4 days in Rome-Italy

karimi

:beer: Me, my wife and my little son finally managed to save some money and matching our days off, so we are looking forward to spend 4 days in Rome-Italy. It is our first time being in Italy. Can anybody suggest any good family activities in Rome? Or anything which you thing is useful to know.
Cheers

dwarfer01

If you have a hire car make the trip to Anzio, it is a coastal town with a sandy beach and fishing port. Always busy in the summer and is very popular with Italian families.

dwarfer01

Remember, depending on what time of year you go Rome can get VERY hot. If you want to do the main sights they are best done on foot so you may want to stagger your days with sigtseeing and relaxing. There is a huge park/gardens (I forget whats its called) in the city on one of the hills which is fantastic for relaxing in the shade with a picnic. Also try the gelato sold nr the Colloseum, its the best I have ever had in Italy. All depends in a way on how old your son, my H and I spend 1 year there so while I can wax lyrical on the city itself I am not much held when it comes to travelling with children.

karimi

I am going there in the last week of July (if I can find a flight). I am not sure if I get a holiday pack or if I can find reasonable price accommodation myself. I wonder if I can save some money by doing that!?
Any thought?

dwarfer01

There is some great advice to be had on this site if you want to build your own holiday. My own experience is only of booking flights with BA (not the cheapest) which I coudnt fault, into Fiumicino (main airport). The budget airlines I think fly into Ciampino.

I recommend using the metro system to get to and around the city each day if you decide to go for accomodation outside of the centre (which I guess may be cheaper/better value)

I really hope you get yourself a good deal and you go to Rome. Its a truly amazing city. July will be quite warm and busy but its certainly do able, dont let that put you off. Let me know if I can help with more info.

kdee_2

Hi, how old is your son? Rome is a very very busy city and apart from the Park Bhorghesi ( which Dwarfer was referring to) there isn't a huge amount for children to do.
Rome is truly truly stunning but it is very touristy and geared around sigh seeing which can be often very boring for little ones.
Also, July won't just be watm, it will be very hot so bear that in mind too. We went this year first week in April and it was t-shirt weather even then.

Ciampino airport is well geared to connect you to Rome as there are buses waiting for every plane arrival which can take you to the main Termini train station.

Like every city, Rome has its pitfalls and pickpockets can be a real problem, so make sure you're not to preoccupied wth keeping your eyes on your little one that your wallet becomes an easy target.

https://www.virtualtourist.com has some great tips for travellers so check out that page.

We stayed in http://www.romeby.com/banchivecchi/ which was sensational. Less a B&B more a little apartment right in the centre. Would highly recommend this place.

Overall though, and not to put a damper on it for you (really that's not my intention) Rome with a little one in very hot weather might be one to save till they are a bit older.

karimi

Thanks for all your valuable tips. My son is 7. Now I am a bit worry if he could cope with hot weather and crazy streets. Do you know anywhere better in Italy?
I wonder if I can make this holiday happen with my limited budget, which is not more than £700 ?

loobs40

I agree with the earlier poster. We went in late May last year and it was scorching then. We walked everywhere as the centre is not that big, but it wouldn't be suitable for a child. We also spent lots of time at pavement cafes and the like just relaxing. We saw all the usual sites, like the Vatican, Borghese gallery, Colloseum and I know for certain my kids would have been bored witless if we had taken them. Their holiday is a week in Salou on the beach and at Port Aventura !

kdee_2

£700 is plenty for 4 days away, Rome might be better when he is a little older though. That said, if he is one of those kids who loves museums etc then go for it, I wouldn't want to put you off.
Italy is an amazing amazing country and it is so because of its past hence the huge amount of sight-seeing to do, so short of hitting the coast (usual style hotel package deal which £700 might stretch to) you might be struggling with a young boy.

Have you your heart set on Italy? How about Paris, then you could do Euro Disney? Or a camping site in France - lots and lots for children to do then