24 hours in Rome

We Decided to Spend One Night in Rome: A Family Adventure from Florence to Sorrento

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Exploring Rome in a Day

We decided to spend one night in Rome while traveling from Florence to Sorrento. This stop was partly to break up the journey for our toddler. After all, it's Rome, right?

We took the train directly from Florence to Rome, which took about 1.5 hours. This duration was ideal for our toddler to enjoy a delicious croissant, get a little bored, watch some Wallace & Gromit, and take multiple laps around the carriage.

Our Quick Exploration of the City

To make our journey easier, we stayed near the train station. This way, we could have a quick exit the next morning. We only had a few hours to explore Rome, so we headed straight to the Colosseum.

As we made our way there, we enjoyed the beautiful streets of Rome. Approaching through a park, we looked up and suddenly, the Colosseum loomed in front of us. It felt a bit like stepping onto a film set! We decided to stroll around the outside and soak in the view first.

The queue to get inside was enormous, so I recommend booking tickets in advance if you really want to see the interior.

Dinner at EnoBistrot DOC

After some research, we made our way to EnoBistrot DOC for an early dinner. It featured the best focaccia we have ever tasted. I opted for pinsa, a type of leavened bread smothered in cheese, pear, chard, gorgonzola, and walnuts. It was absolutely delicious!

My partner selected the giant meatballs served in a creamy white sauce. Our toddler, of course, had his beloved homemade pasta. (Don't worry, he ate plenty of fruit and vegetables to balance out his pasta and arancini obsession!)

The restaurant featured high chairs for our toddler and a decent-sized baby change, which can be quite rare in some places in Italy.

Meltdowns and an impromptu tour of Rome

After a long day of traveling, not enough sleep, and the heat, our toddler was having a tough time. Following an epic meltdown, we swiftly left the restaurant (taking our leftovers) and grabbed an Uber back to our hotel.

This unexpected move turned out to be the best decision. Our Uber driver gave us an impromptu tour of Rome as we drove through the streets. The sights calmed our toddler's spirits and left us longing for more time in the city.

This little adventure made us brave enough to take a walk afterward. We stopped for a final drink to toast Roma before heading to the coast.

Tips for visiting Rome with kids

Traveling with children can be challenging, but here are some tips to make your visit to Rome stress-free:

1. Choose Family-Friendly Restaurants: Look for places that offer high chairs and baby-changing facilities. We found EnoBistrot DOC to be perfect for us.

   
   

2. Plan Short Outings: Since we had limited time, we focused on a few key attractions, like the Colosseum. Planning short outings helps keep little ones engaged.

   
   

3. Consider Transportation Options: An Uber can provide comfort and a unique way to see the city without needing to walk long distances, especially at the end of a tiring day.

   
   

4. Embrace the Impromptu: Sometimes the best moments come from unplanned adventures. Our impromptu tour of the city turned out to be a highlight of our day.

   
   

5. Book in Advance: To avoid long lines, consider booking tickets in advance for popular attractions like the Colosseum.

   
   

Conclusion

Spending one night in Rome was a wonderful experience for our family. Despite the challenges of traveling with a toddler, we managed to create lasting memories. The delicious food, beautiful sights, and spontaneous adventures made it all worthwhile.

If you ever find yourself traveling between Florence and Sorrento, a night in Rome is certainly worth it!