Rome the first week of July

Rome is so much fun! How long will you be there? Where are you staying? What are your interests? Has anyone been to Rome before? I think you will get better ideas if you give more information about your trip.

Some thoughts:
1) It's going to be hot. Plan to do some indoor activities (museums etc)
2) My kids loved the Coliseum and Forum, Vittorio monument, Trevi fountain and the Pantheon (at ages 11 and 13). Maybe look into kid friendly tours, that's what we did for the Coliseum and they loved it.
3) The Borghese is a great museum, you have to get tickets early.
4) Have gelato every day

Aren't you the best grandparents ever! First thing you need to know: it will be hot and humid so schedule your time accordingly. I think most will agree with me that earlier in the morning and evening will be best. It's pretty traditional to take a long nap and shower in the hot afternoon. The kids might like some of the ruins - be careful of gladiators, they'll bug you for a lot of money to take a picture with them. I'm going to leave the rest of it to others - I don't have grandkids.

Hi jg,

Better start to save for lots and lots of gelato! jk

Do you have a neighborhood in mind? Around the "main" attractions, you may find a bit more in cost. Do you have a budget?

Also, for stays in hotels, each person is charged a mandatory "city tax" per night up to 10 nights. I'm not sure if children are included as the per person. I don't know about B&B's or apartments though.

Is it this July? It will be expensive, but maybe you can find something -- if you like B&B's or apartments.

I absolutely love Rome. Been twice so far, but only in the month of December. So, less crowds, really nice weather, the start of a Christmas magic, the Nativity and Christmas Tree already set up at St. Peter's Square. Special celebrations in the first week or so -- Feasts of Immaculate Mary and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Aside from getting suggestions on the forum, you can also put in key words in the above "search box." A lot of threads will pop up -- you can filter down by date for the most current. Some info from years ago may be out of date or major changes made.

You probably know -- July will be hot, hot, hot. Hydration is key. A sunhat/bandana, suncreen and sunglasses for everyone perhaps? Dress cool.

Going into Churches; especially St. Peter's and The Vatican -- modest dress code for men, women and children. Shoulders and knees must be covered.

Also, the kids may want to take a picture with a "Roman Gladiator." Please be advised that they will expect some form of payment to have an "exclusive." It's been reported that some ask for 20€. Now, if you take a picture of say, "The Pantheon or The Colosseo," and a gladiator happens to be in the shot, well.....lol

Maybe purchase a current Italy/Rome book from Rick Steves or from any of your fav travel gurus. Start to watch videos to get an idea of the surroundings, crowds, attractions, etc. If you have a Kindle, you can download Rick Steves' Italy/Rome.

This RS forum user can be helpful. Scroll through her posts https://community.ricksteves.com/users/23500/posts

Check out https://theromanguy.com/ to get tips and information about Roma and its neighborhoods.

Also, check out their you tube vids -- lots of helpful info and gives you a peek into Rome -- https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRomanGuyTours/videos?disable_polymer=1

And, for some further fun, check out the Lazio, (Rome) webcams. Some are strategically placed so you can get a bird's eye view https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/lazio.html

Rome is pretty safe. You may be approached to purchase a tour, a bracelet, a toy, or give your signature -- say, "No Grazie." And keep on walking. You won't be chased.

Don't keep valuables in backpacks, suggest a cross body with a good strap. And, don't put wallets or a lot of money in a back pocket -- or any pocket if possible. Check out "money belts" or "neck wallets" < but they are easier to see in the summertime with summer clothing.

Riding a bus/metro, put bags in front of you. Never hang a bag on the back of a chair or put it on a table. It could be an easy grab. No panic, just keep a "big city awareness." *

If you take the inner city bus, 1,50€ each ride -- good for 100 minutes (including a transfer) after validation. Metro is good for only one ride. There are also 24, 48 and 72 hour passes. They are good if a person will use the buses/metro a few times each day.

The Coop (market) sells good panino for inexpensive. Also, bottled water, cookies, etc. are at a decent price. Of course, pizza is everywhere -- some okay, some good and some very good. Same with the gelato.

Rome is a walking city and a beautiful outside museum -- a surprise around every corner. I think you and your family will have a lot of fun! .

*Added thought

jg, Adding some additional thoughts to my above:

If this is your first trip to Europe, start making a list of important numbers such as credit card numbers and telephone numbers on the back in case something happens -- either it's eaten at an Bancomat (ATM) or lost.

Make a reminder to notify your banks of your foreign travel. Some creditors claim they don't need to, but I do it anyway, and they make a note on my accounts.

As far as getting Euro in the States -- some do, some don't. Some feel comfortable getting about 100-200€ to start off with on landing day.

Avoid DCC option. That will charge more of a fee to exchange the money. A Bancomat, preferably attached to a real brick bank would be best -- in case your card is stuck or eaten. Be careful of putting your pin. Take money and immediately put into your security belt or purse -- Sort it out in a restroom stall (go with a buddy) or at your place of stay.

Most stores and restaurants will take MasterCard and Visa. In a lot of places, "Euro is king." Some may even offer a little discount if you pay Euro. It has been offered to me in the past. I can't attest that all places will do this.

Keep copies of all Passport numbers and the number of the Embassy. https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/lost/

I carry my Passport while out and about, but some leave it/them at their hotel/B&B/apartment in a safe or locked luggage. It's up to you. I prefer it in case of an emergency.

If you haven't thought of it yet, and in case of emergency, it's good to have a "med list" ready for the medics/docs to treat properly. I keep mine in the back of my Passport.

Write down some important "med" info on index cards -- Any meds taken or allergic to, blood type, other allergies, recent surgeries or implants; your USA doc's name.

Yes, you'll be with family, but, sometimes, in the midst of worry or whatever, a concise, short list of important info can minimize stress.

Put together a little first-aid kit. Most of us use a heavy duty zip lock to put an assortment of emergency items. Yes, you can find some things in the Farmacia, but, it's also nice to have something at the ready. And, some things are a little expensive and not in a huge quantity like you'd find in Walmart or Target.

Also, think about blister band aids. They have a gel cushion and stick forever above your heel (where the blister would start.) They stayed on with showers in one day. I used them only as a precaution, lol. Never had a problem. It was worth it to me.

If you're not familiar with them, they don't pull of like a regular bandaid. They would need to be rolled off slowly not to grab skin or wait until it starts to fall off.

If you each want to carry one, you can take a lightweight water bottle -- many many to choose from at Walmart -- small, light, with/without built in straw. Rome has many "nasoni" -- cold water, drinking fountains all over.

Here is what I found to locate the nasone -- https://www.explore-italian-culture.com/drinking-fountains-of-rome.html
There may be some changes since it was last updated in 2018.

Usually San Benedetto bottled water sold in markets are not expensive -- about 1,00-1,30€

Me again, lol

Here is another tour group company to get ideas and "copy" itineraries from. Unless you want to reserve tours with them or TheRomanGuy.

Will you be landing during the day or later?

This itinerary is a good kick off https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/welcome-rome-walking-tours/ Some people follow most of it and make it their own. Self-guided, you can stay longer at an attraction you want to explore more.

Will you be bringing a portable stroller for your 4-year old grandchild or will you try to buy one in Rome?

We need help and suggestions from those who are wiser than we are
about this sort of travel...

Backing up from the previous posts....
Have you booked accommodations yet? How many nights will you be in Rome?
What sort of activities/attractions are you interested in? It isn't about being "wiser" as much as organizing a trip which works for your group's interests and ages. The more you can tell us about what those interests/abilities are the better we can help you. :O)

At this point I wouldn't get all hung up on first-aid kits, city taxes and other minutia as it's too much to absorb. A good guidebook is going to be a GREAT place to start formulating a plan and making notes about some more important details. Have you purchased and read one yet?

At this point I wouldn't get all hung up on first-aid kits, city taxes and other minutia as it's too much to absorb

I don't think so. Sometimes, it may be the little things or the obvious that a new traveler may forget, not be aware of or be reminded of. This forum is for all to offer suggestions.

Also, I did suggest to the OP her options about a RS guide book and other travel materials inclusive of sites and videos to get some ideas.

I'm just trying not to overwhelm the OP with a lot of little details when knowing more about their group and interests might help us to create a master plan. :O)

It's all good!

Thank you all for your responses so far.
We have rented an apartment in Travestiere for the first two weeks of July, 2019. I have recently been told this is now a very busy neighborhood with lots of noise but I am hoping it will be okay.
All of the adults in our family have been in Rome before, but long ago and never as a family with this age range and never in the summer.
All advice is appreciated.

Glad you got accommodation booked. Maybe at this point make a list of attractions you're interested in and work to get tickets. Also, research any day trips.

We have rented an apartment in Travestiere for the first two weeks of
July...

jgbatch, you've done a very wise thing yourself in planning a long stay in the Eternal City for your tribe! Not to have to just RUN in the summer heat to see all the attractions is going to make things MUCH more enjoyable for all! Well done. :O)

It's also good to know that this isn't your first time to The Boot nor first trip abroad as you'll already have an idea of all that Rome has to offer. In addition to the useful insights from the good folks above, I'll add that you'll likely find that things have changed since your last visit. The number of tourists has sizably increased over the years, and some attractions which were visited with just walk-up tickets now either require prior reservations or you should pre-purchase your tickets/reservation to avoid standing in the hot sun in very long ticket lines. We can help with which ones those are if you'd give us an idea of what's on your list.

If the Vatican Museum is on that list, the crowd there may be overwhelming for your 1 or 2 smallest travelers. It is NO fun to spend hours in a hot museum with your nose against the backsides of big people in front of you, and even grownups are finding the mob there tough to take. If an adult in your group isn't jazzed about that one, I'd advise them to do something else with the littlest folks. You might also consider the Friday night visit when crowds will be a bit lighter and it shouldn't take as much time to move though the select galleries which are open. Anyway, being willing to split up sometimes to accommodate the kids' stamina and attention spans is going to keep them rested and happy.

With 2 weeks to spend, you can consider some day trips? Orvieto is a very popular choice with RS posters as well as Ostia Antica and some others.

Are there some particular things you have in mind to see and do that we might be able to provide some pointers on?