Photo by Jurre Houtkamp on Unsplash
Our Family Holiday in Rome, Italy
Italy has a special place in my heart. Our first holiday in Europe was in Italy, and the memories of that wonderful trip stay in our hearts so fresh that, even today, after many years, I remember every little detail of our experiences in this lovely country.
We, as a family, took a 13-day Holiday in Italy during the summer vacation. We spent the first three days of our Italian Holiday in Rome, the capital of Italy. We loved Rome and gathered lovely memories in this city.
In this article, I am writing about the first leg of our trip- 3 days in Rome.
Before I get to more details, let me share our overall itinerary in Italy.
Itinerary for a 13-Day Holiday in Italy
Day 1: Reach Rome. Check-in, Dinner and rest
Day 2: Visit Vatican City in the morning and the old city in the evening.
Day 3: Visit the Catacombs, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Circus Maximus.
Day 4: Head to Naples. Hike to Mount Vesuvius followed by a visit to Herculaneum/Pompei
Day 5: Head to Amalfi & Positano for a beach experience.
Day 6: Head to Florence, check in and rest.
Day 7: Florence Sightseeing
Day 8: Day trip to multiple destinations in Tuscany from Florence
Day 9: Head to Modena and explore local sights.
Day 10: Visit Enzo Ferrari Museum.
Day 11: Head to Venice. Local sightseeing in Venice.
Day 12: Visit the islands of Murano and Burano
Day 13: Head to Rome to take a flight back to India.
Before I get to the details, let me cover a few details about travel, accommodation etc.
Reaching Italy
Since we visited Italy from India, the obvious choice for us was to fly. We landed in Rome and, at the end of the holiday, took a flight back to our destination in India from Rome.
You can check flights to various locations in Italy here.
In this article, I have shared information about using public transport in Italy, which we used for this holiday. Since we visited Italy from India, we were not quite comfortable with European roads and hence chose public transport. However, if you are comfortable with roads in Europe, you can rent a car from the airport, use it for your entire trip and return it at the airport before taking your return flight. After moving to Germany (where we presently live), we have used rental cars from SIXT on various occasions and found them pretty good. The cars are in good condition, the service is great, and the paperwork is hassle-free. Therefore, I would recommend them based on my personal experience.
After landing at Fiumicino Airport, we took a shuttle bus to our accommodation in the city centre.
If your hotel or apartment is close to the Vatican, you can take another shuttle bus between the airport and the Vatican.
I have written more about accommodation later in the article.
Later, after moving to Germany, we made two more trips and found these two public transport options the best for reaching Italy if you live in Europe:
- Option 1: Flight
- Option 2: Train
We have tried both options. Flying is obviously faster but more expensive than taking a train. Taking a train is slower but cheaper. Another upside of taking a train is that a significant part of your journey will be at night, so you won’t lose much time.
However, you can check flights from your location here.
During one of our trips to Rome from Germany (where we currently live), we booked the train through Deutsche Bahn. They have a tie-up with ÖBB, which offers Night Jet Trains to various locations. Through Night Jet, they cover many locations that are considered far (for which most people take flights). The trains are quite comfortable, and the experience of travelling on them is fantastic. You can make your booking using this link.
Now, let’s start with the first leg of our trip, i.e. three days in Rome.
The First Leg of Our Holiday in Italy: 3 Days in Rome
Accommodation in Rome
Since we are a family with kids already in their teens, having enough space for each of us is essential. Hotel rooms are not spacious, and everyone is restricted to a small room. So, off late, we have started booking homestays. We usually book an apartment, preferably with an equipped kitchen and a minimum of two bedrooms, so that each of us has our own space and there is always an option of cooking something.
We, as a family, like having a good breakfast and starting our day, and a homestay allows us to make simple meals at home. We also like exploring the local supermarkets, finding what’s new, and trying out foods and drinks that are locally available. Homestays are an excellent option for all those who want to add this to their holiday experience.
You can check out accommodations in Rome here.
Make sure you choose something close to the city centre. If you stay close to the central train station (called Roma Termini), you will get good connectivity to all the popular sites. That way, even if you head home after half a day, you can easily step out in the evening again. Evenings are great in Rome, especially in the summer months. The scorching sun milds itself a bit, the markets are still abuzz with activity, and people are still out and about. So, stepping out in the evening is a must-do in Rome.
The other two locations that work well for tourists are Anywhere near Piazza Venezia OR Anywhere close to Vatican City.
Also, if, like us, you prefer booking an apartment with the idea of cooking a few meals yourself, then find an apartment that is close to the supermarket so that you can pick up something easily before you start your day or on your way back.
Travelling in the city:
We used public transport to travel around the city. Google Maps showed the bus numbers and the stops to take the bus to our destination. We bought the tickets from the Tobacconist shop near each bus stop.
Public transport worked for us. There were one or two times when the tobacconist shop was closed, and we wasted some time figuring out how to get from point A to B, but overall, it went smoothly.
Another option for using public transport without the hassle of buying tickets each time is a ROME CITY Pass, which allows you to take public transport for 24, 48, or 72 hours and also allows you a ‘skip-the-line entry’ to one of the sites.
If you are uncomfortable with public transport and have limited time in the city, you could opt for the 24, 48 or 72-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour w/ Audio Guide. This bus takes you to all the main tourist destinations in the city. You can stay on the bus for as long as you like and ‘hop off’ to check out places of your choice. This bus is exclusively for tourists. Since the bus has a fixed route that covers the top tourist destinations, there are no hassles or huge crowds (which is common in public transport, especially during peak tourist season). You can travel without wasting much time ( because, unlike public transport, this bus takes you directly from one tourist destination to the other without taking diversions).
Now, let’s get to the itinerary we followed in Rome.
Day 1:
We reached Rome and checked into our apartment.
Day 2:
Since our apartment was near the supermarket, we picked up some basic stuff to make a simple breakfast at home. After breakfast, we headed out. On this day, we spent half a day at the Vatican. Then, we returned to our apartment for a break. Then, we visited the city centre in the evening to see some important landmarks.
About Vatican City:
Vatican City is a city-state surrounded by Rome. It is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Pope resides there. Its museums are a treasure trove of art and architecture. The Vatican Museums house ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance frescoes in the Raphael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling.
A visit to the Vatican City is a must when in Rome. The Vatican Museum is big, and you may feel lost if you explore it on your own. There are so many things to see that you can practically spend an entire day there. Therefore, I would highly recommend taking a guided tour. The tour guide shows all the important things and ensures the visit is not long and tiring.
When we visited (in May), it was the peak tourist season in Italy, and the Vatican, like all the other places we visited in Rome, was crowded and packed with people. In that situation, we felt we made the best decision by taking a guided tour. That way, we saw all the important things and were out at the expected time.
The official website for visiting the Vatican Museum, Garden and St. Peter’s Basilica is https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home. Here you will find the various options for your visit.
Alternatively, you can book tickets here:
Museums & Sistine Chapel Entrance Ticket, or
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica Guided Tour ( we took this tour)
After spending 3-4 hours in the Vatican, we stopped by for lunch and then headed to our apartment for a break. We had walked a lot, and it was pretty hot, which added to the exhaustion, so our plan was to get some rest at the apartment and head out again in the evening.
By evening, we headed towards the old city and stopped by to see the following:
Piazza Venezia
Piazza Venezia is a Roman square where several major roads intersect. Around the square ( Called Piazza in Italian), there are many historical monuments, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This square is at the foot of Capitoline Hill and is pretty close to well-known sights such as Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, and Pantheon. Piazza Venezia also has a lot of historical importance (from the Roman times till modern history). Excavations have revealed ruins of Roman structures here. This was the place where Italian dictator Mussolini gave speeches to his supporters.
After exploring Piazza Venezia, we used Google Maps to find our way to Trevi Fountain ( which was just a 10-minute walk from Piazza Venezia).
Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world and is known for its grand Baroque style and the iconic sculpture of God Neptune. The name of the fountain derives from the Latin word trivium, which means intersection of three streets, and true to its name, the Trevi Fountain is located at a junction. It is said that in 19 BC, with the help of a virgin, Roman technicians located a source of pure water some 13 km from the city. Based on this information, they directed the water through aqueducts and supplied it to the city of Rome. This scene is depicted on the fountain’s facade.
Trevi Fountain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rome. It is said that if you throw a coin in the fountain, you are most likely to revisit Rome in your lifetime 🙂 During peak tourist season, this place is pretty crowded, and you must manoeuvre your way through the crowd even to get a decent picture in front of the fountain!
We spent some time at the fountain and used Google Maps to find our way to Pantheon, which took about 8 minutes on foot.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is a former Roman temple and, since AD 609, a Catholic church in Rome. The unique architecture is typical of ancient Roman buildings, with a dome with a central oculus as the main natural light source. This design has been copied into many modern structures.
The Pantheon is located in a square that is abuzz with activity. There are many restaurants, cafes and ice cream bars in the vicinity. Access to the Pantheon is free of cost.
After visiting all these places, we enjoyed gelato at Fiocco di Neve. A local recommended this place to us, and we loved it. After that, we headed to Piazza Navona, which was a 5-minute walk from the Pantheon.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is a public open space characterized by its lovely fountains. This place was originally the Stadium of Domitian, built in 80 AD, which explains its elongated oval shape. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, this stadium fell into ruin. Some of the remains of this stadium can still be found here. Today, this place is characterized by its three lovely fountains- Neptune Fountain, Fiumi Fountain, Fountain of the Moro, Sant’Agnese in Agone ( a catholic church), plenty of shops and cafes and a lively atmosphere.
The city center with all its ancient, historical structures is lovely. Its narrow streets characterise Rome and offer visitors a unique experience.
After spending the evening in the city centre, we had dinner at Piazza Navona and left for our apartment. That was the end of day two at Rome.
We saw all these places ourselves, but if you like, you can take a city walking tour, in which a guide shall show you all the important places and also recommend other places that you can visit on your own, popular restaurants, ice cafes etc.
Day 3:
On this day, we first visited the Catacombs of Priscilla. Then, we visited the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Circus Maximus.
About Catacombs of Priscilla
The Catacomb of Priscilla is an archaeological site situated in what was a quarry in Roman times. This quarry was used for Christian burials from the late 2nd century through the 4th century. Today, visitors can access it to see the oldest known Marian paintings and many other frescos. It is an underground world under the city of Rome with its unique history.
Note that the story behind these catacombs differs greatly from those in Paris. Also, unlike in the catacombs in Paris, you won’t find skulls in the Catacomb of Priscilla.
The catacombs can only be accessed through a guided tour.
After our visit, we headed to the Colosseum. It took us about 30 minutes to reach it from the Catacomb of Priscilla. We had lunch, after which we visited the Colosseum.
About Colosseum
The Colosseum is an amphitheatre constructed around 80 AD. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built and, despite its age, is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world. Gladiator fights took place here for the entertainment and amusement of the public. The central area was even filled with water to demonstrate naval battles. The Colosseum is huge and can accommodate more than 50,000 spectators.
Access to the Colosseum is open to the public throughout the year, but the crowds are huge. So, to ensure that you get an entry, book your ticket in advance. I shall share more details about tickets further down in the article.
After we visited the Colosseum, we crossed the road to visit the Roman Forum.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is a plaza surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings. In ancient Rome, the Forum was the centre of day-to-day life: the site for processions, elections, public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial marches. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hill, the Roman Forum is a treasure trove of archaeological excavations.
Note that you need to do plenty of walking to see the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, and you can spend an entire day there if you want.
If you prefer to see all the places at your own pace, simply buy the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Entry Ticket. Although a time slot is given to you, that applies only to the entry to the Colosseum. After visiting the Colosseum, you can enter the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill anytime. You will find more details in your ticket.
Alternatively, you can choose a guided tour, making the visit much more meaningful. The cost for this ticket is slightly higher than that of the entry ticket, but the advantage is that you get to understand the place better. Also, this tour lasts about 3 hours. So, a guided tour would work better if you have limited time and wish to see all these places.
We spent about 3-4 hours in the Colosseum and Roman Forum, after which we walked to Circus Maximus.
Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium located in the valley between Palatine and Aventine Hill. When it was used as a stadium, it could accommodate as many as 150,000 spectators. Today, it is a public park.
Circus Maximus is a 10-minute walk from the Roman Forum, and we reached it on foot. We saw it from the outside. We had done a lot of walking for the day and were quite tired, so we ended our sightseeing for the day and headed to our apartment.
With this, we ended our first leg of the holiday in Rome.
Here are some tips for your holiday in Rome based on my experience:
- Be prepared to walk a lot. Although you can reach your destination by bus/car, etc, you still have to walk a lot to explore them. Comfortable shoes are an absolute must.
- Summer is pretty hot. So your clothing will make all the difference. Wear light, comfortable clothes.
- Summer is also the peak tourist season. So, make all your bookings in advance. On-the-spot tickets to popular destinations are almost impossible.
- There may be queues and waiting times despite booking tickets, so be prepared for that.
- Beware of pickpockets in the city centre ( near the train station) and crowded market squares.
- If possible, travel light. We made a mistake here. Since it was a long trip, we carried heavy suitcases, which felt like a burden in many places. If you are also on a long trip, book an apartment and do your laundry so that you can reuse clothes instead of wearing something different every day.
- Try the local food, gelato, etc. We loved the food in Italy and even enjoyed fresh pesto, pasta, dips, bread, etc., which were sold in supermarkets, so add that to your experience.
- Before visiting Rome, read books, watch documentaries/films, etc., about the Roman Empire. This will help you appreciate the place a lot more. I recommend the movie Gladiator and the Netflix Docu-Series The Roman Empire.
The following day, we headed to our next destination, Naples, where we visited Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii. I shall write another article about this part of our holiday.
To read about other holiday destinations, click here.
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