off of roaming the streets of Rome, so to speak. I have heard that pickpockets, gypsy's, and thieves are rampant on the Rome streets. How much is true and how much is exaggerated?

emnyc

I wouldn't worry about thieves, gypsies, etc., overly much. Don't carry more cash than you need to, consider using a hidden pocket for your credit card and passport, and be aware of your bag, but I didn't feel at all unsafe or threatened in Rome. (I got shortchanged a few Euros once when I bought a piece of pizza, but that was really my own fault for being too shy to protest; no other problems at all.) Indeed, if you are just wandering the streets instead of thronging in a major tourist area, I imagine you are less likely to have your pocket picked. I know the only time I am especially nervous about keeping an eye on my bag here in New York is when I am in Time Square or some similarly tourist-rich and crowded area.

emnyc

Times Square, that is.

risab

Walk everywhere...Go to Piazza Navonna in the evening and the Pantheon. A great restaurant nearby is Orso 80 on Via del'Orso. Order the antipasti- they bring all types of wonderful foods to your table-you're kids should love it. Eat a gelato each day. Walk down Via Cestari along the Pantheon to Piazza Argentina to see the cats that live among the Roman ruins. Also, they may like the outdoor market in the Campo Dei Fiori then you can wonder over the bridge to Trastevere or walk through the Ghetto. My daughter loves the Borghese Gardens. You can rent these bikes and ride through the park. Another cool place that kids tend to like is the Capucine Church on Via Veneto that is decorated with bones and skulls- very erie. You can walk up Via Veneto and enter the Borghese Gardens- this is a good way to go if you decide to go to the Borghese Gallery- a good small museum with an excellent collection of paintings and sculptures. A bit easier on kids than the Vatican Museum -but you need reservations. A few blocks behind the Colosseum is a church called San Clemente- it spans the 17 centuries. It is another interesting site that your kids might like. Also near the Colessum is San Pietro in Vincoli- your kids can see Michelanglo's Moses and there usually isn't a crowd. Of course, your last night- (or your first night)- you must go to the Trevi Fountain and toss your coins in. Now, whatever you do- do not rent a car in Rome. Take a cab or reserve a limo from the airport, as previously suggested, but Rome is not a city to drive in. I only walk in Rome...even if it means walking far. Lastly, do not be afraid of walking the street in Rome even at night. Your're gypsy and theives concerns are way over blown...yes you may see one or two along your way but if you do just give them a good dirty look- like the evil eye. Use common sense like you would in any large city. I have been to Rome a lot and went last year with just my teenage daughter and myself. We walked all over in the evening. If you don't walk in Rome and experience "la dolce vita" on "la strada (street)" you will not have experienced Rome because much of the life of Rome is on the street. Relax and you will have an amazing time. It is my favorite place.

wliwl

sher:
With even just a little common sense you will have NO TROUBLE at all with pickpockets, gypsies, or thieves. Yes, it is exagerated.

Rome is wonderful. Visit all the interesting churches (I mean you HAVE to see Michelangelo's 'Moses', don't you?). Walk to Camp de Fiori in the morning for the market. And what about Piazza Navona, or the Pantheon? Just walking around looking at the beautiful buildings is fabulous. Sit at a cafe and watch the world go by.

Frankly, the scariest thing I saw in Rome (besides the motorscooters) were the miserable looking bus tour participants. They had this death march mode about them.

Amart

Don't be afraid of the streets! We carried day packs (small back packs) with locks on the pockets with money, passports, etc. and a "necklace" of keys--combination locks would have been ok too. It was wonderful to not worry about theft/pickpockets on the street/bus/metro throughout Europe. And when riding the train and dozing, we took a lock with a thin steel cable and secured all of our packs on the racks above us. Again, no worries and our trip was probably more fun.