Need ideas for time in Rome with grandsons 16 and 18

Biking the Appian Way is a great idea. Acqueduct Park is nearby.

They might enjoy the church of San Clemente, which has several levels; the lowest level is what remains of the Mithraeum, an ancient religious cult mainly for soldiers.

Rent bikes at Villa Borghese Park one morning. They have two and four seaters shaped like little buggies. Everyone peddles but power assisted. Riding up and down the hills in them is a gas. Besides the views up there are great.

How about working your way up to Florence via either the CT/Livorno area? The CT or nearby (training to the five villages if staying in another nearby town) for hiking and pure scenic beauty and food. Beware the massive crowds in CT but if you are hiking the trails, you might be able to avoid some of the crowds. If you stay outside of the 5 villages, you can take the train to CT villages or to Lucca. Then I would head to Florence. Plenty of opportunities for cooking classes in Florence as well as tours to Chianti region or day trips to Sienna, etc. Fly out of Florence.

Zoe and Jen beat me to it. Also, try the gelato. The more they study it the more they will enjoy it. Have the read and watch movies about Rome and Italy. It may peak their interest. I recommend the Underground Coliseum tour. My 10 year old loved it.

Marion asked: Any ideas for which of the many museums would be most interesting for the guys?

I enjoyed the Capitoline Museum located very near the Forum. It includes the statue of Romulus and Remus and the She Wolf - may gross the boys out!

The national museums may be more interesting.

Science museums, especially Galileo museum?

The Museo delle Mura at Via del Porto San Sebastiano would be worth a look, on the way to the Catacombs. You can walk part of the ancient walls.

Second the idea of San Clemente-fascinating-and how about a day trip to Ostia Antica? Easy access via train from Rome and doesn't have to fill an entire day unless you want it to. My teenage grandkids really enjoyed their visit. And doing a gelato comparison test is a given :)

St. Peter in Chains church is walking distance from the Colosseum. Besides Michelangelo's Moses there is some very macabre artwork that makes it different than most churches.

In Rome, everyone we sent-or-took to Palazzo Valentini loved it. Be sure to book well in advance as there are only a few English tours each day.

The past two years there were night time tours and light shows called Viaggio nei Fori. Their website is down, though, so I do not know what will happen in 2017. You might Google Viaggio nei Fori or "Light Show in Augustus Forum" after April 1-or-so and see if they are up and running. It's a fabulous show/tour at night.

For your later June time and if you want some outdoor fun, head to the Dolomites, specifically the Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi. Endless walking/hiking for people of any level from easy walker to mountain climber and mountain biking opportunity as well. I suggest at least 3 nights (4 are better) in the little town of Ortisei. No car needed. PM me if you need details.

How about a few days in Venice? Such a fascinating place everyone should see. 3 nights, minimum.