november-2011

Eat early – a 7pm
reservation means
you can dine in
what is effectively
a private restaurant
Just across the road, there’s the more formal
seafood restaurant Chinappi (19 via Valenziani).
Despite its elegant dining room and candelabra, the
staff are relaxed about toddlers zooming around
the floor. The trick is to go early; Italians rarely
sit down for dinner before 8.30pm so a 7pm
reservation means you can have a leisurely meal
in what is effectively a private restaurant.
Say Cin-Cin!
Admittedly, going out for drinks can be tricky with
little ones in tow. But this is the city that invented
the art of making a drink last a long time – and
elegantly – so you don’t feel guilty.
The culture of the aperitivo here, where bars
offer a free buffet of snacks with your drinks
during happy hour, means that your tummy is
always lined. Fun options include the Friends bar/
clubs (citywide branches include trendy Trastevere
and Via Piave). These attract a younger crowd
drinking beers and cocktails while nibbling on
salami, bruschetta or mini pizzas.
Cheat At Art
Be honest, how many small children enjoy traipsing
round art galleries or museums? And once you’ve
paid the entrance fee you feel cheesed off for
sneaking out early. Relax. Check out some amazing
– and free – art by popping into the Santa Maria del
Popolo church, on the north-facing corner of the
Factbox
The four-star Hotel Albani is just a short
walk away from the Borghese Gardens in
a chic residential area and can be booked
through Jet2holidays.
For families who wish to start their
holidays before even getting on the
plane, the Radisson Blu hotel is only
a ten-minute walk away from the Jet2.com
check-in desks at Manchester Airport’s
Terminal 1.
Jet2.com allows you to take your buggy
right up to the airport steps, and it doesn’t
count towards your hand-luggage allowance.
Car seats are also permitted.
Above: Cavalieri Grand Spa Club
Piazza del Popolo. Inside are two Caravaggio
paintings which are a massive tourist draw.
Have Some Mamma Me-Time
Give the family an amazing view by driving out of
the city centre and winding up to Rome’s biggest
hill, Monte Mario. It’s 140 metres above sea level,
yet just 15 minutes’ drive north of the city centre
to the Rome Cavalieri hotel (101 via Alberto
Cadlolo). The extraordinary gardens have some
of the best views across the city.
They’ve had their treat, now mums can treat
themselves to the Cavalieri Grand Spa Club
(romecavalieri.com), which offers certain
treatments to non-residents too. It’s seriously
five star, so most things are extravagant, but the
pampering manicures are a do-able special luxury
at about £35 – almost reasonable given what it
costs on the high street – yet this place was recently
named among the world’s top five by an American
glossy. You’ll feel like Sophia Loren at the end of it.
Venture Outdoors
The Borghese Gardens are Rome’s answer to
New York’s Central Park, giving active kids the
chance to have some breathing space and room
for a kickabout among its impressive statues – at
certain times of the year there are even carousels.
The park at Villa Doria Pamphili, meanwhile,
has popular puppet shows in the afternoons.
Skipping around the old stones of the Forum
– there are two either side of the Via de Forii
Imperialii – will make ancient history come
alive for the little ones. Older children will be
mesmerised by the Colosseum, or you can take
them down to the beach at Ostia for a few days
though, ultimately, they’ll want to return to the
capital. Don’t all roads lead to Rome?
ROME
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