lmavolio

Hi Everyone - Any feedback on my itinerary for 4 days in Rome would be much appreciated. I will be there in 2 weeks! Am I missing any "must sees"? Also, any feedback on taking a walking tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, etc. and separately, the Vatican, vs doing them on your own? I've booked tours for these places, but can still cancel them...Also, I am leaving myself 2 days to just wander and explore - any ideas what to do with that time? Thanks so much! As always, your advice is invaluable! - Laura

Wed:
- Arrive in Rome either at 8:30 or 9:30AM
- Visit Colosseum (need reservations?)
- "Enjoy Rome" Walking tour of Ancient Rome (Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Spanish Steps)
- If have time, see Golden House of Nero

Thurs:
- "Through Eternity" tour of Vatican Museum/Sistene Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica
- See Castel Sant'Angelo on my own

Fri
- Wander around Trastavere

Sat
- Visit Campo di Fiori
- Piazza Navona

Jocelyn_P

Are you arriving from an international flight that first day? If so, I wouldn't have such a busy schedule as you'll need time to check into the hotel and recuperate from the flight.

Also, see this thread about the Borghese Gallery:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34523462

DAJ

Laura,

How exciting to be leaving in only 14 days....eeek!

You'll probably be getting great recommendations on things to see, so much so that it will not fit in your 4 days.

My first impression of your itinerary was, "where will you be travelling from on your Day 1"? I hope not the U.S. as you have quite a bit packed into this first day; kind of like taking a sip out of a firehydrant.

You will not neet reservations for the Colliseum; I do believe the best way to get the most from these places is via a tour. We went through the Vatican museums in 2001 and on our return trip in 2005, we will most assuredly be taking a Scala Reale tour.

In Traseverre, make sure to see Santa Maria, which is on a small piazza and was built around 212 ad (supposed to be the oldest church in Rome). Very beautiful, all mosaics. Other than this, you may want to consider other "ancient Rome" sights.

Hope your trip is wonderful.

DAJ

lmavolio

Thanks for the feedback! I will actually be arriving into Rome from Florence by train on the AM of my first day. I am starting my Italy trip in Venice and working my way down. So, although I'm sure I'll be a little tired, the train trip is only a little over an hour, so I should be ok. My 3 hour walking tour with Enjoy Rome doesn't start until 2PM and I thought I would spend about an hour inside the Colosseum beforehand (the tour doesn't go into the Colosseum). Hopefully that gives me enough time to drop my bags off at the hotel, get some breakfast and head out.

ssachida

Try to get reservations for the scavi tour beneath St.Peters. The borghese gallery, a must on many lists, also needs reservations.

Patrick

While I enjoy Trastevere, especially for eating, I'm not sure what you plan to do there all day. Frankly I'd go over in the middle of the afternoon, walk and sightsee, visit Santa Maria and maybe seek out a place for dinner. But you could do a lot more on that day earlier. In fact, I know a lot of people take it in after doing St. Peters and the Vatican.

lmavolio

Yep, I agree. I'm sure I could do a lot more on my last 2 days in Rome, just not sure what. I do enjoy just wandering around and "getting to know" a city vs. just hanging out in its museums. I thought Trastavere might be a good neighborhood to explore. What else would you recommend that I do on my trip?

ira

Hi Ima,

Did you leave out the Trevi Fountain on purpose?

lmavolio

Nope sorry. Trevi fountain is definitely on the list. The Enjoy Rome walking tour stops there, but I will plan to see it at night as well when having dinner near Piazza Navona.

dutyfree

The best deal is to purchase the "museum pass"-I believe its about 22 Euros. It gets you into the National Museum, the Colosseum,Forum,Palatine Hill and one other that escapes my mind at the moment.It was nice to have as you did not have to wait in line at the Colosseum and saved time at other places. It can be bought at any of the above but since you are already on a specific tour for the Forum,etc.-you would be wasting your money. As to your two days free-enjoy the sights and sounds of Rome. Ride the public buses and underground all over and really mingle with the city. Possible side trips? How about a morning (via a local bus) to the Catacombs? Take the underground out to Ostia Antica(20 minutes)? Day trip via the train via Naples to Pompeii which is a wonderful scenic ride.Most of the things like Trevi,Piazza Navona, Trastavere do not take a whole day or afternoon to see.Just make sure that you have good walking shoes for all your tours! Enjoy!

CheBird

I highly recommend a night walking tour of Rome. It was one of the highlights of our visit. You'll also need a guided tour through the Vatican that includes the art museum prior to entering St. Peter's. Piazza Navona is a fun area for dinner -so many restaurants in the nooks & crannies around the piazza (we actually ate at an excellent Spanish tapas restaurant -go figure) - but I wasn't blown away by Pza. Navona during the day. You didn't mention the Parthenon or Spanish Steps -don't forget to stop there. And on your guided tour of the Colosseum, make sure it includes the Forum. On one of your free days, I would just mosey around somewhat aimlessly and really get a feel for the tiny streets and hundreds of piazzas. Shopping wasn't a bargain, but you can eat like a champ for cheap and the wine is plentiful. You are going to love Rome!

bardo

Thur: The artisian gelato place directly across the river from St. Peters Sq. on Vittorio Emmanual is some of the best in Rome.

Fri: After visiting Trastavere (and after EATING there), head to the top of Janiculum hill for the best views of Rome.

Sat: Don't skip the Pantheon (the Parthenon is in Greece). Also, definately explore all the side streets around the Campo Dei Fiori/Piazza Navonna/Pantheon area for excellent architecture, smaller churches, boutique shopping and cafes. For example, Via Giulia and Via dei Coronari are both "don't miss" streets, IMO.

CheBird

OMG, I can't believe I put parthenon instead of pantheon. Must have Olympics on the brain.

lmavolio

Thanks so much everyone! Love your ideas. 2 additional questions - what are the best areas in Rome to wander around in and "get to know" the city. I thought Trastavere and/or Piazza Navona, but there are probably others. Also, I have extended relatives that live in Ischia down south (next to Capri) - is that too far to do a day trip from Rome? This would cut my 4 days in Rome, down to 3 or maybe 2 1/2 if I decided to stay overnight with my family. Any advice??