Should we skip Rome?

There is a certain amount of truth that big cities are big cities. I might even skip Rome during a short visit where I don't have at least a few days to devote or it's well out of my way. Rome is the center for so much of Western history, it's really not something to plan to miss.

You would be crazy to skip Rome.

I'd say definitely don't skip Rome...a couple of days is well worth your time. St. Peter's, the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum (sp?), the Forum...its unique, beautiful and awe-inspiring.

I would go to Rome before I did anything else in Italy. I cannot believe that some people just felt this was another big European city. Even if it was, each city has its very own flavor and is nothing like any other city. Please do go to Rome.

I wouldn't skip Rome. I would concentrate on Rome, Sorrento and the Amalfi coast. With only 10 days you want time to really enjoy these cities and going from place to place everyday won't give you that opportunity. If you go to the cities you have listed that's a city every other day. That means packing/unpacking and traveling every second day with 5 of you. It doesn't leave a lot of time to walk around and experience Italy. I would spend 6 days split between Sorrento and Amalfi area and 4 days in Rome. Donna

I cannot imagine skipping Rome. IMO the three top cities to visit over and over again are Paris, Rome, & London. We have friends who are taking a two week tour to Italy next month and will only concentrate on Sicily. Such a mistake to miss Rome! Even two days would give you a taste of this wonderful city-but you will want to return.

It is not a "sin" or a "fatal error" to skip a city or other. Rome definitively isn't like "any other big European city", but your trip will not be miserable if you don't see it. I could on a hint nominate you 20 Italian lesser-known cities that are definitively different from everything else and unique, but my core message is: it's YOUR trip, if you feel like doing, don't stop doing it (skipping Rome) just because others wouldn't. Take advice, and decide for yourselves.

Well Andre, Sally's decision about Rome aside, you really must now tell us the 20 Italian lesser-known cities that are definitively different from everything else and unique. Please.

My opinion....crazy to skip Rome.

Jo, I'm curious- why Rome before anywhere else in Italy? Does going there first set you up in some special way for Italy, or do you just mean that Rome is important? I'm leaving in a month on my first trip to Italy, and it so happens Rome is my first stop. Thanks!

I'm with Jo - I LOVE Rome and it is a great first step into Italy. Seeing the Colosseum in the middle of the city is an spectacular thing. The city feels incredibly Italian and not generically European to me. Can I say it again - I love Rome. But as others have already pointed out, you have way too much planned already for the 10 days you will be there, so you'll have to give up something. And since you are asking for opinions, my suggestion is to give up the Amalfi Coast area. It is so much further south of the rest of what you want to see (especially if you don't do Rome). A great trip for me would be Rome, Tuscany, Venice - flying open jaw. I've never been to Cinque Terra, so if you're looking for a more outdoorsy experience, maybe substitute that for Tuscany. Best thing is that you can't go wrong. Italy is our favorite country. Each of our kids has been there twice and return in a heartbeat.

Sally with only 10 days and with 5 people, I'd suggest setting your priorities! If you really, really want to see Venice and Florence and Sorrento and the Cinque Terre, I wouldn't include Rome! In fact, I'd suggest with only 10 days, stay in Venice, Florence and the Cinque Terre....afterall, this is your son's graduation gift so it should be geared toward what he would enjoy and appreciate. Take the time to enjoy each other! Oh and don't forget to say, "on our next trip, we'll go to........!

Don't skip Rome because someone said it was like any other European town: it is most definitely not. Make your decision based on what you and your family want do to, and the trip you want to have. Even without Rome, though, you have a great itinerary planned.

Wonder who the "people" are that said Rome is just like any other big European City? Wonder if they think the Matterhorn is just another big mountain or the Eiffel Tower is just another monument? Maybe the Vatican is just like any other big church? I can't imagine going to on Italian trip and skipping Rome.

Rome is one of the great cities of the world, if you are into history, culture, and what has made your world the way it is. If not interested in those minor details (and many juveniles are not) you could skip it.

I agree with the others. Do not skip Rome, you will regret it. I was in Europe and in Italy last year, and spent alot of time in Tuscany, Arezzo where my first cousin lives, and one in Rome. I used Arezzo as a base and went to Florence, Rome, Assisi and Cortona. I also went to Pisa and Lucca and loved both. Since you are limited in the days there, I would definitely include Rome, Venice, Florence and maybe see, either another town in Tuscany, as mentioned above. I would also try to stay in a city for at least 2 days, that way you can feel like you are experiencing Italy without rushing through. I would recommend, 2 Venice, 4 Florence (if you are visiting other areas in Tuscany)and the rest of the time in Rome. This way you will find the time to explore other areas near Florence, Rome and maybe Venice. I only stayed one day in Venice and then stayed 2 days in Verona on my way to Florence and then Arezzo. There is so much to see, that you can't see everything, but you at least you have seen Rome, Venice and Florence on this trip and then maybe another time in Italy see something else. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks so much to all of you who have taken the time to reply. We are just in the planning stages right now and the Rome issue was the most important question for us to settle. We definitely do not want to do a whirlwind tour; we are hoping for a relaxed pace. It is just so hard trying to pare it down! I guess we need to put some more thought and research into this. I appreciate all of your comments and advice!

Personally we would not skip Rome, but we love Rome. Rome is one of those places that people love or hate it seems so it could be the people telling you to skip it fall into the hate it group. With only 10 days, I would second the recommendation to figure out what you want to see the most while in Italy and then concentrate on those locations. With 10 days, we'd keep it down to maybe three cities and possible day trips from those locations. I would choose either Sorrento/Amalfi or the Cinque Terre and not try to get to both with your time frame.

We skipped Rome on our first trip to Italy. You can't see everything worthwhile in Italy on any trip, so you have to make decisions. I love the smaller towns, so neither Rome nor Florence were among my favorite places in Italy. That being said, for teenagers, I'd guess that Rome might be more interesting than Florence. It is pretty cool to turn a corner and see the Coliseum sitting there. If I were you, I'd go to the library and check out some travel books about Italy, and some Rick Steves DVDs, and let your son help decide. A fun trip might be to fly into Naples and start in Sorrento, then go to Rome or Florence, then Cinque Terra, and fly home from Venice.

In my opinion, you have to decide where to go, based on what you want to see. Not where other people say you should go to or not. This is your trip. You have limited time and will need to make the most of it. I am in Italy for the first time right now and we started in Rome. We have 3 weeks here, and we felt it was a must see. But...I will admit that even though it has some awesome sites, I don't really have the desire to return. It is big, crowded, noisy, etc. So is Paris, but I adore Paris and would return any time! Rome was just not my place, and my husband felt the same way. Your son should read about the different possibilities and determine what interests him, but with the time you have I would say that you should either stay north (Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre), or south (Rome & Amalfi coast).

Sally, what does your son want to do? What does he like? Where does he want to go? If this is his graduation gift, make it HIS gift! Hand him the guide books and let him suggest areas that would be the most fun....for the whole family. Does he really want to go to the Cinque Terre? Does he want to go there during the summer "traffic jam", or is a hiker that would love that area in the off season, when it is absolutely magnificant. Rome at night is a wonderful place for an 18 year old. Turn him loose and let him expertience the culture on his own terms......if this is what HE would like. He is an adult now ...ask him to help plan HIS trip, and make it a trip that he, his sisters, and his family will all remember.

Skipping Rome is like skipping gelato or skipping pasta and wine. It is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world. I can't imagine who told you that is was like any other city in the world. Obviously they weren't seasoned travellers!!!!

I agree with almost everyone. I loved Rome, and I enjoyed walking in some of the areas of Rome. You can go walk to the Colosseum, Via Nationale, Via Del Corso, the Spanish Steps, and the Victor Emmanual Monument, they are all near each other. Yes, Rome is a big city with 2-3 million people. But like any other city, it has its good and bad parts, same as in NYC, London, Paris etc., and you will use your same judgement as any other person in a new city. Now, that being said, just enjoy your trip, pick out what you think your whole family will enjoy and just do it. London, Paris and Rome are all different, yet historic, interesting, and the food is to die for, well maybe except for the typical English food (even though they have improved). Have a good trip.

I don't love art museums, but I am fascinated by ancient ruins, so I'm skipping Florence and visiting Rome, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and Venice next summer.

I wouldn't skip Rome on a trip to Italy, but then I wouldn't go for only 10 days either. What most responses here are missing is that your time is limited. There are many places in Italy to visit and only so much time. Rome is intense. If that appeals to your son, then I would include it at the expense of one of your other possible stops. If he does not find the intensity appealing, then I would skip it in favor of quality elsewhere and a hope to return another time when the prospect of seeing Rome is less daunting. There is nothing wrong with either choice, given your time frame.

I do not have kids but if I were a 18, 15, and 7 year old, would I be bored with the coastal towns of Sorento and Cinque terre when people go there to just chill, wind down and take in the natural scenery? Or would a big cultural city with parks, museums, interaction be more of an exciting thing for a kid? That is what I would think about. If I paid a bunch of money to bring my family of 5 to Europe and then I heard my child say "i'm bored" I think I would freak out, run away and drink heavily. To put so much heart and soul into a trip and to have our family peers make that statement would not be cool to me. So I would lay out the options to your children and see what appeals most to them, considering heavily what your graduating son would like to do. I am planning my first trip to Italy for this November, and I do know one thing: on a first trip to Italy, never skip Rome.I think the smaller towns should be what draws you back to Italy again.

All great advice. Thanks! My son is definitely a city person AND hopefully will be fortunate enough to return to Italy to explore further. He really enjoys just walking and people watching and it sounds like Rome is a great place to do that.

If you offered to pay for my trip as long as I skipped Rome, I'd have to think about it. No way would I skip Rome while in Italy. I hit Rome every time that I'm there, and I spend 3-4 days there each time. Vatican Museum, Pantheon, St. Peter's, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Forum, Colosseum, Borghese, the list goes on. I can't possibly see how you can "experience Italy" without experiencing its greatest city. Even if it was just "any other big European town" it's why you're going to Europe! To see the towns! You've got a lot to cover it 10 days, but Rome should get at least 2 nights. Fly into Rome and out of Venice, catching Florence on the way. Cinque deserves a night as well as at least one hill town (Assisi, San Gimignano, or something similar) to experience Italy. Simplify your itinerary and do Amalfi when you have more time.

I'm going to go against the stream, and agree with a few. It's not an unforgiveable sin to skip Rome. Don't get me wrong. I loved Rome and would go back. There are still things I want to see there. And, Rome isn't like any other big European city. But there's a lot more to Italy than Rome. My personal preference is Venice and Florence. But, that's me. (Stone me later.) Only you can decide what sings to you.

Rather than thinking to skip Rome, I'd choose either Venice, The Cinqueterre, or Sorrento/Amalfi Coast area to skip. With 3 kids, you'll be hard-pressed to find things to excite them in these areas. Venice, also the most expensive city in Italy, is anything but kid friendly, and caters to an older, slightly more sophisticated crowd than other Italian cities. It's a beautiful city, sure, and yes there are canals, which is fun for a while, but other than that it's a confusing maze of bridges and alleys that appeals more o older families, honeymooning couples, or Northern Italian renaissance art buffs. I say save the money and spend it elsewhere. Cinqueterre is of course a Rick Steves mainstay, but I'm leaning away from advising people to go there during peak season (June-September) simply because it has become overwhelmingly crowded and much more like the Amalfi Coast in many ways, churning out tourists like a sausage grinder. And again, as far as fun things for the kids, well, there are beaches, it's a coast, it's pretty, but otherwise... With 10 days I suggest the following kid-friendly, first-time Italy visitor itinerary: Fly in and out of Rome, have a hotel there for 5 nights but take 2 day trips. One to Naples to visit Pompeii and/or Herculaneum and/or the Archaeological museum, and the other to either Spoleto or Orvieto. All of these can be visited easily by train and I think will be more fun for kids. Spoleto and Orvieto are hilltop medieval towns with spectacular countryside views, great food (especially sweets), great churches, not overcrowded, and cheaper. A nice respite from the bigger cities. Then you train up to Florence. Spend 4 nights there, but do another day trip, at least one, and fit in Pisa and one or more of the following: Siena and/or Lucca and/or Volterra. Trying to stretch your trip across the whole peninsula is your problem, Rome will be the most rewarding and exciting part for your kids. Thoughts?

Steve just gave you great advice. With more time you would have other good options. But given the typical American 10 day trip, I think that's the best plan without too many transitions from hotel to hotel.

You're kidding, right?

You asked my opinion about Rome. Well, other than the fact that I am a huge history buff, there was just this feeling, this immense sense of history there. Standing in the forum, walking into the Colisseum, seeing the aquaducts, and well, the Pantheon just blew me away. Walking up in the dome of St. Pauls was one of my favorite things to do, with Rome spread out below. The massiveness of everything, thinking about how they built all these buildings 2000 years ago, it just amazes me....I have to be honest and say I really don't care about visiting Venice or the coast or the Cinque Terre. I am sure they are very beautiful and I would enjoy seeing them, but Rome is the top, the Diva, the Queen. I have also enjoyed strolling around Milan too, though many people on this forum think there isn't much to see there. It is an honest, real Italian city and very interesting to me. The other place I would really like to go though, is Pompeii. It is at the top of my list....There you go though, everyone has things they want to see, so please think about what exactly YOU and your family want to see and make your decisions based on that.

I would never choose to skip Rome,, especially with kids your kids ages. I took my 11 yr old dd there and she was very excited to visit the Coliseum,, I mean,, has any child not been fascinated/horrified by stories about the gladiators, and people been fed to lions etc.. its history even a 7 yr old can relate to. My dd also was amazed and awed by St Peters, as was I ,, its is so huge, so much wealth and power amassed and displayed by the church when peasants still srambled for their daily bread . My dd also liked visiting the Trevi fountains( they ARE beautiful )and a guided walking tour we took of the Forum. I like Steves ideas ,, take a daytrip or two out of Rome, sure, but to skip it entirely is letting your kids miss the sites of Rome that will enrich their view of history. Its one thing to read about places that ancient , but to walk in there is entirely different. As Jo said, there is just a certain something.. I will add this,, I don't even particularily like Italian food,, but I would never miss another visit to Rome if given a chance ( been twice now) and although I have been to Venice twice, it wouldn't be somewhere on my "go back to " list for quite some time. Of course,, my very first choice is still Paris... LOL

Please don't skip Rome! It's like going to France for the first time without visiting Paris, or the UK without London. Would you have a good time anyway? Sure. At the end of the trip, would you be missing a complete grasp of the cultural and historic fabric of the country, not to mention stops at all of those iconic spots most people only dream about seeing? Yes. And remember that Rome is FAR more than just the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. As someone living here, I can tell you there's so much to do here for everyone - whether crawling through ancient ruins, eating amazing food, getting lost in winding streets, seeing incredible art, or wandering through small, hidden churches that nobody else sees. For more ideas of what else to do in Rome beyond the usual tourist itinerary, check out my blog [INVALID] an insider's guide to Rome [INVALID] at www.revealedrome.com.

If you skip Rome, you will miss seeing the Pantheon which is absolutely amazing. IMO your kids would also enjoy the Cinque Terre which can be done in two days. Rome, CT, and Venice could be a wonderful 10 day experience. Have a great trip!

As someone who wasn't so enamored with Rome, i could easily see skipping Rome on a 10-day trip, knowing that you will have the chance to go back. That said, I was inordinately disappointed by the Cinque Terre that was so touristy English was the first language spoken and places serve eggs for breakfast. So while I don't think skipping rome is in and of itself a horrible thing, I think it would be a bit silly to skip rome for a place like Cinque Terre unless your family really likes to hike. I personally liked Venice and Florence much more than Rome, though I am planning to return to Rome to give it another chance next year. I have to wonder what people are telling you that Rome is the same as any other big European City and how many of those cities these "people" have been to. 3 years ago I did a trip where I went to 9 of those big European Cities in a 6 week period. Every single one of them felt completely different from the next and Rome was the last of those cities I went to and it still felt completely different even after seeing a bazillion paintings and sculptures and churches. That'd be like saying NYC and San Francisco are the same or something. If you skip Rome, skip it because it doesn't sound interesting to you and your family, not because people have told you some bizarre generalization.

Sally, I would avoid taking any travel advice from anyone who thinks Rome is just like any other European town. There is no better place to "walk around and really experience Italy" than Rome. So I would definitely include 2-3 days there. BUT, I would absolutely reduce the number of places you'll be visiting. You don't want to spend half of your trip traveling with your suitcases. Not sure that kids would really enjoy CT or Amalfi. Talk to your son about what he wants and go over the options, then choose a couple of places to visit.

we just did a whirlwind trip with 9 and 13 year olds, so about the same ages as yours. We did a number of cities with 2 nights in each. Although we had a great trip, I would really limit the cities and limit the on/off train and in/out of suitcases for the next trip. that was my kids' view, as well. I would also consider skipping Venice. Rome has so much to offer, and having been to 10+ large European cities, I can so no, it is not the same asa all others. Rome is pretty amazing and there is plenty to do to fill at least 3 days. I would also base out of Rome and day trip to Pompeii one day, easy to do. You can also then base out of Florence to do hills towns and Pisa (we did a great bus tour booked thru viator.com Best of Tuscany in 1 Day. I know you're thinking old folks bus tour, but it was nothing of the sort; great people, many families, all who were doing DIY trips of Italy, but realized this was a agreat way to see a lot in 1 day. it was fantastic, Sienna, San Girmagno (sp?), great lunch at winery and Pisa. my 9 and 13 yr olds LOVED it. They also do a very nice Cinque Terre tour from Florence. I have heard the Cinque Terre could be a little too much for those under 10, so we skipped it this trip. HAve a great trip. Elaine

I have been to four major Italian cities: Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome, and I have to say that not only was Rome my favourite out of all those four but arguably one of the best cities I have ever visited anywhere. You have 2,700 years of history concentrated in one city (and not just any old history either... the stuff that has happened there over the centuries continues to echo down to us today in so many ways). Oh and as a bonus you get to visit an additional country while you're there too.

DO NOT SKIP ROME. We took our boys 15, 13, 10 last Christmas. They loved it all...Vatican Tour, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, it was all great. Just walking around Rome getting pizza is fun! The ruins and Vatican do make Rome different. Unless the kids are REALLY into art, I'd say skipping Florence would be fine; just make sure to get to Pisa (touristy, yes, but something that should be on everyone's bucket list), Siena, Cortona or other Tuscan hill town(s), Venice (again touristy...but ya gotta do it). Skip Amalfi Coast, unless you really want to go there.

Rome IS different from any other big european city. there are some things about it that bug me, but there it is such an amazing place that you can't skip it. I've been there twice and would go back in a heartbeat. Last time I went to Italy I did 3 days in Rome, 1 day in Assisi, 1 day in florence, 2 days in cinque terra and 2 days in Venice. I thought this was a great overview of Italy

In 2006, we traveled to Italy on a graduation trip for my daughter with our 20yr son and other 16yr daughter. I would say you are going to be hard pressed to keep the 7yr and 15yr interested in churches and museums period. I would take the CT since it is a water town area and everyone can hike/swim. I would check out Verona for a working 1st century colliseum right in town, plus a Roman theater and it is not as busy as Rome. The Forum is the only unique thing and that would not interest the younger crowd. Not much left to see - need an imagination. Siena is a very nice old town with a great piazza and sites. I wouold also take them to Pisa and a run through Florence In 10 days you will be luck y to have time for 3 diferent cities. You could fly into Rome, hold your bags at the termini, go to the collesium and Vatican (must see St Peters), the Sistine is a let down given the time it takes to get in to see it (it is a small panel in a crowded room). Then train out to Siena (a night in Medieval Siena is great). You could then move on to Florence. From Florence you could go to Lucca with a day trip to Pisa, then on to Cinque Terre for some water fun. Then fly out of Milan or train back to Rome airport. Read Steves' guidebook and see what you like. You could do the same thing flying out of Milan with a trip to Verona.

Yes, you should...that is, if you plan to experience Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, and Sorrento/Amalfi Coast...in just 10 days. Chances are, after a few thousand years, Rome's not going anywhere. He can always go back. Florence to Naples via high speed train isn't too bad.

Rome. Do it. Let the 17 year old figure out how to get to Ostia Antica. Let him figure out how to get there by boat. Let your 15 old daughter figure out all the fashion sites. Your 7 year old will be just going along. She will not remember much.

Sally,definitely Rome! I hate to bring up the educational angle, but your son probably has had a world history course, and might enjoy seeing some of what he's studied (when he's not finding his own way in one of the best cities in the world), and your two other children will have this experience as part of their education, too. Doesn't sound exciting enough? Piazza people-watching is educational and fun in itself. I'm a history buff and city person, so I don't get the Cinque Terre fascination as much as RS does, but if you're also going to the Amalfi Coast, the experience is somewhat similar. Skip one of those and put in Rome.

I lived in Rome for a year when I was 20, and also traveled most everywhere in Italy, and definitely wouldnt recommend skipping it. I recently went in August with my sister and in 9 days saw Rome, Venice, Assisi, Orvieto, Siena, and Cinque Terre in their entirety. I would say get a StreetWise map (best map you could possibly own, has every street on it and is small and plastic so won't get ruined) and do Rome in 2 days, and if you fly into Rome do 2 1/2. It looks big and intimidating, but its really not (and its a necessary part of the Italy experience, and has some of the most awe-inspiring sights). When I went with my sister we landed and got settled in our hotel and left around 12, and briefly saw the Colosseum, Pantheon, Campo de'Fiori, Gesu Church, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (right next to the Pantheon), the Trevi fountain, climbed the Spanish Steps, and walked down Via del Corso from end to end. Spend a day at the Vatican, and then a day doing the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum (which honestly they will probably find the inside of it boring, so you could probably even see something else that day as well). I think those ages would appreciate Rome more, because you are not soaking up at atmosphere like in the small towns, you are actually seeing what it used to look like (less emotional, more physical). If you want mine and my sisters 9 day itinerary let me know, I would be more than willing to help out.

We skipped Rome on our first trip to Italy. On our second trip, we went to Rome for two short days. I can't believe we skipped it the first time. Incredible. Don't skip it. I would return in a nanosecond. Also, keep Venice on your itinerary.

I think you answered your own question when you said you wanted a "relaxed pace" and not a whirlwind tour. While I totally agree that everyone should see Rome, your time is limited, and it will still be there for another visit. It is out of the way of the other destinations you want to visit, and it is a place you want to devote more than a couple of days on. As for travelling with kids, I disagree with the people who said the big city is better for kids - personally I get nervous about the crowds and city with my kids. I do still take them to cities but it means a more stressful and complicated trip for us than going to smaller cities. There are many worthy destinations in Italy and one short visit won't do it justice whether you go to Rome or not, so have something to look forward to next time. I think it's better with so few days to spend more time in the places you already have planned then add another, or you will have the "whirlwind" tour you wanted to avoid.