All Photos Courtesy of NHYM 2024
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Recommended age: 8 years and upwards
When the kids were younger, I dreaded taking them on city trips for 3 reasons: 1) Tantrums and museums do not mix 2) Their attention spans and boredom just didn’t make it worth it 3) They were going to forget it all anyway and leave me traumatised. So, now that they are older and can actually appreciate the joys of city trips, I have been taking them (dragging them) to all the major cities I once avoided. Last year, my kids were learning about the Roman empire in school, so this was an opportune time for them to visit Rome in the fall, when the crowds weren’t as dense and the summer heat had gone.
I had last been in Rome when I was 20 backpacking across Europe with my uni friends. I know, you’ll say, ‘You? Backpacking? I can’t imagine that!’ Well, it was even mentioned in my bridesmaids wedding speech, so yes you should believe it. In any case, all I remember from Rome was a blur of stracciatella gelato, being turned away from the Vatican for our skirts being too short, and getting pink-eye from a cockroach falling onto my pillow from our not-so-luxury hotel. This may be why I am now obsessed with luxury hotels!
So my memories of Rome were – literally – blinded and blurry so, this time around, I asked a friend from Rome for tips for a perfect Roman Holiday.
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Where to Stay:
1. Splurge: Hotel de Russie
If you have endless zeros in your bank account and want this to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Hotel de Russie really would be my number one choice: right in the middle of all the attractions, shopping nearby, and that gorgeous courtyard and terrace, there’s no other hotel in Rome quite like it.
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2. Family Friendly near the Vatican: Villa Aggripina, The Leading Hotels of the World
We chose to stay at the Villa Aggripina, which combined historical elements of a former palazzo, as well as a swimming pool when the kids were bored of sight-seeing. It is an oasis just a 15 minute walk across the river to all the sights, but offers a swimming pool, and tons of outdoor gardens and space for the kids, this one is perfect during the sweltering summer.
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Villa Aggripina Swimming Pool NHYM 2024
My friend also recommended these hotels:
3. Boutique hotel:Hotel Locarno for its location and rooftop terrace.
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4. Hip: Soho House Rome. Other friends who were in Rome at the same time as us stayed at the Soho House, for a stylish yet reasonably priced hotel stay.
5. Palazzo Luxury: Anantara Palazzo Naiadi made it in the Conde Nast Reader’s Choice Awards 2025 Rome list, so you can be sure it’s going to be good. It’s big, bold, beautiful and has all the five star trappings you could ask for without spending a whole month’s salary on it. BOOK HERE FOR ANANTARA PALAZZO NAIADI, A LEADING HOTEL OF THE WORLD
The Trevi Fountain NHYM 2024
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What to Do:
Explore Top Attractions with an exclusive Golf Cart Tour: Our friend’s suggestion and our favourite activity of our Roman adventure had to be the Golf Cart Tour. The golf cart agilely weaved its way around the city and monuments where cars couldn’t pass and gave us a whirlwind tour of all of the most important sights in Rome. It’s perfect when you don’t have a lot of time in Rome and can be adjusted to fit your itinerary, spending time at sights you want to see, and whizzing by those with too many tourists. We hit all the major sights: the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colloseum, Spanish Steps etc…
Sunset at the Colosseum: During the day, the crowds abound at the Colosseum, so my recommendation is to do this sunset tour, when the crowds have gone back to their hotels and you can see it in its sunset splendour.
The Pantheon NHYM 2024
Gladiator school: This one is unbeatable for the boys, 2 hours of gladiator schools to get rid of all their energy and frustrations. BOOK GLADIATOR SCHOOL HERE
Percy Jackson Tour for Kids at the Capitoline Museum: Of course, for the Percy Jackson fans, this tour has been made specifically for them in mind. Friends did it and loved it, my Roman friend told me.
Colosseum Walking Tour: Skip the lines with this guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. BOOK YOUR COLOSSEUM WALKING TOUR HERE
Breakfast tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel: Go to the Vatican early in the morning to avoid the crowds and make sure to book their breakfast there. It can book up months in advance so make sure to book ahead of time. BOOK YOUR BREAKFAST, TOUR THE VATICAN AND SISTINE CHAPEL HERE
The Spanish Steps NHYM 2024
Shopping: Our golf cart tour ended at the Spanish steps, which was a perfect place to go shopping at all my kids’ favourite Italian stores: Subdued, Brandy Melville etc… This was the perfect end to a morning of sight-seeing.
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Where to Eat:
Truffle Pasta at Hotel de Russie Terrace NHYM 2024
Of course a trip to Rome wouldn’t be a trip to Rome without eating out. Here’s a few recommendations:
Il Marchese Restaurant: I loved Il Marchese, which serves typical Roman cuisine, it is cozy and local for a true Roman experience.
Pier Luigi Restaurant: More gastronomic, this one serves delicious seafood to everyone from Bezos to Leonardo di Caprio. The tables outside are prime spots for watching life go by in Rome.
Roscioli: Amazing bakery, where you can get delicious pizza on the go, or book a table for lunch.
Hotel de Russie Terrace & Courtyard for Aperitivo: Even if you aren’t staying at Hotel de Russie, you can always enjoy its terrace for Aperitivo or its gardens for lunch. One of my favourite meals in Rome.
Pier Luigi Rome. NHYM 2024
This trip to Rome completely exceeded my expectations and I loved everything about it: the hotel, the food, the shopping and the sightseeing. Everywhere you turn, there are ruins and remnants of Roman history which continues to fascinate us today. I can’t wait to go back!
xx
NHYM
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