Guided tours in Rome and Venice -- Travel with 12 year old...

Posted by rsilberman on 02/01/18 03:45 PM

Hi, We are taking our 12 year old daughter to Rome for 6 days and Venice for 3, in April. I want to be sure I get any necessary tickets well in advance, and sign up for any recommended guided tours. Any tips or thoughts would be much appreciated!
- I know I should get tickets to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel (Is there a preferred tour option, with a kid?)
- Not sure if best to explore Colosseum and Forum on our own, or sign up for a tour of one of those? Or a 1/2 day tour of Rome with a guide? We generally like to explore on our own, but a good tour or guide might be worthwhile (especially of colosseum?)
- Any other recommendations would be awesome! Is there a cooking class for families, in Rome?
And other sites kids love? Restaurants?
I know there are gondola rowing lessons in Venice, and mask making (I think)...

THANK YOU for any advice!!! Richard

Posted by TC

Atlanta

02/01/18 03:50 PM

5279 posts

A very interesting (I think) side trip from Rome is Ostia Antica. Easy to get there using public transportation, inexpensive, definite change of pace from Rome itself, and quite historic. Get an early start and you should be back in Rome by mid afternoon. Google it an see what you think.

Posted by Laurel

Forest Grove, OR

02/01/18 03:57 PM

11839 posts

I am a big believer in having a guide for the Colosseo/Foro Romano/Palatino. It is such a confusing area with so much history! A private guide is within reach for 3 people when you compare it to the per person cost for a cattle-call tour. Contact Sonia Tavoletta at [email protected]. If she is not available, she will guide you to someone equally skilled. We have had significant experience with Sonia as we had so many visitors when we lived in Roma.

Sonia can do the Vatican with you, too, although I always like Walks with Italy's "Pristine Sistine" tour. Early entry to the Sistine Chapel is the highlight and the groups are small at 12 people.

So many cooking classes in Rome! Just Google the topic and read the reviews. We had a great time with this guy.

For a real Roman pizza experience, so to Da Remo in Testaccio. If you get there by 7:30 or 8:00pm, you should get in pretty quickly.

Posted by gerri

lexington, il

02/01/18 05:04 PM

4105 posts

Very informational free tours of Venice. Put on by the Venice association. Tip the guide.

http://www.venicefreetours.com/venice-free-tour-english/

Posted by Kim

Jasper, GA, USA

02/16/18 05:00 PM

117 posts

Definitely get a guide for the Forum/Colosseum--they can help you make so much more sense of it, especially the Forum.

There is a Roman gladiatorial group that does reenactments and also gladiator training with kids. I used to take groups of 11-14 year olds there and it was one of the highlights of their trip. It's on the Via Appia and you would need a private car or transfer to get there. Check it out at: http://www.gruppostoricoromano.it/en/activities-and-shows/gladiator-for-a-day/

Castel St. Angelo usually isn't a first tier site for most people, but it's got great views and suits of armor and my kids loved it.

Posted by JerryG

winston salem, nc, usa

02/16/18 05:51 PM

1078 posts

We have taken 3 11-12YO grandsons seperately to Rome over the last 5 years and, in 2 cases skipped the Vatican museum , and did it with one, and, he was ready to leave by the time we reached the Map corridor. We did St. Peter's, the climb to the Copula, the Borgese(?) park riding around in the peddle carts. We did the Underground tour of the Colosseum(a big hit!) but the forum was a bust for all three. One rule we did for all three was, "if you bring, you carry it," don't expect us to-- that was another learning experience for them! Finally, they all designed their own trip, with a little help from their older brother.