One Day in Rome
May 18th, 2006, 09:45 AM
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One Day in Rome
Our retired cousin and her husband are big time cruisers. They are on a budget so they usually take the "less expensive" cruises with one-day port stops. Well, on there Mediterranean cruise in September, they have a stop at the port near Rome. A bus can take them on a tour of the Vatican but I personally think that is packing in a lot in one day... the drive to and from, the lines and just the hugeness of it all. I suggested, if you only have ONE day (this is why WE don't take these cruises!) to hire a driver and speed off to cental/ancient Rome... the Forum, Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain (she really wants to see this), Piazza Navona, etc. We have been to Rome several times and will be returning in 07 but we will be staying for a week. Any suggestions for this couple?
May 18th, 2006, 10:06 AM
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Context Rome has a one-day cruise passenger tour -- hassle-free pickup at the port, six hours with expert guides, return to port.
http://rome.contexttravel.com/cart/reserve
.php?p=PTR3587
ContextRome is the gold standard for English-language tours, this one is about $1000 for a group of up to six, so perhaps not what your thrifty cousins are looking for. But other tour organizations well regarded on this forum might have similar, but less pricey, offerings.
And the car services that Fodorites recommend may do a full-day arrangement, with less-scholarly commentary of course.
If I were in the cruisers' position, I would look at lots of options before settling on the cruise line' bus tour offering.
http://rome.contexttravel.com/cart/reserve
.php?p=PTR3587
ContextRome is the gold standard for English-language tours, this one is about $1000 for a group of up to six, so perhaps not what your thrifty cousins are looking for. But other tour organizations well regarded on this forum might have similar, but less pricey, offerings.
And the car services that Fodorites recommend may do a full-day arrangement, with less-scholarly commentary of course.
If I were in the cruisers' position, I would look at lots of options before settling on the cruise line' bus tour offering.
May 19th, 2006, 02:15 AM
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Rj - They can expect to pay € 300-350 for a limo/minibus tour from Civitavecchia.
Not exactly a budget option (- unless they share ....)
Have they thought of catching the train into Rome?
Fare: approx. € 9 return.
The train stops at San Pietro for the Vatican.
They could bus or taxi from there to the other sights.
A compromise alternative might be a one-way transfer Civitavecchia-Colosseum (- approx € 130) to save time.
They could end up at St Peters - and catch the train back to Civitavecchia from there (- € 4.50)
www.trenitalia.com
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Not exactly a budget option (- unless they share ....)
Have they thought of catching the train into Rome?
Fare: approx. € 9 return.
The train stops at San Pietro for the Vatican.
They could bus or taxi from there to the other sights.
A compromise alternative might be a one-way transfer Civitavecchia-Colosseum (- approx € 130) to save time.
They could end up at St Peters - and catch the train back to Civitavecchia from there (- € 4.50)
www.trenitalia.com
Hope this helps ...
Steve
May 19th, 2006, 02:40 AM
#4
Last year I was in the same situation. A work colleague had saved up for her and her husband to go on a cruise.
They weren't in a position to spend several hundred Euros each on day trips.
Rome was one of them. I told them they should ask where the train station is located. I don't remember the name of the port but it wasn't a very long train ride at all and cost only a few Euros.
I told them to get off at Termini as I didn't know there was a train stop at the Vatican. They overheard some people mention this and stayed on to the Vatican.
I gave them maps of each city and made tours for them for Barcelona, Rome, Florence and Seville.
In Rome they had a complete day of touring and I have to admit they took in and enjoyed all of the major sights in one day. They slept on the train going back. Had a great time and saved a lot of money.
Started at the Vatican museum (this was the only museum they toured) and then over to and inside St Peters. Walked to Castle St Angelo and taxi to the Spanish Steps. Walked to the Fountain of Trevi, Pantheon and Piazza Navona where they stopped for lunch.
Walked through the streets over to Victor Emmanual and the Forum. Then on to the Coliseum and over to the train station.
The only museum they visited was the Vatican but they had certain constraints (one day).
They weren't in a position to spend several hundred Euros each on day trips.
Rome was one of them. I told them they should ask where the train station is located. I don't remember the name of the port but it wasn't a very long train ride at all and cost only a few Euros.
I told them to get off at Termini as I didn't know there was a train stop at the Vatican. They overheard some people mention this and stayed on to the Vatican.
I gave them maps of each city and made tours for them for Barcelona, Rome, Florence and Seville.
In Rome they had a complete day of touring and I have to admit they took in and enjoyed all of the major sights in one day. They slept on the train going back. Had a great time and saved a lot of money.
Started at the Vatican museum (this was the only museum they toured) and then over to and inside St Peters. Walked to Castle St Angelo and taxi to the Spanish Steps. Walked to the Fountain of Trevi, Pantheon and Piazza Navona where they stopped for lunch.
Walked through the streets over to Victor Emmanual and the Forum. Then on to the Coliseum and over to the train station.
The only museum they visited was the Vatican but they had certain constraints (one day).
May 21st, 2006, 10:28 AM
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Thanks to you all. I checked out ContextRome and book-marked it for our next trip. I like the short day tours.
Taking the train is a good idea (are they up for it?) and hearing that so much can be done in ONE day. Maybe they will return to Rome and stop to smell the roses and relax with a Compari!
Taking the train is a good idea (are they up for it?) and hearing that so much can be done in ONE day. Maybe they will return to Rome and stop to smell the roses and relax with a Compari!
