2.5 days in Rome - Dec 16/17/18

Hi,

Not knowing anyone's interests, perhaps start out viewing some videos to get ideas. Then, customize your own itinerary. Prefer Churches? Art? Parks? History? Food?

Rome Italy travel guide - Good explanation and tips for first-time visitors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2VcEkPaeF4

https://www.rome.net/two-days-in-rome

Above is their sample two-day itinerary.

Check out The Roman Guy videos -- particularly their suggestions about neighborhoods and what each has to offer.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+roman+guy+neighborhood&sp=mAEB

Sean, one of the leads, narrates most of the videos. TRG give good suggestions, are helpful for the first timers, down to Earth and humorous. Some videos are recent while others may be a few months or a few years old. It is always best to check actual websites of any attractions or restaurants for any changes in policies, times or pricing.

To do a forum search, go to the upper left corner -- "Search" box. Type in key words -- Rome visit; short visit; two- or three-day visit. A lot of threads should pop up. Check the year they were introduced in case some information may be out of date.

Pick up a copy of RS Rome book- only you can decide what is important to see/do
Be sure you know which sights need pre-booking- Colosseum, Vatican, Borghese, etc

Here is a good starting point:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/rome-itinerary

With only 2 full days I'd probably pick EITHER Colosseum sights OR Vatican sights- both are very time consuming and really hard to do on same day. I'd guess preteens more interested in the ancient sites than museums?

Also take a look at Walks of Italy tours- always really good
https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/

Thanks Christine, that really helps :)
Hope we are able to squeeze in Vatican City along with other attractions after a 9 hour flight. It's the jetlag which gets us!!

Thanks @Girasole for sharing the sample 2 day itinerary.. Will look it up and plan accordingly.

Have fun planning! :) I love Rome. Hope you guys do too. My trips to Rome were in the month of December. By the time you and your family arrive, Rome will be in full swing with Christmas.

Weather won't be too bad. Layering is good.

Although, the first year of my visit, it was below normal temps during the day. Night was chilly/cold.

Second year, Rome had a "hot and humid spell" for a couple of days -- Temps reached about 70+ after a short rain. Humid. By nightfall, temps were down to normal.

My kids, age 8/11, enjoyed the Colosseum. They liked St. Peter's, but it wasn't the huge hit it was for us adults the first time we saw it. They enjoyed Trevi Fountain, didn't seem to care much about the Pantheon.

I would ask the kids if there's anything they want to see in Rome. It may surprise you what they know about the city already.