Rome in three and a half days
May 8th, 2010, 10:09 AM
#1
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Rome in three and a half days
Hello to all!
I am planning a trip in August to Rome. We will be arriving in Rome from Paris at 11:30a.m. on a Vueling flight. Assuming it will take about an hour to collect our luggage and catch a shuttle or taxi to our B&B we should be ready to start our exploring by about 1 p.m.
I know very little about Rome and have started to research what there is to see and do and I am quickly realizing that there is absolutely no way that we'll be able to see as much as we would like. I am well aware that it is going to be very hot in August and that the heat may slow us down a bit but my husband and I are relatively fit. As long as our shoes are comfortable, we should be able to do a lot of walking. Here is the tentative itinerary that I've begun
Day 1 Arrive Fiumicino at 11:30 a.m
Taxi to B&B in Trastevere
Begin exploring 1 p.m.
Explore Trastevere
Trevi Fountain
Pantheon
Day 2 Palantine Hill (buy tickets)
Colloseum
Forum
Spanish Steps
Day 3 Vatican City- arrive early
St Peter's Basilica
Vatican Museums
Galleria Borghese (assuming I've been able to get tickets)
Baths of Caracalla
Santa Maria of Trastevere
Day 4 Piazza Navona- arrive early
Campo di Fiori
Jewish Ghetto
Via Appia Antica
In the midst of all that, we plan on popping into several churches that have been recommended on Fodors and other sites as well.
Please tell me if I have too much planned or if I can add anything. I do want us to enjoy ourselves and not feel like we've just run a marathon. Any advice or helpful suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!
I am planning a trip in August to Rome. We will be arriving in Rome from Paris at 11:30a.m. on a Vueling flight. Assuming it will take about an hour to collect our luggage and catch a shuttle or taxi to our B&B we should be ready to start our exploring by about 1 p.m.
I know very little about Rome and have started to research what there is to see and do and I am quickly realizing that there is absolutely no way that we'll be able to see as much as we would like. I am well aware that it is going to be very hot in August and that the heat may slow us down a bit but my husband and I are relatively fit. As long as our shoes are comfortable, we should be able to do a lot of walking. Here is the tentative itinerary that I've begun
Day 1 Arrive Fiumicino at 11:30 a.m
Taxi to B&B in Trastevere
Begin exploring 1 p.m.
Explore Trastevere
Trevi Fountain
Pantheon
Day 2 Palantine Hill (buy tickets)
Colloseum
Forum
Spanish Steps
Day 3 Vatican City- arrive early
St Peter's Basilica
Vatican Museums
Galleria Borghese (assuming I've been able to get tickets)
Baths of Caracalla
Santa Maria of Trastevere
Day 4 Piazza Navona- arrive early
Campo di Fiori
Jewish Ghetto
Via Appia Antica
In the midst of all that, we plan on popping into several churches that have been recommended on Fodors and other sites as well.
Please tell me if I have too much planned or if I can add anything. I do want us to enjoy ourselves and not feel like we've just run a marathon. Any advice or helpful suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!
May 8th, 2010, 10:45 AM
#3
I think a 1:00 pm start on Day 1 is optimistic. You should look for lunch first unless you can hold out until nearly 8:00 pm.
You may not be able to maintain the pace you contemplate if it's hot as Hades. Being relatively fit is only part of it. My husband is one of the fittest people I know, and he just can't tolerate heat and humidity.
You may not be able to maintain the pace you contemplate if it's hot as Hades. Being relatively fit is only part of it. My husband is one of the fittest people I know, and he just can't tolerate heat and humidity.
May 8th, 2010, 10:49 AM
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I'd probably say you'll be starting your day around 2-3pm as 1hr to immigrate and get luggage and then the 30 minutes to your B&B is very optimistic.
But still, try to see as much as you can, and don't rush in places that you find interesting just for the sake of trying to see it all. What you don't see will only fuel your desire to go back to the greatest country in the world!
But still, try to see as much as you can, and don't rush in places that you find interesting just for the sake of trying to see it all. What you don't see will only fuel your desire to go back to the greatest country in the world!
May 8th, 2010, 10:51 AM
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In Trastevere see Bernini's ecstacy in San Francisco a Ripa church. I love this one more than the ecstacy in Santa Maria della Vittoria. There's also St Cecelia's in Trastevere.
Day 3 looks a bit heavy. Do the Vatican Museums first and then St Peters otherwise you'll have a long walk from St Peters to the museums. The lines are actually shorter in the afternoon so you might want to book the Borghese tickets for 9:00.
Carry lots of water with you to keep hydrated. I found Rome to be too hot at the end of May.
Day 3 looks a bit heavy. Do the Vatican Museums first and then St Peters otherwise you'll have a long walk from St Peters to the museums. The lines are actually shorter in the afternoon so you might want to book the Borghese tickets for 9:00.
Carry lots of water with you to keep hydrated. I found Rome to be too hot at the end of May.
May 8th, 2010, 10:58 AM
#6
hi Normal,
one of the tricks of maximising time [and cutting down tiring walking] in cities like Rome is to group attractions together. your first day actually strickes me a quite light; I would revise it like this:
Day 1 Arrive Fiumicino at 11:30 a.m
Taxi to B&B in Trastevere
Begin exploring 1 p.m.
Lunch!
walk across the river and see Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, S/steps, Piazza Navona [don't know why you want to arrive early, nothing happens except lots ot tourists looking at it]
Campo di Fiori- none of which will take you very long, taking in as many churches as you like along the way.
back to hotel - in the evening explore Trastevere - in august it'll be light til quite late.
Day 2
Palantine Hill (buy tickets)
Colloseum
Forum
Capitoline museums and church
Day 3 Vatican City- arrive early
St Peter's Basilica
Vatican Museums
collapse
Day 4
Galleria Borghese (assuming I've been able to get tickets)
Baths of Caracalla
Trastevere by day - Santa Maria and st. Cecilia [don't miss the mosaics in the crypt]
Jewish Ghetto
you haven't got time, [IMHO] for Via Appia Antica
have a great time,
reagrds, ann
one of the tricks of maximising time [and cutting down tiring walking] in cities like Rome is to group attractions together. your first day actually strickes me a quite light; I would revise it like this:
Day 1 Arrive Fiumicino at 11:30 a.m
Taxi to B&B in Trastevere
Begin exploring 1 p.m.
Lunch!
walk across the river and see Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, S/steps, Piazza Navona [don't know why you want to arrive early, nothing happens except lots ot tourists looking at it]
Campo di Fiori- none of which will take you very long, taking in as many churches as you like along the way.
back to hotel - in the evening explore Trastevere - in august it'll be light til quite late.
Day 2
Palantine Hill (buy tickets)
Colloseum
Forum
Capitoline museums and church
Day 3 Vatican City- arrive early
St Peter's Basilica
Vatican Museums
collapse
Day 4
Galleria Borghese (assuming I've been able to get tickets)
Baths of Caracalla
Trastevere by day - Santa Maria and st. Cecilia [don't miss the mosaics in the crypt]
Jewish Ghetto
you haven't got time, [IMHO] for Via Appia Antica
have a great time,
reagrds, ann
May 8th, 2010, 11:00 AM
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At the end of Day 2, don't worry too much if you're too tired to go to the Spanish Steps. They're just not that great.
There is no way you can do all that on Day 3. Maybe make a reservation at the Borghese for late afternoon. If you're lucky, you might have time for a short rest before going there. Forget about the Baths and Santa Maria in Trastavere. It's just too much for one day.
Go to Santa Maria in Trastavere on the first day when you're exploring Trastavere, rather than backtracking over there on a separate day.
The Pantheon is very close to the Piazza Navona, so you could do that first on Day 4. Make sure you take time at the Piazza Navona to sit in a cafe and watch the people, performers & artists. This is a good thing for after dinner (something I do every night!). I love to go there after dinner for a Limoncello and just sit and enjoy.
There is no way you can do all that on Day 3. Maybe make a reservation at the Borghese for late afternoon. If you're lucky, you might have time for a short rest before going there. Forget about the Baths and Santa Maria in Trastavere. It's just too much for one day.
Go to Santa Maria in Trastavere on the first day when you're exploring Trastavere, rather than backtracking over there on a separate day.
The Pantheon is very close to the Piazza Navona, so you could do that first on Day 4. Make sure you take time at the Piazza Navona to sit in a cafe and watch the people, performers & artists. This is a good thing for after dinner (something I do every night!). I love to go there after dinner for a Limoncello and just sit and enjoy.
May 8th, 2010, 11:14 AM
#8
You don't mention they days of the week you will be there. The Vatican Museums are closed on Sunday and the Borghese is closed on Monday (so is Castel Sant'Angelo).
I would buy a Roma Pass (25€)and use the free entrances for the Colosseum/Palantine/Forum (counts as one entrance) and the Borghese (you still need to reserve even with the free entrance - there's a call back feature on their website). After the free entrances you get discounts (Castel Sant'Angelo, Capitolini, etc.). You also get a three day transport pass.
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2
I would buy a Roma Pass (25€)and use the free entrances for the Colosseum/Palantine/Forum (counts as one entrance) and the Borghese (you still need to reserve even with the free entrance - there's a call back feature on their website). After the free entrances you get discounts (Castel Sant'Angelo, Capitolini, etc.). You also get a three day transport pass.
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2
May 8th, 2010, 11:20 AM
#10
Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon can be seen "on the way" to
Trevi. Also, since you're staying in Trastevere, I'd explore it on my way to/from other places. Pop into Santa Maria on your way to the Vatican or another time. Don't feel too obligated to spend your entire day in the Vatican. I max out after 4-5 hours. Even so, I wouldn't attempt Borghese and the Vatican museums in one day.
I suffer from Rome Foot in the heat. They seem to grow two sizes! Take taxis when you need to. Take lots of time to rehydrate and relax. You'll be back. Rome will call you back.
Have a great trip!
Trevi. Also, since you're staying in Trastevere, I'd explore it on my way to/from other places. Pop into Santa Maria on your way to the Vatican or another time. Don't feel too obligated to spend your entire day in the Vatican. I max out after 4-5 hours. Even so, I wouldn't attempt Borghese and the Vatican museums in one day.
I suffer from Rome Foot in the heat. They seem to grow two sizes! Take taxis when you need to. Take lots of time to rehydrate and relax. You'll be back. Rome will call you back.
Have a great trip!
May 8th, 2010, 11:32 AM
#11
PS - on day 1, you could reverse the plan and see Trastevere in the pm, taking in the two churches, then do the walking tour, which is not dependent on time apart from the Pantheon, which closes at either 6 or 7pm.
May 8th, 2010, 12:24 PM
#13
I suffer from Rome Foot in the heat. >>
leely - I suffer from Roman foot any time! I think it's one of the hardest places on the feet - the temptation to walk to the next place because of all the treasures you can see on the way is toooo strong.
normal - as you'll be there for about 3 days, the Roma pass makes good sense for you - a transport pass plus free entry to your first two sites eg the colosseum [includes the forum and palatine, and gets you past all those queues at the colosseum] and capitoline museums and reductions at others.
leely - I suffer from Roman foot any time! I think it's one of the hardest places on the feet - the temptation to walk to the next place because of all the treasures you can see on the way is toooo strong.
normal - as you'll be there for about 3 days, the Roma pass makes good sense for you - a transport pass plus free entry to your first two sites eg the colosseum [includes the forum and palatine, and gets you past all those queues at the colosseum] and capitoline museums and reductions at others.
May 8th, 2010, 01:10 PM
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Hello normal, I would strongly suggest that you play it by ear as you may find that as the heat and humidty becomes unbearable during the afternoon you may want to escape to your B&B for a rest and a refreshing shower before again heading out to explore the sites and sights of Rome. I do hope that the B&B has airconditioning. You will need it but having said that often the airconditioning in Italy is not as efficient as we have in the states.
Anyway, try to get out and about as early as possible in the morning and don't feel discouraged if you find you need to escape the heat in the hottest portion of the day and do enjoy Rome after dinner as the Romans do when it hopefully will be coolor.
Anyway, try to get out and about as early as possible in the morning and don't feel discouraged if you find you need to escape the heat in the hottest portion of the day and do enjoy Rome after dinner as the Romans do when it hopefully will be coolor.
May 8th, 2010, 05:45 PM
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What wonderful suggestions! I've been reading and tweaking our itinerary according to some of the comments.
LoveItaly- we live in central Florida so heat and humidity are our constant companions. Having said that, we also love our air-conditioning! So, yes, one of the requirements for our accommodations was that it have a/c. Our daughter visited Rome a couple of years ago and warned us that the heat was intense.
Leely and annhig- we are even now on the hunt for some comfortable walking shoes! If all else fails and we cannot find anything, our trusty sneakers will have to do. I refuse to be foolish enough as to allow for blisters on this trip. Did that once...and swore never again to compromise on my footwear!
I've read that the water fountains in Rome can be used and that the water is quite tasty and refreshing. Does anyone have any info on that?
I've looked up the Roma Pass online and will be purchasing this as it looks to be a good deal. I wish I would have been more attentive when we visited Paris a few years ago as we could have purchased a pass that would have reduced our costs a bit. I will definitely take advantage of savings on this trip.
If you had to choose between the Baths of Caracalla and the Via Appia, which one would the preferable site? I would like to do one of them if at all possible.
I'll be doing some research on restaurants and food as I see that Fodors has a great many threads on this for Rome. But any other suggestions to the itinerary are welcomed!
LoveItaly- we live in central Florida so heat and humidity are our constant companions. Having said that, we also love our air-conditioning! So, yes, one of the requirements for our accommodations was that it have a/c. Our daughter visited Rome a couple of years ago and warned us that the heat was intense.
Leely and annhig- we are even now on the hunt for some comfortable walking shoes! If all else fails and we cannot find anything, our trusty sneakers will have to do. I refuse to be foolish enough as to allow for blisters on this trip. Did that once...and swore never again to compromise on my footwear!
I've read that the water fountains in Rome can be used and that the water is quite tasty and refreshing. Does anyone have any info on that?
I've looked up the Roma Pass online and will be purchasing this as it looks to be a good deal. I wish I would have been more attentive when we visited Paris a few years ago as we could have purchased a pass that would have reduced our costs a bit. I will definitely take advantage of savings on this trip.
If you had to choose between the Baths of Caracalla and the Via Appia, which one would the preferable site? I would like to do one of them if at all possible.
I'll be doing some research on restaurants and food as I see that Fodors has a great many threads on this for Rome. But any other suggestions to the itinerary are welcomed!
May 8th, 2010, 07:08 PM
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Yes, the water in the water fountains is perfectly good to drink. Just buy a bottle of water the first day and refill it as you go along (although I don't think I've ever paid more than 1 euro for a bottle of water outside of airports).
May 9th, 2010, 03:19 PM
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Okay..so after reading multiple postings on Fodors and other sites regarding the sites we want to see I've amended our itinerary as follows:
Day 1
Arrive Fiumicino at 11:30 a.m Buy Roma Pass at FCO
Taxi to B&B in Trastevere
Check in, eat lunch and begin exploring 2:30 p.m.
Explore Trastevere
Trevi Fountain
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Pantheon
Spanish Steps
Day 2
Palantine Hill
Colloseum
Forum
Galleria Borghese
Day 3
Vatican City- arrive early (buy skip the line tickets online?)
St Peter's Basilica
Vatican Museums
Baths of Caracalla
Day 4 Piazza Navona- arrive early
Campo di Fiori
Jewish Ghetto
Via Appia Antica
San Callisto Catacombs
I've checked out the locations of these sites and I think I've placed them in the right order according to their proximity of one to the other.
On day 2, I can reverse the order and do the Baths first and then Vatican City if this will help avoid the long lines. I've read that the afternoon is not as bad in regards to the wait times.
Is this plan any better?
Day 1
Arrive Fiumicino at 11:30 a.m Buy Roma Pass at FCO
Taxi to B&B in Trastevere
Check in, eat lunch and begin exploring 2:30 p.m.
Explore Trastevere
Trevi Fountain
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Pantheon
Spanish Steps
Day 2
Palantine Hill
Colloseum
Forum
Galleria Borghese
Day 3
Vatican City- arrive early (buy skip the line tickets online?)
St Peter's Basilica
Vatican Museums
Baths of Caracalla
Day 4 Piazza Navona- arrive early
Campo di Fiori
Jewish Ghetto
Via Appia Antica
San Callisto Catacombs
I've checked out the locations of these sites and I think I've placed them in the right order according to their proximity of one to the other.
On day 2, I can reverse the order and do the Baths first and then Vatican City if this will help avoid the long lines. I've read that the afternoon is not as bad in regards to the wait times.
Is this plan any better?
May 9th, 2010, 04:47 PM
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One more thing! Day 3 is a Wednesday so hopefully this won't be a problem for the St Peters. Does anyone know anything about this possibility?
This was posted on: http://www.rometoolkit.com/tours/vat...ms_tickets.htm
"If you are interested in visiting on a Wednesday, there is the possibility that you will be unable to include St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square in your itinerary. This is due to the weekly Papal Audience during which access to St. Peter's Basilica could be blocked off from the Museums."
This was posted on: http://www.rometoolkit.com/tours/vat...ms_tickets.htm
"If you are interested in visiting on a Wednesday, there is the possibility that you will be unable to include St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square in your itinerary. This is due to the weekly Papal Audience during which access to St. Peter's Basilica could be blocked off from the Museums."
