Beat the heat
Summer is in full force and it’s sweltering in the city. Here are five tips to stay cool and keep the kids from melting (down):
Go underground where the temperature remains consistently cool year-round. Don’t miss the spooky underground passages of San Callisto catacombs. Located by Via Appia Antica, the ancient Roman road, it’s also near Caffarella park so you could easily make a day of it. Closer to the centre you’ll find Basilica San Clemente. The 12th century church is worth a visit to see its beautiful mosaics, but more exciting for kids is what’s underground: a 6th century church, built over a Roman house with an ancient Mithraic temple and an underground spring. Next to the Colliseum, in Colle Oppio park is Nero’s golden palace, with a guided tour (not very kid-friendly) and a great VR experience.
Stay close to water there are 1,500 nasoni, or drinking fountains, dotted around Rome with fresh drinking water that stays miraculously cool year round: take advantage of them. Try a Trova walking trail which starts at the twin fountains in PIazza Farnese, and passes eight other fountains including Bernini’s masterpiece, the Fountain of the Four Rivers, and ends at the Trevi fountain. Pack a water bottle and a water spray or pistol for the kids. DO NOT drink out of any of the ornamental fountains like the Trevi.
Explore indoors: museums like the Capitoline Museums are built to keep the heat out. Luckily we have a fun spy trail through the musuem that will keep the kids on their toes as they tear around finding clues. Or visit one of the The National Roman Museums. Our favourite is the Baths of Diocletian with a beautiful courtyard at it’s centre to run around in, tons of ancient Etruscan and Roman artifacts and the enormous ancient ceilings of the baths themselves to marvel at. You’ll have the place virtually to yourselves as few tourists venture in.
Get out of the centre. Half an hour’s train ride away is the ancient town of Ostia Antica: a green oasis “like Pompeii without the crowds”. Wander around the shady site discovering ancient temples, bars, public loos, apartment blocks, amphitheatres and magnificent mosaics. There’s lots to see but kids will enjoy the freedom to explore - you never know what ancient artifact is just around the corner. And for a special meal, head to Monumento, a fantastic restaurant in the old borgo just outside the archeological site.
Head to one of Rome’s many parks to lounge under the shade of a pine tree; Villa Borghese, Villa Ada and Villa Pamphili are just three of Rome’s large green spaces to get lost in. You can rent bicycles, boats or go-carts in Villa Borghese, or head to Villa Pamphili and the bohemian cafe at its centre, Vivi Bistrot, where you can order a picnic or eat outside in their shady garden. They have some of the best brownies in town.
