I am taking my two sons, 18 and 24 to Italy for a bucket list trip. We arrive in Rome on Mon am and depart Sun am. Suggested itinerary? Guided tours Vs headphones? How do I make this a great trip without completely killing my budget?
Thank you!
Posted by
NSW Australia
703 posts
if you want to save money , download the rick steves audio tour app and the walking tour for rome. it will save time and money as its free. ( and they are very good)
are you staying in rome the whole time?
Posted by
Washington DC
28462 posts
Rick also has a walking tour of Ostia Antica.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I booked a room for Venice thinking we would try to hit the big three...Rome, train to Venice then back to Rome with a stop in Florence.
Posted by
278 posts
You really have 5 days, as arrival day is half gone plus jet lag, Sunday departure day in am can't be counted. There is plenty to do to take up 5 days. You need to be in Rome the night before your flight to be sure you get to FCO to make the Sunday flight.
So Tues-Saturday is five days. Every time you change hotels takes up .5 days minimum, so less of that would allow you to get more out of this short visit, but a very wonderful short visit for your lucky teens.
If it were me I would spend all of it in Rome, maybe one day trip.
Have a look at a good guide book to develop a better idea of everyones interests and you will also see suggested tours. I like Lonely Planet and RSteves,
Posted by
Vermont
354 posts
From what you have posted you have a total of 6 nights in Italy. With such a short period of time in Italy, I would not even consider going to Venice or Florence, never mind both. But if you are committed to getting out of Rome, I would say stay in Rome for night 1, then go to Venice for nights 2,3,4 and back to Rome for 5 and 6.
What are your kids interested in seeing? Maybe 6 nights in Rome would be perfect with day trips from Rome. Others will have other recommendations I am sure.
Posted by
Indiana
524 posts
I would do Rome and Venice only. It's a 3.5 hour train ride between the 2 cities. If you can muster it, I'd arrive in Rome and train it to Venice for nights 1, 2, 3. Then I catch the earliest train back to Rome for the rest of the trip. If you think you will be too tired after your flight over, then I'd do..
Rome 1 night
Venice 2 nights
Rome 3 nights.
But I think the first plan is better, even if you are tired from the flight. Your adrenaline will kick in. I love Venice, but my boys are similar ages to yours, and I know they would like Rome more. Venice is very romantic...not as much to do as in Rome in my opinion.
I haven't done Ricks walking tours, but I've read great things, so if you are wanting to save money that's a plus. However, the walks of Italy tours are wonderful, so you might want to splurge on just one.
They might really enjoy the Travestere Twighlight food tour. A little pricey, but definitely one of our highlights. I would pick one extravagant thing on your tour to make it special.
http://www.eatingitalyfoodtours.com/rome/tours/twilight-trastevere/
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12115 posts
The RS audio tours are great. See what is available for Rome and use that as a guide of "what to see" in planning an itinerary.
If you do not already have a RS Rome book, get one, and see what grabs your interest, and then plan accordingly.
Would NOT try to include Venice ( as wonderful as it is) into this trip. You would be spending too much time in transit
Agree that a day to Ostia would be an excellent choice for a day away from "Rome" .
Depending on your interests, St Peters can occupy you for 20 minutes or all day.
We have spent 10 nights in Rome ( over 2 trips) and still have a LOT of "things to see".
Spending all your time in Rome will keep you fully occupied and never sitting around wondering, "what should we do now?"