Rome on Scooters
A momentous last-minute travel decision with our kids
The Backstory
We stayed in an ancient place a stone’s throw from the Vatican, an area called Santa Maria de La Mercé. When we stepped out onto the street, we could sometimes faintly hear music and the sound of thousands of people praying. The building was old and crumbling, renovated just enough to be rented out to travelers on a strict budget. Although the accommodations were a little tired, the location more than made up for it. We were within walking distance of everything we wanted to see and obviously, there was a lot. As our hotel host, Roberto said in his flowery Italian-accented English, “in Rome, walk three steps, monument, walk three more steps, monument.” More importantly, there were endless streets of restaurant options. Needless to say, we ate our fill of pasta and gelato. My children are already gelato connoisseurs at twelve and fifteen years old.
Traveling with children successfully means doing things a bit differently.
Traveling with a Very Enthusiastic Child
On this trip, we had worked diligently to keep tabs on our son who pulled us through the Louvre, trying desperately to convince us of the dire urgency to see the Mona Lisa RIGHT NOW. On this night in Rome, our son explained vigorously the need for a ride on an electric scooter. Earlier in the trip as a treat, we’d found a quiet place in the Loire Valley, and we’d rented a scooter so he could drive it around. We had seen them occasionally on our trip through Europe. He’s repeated his desperate desire to ride one again. And again, and again.
Exploring The Spanish Steps
On our second of three nights in Rome, we walked through the ancient winding streets to the Spanish Steps. It was another perfect evening. We wore t-shirts and sandals, licked more gelato, and people-watched.
Once we reached the bottom of the Spanish Steps, my husband and I ordered the kids to look cute and loving so we could get proof of the moment on film, despite the fact they’d been bickering moments before.
A guitar player played his hippie song, surrounded by backpackers of various ages. Once we climbed the Spanish Steps, we purchased some small watercolor paintings from a local artist set up there. After strolling around a bit more, we took photos at the top of the stairs with the city lit up by moonlight in the background.
Another Perfect Meal in a Dream-like Setting
We ate dinner in a typical little restaurant; a tiny establishment carved out of an old building. There were a handful of tables inside and perhaps ten tables outside, crammed up against the weathered stone. Pedestrians and tiny cars shared the path immediately next to the tables, within arms reach. People strolled by, linking elbows. Tourists wore running shoes and t-shirts displaying places traveled, and locals looked chic and busy. From the cobblestone street, we could look up into the apartment adjacent to see their ancient hand-carved ceiling, inset with foot-wide squares carved with circles and other patterns. Some ceilings revealed complete restorations, some showed wooden tiles in a more dilapidated state. The food, of course, was simple but incredible. We ate pasta and drank wine, perfectly delighted to be eating in the heart of Rome.
The Memorable Ride Home
After seeing the Spanish Steps on this windless night, we headed to our hotel, exhausted, summarizing our adventures of the day and outlining the logistics for the next. Then we passed a collection of public scooters.
Parents, maybe you can relate to this; Our son really wanted to rent a scooter, but we were nervous since it is a dangerous activity, especially in a busy place like Rome. At the same time, we know it is these little things that mean the world to children. Finally, we gave in to our brilliant, impulsive son who likes to ski downhill screaming with delight and laughing while looking behind him over his shoulder.
We decided to rent two scooters for our ride home. It had been dark for quite some time now and we were tired, the streets were less busy at this time of night, and we had a pretty clear idea by that point of where we were. Our oldest daughter and I climbed onto one scooter, and my husband and son climbed onto the other.
We zipped along, my daughter and I both standing on the scooter on one leg. The scooter motor hummed quietly. At night, the crowds were thinner and the people were more relaxed. While I held on tight with my arms wrapped around my daughter’s waist, her long, curly hair flew in my face and up my nose. Occasionally we slowed down to decide which road to take. We traveled along the dark streets of Rome, along St. Angelo’s Bridge over the Tiber River, and in front of Castel Sant’Angelo. The Castel Sant’Angelo loomed over us, the bronze statue of Archangel Michael at the top of it blazing like a star.
While my daughter and I zoomed ahead, I could hear my son laughing hysterically with joy on the scooter behind us. I am sure my husband felt equal parts exhilaration and terror. The buildings were highlighted by streetlights so the streets we’d walked on earlier seemed like a different place. Finally, we arrived at an intersection close to our place where we could leave the scooters for the next user. We walked the last few blocks back to our accommodations.
It was one of those times when you can’t actually believe you are living this experience because it is better than you could ever imagine. I’ve been fortunate enough in the past to have some of those moments when I was younger. Now, having memories like this with my husband and children is a treasure. Our son was thrilled, and I will remember it as one of the best nights of my life. Every time I see a scooter, I go back to that night when I had my arms wrapped around my beautiful daughter, and I heard my son and husband laughing together while we zipped through a spectacular city. I am forever grateful that our son convinced us to have this experience that will always connect us, just the four of us.
