rivermama

Hello,
We would like to rent a bike possibly on Jan. 1st to ride on the Appian way and visit at least one catacomb....Does anyone know if everything will be closed on this day? I've tried to research the bike rentals and I think they may be open but I believe the information desk?? will be closed.

Also for you that have been there where would you suggest to watch the fireworks on Dec. 31st? We are considering the Coliseum...

MmePerdu

I have a suggestion, to walk, rather than ride. Firstly, the road is rocky in the most interesting parts and I cannot imagine it would be fun. But, most of all, it's a road that was built to be marched upon, by armies, and in my opinion after walking it, is most fascinating experienced at that pace, to see what there is to see, to have the time to imagine it all those centuries ago. And to not have to bother with what to do with the bike when you want to go where you can't bring it.

rivermama

Interesting MmePerdu, we may just do that. I just love to ride bikes and we really enjoyed when we rented them in both Amsterdam and The Cotswold in England. We are also going with 2 teenage boys so I thought they might enjoy it. But thanks... it might be nice to imagine the armies marching as we walk along.

MmePerdu

These photos show the sort of surfaces I walked along, not the best for riding but fine for walking, with lots of interest alongside:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appian..._Rome_2006.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appian...nsViaAppia.jpg

Farther from Rome I believe there are better surfaces but, I think, also open to car traffic.

raincitygirl

My husband and I did a bike tour of the Appian Way in Oct. 2014 with Top Bike Rentals. The guide was great and we stopped to tour the Catacombs, had a stop at a sheep farm with cheese and wine, had all sorts of interesting things pointed out to us along the way. My husband is a competitive cyclist and I am more of a noodle around the neighbourhood type so I found it a bit challenging mostly because of the ground on some parts of the Appian way, there was loose dust, lots of holes in the ground etc. Despite that I enjoyed it very much, it was one of the more fun things we did that trip to Rome.

I see now on their site that they use electric bikes for this tour with an option to have a pedal bike if you wish. That would make it easier.

I can recommend this tour company and biking was a great way to see a lot. We were not going at a cracking pace for the most part.
Walking it would be fun too.

MizzusK

We rented bikes from the Appia Antica Regional Park, with three of our kids, 14 - 21, for 15 euros/day earlier this year. Yes, the road is bumpy and it is challenging to avoid the pedestrians, but there are larger stones that provide for a smoother surface and there are "shoulders" that allow you to ride on dirt. That being said, the primary reason for renting bicycles was because I wanted to visit the Villa dei Quintili. The approximate distance to the villa from the Information Center is 6.8 miles one-way. I felt this would allow us ample time to view the villa as well as experience the Appia Antica in a leisurely fashion. Personally, I am glad that we chose this option as we also had time for lunch along the way.

I do know that both the Villa dei Quintili and the Tomb of Cecilia Metella are closed on the first. You can contact the park by email to determine if they will be open ([email protected]). Someone should be able to assist you (in English).

BTW - we love renting bikes on vacation! We never ride at home but there's something about being on holiday that inspires the athlete in us - lol!

rivermama

Thanks everyone for your replies!