Shortly after returning from our first successful family trip to Europe (Paris), we decided we wanted to explore another European destination. We considered London, but my wife really wanted to go to Rome, so Rome it was!
She had been there for work several times and, while she didn’t speak Italian, she is a native Spanish speaker and she can understand a fair amount. There are lots of similarities between the languages.
Tomatico, being a foodie and pasta lover was of course excited about the food and our youngest is a huge fan of pizza, so we figured we’d manage pretty easily in the food department.
Points and Miles
At the time, we didn’t have many miles or points we could use for hotels as we were saving for a trip to Hawaii. Plus, hotels in European cities are frequently for two people, which is not terribly family friendly and we didn’t want to spring for two hotel rooms. For flights we didn’t have enough airline miles either. We were planning nearly a full year ahead so we did have the advantage of getting tickets when they are often relatively cheap.
In the end this was going to be a points earning vacation rather than a points redemption trip. We were still going to have fun!
Timing
We’d be looking to stay 6 or 7 days that aligned with the kid’s February school vacation. We would also prefer to leave from Boston rather than travel to NYC as we had for your trip to Paris the year before.
Activities
We had a list of things we knew we wanted to see and do without doing any research. The Colloseum, the Vatican, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain are on every must do list and would be on ours as well. My wife would be tasked with finding the other activities. As always I would be in charge of the travel and lodging logistics.
Based on our trip to Paris in February of 2017, we expected similar weather. We would prepare for overcast and in the 50’s and hope for better weather.
We would also consider a day trip or overnight trip to a different city such as Naples, Milan or Florence. A day trip to Pompeii was probably highest on our wish list but we would have to see if the timing and cost made sense.
Next up, nail down the flight itinerary.
Tomatico Travels 