Family with well traveled boys 17 and 13, who have previously spent 24 nights in Italy visiting Venice, Luca, Cinque Terre, a couple night on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius to go to Pompeii and Rome; where we did all the touristy things.
On this trip we will have 16 nights in June. We fly into FCO, rent a car and will be driving to Todi for the first 8 nights (a villa with a pool): with an overnight in Siena midweek. Followed by 2 nights in a scenic two balcony house in Assisi. From Umbria we are currently scheduled to head back into Rome for the last 5 nights. I'm worried that 5 nights in Rome, with the summer crowds and heat is too long for children who have previously spent 5 nights here. My husband and I love Rome; I was just there in March and can't wait to go back but this is a family trip. We started looking at 1 to 4 nights; on a coast and cutting out some of Rome. We have looked at Sorrento, Salerno, Amalfi Coast, driving to Polignano A Mare, or even flying somewhere else. The boys loved Cinque Terre on our last trip, and we spent 3 weeks last summer in the waters off Greece. My question is does anyone have any experience/suggestions with some of these alternative locations, or suggestions of less touristy activities in Rome to keep the boys active and engaged. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Oregon
372 posts
If they’ve been before- yes. Head to the coast relax and enjoy. You can always go without kids some other time in future and spend all the time you want.
Posted by
5174 posts
My first impulse would be to add more time in Umbria (Sibillini national park?). But, thinking coastal: I think four nights would be too brief for the Amalfi coast or Puglia, but the Monte Argentario area north of Rome would be just right. There are Etruscan ruins all around this area (tombs and pathways called vie cave) and some fabulous beaches. Some are rocky, some are sandy. Feniglia was one of my favorites.
Posted by
585 posts
Have you talked to the boys about what they would like to do? At ages 17 and 13 they could well have different ideas as to what they would like.
Posted by
Land of La
9294 posts
Rome:
Crypts of Santa Maria Concezione
The 2500 year old Roman Wall in McDonalds
Pyramid of Cestius
The Frog Fountain and the outstanding architecture of the neighborhood that surrounds it.
Picnic in the Garden degli Aranci then stroll along the Tiber River Path
Get a pastry at Regili Pasticceria then meander around the nearby Piazza Vittorio Emanuel
Catacombs of Priscilla
Posted by
Portland, OR USA
90 posts
5 days doesn't seem like too much to me, but I'd say it really depends on what your boys are into.
You could stay in Rome and live like Romans. There are always lots of events going on in the summer - concerts, night markets, films... I searched for the annual summer festival 'Estate Romana,' and looks like it will be back this summer, after being on hold for the past 2 years. I can't find specific details yet, but surely there are folks on here who will be better informed than me.
Look at the English-language sites Wanted in Rome and Romeing for events calendars as you get closer to June.
For a beach excursion, you could take a day trip to the beach at San Felice Circeo, or a little farther afield, Sperlonga or Gaeta (both between Rome & Naples).
If you'd like to just cool off for the afternoon, search 'piscine comunali roma' for public pools in Rome.
We'll be in Rome for a week in July with our 3 girls, ages 16, 23 & 27 (before heading south for a few weeks). They've been there before, so I'm also on the hunt for less-expected activities that will entertain all of them.
Posted by
North of the Helcaraxë
128 posts
My son loved underground Rome. He is now an adult and still talks about it. Any underground sites (if not claustrophobic) would probably interest them. You can, if you are in Rome on the right days, go inside the Pyramid and also beneath some of the temples. Check Coopculture. They have a lot of interesting explorations.
Posted by
Vancouver BC
57 posts
You can never be too long in Rome. Look on line, do they like soccer? Would they like scary catacombs? Underground tour of the Coliseum? Museums not just churches? Restaurants? Tons of stuff been there 5 times and still have not seen it all. Enjoy.
Posted by
Washington DC
28371 posts
It's not currently open (I assume due to COVID/crowding issues), but the Domus Aurea has an augmented-reality component that might be a big hit.