After our days in Florence and Montepulciano (you can read Part 1 of our journey here), it was time for the final leg of our family adventure: Rome, the Eternal City. There’s something about arriving in Rome that always feels larger than life. The sheer scale of history, the endless energy, and the sense that there’s a story around every corner.
For us, it wasn’t just about checking landmarks off a list. It was about walking through history as a family, making memories in places we’d only read about in books or seen in films. (Gladiator, anyone?)
Day 6: From Montepulciano to Rome
We boarded a morning train from Montepulciano, connecting through Siena and Florence before arriving in Rome by the afternoon. Although it took several hours, the journey was comfortable and scenic. By the time we arrived in the city, the kids were buzzing with excitement and full of questions about our upcoming itinerary.
Our hotel, the Hosianum Palace, offered the perfect balance of comfort and central location. We had just enough time to freshen up before heading out for something special: a private evening tuk-tuk tour of Rome.
A Night in the Eternal City
At 9 p.m., our English-speaking driver met us with a shiny electric tuk-tuk, ready to whisk us through the glowing streets of Rome. It was a completely different way to see the city: open air, fewer crowds (it’s still the height of tourist season, after all), and the monuments lit up against the night sky.
First, we cruised past Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, which towers over everything else in the piazza. Next, the Colosseum, glowing golden under the spotlights, then paused and got off at a handful of gorgeous piazzas our driver hand-selected for us to visit, including piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, Esquilino, Piazza Navona, Piazza Sant’Ignazio, and, Piazza della Rotunda, where the Pantheon is located.
Our tour was a solid two hours, but it whizzed by. When the driver dropped us off, we were happily exhausted and ready to get some rest for the next day.
Day 7: A Journey South – Sorrento & Pompeii
The next morning, we met our group for a full-day excursion from Rome to Sorrento and Pompeii. It was an early start, but worth every moment.
The drive south offered sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea before we arrived in Sorrento, famous for its cliffside views and lemons the size of softballs. We sampled limoncello (okay, I did), strolled the colorful streets, and soaked up the lively coastal atmosphere. We had a little over an hour for lunch and stopped at a recommended place called XX, where we all happily ate some of the freshest seafood I’ve ever had.
From there, it was on to Pompeii, a place that feels more like stepping into a time machine than visiting a ruin. With our guide leading the way, we explored ancient streets, bathhouses, villas, and both amphitheaters. The boys were fascinated (and equally saddened) by the plaster casts of residents frozen in time by Mount Vesuvius’s eruption in 79 AD. It was haunting, humbling, and unforgettable.
After 13+ hours, we returned to Rome exhausted but exhilarated, grateful for the chance to experience both the seaside beauty of Sorrento and ancient tragedy of Pompeii in one day.
Day 8: Walking Through Ancient Rome
Our final full day was dedicated to the city itself. We joined a walking tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill: the heart of ancient Rome.
The kids couldn’t believe the size of the Colosseum, imagining gladiators battling in front of 50,000 spectators. From there, we climbed Palatine Hill for breathtaking views of the Forum below. Wandering the Via Sacra, surrounded by temples and basilicas, we could almost hear the echoes of Roman senators and merchants going about their lives thousands of years ago. They were, of course, extremely excited to see the site where Caesar was cremated, located at the southeastern quarter of the forum.
By the time we ended the tour, we were all tired but inspired by all the history we’d just taken in. That afternoon, we visited LArgo di Torre Argentina, an archaeological area with ruins of ancient temples, which is also a sanctuary for stray cats. It also happens to be the site where Caesar was murdered, more specifically, at the Curia of Pompey, a meeting hall.
Reflections on Family Travel in Italy
Traveling with kids can be unpredictable, but it’s also magical. I’ll remember the way my younger son’s eyes lit up when he saw David in Florence, how my teenager asked questions nonstop at the Galileo Museum, and the way we all took in the nighttime sights and sounds of the tuk-tuk ride.
This trip reminded us that travel isn’t about perfection. It’s about moments. Sometimes chaotic, sometimes awe-inspiring, always unforgettable.
If you’re planning a family trip to Italy, here are a few quick takeaways from ours:
- Mix structured tours with downtime. Guided tours gave us depth, but unscheduled afternoons (like in Montepulciano) gave us space to unwind and connect.
- Choose central accommodations. Being able to walk to most sights reduced stress. (And saved on cab fare!)
- Don’t underestimate your kids. Even long museum days can be magical if you frame them with stories and a sense of curiosity.
- Build in small joys. Gelato stops, pizza picnics, and people-watching in piazzas were just as memorable as the “big” sights.
The Journey Continues
As our trip came to a close, I felt that familiar tug. Italy has a way of pulling you back again and again. For me, it was a chance to reconnect with the places that shaped me years ago. For my boys, it was a first taste of something I hope becomes part of our family story.
And maybe that’s the real gift of travel: not just the photos or the landmarks, but the way it weaves itself into your life, reminding you that the world is vast and beautiful, waiting to be explored.
Until next time, arrivederci, Italia.
