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At_His_Feet
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| Posted: March 22 2013 at 4:02pm | IP Logged
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I am taking up guitarnan's suggestion of starting a new thread about Rome. Myself and ds 13 are making a pilgrimage to France and Rome. Unfortunately however, we can only stay in Rome for 2 or 3 nights. I don't want to be away from the rest of the family for more than 2 weeks hence the short stay. The first week of our trip we will be visiting a friend in London.
So what should we do while on Rome? My thoughts were that we would only be able to see the Bascillicas, and a few of the usual tourist places.
With thanks,
Tricia
(in Australia)
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Tricia
Mum to 3 boys 17, 15, and 10.
Do whatever He tells you
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guitarnan
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| Posted: March 22 2013 at 7:45pm | IP Logged
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We have taken many friends to Rome for day/weekend visits.
We always, always plan one whole day for Vatican Museums/St. Peter's. You can book Vatican Museums tix online (do not worry when you get the error message about credit card payments...I emailed the Museums about this and they say you can reserve your tickets on line and pay when you get there). No shorts, sleeveless tops or short skirts (but you knew that!)
We also plan a day for Forum/Colosseum/Pantheon. Lines for the Forum and Colosseum are long but it is SO worth it. (Plus, the Colosseum has significance in Catholic history.) The Pantheon is an amazing building, now consecrated as a church, and it represents the best of ancient Roman architecture.
You could use a 3rd day for other basilicas - St. John Lateran and Santa Maria Maggiore are my top recommendations because they are easy to get to and so very important to our Popes and to the Catholic faithful. It would be hard to see all the major basilicas in a day, I think, because of their locations and the need you'll feel to linger in each one...but you could try to see at least these two and perhaps more if you feel energetic. (You might - you'll be accustomed to the time zone by the time you arrive.)
Given your travel plans, that is how I would spend my time if I were you. You could plan a walk past the Trevi Fountain and/or Spanish Steps so you have the chance to see them (Spanish Steps are just outside the Spagna Metro station).
Fun extras that are easy to work in:
Gelato! Every single day!
Eating outside - we like the place at Via della Maddalena 16, 17, 18, 19 (Pummarola Drink, near the Pantheon), but don't order their special antipasto plate unless you want to make it your meal, because it is very expensive. Menu items are reasonable, though.
People watching. Remember that if you take photos of fake gladiators, they will expect a tip.
Window shopping. The shops on Via del Corso and around the Spanish Steps have nice window displays.
Things to remember:
Italians have no personal space bubble. They shove their way onto Metro cars, buses, etc. It's normal there.
There are pickpockets in Rome (and France, particularly in/near Notre Dame in Paris). Get a money belt or pouch and use it. (PM me for more tips...another article I wrote...)
Restaurants in Italy routinely charge for "bread and cover" - it's about 2 or 3 Euros per person. This is a legitimate charge and will appear on your check, even if you don't eat/want bread. Just pay it. You don't have to tip as much as you do in the USA, so it evens out.
Check the addition on your restaurant bill. 99% of Italian waiters are honest, but the only times I've questioned my bill, it's been in tourist cities like Rome.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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SallyT
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| Posted: March 22 2013 at 9:12pm | IP Logged
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My 19-year-old, who's been living just outside Rome this semester, likes to go into the city for the Angelus with the Pope in St. Peter's Square on Sunday evenings. Now, with the new Pope, it'll probably be packed! But on the Sunday before Pope Benedict announced his resignation, she said there was hardly anyone there, and it felt very intimate. Or you might try to make an audience -- here's a link to a site called Catholic Traveler which will provide information about the Holy Father's calendar as it's available. And here is information about reserving tickets for papal events, if it turns out that you'll have time at the right time.
She (eta: my daughter, that is. Unclear antecedent to that pronoun) also says there's a pizza place near St. Peter's called "Habemus Pizza!" I don't know how particularly good it is, but it's where she and her friends went the night that Pope Francis was elected, and it was fun. Would be fun to take a picture of the sign, anyway!
Sally
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Castle in the Sea
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Rome with teens
