First time in Rome for 2 days in september
Jul 12th, 2012, 10:26 AM
#1
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First time in Rome for 2 days in september
What would be the best way to organize my two days trip in September?
I will be traveling with my father (in his fifties).
Is it wise to rent a car in Rome?
Any good day-tour you want to recommend?
What was your best experience you had in or outside of (2 hr radius) Rome?
What are the good restaurants that are MUST go?
Any part of the Rome that I should avoid to go...dangerous or not worth the time?
Thanks in advance <3
I will be traveling with my father (in his fifties).
Is it wise to rent a car in Rome?
Any good day-tour you want to recommend?
What was your best experience you had in or outside of (2 hr radius) Rome?
What are the good restaurants that are MUST go?
Any part of the Rome that I should avoid to go...dangerous or not worth the time?
Thanks in advance <3
Jul 12th, 2012, 10:50 AM
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No rental car because there is no place to park without spending a fortune; because if you're going to be there for only two days and want to see mainly historical sites there is no way to get to them in a car; because a two-day rental car costs as much as a three-day one; because the bulk of the center city is a restricted zone for residents only and if you even pass through it you'll end up with a fine of several hundred dollars; and because the traffic in Rome is insane and the city isn't laid out in any sort of meaningful pattern and you'd likely be totally lost and never make it anywhere, anyway.
A rental car in Rome is a horrible idea. Walk.
A rental car in Rome is a horrible idea. Walk.
Jul 12th, 2012, 10:52 AM
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The historical center of Rome is quite compact. You can walk most places. If you don't want to walk you can take the bus, metro (not nearly as handy re stops as other cities), or a taxi (fairly cheap due to short distances). While it may seem that everything is spread out when looking at a map, check the scale. I do check the scale, but I am still surprised that things are still much closer than they seem. Also, if you plan carefully, you can visit sites/sights in a sequence in which you are not doing a lot of backtracking.
Another reason not to rent a car is logistics. Roman traffic is bad, trying to find parking would be extremely difficult, and you would pretty much be asking for a hefty fine (e.g. for doing something or driving somewhere you didn't realize was prohibited).
You certainly won't run short of historical sites in Rome.
Another reason not to rent a car is logistics. Roman traffic is bad, trying to find parking would be extremely difficult, and you would pretty much be asking for a hefty fine (e.g. for doing something or driving somewhere you didn't realize was prohibited).
You certainly won't run short of historical sites in Rome.
Jul 12th, 2012, 11:11 AM
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I really appreciate your input. I won't rent a car.
What would be the most efficient sequence that give me no or very minimum backtracking? what was the mistake you made or you saw somebody did on their planning?
I know there are too many places to go in 2 days. Will I have time to visit Vatican at all? Thanks!
What would be the most efficient sequence that give me no or very minimum backtracking? what was the mistake you made or you saw somebody did on their planning?
I know there are too many places to go in 2 days. Will I have time to visit Vatican at all? Thanks!
Jul 12th, 2012, 11:20 AM
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<<What would be the most efficient sequence that give me no or very minimum backtracking?>>
This is what maps are for. We don't know where you're staying or what's on your list of must-sees, so we can't devise an appropriate sequence for you. Just get a map and mark it up with what you hope to visit, make sure that those things are open on the days you'll be there, check the visiting hours, and make a walking plan.
The Vatican Museums take a good bit of time. Of course, you can just pop into St. Peter's if you're in a rush, walk around, go up to the rooftop maybe. If historical sites are your main interest, though, I'd skip the Vatican Museums this time (well, I'd skip them every time, but that's another story).
This is what maps are for. We don't know where you're staying or what's on your list of must-sees, so we can't devise an appropriate sequence for you. Just get a map and mark it up with what you hope to visit, make sure that those things are open on the days you'll be there, check the visiting hours, and make a walking plan.
The Vatican Museums take a good bit of time. Of course, you can just pop into St. Peter's if you're in a rush, walk around, go up to the rooftop maybe. If historical sites are your main interest, though, I'd skip the Vatican Museums this time (well, I'd skip them every time, but that's another story).
Jul 12th, 2012, 11:32 AM
#8
The first mistake people make in their planning is not prioritizing what they want to see/do in a place after reading a guidebook or doing some online research. If the Vatican is your first priority, then you will have time to visit it. Of course, that means you won't have time to see something else of a lower priority on your list. Tips: Take note of days and hours that museums/churches/etc. are open/closed. Make sightseeing reservations where possible (for example, the Borghese Gallery).
The second mistake is not having a map of the city to refer to when planning the order of sightseeing to prevent or minimize backtracking.
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/italy/rome/
The second mistake is not having a map of the city to refer to when planning the order of sightseeing to prevent or minimize backtracking.
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/italy/rome/
Jul 12th, 2012, 12:59 PM
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The biggest mistake we made on our first trip to Rome was to only spend 3 nights there. This became the equivalent of 2 full days. Rome is overwhelmingly wonderful! There is so much to see and so much to experience! Of course, our 2nd trip we allowed 5 days - much better, but still not enough time. Make sure you take time to just walk and observe. If you only have 2 days in Rome, prioritize what you want to do. Walk everywhere!
Jul 12th, 2012, 02:08 PM
#10
From the Rome Tourist Board:
http://www.turismoroma.it/itinerari-...giorni?lang=en
http://www.turismoroma.it/itinerari-...giorni?lang=en
Jul 12th, 2012, 05:57 PM
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Renting a car in Rome - as in any major city in europe - is a complete nonsense.
First, there is no place to park - either near sites or near your hotel. So you would be paying for a car to sit in a garage at $40 per day.
Second, even if there were places to park driving in Rome is not for the faint of heart. there are very few traffic lights and most intersections operate on the chicken principle (this is the same for pedestrians as drivers).
Third, in many areas the roads are more like alleys (barely room for 2 cars to pass unless you drive onto people's doorsteps) - since they may be as much as a thousand years old (as are many of the churches and some of the other buildings.
In Rome you will want to use feet to get around (make sure your hotel is right in the center).
Also in 2 days you can barely scratch the surface - so you will have to decide on what your must sees are - ancient Rome, the Vatican, Renaissance Rome, explore neighborhoods, visit piazzas and fountains?????? And you absolutely do not have time to get outside the city.
First, there is no place to park - either near sites or near your hotel. So you would be paying for a car to sit in a garage at $40 per day.
Second, even if there were places to park driving in Rome is not for the faint of heart. there are very few traffic lights and most intersections operate on the chicken principle (this is the same for pedestrians as drivers).
Third, in many areas the roads are more like alleys (barely room for 2 cars to pass unless you drive onto people's doorsteps) - since they may be as much as a thousand years old (as are many of the churches and some of the other buildings.
In Rome you will want to use feet to get around (make sure your hotel is right in the center).
Also in 2 days you can barely scratch the surface - so you will have to decide on what your must sees are - ancient Rome, the Vatican, Renaissance Rome, explore neighborhoods, visit piazzas and fountains?????? And you absolutely do not have time to get outside the city.
Jul 12th, 2012, 07:49 PM
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You can easily spend an entire day visiting the Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum. Do not leave the Forum until you've been up to Palatine Hill, as you can't get back in. You CAN take a break for lunch before visiting the Colosseum. I suggest lunch (or dinner if you are staying in the area) La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali, via Madonna dei Monti, 9 phone +39 06 6798643
Their food was so good, after eating a pasta course we decided to have our big meal of the day for lunch and ordered main courses and dessert with a bottle of house red.
Piazza Navona and Campo di Fiori are must sees -- try to get to Campo de Fiori in the morning when the market is set up and active. Piazza Navona has gotten to be kind of a zoo, but the two magnificent fountains it contains are worth battling the crowds, fending off mimes and Capt Jack Sparrow impersonators (why that guy was there, I really don't understand...except that one of the fountains is supposed to represent the seven seas so maybe that was the connection.) This is actually a wonderful area to stay in, because you can walk so many places from there. Another of my favorite restaurants isn't far from there (sort of NE of Piazza Navona) Casa Coppelle, #49 on the Piazza delle Coppelle. You should make a reservation as it is really popular with both Romans and tourists: 39 066 8891707 There are a number of restaurants on the same little Piazza, so just ASK one of the waiters standing outside any of them and they will point it out.
You should also be certain to visit the Pantheon.
If you visit the Spanish Steps, you should be sure to go up above them and walk along the street which borders Borghese Park. The views over the city from there are extraordinary (good place to be at sunset).
Their food was so good, after eating a pasta course we decided to have our big meal of the day for lunch and ordered main courses and dessert with a bottle of house red.
Piazza Navona and Campo di Fiori are must sees -- try to get to Campo de Fiori in the morning when the market is set up and active. Piazza Navona has gotten to be kind of a zoo, but the two magnificent fountains it contains are worth battling the crowds, fending off mimes and Capt Jack Sparrow impersonators (why that guy was there, I really don't understand...except that one of the fountains is supposed to represent the seven seas so maybe that was the connection.) This is actually a wonderful area to stay in, because you can walk so many places from there. Another of my favorite restaurants isn't far from there (sort of NE of Piazza Navona) Casa Coppelle, #49 on the Piazza delle Coppelle. You should make a reservation as it is really popular with both Romans and tourists: 39 066 8891707 There are a number of restaurants on the same little Piazza, so just ASK one of the waiters standing outside any of them and they will point it out.
You should also be certain to visit the Pantheon.
If you visit the Spanish Steps, you should be sure to go up above them and walk along the street which borders Borghese Park. The views over the city from there are extraordinary (good place to be at sunset).
