Are these sites walkable?
Jun 26th, 2013, 04:55 AM
#1
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Are these sites walkable?
Hello again! After going though our itinerary for the uptenth time, I feel doubtful if we would be able to survive the heat and pushing our limits walking wise. I would be truly grateful if you tell me your opinion on the parts of the itinerary I am not sure about.
DAY ONE - we are arriving at the apartment around noon, so I we would go out exploring in the early afternoon. My plan for the day is to visit : Chiesa del Gesù, Santa Maria Sopra Minerve, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona , Church of San Luigi dei Francesi and the Church of Sant'Ignazio Di Loyola and then Trevi Fountain. I feel like walking to the Spanish Steps will pushing be pushing it a bit regardless that we are in our twenties, so I decided it's best to move the Spanish Steps to DAY FIVE: Piazza del Popolo, Santa Maria del Popolo, Villa Borghese as they are in the same area.
Also, I would really want us to see the sunset from Colle del Gianicolo and figured it might be best to do so on DAY FOUR: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square. I am unsure if we should take a bus from Saint Peter's Squre or just walk to the hill. We are visiting Trastevere on a different day as we will have plenty of time in Rome.
Thanks a bunch!
DAY ONE - we are arriving at the apartment around noon, so I we would go out exploring in the early afternoon. My plan for the day is to visit : Chiesa del Gesù, Santa Maria Sopra Minerve, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona , Church of San Luigi dei Francesi and the Church of Sant'Ignazio Di Loyola and then Trevi Fountain. I feel like walking to the Spanish Steps will pushing be pushing it a bit regardless that we are in our twenties, so I decided it's best to move the Spanish Steps to DAY FIVE: Piazza del Popolo, Santa Maria del Popolo, Villa Borghese as they are in the same area.
Also, I would really want us to see the sunset from Colle del Gianicolo and figured it might be best to do so on DAY FOUR: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square. I am unsure if we should take a bus from Saint Peter's Squre or just walk to the hill. We are visiting Trastevere on a different day as we will have plenty of time in Rome.
Thanks a bunch!
Jun 26th, 2013, 05:45 AM
#2
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I don't know if you realize this, but you can plot things on a google map and get walking directions. Just use "add destination" for each place you want to go. Here is an example:
http://goo.gl/maps/GBGvz
http://goo.gl/maps/GBGvz
Jun 26th, 2013, 07:12 AM
#3
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For future reference, it would help to put the city you're talking about in the title.
A couple of years ago I stayed near Piazza Navona and walked everywhere we went, including the Villa Borghese, the Colosseum and the Vatican. If you're young and in decent shape you should be fine, though I'm not familiar with all the churches on your list or Colle del Gianicolo. vjpb's suggestion of Google Maps is a good one.
A couple of years ago I stayed near Piazza Navona and walked everywhere we went, including the Villa Borghese, the Colosseum and the Vatican. If you're young and in decent shape you should be fine, though I'm not familiar with all the churches on your list or Colle del Gianicolo. vjpb's suggestion of Google Maps is a good one.
Jun 26th, 2013, 07:18 AM
#4
IMO, Day One is probably not going to go as planned. I think micro-planning walking itineraries in Rome is a waste of time as so many things can happen: you don't get out of the apartment as early as you thought you would, you spend more time somewhere than you scheduled, you come across something interesting you hadn't planned on stopping to see, the open hours of a site are not what you thought they were and you need to wait 30 minutes, or a site has to be moved to another day because it's closed, you get a little lost, it's hot and you're thirsty, you didn't factor in how long lunch would take, etc. etc. etc.
Giancolo is not the only great place to be at sunset. The roof of St. Peter's, the top of the Castello, the top of the Vittorio Emmanuele Monument, Parco Pincio (above the Spanish Steps)... It just depends on what view you want, but they're all good.
Giancolo is not the only great place to be at sunset. The roof of St. Peter's, the top of the Castello, the top of the Vittorio Emmanuele Monument, Parco Pincio (above the Spanish Steps)... It just depends on what view you want, but they're all good.
Jun 26th, 2013, 10:19 AM
#5
You will find many churches closed in the afternoons so I'm not sure your itinerary will work. If you are arriving on an overnight flight, you will probably be too jetlagged for that much walking on the first day. Walking on cobblestones and dodging Vespas is not easy on the foot (they don't call it Roman foot for nothing).
There is no reason not to throw in some public transport and save your feet a bit. On day two, you have reservations at the Borghese, you might want to catch the little electric bus that runs through the historic center. Villa Borghese is at the far end of the park (all uphill!). Take the bus up and walk back.
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9
>>>Giancolo is not the only great place to be at sunset. The roof of St. Peter's, the top of the Castello, the top of the Vittorio Emmanuele Monument, Parco Pincio (above the Spanish Steps)... It just depends on what view you want, but they're all good.<<<
Sunset in summer will be later than some of these allow access.
>>>Also, I would really want us to see the sunset from Colle del Gianicolo and figured it might be best to do so on DAY FOUR: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square. I am unsure if we should take a bus from Saint Peter's Squre or just walk to the hill.<<<
Bus 115.
http://trovalinea.atac.roma.it/zoom_...a=115&circo=SI
There is no reason not to throw in some public transport and save your feet a bit. On day two, you have reservations at the Borghese, you might want to catch the little electric bus that runs through the historic center. Villa Borghese is at the far end of the park (all uphill!). Take the bus up and walk back.
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9
>>>Giancolo is not the only great place to be at sunset. The roof of St. Peter's, the top of the Castello, the top of the Vittorio Emmanuele Monument, Parco Pincio (above the Spanish Steps)... It just depends on what view you want, but they're all good.<<<
Sunset in summer will be later than some of these allow access.
>>>Also, I would really want us to see the sunset from Colle del Gianicolo and figured it might be best to do so on DAY FOUR: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square. I am unsure if we should take a bus from Saint Peter's Squre or just walk to the hill.<<<
Bus 115.
http://trovalinea.atac.roma.it/zoom_...a=115&circo=SI
Jun 26th, 2013, 10:51 AM
#6
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How much walking are you used to doing. We have visited Rome several times and walked almost everywhere - although sometimes at the end of the day if we were far from the hotel and tired we would hop in a cab (cheap in Rome).
I don't know where all of those churches are - and as noted in Rome you need to check open hours carefully - and realize they are open to change without notice.
Caveat: As NYCers we are used to walking many places - and often will go for a 3 or 4 mile walk after brunch to get rid of the calories. )If you're in your 20s you should be able to do at least 10 miles a day with no problem as long as you have comfy shoes - and are used to walking versus just driving everywhere.)
I don't know where all of those churches are - and as noted in Rome you need to check open hours carefully - and realize they are open to change without notice.
Caveat: As NYCers we are used to walking many places - and often will go for a 3 or 4 mile walk after brunch to get rid of the calories. )If you're in your 20s you should be able to do at least 10 miles a day with no problem as long as you have comfy shoes - and are used to walking versus just driving everywhere.)
Jun 26th, 2013, 11:06 AM
#7
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It impossible to advise, you need to decide yourself.
Yes it is possible, easy for some.
We did most of the sites you quoted by foot in one day. We are Sottish and made of girders.
It is entirely up to you.
Yes it is possible, easy for some.
We did most of the sites you quoted by foot in one day. We are Sottish and made of girders.
It is entirely up to you.
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:21 PM
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@vjpblovesitaly I don't know if you are trying to be smart but I can assure you I am more than aware of Google maps. The reason I was asking you was because obviously you have been to Rome recently and have much more idea than I do or will ever get by looking at Google maps. Though, thanks for the useful link. 
@jent103 Darn, I must have skipped it. Anyways, all of the churches I listed are in the area around the Pantheon, the only thing that I was doubting we could fit in the itinerary was the Spanish Steps as the monument is a bit further away.
@Jean Indeed, but truth to be told I was asking an entirely different question. We are spending ten days in Rome so we are doing all of the suggested "sunsets" although they won't be really sunsets as non other than the Spanish Steps will be open until 9pm.
@kybourbon Thank you! We live in London and thankfully won't be jetlagged. The churches are open during the times we are visiting, I made sure to check beforehand.
@nytraveler We are both used to walking a lot as we live in London but this is our vacation and some time that we can spend with one another, not running around in the heat like crazy. Thanks!
@Dickie_Gr I will see in a couple of weeks then.
@jent103 Darn, I must have skipped it. Anyways, all of the churches I listed are in the area around the Pantheon, the only thing that I was doubting we could fit in the itinerary was the Spanish Steps as the monument is a bit further away.
@Jean Indeed, but truth to be told I was asking an entirely different question. We are spending ten days in Rome so we are doing all of the suggested "sunsets" although they won't be really sunsets as non other than the Spanish Steps will be open until 9pm.
@kybourbon Thank you! We live in London and thankfully won't be jetlagged. The churches are open during the times we are visiting, I made sure to check beforehand.
@nytraveler We are both used to walking a lot as we live in London but this is our vacation and some time that we can spend with one another, not running around in the heat like crazy. Thanks!
@Dickie_Gr I will see in a couple of weeks then.
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:53 PM
#9
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"vjpblovesitaly I don't know if you are trying to be smart but I can assure you I am more than aware of Google maps"
No I wasn't. It is a city, not the countryside so it's really easy to figure out. I am not a big fan of smileyfaces
No I wasn't. It is a city, not the countryside so it's really easy to figure out. I am not a big fan of smileyfaces
Jun 26th, 2013, 08:13 PM
#10
>>>The churches are open during the times we are visiting, I made sure to check beforehand<<<
I'm not sure where you checked, but it's not written in stone. It's Italy. I would check again after arrival. When you get into July/Aug some churches will be closed more.
I walk all over Rome also (often my feet hate me for it), but it doesn't hurt to know your options and have some transport tickets (1.50€) handy to use. Between the cobblestones and heat, sometimes you need a break. The 116 and 117 electric buses are a good way to see the city as they go through the historic center. Hop on and ride the entire route and back.
I don't find Google maps as accurate as Mappy.com for Italy. ATAC (I linked above) is the transportation website for Rome and has a pedestrian feature.
There are 324 historic churches in Rome listed on the Rome Tourist Board website. While hours/days are listed, as noted earlier, it won't be accurate, but will give you an idea and contact info. You can narrow to what you want by using the advance search feature.
http://www.060608.it/en/cultura-e-sv...rico-artistico
I'm not sure where you checked, but it's not written in stone. It's Italy. I would check again after arrival. When you get into July/Aug some churches will be closed more.
I walk all over Rome also (often my feet hate me for it), but it doesn't hurt to know your options and have some transport tickets (1.50€) handy to use. Between the cobblestones and heat, sometimes you need a break. The 116 and 117 electric buses are a good way to see the city as they go through the historic center. Hop on and ride the entire route and back.
I don't find Google maps as accurate as Mappy.com for Italy. ATAC (I linked above) is the transportation website for Rome and has a pedestrian feature.
There are 324 historic churches in Rome listed on the Rome Tourist Board website. While hours/days are listed, as noted earlier, it won't be accurate, but will give you an idea and contact info. You can narrow to what you want by using the advance search feature.
http://www.060608.it/en/cultura-e-sv...rico-artistico
Jun 27th, 2013, 09:39 AM
#12
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Well, we don;t "run around in the heat like crazy" We don;t go to Rome in the summer - NY is hot enough - we go in May or Oct.
And we're not running around like crazy since we don;t typically go a whole bunch of places every day - but limit to a reasonable amount to cover. And always leave time for cafe sitting, enjoying a campari and snacks.
the point is those distances are not that great. If you want to see so many in one day is a separate issue.
And we're not running around like crazy since we don;t typically go a whole bunch of places every day - but limit to a reasonable amount to cover. And always leave time for cafe sitting, enjoying a campari and snacks.
the point is those distances are not that great. If you want to see so many in one day is a separate issue.
Jun 27th, 2013, 09:55 AM
#13
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Pick an area, do everything you want to do roughly in that area. You seem to have the idea but sound very "planned" for people in their twenties. We have four decades on you but could do everything on your lists easily unless we decided to look at somewhere in more depth, or shop, or stop for a long drink or meal or an exhibition. You live in London, you can always return to see the things you miss on this trip.
