We’ve had so much rain and wind and cold weather lately that we were really hoping for sun in Rome. And we did indeed have lots of sun for our first few days. But today it’s raining. Raining like it’s never going to stop. So what can we do with the kids on a rainy day in Rome?

We’re only in Rome for a few days and have lots of things we want to see and do with the kids. But we’re going to have to use our imaginations a bit to get some of these done in the rain. So I am going to take that as a challenge!

First off we enjoyed a more leisurely breakfast than planned at the hotel. Nobody’s in a desperate hurry to get out into the rain. Least of all not Northern Dad who has some kind of work crisis to sort out anyway. Thank goodness it’s raining: I’d begrudge this interruption from work more if we were missing out on glorious sunshine!

We’re staying at a rather lovely hotel in the centre of Rome, the Grand Plaza Hotel. It’s very old school slightly faded glamour with beautifully frescoed ceilings, sweeping marble staircases and an enormous lion. Yep, you read that correctly, an enormous lion. An enormous marble lion.

So we killed a good half hour or so of a rainy morning in Rome playing lion games. Lion taming. Lion grooming. And lion killing baddies.

But then Dad finished work and out into the rain we went. Into the Roman rain.

Thankfully, as a result of Northern Dad being from Cumbria, we are used to a bit of rain. And blessed with lots of all-weather gear. So, suitably attired in fell-walking-in-winter coats, we set off for a bit of spiritual enlightenment at The Vatican.

Over the last few days, we’ve nearly worn out the kids’ legs dragging them around Rome. So off to the Metro to take the tube from Spagna station, just around the corner from the hotel.

But time to tick something else off on my Things To Do In Rome list: The Spanish Steps. Now, generally, you have to make like the early bird and get out sharpish to see the steps. Normally they are so covered in tourists, and selfie sticks, that you can’t see a step.

But on a rainy day in Rome?

…barely a tourist in sight. Only the really die-hards out today. And some of them look in danger of being blown away by their brollies.

So, one of the upsides of a rainy day in Rome is that the kids get to actually see The Spanish Steps. Sadly they’re missing out on seeing it covered in tourists. And on having the scene completed by a couple of students with guitars singing Gypsy Kings songs.

Spoiler Alert: Before we go on any further, take a look at the face below. It’s the very last you’ll see of it looking vaguely happy. Or not devastated anyway. Well, for several hours anyway.

But, on we went, to St Peter’s Basilica. And arrived there utterly drenched. Shoes squelching, trousers stuck to our legs, hair plastered onto our faces. Truly showing the Italians how ultra stylish the Brits can be.

So we may not cut a stylish figure, but we can enjoy ourselves in Rome. Even with kids. Even on a rainy day.

I’d really love to confirm that we had an amazing day out at The Vatican. That we really showed the Italians how we Brits can enjoy themselves, whatever the weather. But it would be a lie. A big fat lie.

One of the few benefits of a rainy day in Rome is that the queue was much shorter than on a sunny day. And I tried so hard to press that point with the kids. To tell them how lucky they were that they were in the queue on a rainy day in Rome.

But it didn’t work.

This is the very happiest Littlest Angel was the whole time. We whipped in and out of the Basilica really quickly. So quickly that my poor soul didn’t even get a sniff of spiritual enlightenment.

And would I ever see my smiley happy girl again?

Sure.

We Brits can enjoy Rome on a rainy day. Even with kids. We just need some comforts. And order will be restored. Order and happiness.

And food.

And a bit of glamour.

Then we’ll be ok.

So you can have a great day out in Rome on a rainy day.

You just might need to be a bit flexible with your agenda!