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Rome with Teens

Posted by (Alpharetta, GA, USA) on

WE will be taking our teens (2 boys and 1 girl) to Europe next year and wanted to get some opinions what day-trip outside of Rome may be a good choice to get them away from the city. Since we will be traveling to France and England as well, I do not want to make it too much of a journey to overdo the time spent either on a train or in a car. WE were thinking along the lines of maybe a day in Ostia to see the ruins, then maybe hit the beach, or trying to go to somewhere like Orvieto. My kids are really looking forward to the trip, but have mentioned that they prefer we not overdo the castles, museums, etc., and instead would prefer to soak up the culture and surroundings. Any guidance here?

Thanks!

Posted by
1317 posts

I agree with your kids. Half a day at Ostia Antica (not Ostia which is the beach town) to see the ruins would be a lot of fun. Yeah there's a museum there but it's small and just running around exploring the ruins is fun for all ages.

I will be in Orvieto at the end of next week, so will have a better opinion when I get back. My gut feeling is that they would enjoy Orvieto as well (going down St. Patrick's Well especially), but would like Ostia Antica better.

Posted by
7737 posts

Go wandering through the Trastevere neighborhood. It's pretty hip. What time of year will you be there?

If it's during summer, they would probably enjoy both Ostia Antica (for the ruins) and Ostia Lido for the beach. It's where a lot of Romans go to get away for the day. Google Earth it to see what it's like.

Posted by
2207 posts

Ciao Phil!

Your kids will have a great time here in Rome. As far as surrounding cities... Ostia Antica is great! We took middle and high schol kids there and they wandered until exhaustion, then we sat in the amphitheatre and had a picnic lunch. Afterwards they all invaded the gelataria there and went home pretty happy (and tired)!

I've also done trips with kids to Ovierto. The Duomo to them was "okay" but they loved the cave tours - especially the story of the pigeons( won't spoil it for you!). Granted, most of the kids living here have probably seen 10,000 "sites."

Tivoli is pretty in the Spring. Kids we went with loved the villa with it's fountains.

The beach is always interesting. Okay, our first field trip with "teenagers" we had to take the boys aside and talk about the "topless" factor. No problem they said. Sure enough, once they got there, it was, in LOUD English...., "Hey come look at this one over here!" AARRRGHHH! Set back Italian-American relations for years probably. Most beaches near Rome are private and you can reach them by metro/bus/LIDO train. You pay a fee per person for the day. There are a few FREE public beaches but you have to know where they are! For most flexibility, go by car!

There is a "monster" park north of Rome that many kids like...I've not been yet. Bomarzo Monster Park is located 60 miles north of Rome near Viterbo, off Highway A1; or travel by train to Attigliano and then take a local bus.

For water fun... you've got these two:
Acqua piper - Via Maremmana Inferiore - +39 0774-326-538 -
This is an aquatic park with pools with waves, water slides, pools for toddlers, electronic games, a restaurant, and a picnic area.

Hydromania - Vicolo Casal Lumbroso - +39 06-66-92844 - This large water park with an Olympic-sized pool, slides, water massage, kamikaze, etc. Exit 33 off the GRA.

There are also plenty of lakes around Rome. You'll have no trouble keeping them busy! Good Luck -

Ciao,
Ron

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