crypts, bones, weapons, castles, dungeons, etc.

We visited a Capucian(?) crypt in Rome. It was okay but I wouldn't wait in a long line for it. Lots of bones though.

In Florence there is a crime and punishment museum. From the front it looked more like a fun house at a carnival. We sent the kids in by themselves; they enjoyed it.

San Gimignano is a nice medieval town. Even though it's touristy, the stone walls and tower get the imagination going.

In Venice, the Doge's Palace Secret Itinerary tour takes you to the torture chamber used for high-end prisoners, as well as a large display of weapons in the attic. They have more weapons on display in the general area of the palace, as well as a tour of the dungeons. My kids loved it.

While it wasn't gruesome, my kids also loved the water taxi ride to the airport in Venice. Super fun.

And don't underestimate the power of gelatto - 2 euros-ish a pop. We indulged twice a day :-) Giolitti (in Rome) was the best gelatto we found on the entire trip. Standing with your back to the Pantheon, go down the alley to the left of the building facing you. Soon you will see people with big smiles and gelatto :-) Watermelon with chocolate chips - delicious!

The kids also really loved Orvieto, which is an easy train ride from Rome. Double helix well to explore, tour of the underground, cool Duomo, funky funicular to get you up the hill. It was a good day with the kids

We also went bike riding on the Appian Way one morning. Harder than one would think! Much laughing and physical-ness. Took a cab out there, took a bus back to the Pyramid bus stop and took the train to Ostia Antica for the afternoon. Another huge hit with our kids. Lots to touch, climb on, race around. How many places can you race up an ancient Roman ampitheater??

Enjoy your trip! We loved it and can't believe we're home already. Sigh....

Too bad you are not visiting Scotland, then.

But anything D'Medici would provide some gruesome surprises for them. They lived in Florence.

Almost forgot. The Romans were really good and gruesome too, so there is plenty to find regarding them everywhere.

I've read that the Cappucin Crypt in Sicily is quite amazing, in a gruesome sort of way, because the deceased are dressed in clothes. I doubt we will make it to Sicily - anything similar on the mainland?

Here's some info on a site in Rome: The Capuchin Crypt is a small space comprising several tiny chapels located beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on the Via Veneto near Piazza Barberini in Rome, Italy.
It is the final resting place for over 4,000 Capuchin friars, who died between 1528 and 1870, as well as several poor Romans. The soil in the crypt was brought from Jerusalem. Large numbers of the bones are nailed to the walls in intricate patterns, many are piled high among countless others, some hang from the ceiling as working light fixtures. There are six total rooms in the crypt, all but one featuring a unique display of human bones.

When we traveled with our teenagers 2 things they enjoyed in Rome were: climbing to the top of the dome of St. Peters (winding stone steps that fit in the narrow space between the interior shell and exterior of the dome and just wide enough for one person - gets challenging towards the top and no turning back), and giving them the assignment to figure out how to get to where we were going next (what bus, which subway line, where to turn down the next street, etc.), getting lost was part of the fun but didn't happen often because they got so good at it. Also, we gave them the guidebooks before the trip and asked them to choose some things that appealed to them. Although they weren't always thrilled with museum visits, both felt very empowered when they were able to speak from personal experience in Western Civ and Art History classes.

Thanks for the great information! Kathi, the description on the Capuchin Crypt is really helpful. I remembered also reading about a weapons museum in San Gimignano that we'll have to check out.