Rome for the Young

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f all the cities of the world, Rome holds more interest for most young folks than any other. We've found little difference between Rome for the young and Rome for adults. There's so much to enjoy in Rome.

Wherever you go in your travels, be sure and involve the kids in the planning. They're not often bored touring -- if what they're seeing is something they chose and about which they have learned something beforehand. You'll find some notes on this at Traveling With Children.

At ages ranging from 10 to 17, boys and girls, here's what our youngsters found most appealing from several visits:

St. Peter's Basilica

any churches will bore many people, but few are likely to be bored by this spectacular church. The interior is overwhelming in size and glowing decoration. As well, there's the rooftop, the view of the interior from the inside of the drum of the dome and the elation from ascending the inside of the dome to the lantern atop the church with the stunning view of the Vatican Gardens and the city skyline. Skip the elevator ride back down from the roof and count the number of steps in the staircases. And don't forget the grottoes beneath the floor of the church with the Papal tombs.

If your children are older and you're able, reserve a tour through the Vatican Necropolis ... it's a very special treat for all but the very young, though age 16 is the minimum age permitted on the tour. Frankly, if your kids are a bit younger than that, look 16 and are mature (and well-behaved) we'd recommend fudging a bit as the experience is so special.

Roman Forum and Palatine

he heart of the city for a thousand years with enough remains to conjure images of emperors, Anthony's oration at Caesar's funeral, Vestal Virgins and rumbling chariots. Snapshots taken of each other while standing behind headless statues of the Vestals are mandatory. Recommended for everyone: a romantic bird's-eye view of the Forum in the dark from atop the Capitoline Hill at the Southeast corner at the rear of the Palazzo Senatoro.

Vatican Museums

verwhelmingly large for most, even the easily bored enjoy a quick visit covering the highlights, especially the outrageously gorgeous frescos of the Sistine Chapel. You could spend days visiting the museums, but you can 'do' the highlights in less than an hour. {Probably not with a busload of youngsters!) (Do be prepared to stand in line to gain entry, though.)

Italian Food

s good a reason to enjoy Rome as any of the sights. Pasta, pizza and (alas) the world's second largest MacDonald's. You'll find some thoughts in Roman Food about keeping them nourished and happy while away from home.

Colosseum

spectacular eyeful. If you know any Roman history (factual or fictional) colorful images of staged naval battles, battered gladiators and ferocious wild beasts springing from their cages will leap to mind.

Castel San Angelo (Hadrian's Tomb)

n Imperial Roman tomb; medieval fortress; the Archangel Michael sheathing his sword signaling end of the plague; a Papal refuge from war. Fifteen hundred years of active history in one place.

Santa Maria delle Concezione

he home church of the Capuchin monks at the foot of the via Veneto. Running out of space in the cellar to bury further monks, some creative soul devised the idea of a series of chapels decorated with the bones of predecessors. Julie and the kids can never remember the church name, referring to it as the "Church of the Skulls." Often referred to as the Capuchin Crypt. Fascinating rather than gruesome.

Ostia Antica

he port city of ancient Rome at the mouth of the Tiber. Unoccupied for over 1500 years, its preservation gives a far better idea of the look of an ancient Roman city than Rome itself. Only a half hour trip from the center of Rome, and providing the opportunity to experience the Rome subway (Metropolitana) and an Italian train. Pompeii is somewhat better preserved, but a *very* long day trip for youngsters (or oldsters.) Among other diversions for children, lots of ruins to climb in, under, around and over, and, if you can find them, one or two ancient communal, marble, latrines. (Not for present-day use, by the way!) Kids will love the open spaces, the smell of salt air, and you'll all enjoy the picnic you acquire for the occasion.

Museum of Roman Civilization
(Museo Civilta Romana)

ocated at EUR (in the southern sector of the city), this museum will fascinate most with displays of Roman weapons, armor and engineering. Most appealing, and worth the short subway ride by itself, the 'plastico', a huge scale model of Rome as it appeared in the second century, viewed from a balcony on the floor above. You'll identify many existing streets and monuments and buildings. Much has changed in nearly 2,000 years, yet much is the same.

Catacombs

ither eerily creepy or fascinating (or both) for most. Not at all frightening for most kids.

Buses and Subways

nless you live in a large city, riding the city's buses and subways is likely to be fun for most.

Trevi Fountain

ot the best fountain artistically, but quite dramatic, with the opportunity for young and old alike to toss in a coin assuring a return to the Eternal City.

Caution - Handle With Care

iewing Rome is complex. The city is not conveniently divided into ancient, medieval, renaissance and modern areas; layers rest on layers, and buildings separated by millennia sit side-by-side. It is difficult for most youngsters (and adults) to understand this on first exposure.

Without at least some understanding they quickly will become bored. A little (enjoyable) study beforehand pays big dividends. If they're young they'll depend on you to study ahead and interpret for them. If they're old enough to read give them the opportunity to become your tour guide.

Whatever age, make the visit theirs, at least in part. Don't just drag them where you (or helpful Internetters) want them to go. Get them involved in planning what the family will do.

Youngsters may find interesting:
Kids in Ancient Rome. The link will take you to Amazon.com where you can order the book.

There are several excellent books about the city's history. Rome - The Biography of a City provides the best, most readable coverage we've seen. Companion Guide to Rome is our favorite extended walking tour source. Parts of Rick Steves' readable Europe 101 provide a good background for a visit to Rome. Mona Winks sketches 'tours' of several sites in Rome including the Vatican Museums and Roman Forum/Palatine; useful as pre-visit preparation as well as while you're strolling. You'll find other books recommended at on our reference resource page, along with many links to other websites.

And of course our pages have some excellent coverage of the city's sights.

ll the above assumes your kids constantly are as interested in Rome as Ed and Julie. Don't throw it all at them in one day. Strive though they may, youngsters' interest in art, architecture and history will flag from time to time. Be sure and provide breaks from sightseeing and history lessons. They will remember Caesars, popes and building styles better if their minds aren't constantly in gear.

he Villa Borghese (at the top of the via Veneto) provides a couple of opportunities for diversion. It's a large park and there is ample space to run, jump, crawl and shout. As well, you'll find a zoo there. Not world class, it is equal to most in the US below the top half-dozen or so. Even Ed and Julie, ever intent on soaking up as much of Rome's history and aura as possible, have enjoyed our time spent contemplating the baboons grooming one another.

Finally, for the summer only, The Miracle Players, an English-language multi-national group of Rome residents stage an outdoor production. In 2001 it was The History of Rome (The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire). 1200 years of history in 40 minutes ... 30 years per minute! Performances on Friday evenings from early June to early August. More information at the Miracle Players website.

Economizing

or most of us, traveling with children in Europe, or anywhere, poses some cost problems. This is easily overcome in some places, as for example Switzerland. We've found few cost shortcuts in Rome.

he one plus is that there are more multiple-occupant rooms in Rome (triples, quads) than in many other cities in Europe. Described by some as similar to camping out, it's nonetheless one way to cut costs.

Do not expect to squeeze four into most "doubles" as you can often do in the US. European hotels rooms tend to be quite small, and the common practice on the Continent is to charge by number of occupants. Most rooms for two are too small for three, though you can do it in some -- but expect to pay for three. (Often at a relatively small add on, but not for free.)

Four in the standard Italian hotel room for two is pretty close to impossible. Most hotels won't even let you put two adults and three kids into a quad; sometimes having the littlest one protest, "But I want to stay with Suzie and Mommy and Daddy" will work.

eals will be tough as well. MacDonald's is not a budget alternative. Pasta and salads are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Groceries are sometimes hard to find (but they're all over the place) and their hours somewhat peculiar to Americans, but they have fresh and plentiful goods. You can picnic easily, both al fresco for lunch and back in the room for dinner.

ome, sadly, has become increasingly expensive. It's worth it, if you have the money, but it is costly, and more so for families. But it's a great destination for youngsters in our experience. It's worth the effort to seek inexpensive hotels, of which there are many, eat picnic lunches and otherwise go a bit more on a shoestring than you'd normally like for the sake of the experience.

If, after working at it, you're still having trouble shoehorning your contemplated trip to Rome into your budget, consider another destination. If a foreign vacation that kids will love is your goal, then consider Switzerland.

witzerland, inaccurately considered by many to be expensive, is generally far less expensive than Rome. With a little insight you can make a family trip to Switzerland quite affordable. And it's a destination kids will love! We have some recommendations for places to visit and ways to make family trips affordable that you'll find helpful.