{"id":11342,"date":"2015-03-07T09:36:47","date_gmt":"2015-03-07T09:36:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=11342"},"modified":"2015-09-23T14:14:25","modified_gmt":"2015-09-23T14:14:25","slug":"twelve-tips-for-visiting-rome-with-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/twelve-tips-for-visiting-rome-with-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Twelve Tips for Visiting Rome with Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Rome\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I can’t believe our first visit to Rome was a year ago already. \u00a0 \u00a0I am studying the calendar as we speak to work out when we can next visit but in the meantime I thought some people might appreciate this rehashed version of a post I wrote for BritMums<\/a> straight after our visit last year…<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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1. The Colosseum<\/a><\/strong>. No visit to Rome would be complete without seeing the inside of this! \u00a0 Your mini-gladiators will love galloping up and down each level, and learning about all of its 2000 year old gory history! \u00a0Hire an audio phone to find out exactly what it is you are looking at whilst you are wandering, or go on a tour with an Arena Guide (incidentally the only way you get to see the very top and bottom levels!). \u00a0There are plenty of students waiting outside who will happily show you around for a small fee too. \u00a0 Be\u00a0sure to set aside at least half a day to explore (see point 7 for ticket info!)!<\/p>\n

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2. Explora<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 If the weather’s not up to much and you need to find something to keep your small charges happy \u2013\u00a0head to Explora<\/a>\u00a0(it’s imperative you pre-book a time slot first)! \u00a0This great interactive Children\u2019s Museum covers everything from technology\u00a0to the environment. \u00a0 Here children can be\u00a0firemen (and women) in the water play area, practice their skills as a bank manager, co-ordinate a supermarket, or just hang out in the garden \u2013 once the sun’s out perhaps?<\/p>\n

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3. Villa Borghese<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Rome\u2019s enormous green lung is a fantastic place to unwind after city sightseeing, plus the zoo is a close neighbour if that’s your cup of tea! \u00a0Additionally \u00a0the gardens host many a puppet show, and there\u2019s also some slightly more grown up theatre to be found in the shape of a replica Shakespearian Globe theatre. \u00a0Still got energy to burn? \u00a0The gardens have great bikes (motorised and unmotorised) for hire, some of which the entire family can pedal at the same time!<\/p>\n

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4. Underground Rome<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 How about a trip deep under the city to learn about Rome\u2019s bygone eras and say hello to some ancient former residents (quite literally)? \u00a0These fascinating tours are a must for those wanting to do something completely different AND educational at the same time (probably best for the 8+ age group!), \u00a0If you are lucky, you may well be shown around by a real archaeologist \u00a0as we were \u2013 a true Roman who knows her city inside out, so you will leave with plenty of great local tips too (you can read about our experience here<\/a>)!<\/p>\n

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5. Pizza\u2026<\/strong>\u00a0 I promise you won\u2019t be disappointed with the pizzas in Rome, freshly baked (often in front of you!) with beautiful seasonal toppings. We particularly loved Da Francesco<\/a> for great authentic pizza without a stuffed crust in sight! \u00a0 Pizzarium and Da Remo also get amazing reviews.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0<\/strong>Ice cream<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 The gelato here is some of the best in the world, and it also comes in handy for small children (or husband) travel blackmail purposes\u2026 \u00a0Our particular favourite is Grom, of which there are a few branches around the city \u2013 but you won\u2019t have to look too far to find decent gelato all around Rome\u2026<\/p>\n

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7. The Forum<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 not only is\u00a0The Forum<\/a>\u00a0rich in Roman history, but it\u2019s a stunning place to spend a few hours. \u00a0 The entrance opposite the Colosseum is quiet, and your ticket will also gain you entrance to the Palatine Hill Gardens and The Colosseum itself. \u00a0 Step back in time\u00a0and admire the ancient pillars, temples and buildings \u2013 \u00a0the stomping ground of Emperors past\u2026 Seek shade amongst the ruins whilst you take it all in, and keep an eye out for today\u2019s residents \u2013\u00a0brightly coloured scuttling lizards\u00a0<\/a>that live amongst the stones\u2026<\/p>\n

8. \u00a0A City Sight-Seeing Bus<\/strong>. \u00a0 Not that original perhaps, but Rome is huge, and it can be quite overwhelming for small people. \u00a0 Take the weight off (especially on a hot day), climb to the top deck and admire a few of the sights that you might not get to see otherwise\u2026<\/p>\n

9. Visit La Bocca Della Verita<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 the Mouth of Truth can be found at the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. \u00a0The legend surrounding this ancient \u201clie detector test\u201d purports that if someone really is telling the truth they can safely put their hand into the statues mouth. However, if they are telling a lie, they could well lose a limb! \u00a0 Who dares?!\u2026<\/p>\n

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10. The Trevi Fountain<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u00a0 The Trevi Fountain is currently undergoing a bit of a facelift, and the chances are that if you are visiting before July it may well still be behind scaffolding, but if you are travelling later in the year, do get yourself down to one of Rome’s most famous landmarks<\/a> super early to avoid the crowds super early to avoid the crowds (early isn’t usually a problem when visiting Rome with kids anyway) \u2013 that way you can have Triton\u2019s glorious horses all to yourself! \u00a0 Stand with your back to the fountain, and chuck a coin in over your left shoulder to ensure that you will one day return to this fabulous city (often safer at this time of day with children too I find, some of our coins were accidentally chucked anywhere but\u2026).<\/p>\n

If I were you, I would save your money though, the chances are high that you will want to return one day anyway!\u2026<\/p>\n

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