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Gelato, Gondolas, and Gladiators: Italy Through the Eyes of Our Kids

Writer's picture: Rachel VelthuisenRachel Velthuisen

Updated: Oct 31, 2024

A Journey Through Memories


Welcome, fellow travel enthusiasts and curious readers! Over the next few days, I'll be taking you on a virtual tour of our family's unforgettable Italian adventure from earlier this year - I may be a little behind on getting through my photos! These posts will be a retrospective look at our experiences, sharing the highlights, challenges, and cherished moments from each day of our trip. From the ancient wonders of Rome to the romantic canals of Venice, join us as I relive our journey through the eyes of both parents and kids. So grab a cappuccino (or a gelato!), and let's start our Italian flashback with Day 1 in the Eternal City!


Day 1: Rome - A Whirlwind Introduction to the Eternal City

Our Italian adventure began with a bang – or should I say, with the buzz of jet lag and excitement! Landing in Rome at 6 a.m., we faced our first challenge: a 2 p.m. check-in time at our apartment. But hey, when in Rome, right?


Morning Madness: Early Bird Catches the Uncrowded Worm

With our bags safely stored, we hit the ground running. Our first stop? The Quirinal and Monti neighborhoods. We breezed by the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and caught a glimpse of the Palazzo del Quirinale, home to Italy's president.





The real treat came next – the Trevi Fountain without the crowds! Pro tip: jet lag has its perks. Seeing this baroque masterpiece in the quiet morning light was magical.





From Steps to Sweeping Views

Next up, the Spanish Steps. While they're "just steps" in the posh Piazza di Spagna shopping area, they're a great spot for people-watching. From there, we climbed to the Villa Borghese park. The panoramic view of Rome, including Vatican City, left us breathless (or was that the climb?).





We had grand plans to rent rowboats on the park's lake, but exhaustion won that round. Sometimes, with kids (and tired parents), it's okay to say "next time"!


Afternoon Recharge and Evening Glow

After a much-needed nap, we rallied for round two. We revisited the now-bustling Trevi Fountain before heading to dinner near the Colosseum at Il Giardino ai Fori.


Dinner highlights:


  • Delicious Italian cuisine (of course!)

  • Parents trying limoncello (when in Rome, right?)

  • Kids discovering the joy of authentic gelato


The night ended with a view of the Colosseum illuminated against the dark sky – a perfect teaser for the adventures to come.





Reflections on Our Roman Debut

Looking back on that first day in Rome, it's amazing how much we packed in despite the jetlag. It set the tone for our entire Italian adventure – a mix of iconic sights, delicious food, and the inevitable challenges of family travel.


Our top takeaways:

  1. Sometimes, booking the night before arrival is worth it for early check-in.

  2. Jet lag can be your friend for seeing popular sights uncrowded.

  3. It's okay to adjust plans when traveling with kids – flexibility is key!

  4. Nothing beats ending the day with gelato and an illuminated ancient wonder.


Stay tuned for more highlights from our family's Italian journey. From the Colosseum to charming Tuscan towns and the canals of Venice, I've got plenty more stories to share!

Have you ever had a whirlwind first day in a new city? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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