jetsetmom

I am traveling to Rome with my husband and 15 year-old son next week and struggling with an itinerary. We are staying at the Boscolo Exedra ( Marriott Autograph Collection). I also booked at the Hilton Garden Inn Claridge, but reconsidered after reading post here. excluding travel days, we have five full days. We would like to do a day trip to Florence, but don't want to rush. I would like recommendations on things to do and your thought on a day trip to Florence. Thank you for anything you can share.

eastenderusvi

When you say you have 5 full days, that means you are staying 6 nights, correct?

Do you have ideas about what you want to see and do in Rome?

jetsetmom

Thank you for your reply. Yes, we will have 6 nights. We would like to visit the major tourist attractions, Vatican City, etc. and perhaps a day trip to Florence. The hotel I have selected is close to the city center.

Debs

Would strongly suggest you book tickets ahead of your trip to skip the long lines or purchase a Roma pass once you get to Rome, which will also allow you to skip the lines. IMHO, 5 full days in Rome doesn't allow time for a day trip outside the city, but others will feel differently.

For a gelato break, stop at a Blue Ice location - they're scattered throughout the city. Soooooo delicious!

Enjoy!

denisea

Consider Tivoli instead of Florence. Depending on your interests, you could visit Hadrians's Villa and/or Villa d'Este. Villa d'Este is a fountain lovers dream!

A less crowded but lovely place to visit is Doria Pamphilji. Borghese Gallery is amazing but do check the website to see if you can get tickets. The entries there are timed and maximum visit is two hours...the sculptures are wonderful.

eastenderusvi

We just returned from 5 nights. My recommendation is to do one major thing- Vatican/St Peter's, Old Forum/Colosseum/Palatine Hill- a day, then fill in. I enjoyed the National Museum sites, several of which are close to your hotel. My mantra is : You can't do it all.

I can't help you with Florence. I was there many years ago for 3 full days and it wasn't enough for me. I can't imagine it on a day trip.

RonZ

Florence on the train takes 1.5 hours, schedules on the Trenitalia web site, tickets from a Trenitalia machine, validated before boarding. The city is very compact.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Florence

tuscanlifeedit

Boscolo Exedra is certainly the better location of the two hotels.

This is just my opinion of course, but I would take a 15 year old on a day trip to Ostia Antica rather than Florence or Tivoli.

Or just consider Ostia as a Rome activity. The Terme di Caracalla is a favorite of ours, but I would probably pick it OR Ostia Antica; maybe not both.

We loved Palazzo Valentini.

It's fascinating but needs booked ahead. You can easily do it now, I think.

http://www.palazzovalentini.it/en/

San Clemente is another choice, because of its layers of history.

Galleria Borghese is a wonderful art museum, but considering that you have a teen boy with you, I also suggest Villa Borghese, which is the perfect Sunday afternoon in Rome. We have had so much fun spending a weekend afternoon in the park; IMO, it outdoes Central Park for fun people and activities.

jetsetmom

Thank you all for the many replies and helpful advice.

@Debs - I wholeheartedly agree. I have been given a couple of awesome gelato spots and plan to enjoy them both...without rushing .

@denisea - Thank you for the advise. I sat down to book tickets online today for the Villa Borghese for Sunday based on recommendations from you and tuscanlifeedit.

We are still contemplating Florence and really want to go, but I am thinking that we will play it by ear.

@tuscanlifeedit - We are "researching" Ostia Antica as an alternative to Florence for a good day trip.

I really appreciate all of the feedback and tips that each of you have shared. We are looking forward to our trip!!

indyhiker

Ostia would get my vote. Not just because it's fascinating, but also because it will provide a welcome respite from the crowds--something Florence will not. I think Orvieto would make for a good day trip as well.

tuscanlifeedit

No, no. Galleria Borghese is great, but I was recommending time on Sunday in Villa Borghese, a park, that is best on Sunday afternoons. I wish I'd make that more clear.

In any case, walk downhill, all the way to the Pincio if you can.

Pepper_von_snoot

The Exedra isn't in a bad location, but it is right next door to McDonald's in Piazza Repubblica.

It is odd when you see well-dressed guests of Exedra sitting on the terrace in front of the hotel just a few feet away from the masses who come out of Termini to get a hamburger at McDonald's.

This is a BUSY McDonald's!

There is a little coffee bar called Snack Bar Eredi Soccorsi Lorenzo near the St. Regis Grande in Piazza Repubblica that serves great cornetto and cappuccino.

I HATE Blue Ice, by the way. They cheat you at the Via Sistina location.

Thin

Pepper_von_snoot

It looks like you don't have to worry; the McD's in Piazza Repubblica is now permanently closed.


Thin

denisea

jetset - have a great time. I would also recommend pizza from Roscioli or Forno in Campo dei Fiori. So much better than most pizza we have in the states and you can get them to cut as much or as little as you want. At Roscioli, I love the pizza pomodoro at Forno the pizza bianca. I think your son will enjoy it.

For gelato, I like Venchi (near the Pantheon) and Grom.

ashwinb

With a day in Florence, I would recommend getting an early train, and coming back by a late train, you should enjoy florence in the evening, go to the Piazza Michelangelo in the evening, spend the afternoons indoors and the morning and evenings outside.
As for whether to spend a day in Florence out of 5 days, I think it's actually ok if you just spend all the 5 days in and around Rome. Plenty of things to do. Do go to the Baths of Carcalla and the top of the terraces to enjoy the views.
Do have a look at my TR, I spent almost 4 days in Rome.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-december.cfm

jetsetmom

Hello All,

@indyhiker and tuscanlifeedit - My son and I watched a short video about Ostia and definitely plan to visit. I agree, it may provide a nice little break and allow us to see a fascinating piece of history.

tuscanlifeedit - Thank you for the clarification regarding the Galleria and the Villa. I am sorry that I misunderstood.

ashwinb - Thank you for your response, based on what you have said and others, we will not go to Florence. I will take a look a few of of the other recommended spots for day trips.

Pepper_von_snoot - I think that we will find our way out for a morning Cappucinno .

I am very excited and each of you has helped to add to that!