I'm taking my niece (18) to Rome for her first trip abroad at the end of May. We'll be arriving on a Sunday morning and flying out the next Saturday. In addition to all the normal sites within Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Vatican, etc.), we're planning a day trip to Pompeii and another long day trip to Florence. I've been to Rome before myself, but never with a teenager. Is there anything different in the city (or a half day outside of it) that a teenage girl might really like that's different that we shouldn't miss?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23781 posts
Unfortunately we will give you one of the stock answer. What does she want to see? or of great interest to her?
Posted by
OP
Springfield, VA, USA
51 posts
She likes shopping and boys. :) But she also likes history. I don't think she's huge into art; but she could surprise me.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
102 posts
I have never been to Rome so I can only mention a couple of things I stumbled across during my planning for our upcoming trip.
You can do night tours of the Colosseum.
You can have breakfast at the Vatican and gain early entrance.
You can take cooking classes, including pizza making.
You can take sketching or other art classes.
Hope you have a great trip!
Posted by
Washington DC
28967 posts
If she happens to be a cat lover, she would enjoy a visit to the cat sanctuary at Torre Argentina, quite near the Forum.
And a street market will probably please her. I've linked to information on Wikipedia, but Google will turn up other information sources that might have more details.
If for some reason you find yourselves reluctant to make the long trek down to Pompeii, consider Ostia Antica instead. Much closer to Rome and doesn't require a full day.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11955 posts
A fun evening activity are the tours/multimedia shows in the Fori Imperiali, info here. Great history, uniquely presented and entertaining. Of course walking Via del Corso is crowded, but a shopper would love it. Via Cola di Rienzo, near the Vatican, is also a great shopping street and slightly less crazy.
Posted by
Chicago
8991 posts
My son at that age took me to aqueduct park on the metro which he had discovered in a guide book. Pretty cool. We also thought San Clemente was amazing and the nearby San Pietro en Vincoli with the Michelangelo Moses is likely to be memorable for her. Moses may be his greatest work; it is certainly in the top three.
My kids at that age also really liked the Scavi Tour under St. Peters, but those tickets are hard to come by and it is probably too late; you can see if you luck out on the Vatican web site.
Posted by
OP
Springfield, VA, USA
51 posts
Thanks everyone - great ideas. I'll check them all out.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
Has you niece seen Roman Holiday? Is she romantic? Then you have all those sites, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona at night, and so forth.
You could take in the night life of Rome if you are willing to chaperone. She would love it.