I know this isn't strictly a Community topic, but I got no response in the appropriate forum (in the Travel section). To nominally meet the requirements here, let me state that I'd love to get together with anyone else who might be in Rome February 14-16.

My two teenagers (16 and 18) will be with me and I'd love some ideas on what to see and do that they will find interesting and fun. Like most American teenagers today, they are not greatly interested in art, although they do enjoy historical buildings and sites. I think they would enjoy experiencing the life of the city more than doing "touristy" things.

We'll be there from Saturday evening to Monday afternoon, which doesn't give us a lot of time.

All ideas gratefully received!

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Vasant

[This message has been edited by vasantn (edited 02-05-2003).]

Actually, vasantn, your request is exactly what this forum is for.

Have a great time in Rome.

Sadly, I'll be in Rome the following weekend. If your teenage boys want to experience some of the "life of the city"..take them to the Spanish steps at night. Its teeming with local teenagers and young adults, hanging out with their friends and girl/boyfriends.

For touristy things.. Forum and Coliseum (at least from the outside), Trevi fountain, St Peters and the Vatican will keep you more than occupied for your short stay. I can bring pictures to dinner in Seattle if you like.

That would be wonderful; thanks. What perfect timing!



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Vasant

Vasantn,

I'll be out of town on Saturday so I can't give you the lala map of roman adventure, but I would highly recommend a nice gelato and fountain tour of Rome.

You can hit della palma - I think its at Via
della Maddalene 20 (near the pantheon), Giolitti, Via Uffici del Vicario 40 to see marcus arelius's column right off il corso, I tre scalini (not my fave, but good for tartufo nero) in piazza navona 30, blue ice on via de baullari on the way into the Campo de fiori and then hit gelateria san crispino after seeing fontana di trevi. I would highly recommend skipping dinner to do this , but heck most bars and gelaterias are open until at least 1 am.

You are there on Monday and Tuesday, the food market at Campo di Fiori is nice to see, its getting really touristy, but still there are some of the oldies there. Just walk around the centro storico and enjoy life.

Take the kids to caffe farnese (right at the entrance to piazza farnese) right at the beginning of the evening passegiata and treat them to a sophisticated sit down drink. Its expensive, but fun.

Pick up the 116 electric bus and go up towards the piazza barbernini, you get to see lots of rome this way!

I took my parents last year for my dad's 70th bd, they couldn't believe they waited that long to see Rome!

have fun on Saturday too!

lala


I love Rome, its my favorite city in the world.

I spent a week in Rome when I was in my 20s and fell in love with it. Then life got in the way and I haven't been back since, so I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks for all the great info!

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Vasant

Sooo much to see; sooo little time !! Enjoy Rome I'll be taking the same trip for a week in late March with 14yr olds would love to hear your post trip comments
p.s. WATCHOUT FOR PICK POCKETS/GYPSIES

Ditto on watching out for pickpockets and gypsies with fake babies. Don't let a bunch of kids block you in or start pawing at you. If you are attentive, Rome can be wonderful.

--vasantn--There was a time when my 4 sons were teens and we traveled to Rome as a family. My kids loved (in no particular order)--The Sistine Chapel, The Coliseium, The Forum, Walking through the Borghese Gardens, going to the "Nosherria" (our made-up-term) and returning to the hotel with a bounty of cheese, salami and olives. Lunch at Nino is seared in their memories. Walking along the Tiber is another memory, as we walked through Trastevere, crossed the river, and found our home...Home, was at the top of the Spanish Steps,. As a parent, I loved looking at Rome through the eyes of my children. If you were to ask my children, I suspect that their memories would echo mine.--Vasant-- you will fall in love, all over again. You had your Magical Mystery Tour in your 20's.----you will have a richer tour with your children. (more so, because " life got in the way ")

Will be in Rome Feb21-24 Thanks to SFO-FRA deal. Anyone else?

Eat at L'Orso 80, I believe its on Via Del Portughese and Via Orso, a few steps from Piazza Navone. Order Antipasto (10 euro pp)for three and a bottle of wine. THEN when you are done with that, order from menu. (I suspect you'll be full, your teens, maybe not).

I go to Italy 3 times a year, and have been eating there for 15 years.

Also on the East side of Piazza Barberini (across from Easy Internet) there is a small church on the south side of the street. Inside a catacomb of sorts where all the monks of this order have there bones displayed in some pretty phenomenal ways. Donation (a couple euros) required at the door to Monk there. Really impressive.

Feel free to email privately if you would like more help,

Marc

WOW. Thanks for that suggestion Mtacchi!

I'm definitely going to have to check that place out. You should post your thoughts over in the dining forum if you havent already

here's a review I just read...

L'Orso '80
Via dell'Orso 33
Tel: + 39 06 68 64 904 / 06 68 61 710
Closed Monday

The narrow, quiet Via dell'Orso is just a stone's throw from the bustling crowds of Piazza Navona and contains one of Rome's most famous restaurants, L'Orso '80. It looks nothing much from the outside - a tiny entrance to what looks like a tiny room, with no menu on display. It doesn't need one. Those who know it also know that whatever they choose will not only be delicious, but the sort of good food you can eat in seemingly huge quantities without needing a winch to get you out of your chair.....

more at http://www.restaurantsomh.com/rome.htm#

The church on via dei portughesi is beautiful too. Lots of butterlfield marble to see.

Good shopping around there too!

sigh, we're spending the last few days of dec 2003 and the first few days of 2004 in Rome, though I'm tempted to go today.

lala

Another great "life of the city" experience is to go to Trastevere, a neighborhood where you will find (at least I did in March 2001) that the majority of people in the restaurants & bars are Italians. Very lively at night--quaint little winding streets are packed! I agree that the Colosseum and Forum are good tourist destinations; if your kids liked "Gladiator" they may be somewhat interested in this anyway. Don't miss the Via Condotti near the Spanish Steps--all the designer shops are there and again the locals come out to see & be seen. It's quite an experience to stroll those streets.

I'll be in Rome next week (2/9 - 2/15) with my father, anyone else around?