Chatur

We are an old age couple. Can not walk long distances. We are visiting Rome in June.

1. Want to visit Colosseum only for few hours. Is it possible to buy tickets only for Colloseum and not Forum and Palatine Hill. If yes what will be the cost and how much time is needed to see Colosseum. Also will include San Pietro in Vincoli. Can it be finished in half a day with leisure pace.

2. Also interested to visit Vatican ( Only Basilica)

Can we finish both places in a day and what should be our preference. Vatican first or Colosseum first.

chatur

adrienne

You can see all three places in one day (you mentioned three places, not two). I don't know about the Colosseum tickets but the combination ticket prices are not very expensive.

I would start with the Colosseum as it more difficult to walk around and you can sit down in the churches if you're tired in the afternoon. Also the Colosseum will be hotter in the afternoon and the churches cooler.

Since you're interested only in St. Peter's basilica I would call it by it's name rather than calling it the Vatican which usually means the Vatican Museums. There is a long distance between the entrance to the museums and the church and you don't want to be in the wrong place.

How are you getting from one place to the next? Will your hotel arrange for a car service or taxi to ensure you don't have a lot of walking to do?

I would try to get some type of tour for the basilica as I found the tours I took quite interesting.

kybourbon

The ticket for the Colosseum includes the Forum and Palantine, but you don't have to visit them if you don't want. The ticket is good for two days (one entry to each area). Cost is 12€ unless there is some type of special exhibit. It will be a few euro more if so.

S. Pietro in Vincoli is a bit of a trek uphill from the Colosseum. If you go up Via Cavour, you'll have a set of steep steps to reach it. It's probably better if you cross the street from the Colosseum and take the street on the left side of the park. You still will likely have some steps right after you cross the street (the entire area is higher than the Colosseum) , but maybe not as steep as Via Cavour.

If you are only visiting St. Peter's and not the Vatican Museums, then no ticket is needed.

bilboburgler

The colosseum should be a good visit but take care, firstly there is a lift to the almost the top level (but it is not well sign posted), this allows you to wizz up and walk down slowly. The tickets for the colosseum (you have to have it joint with the forum etc) can be bought at the colosseum where the queues are long, either prebook or buy them at the forum entrance (just up the road) to save the standing in the queue.

Once out of the lift, you will find places to sit but there are no formal seating areas, so take your time working your way down resting as you go.

St Peters is dark in the corners so if you are taking photos (no flash allowed) you need to set the camera for low level light and you will find that that dark space you visited is full of some very beautiful things. There are places to sit and rest in St Peters

RobIm

We found buying tickets at the Palatine Hill entrance to be pretty easy. However, it's a bit of a hike back to the colosseum. The line at the Colosseum is pretty much impossible, with a ticket you just sail by. I'm in my 70's but in pretty good shape. The hike up to Saint Peter in Chains is pretty steep no matter how you go. Use taxi's and be sure they are using the meter. Don't miss St. Peters!
Rob
www.rimerson.com

dwdvagamundo

Concur with seeing Colosseum in the morning, and with other advice above.

rineurope

Actually, I would start at S. Pietro in Vincoli. First, you would be walking downhill fro there! Second, this church is closed at lunch-time, approx. 12.30 - 15.00.. so it would probably better to go there first, while it's open.

If you're near a metro, you could get to the B line and get off at the Cavour exit, walk down the hill towards the forum on the LEFT side of the street(as you head down) . You'll see a set of stairs heading up to an archway - and that's the way to S. Pietro in Vincoli.

Exiting the church, you can head left, go by Cafe Nerone and
then walk over to the Colosseo via the Metro Stairs (see a Google Map and it will all make sense!). You can get advance tickets online if you like: http://ow.ly/jNA8Q

DO the Colosseo, then ride the metro - just across the street from the Colosseo 2 stops to Roma Termini. there change to the A line and ride the metro to the Otttaviano stop. Follow the signs to St. Peter's. Or you can walk BEHIND the Colosseo, and wait for the 81 bus. It ENDS its run at Piazza Risorgimento, a little closer to St. Peter's Square.

You actually CAN take pictures in the Basilica as there's really only one painting - everything else is a MOSAIC, made of glass... so flashes do not cause damage. Living next door to the Vatican I was probably in there every other day. It's Incredible! Good Luck!

Chatur

Thanks rineeurope, dwdvagamundo, Robim, bilboburgeler, kybourbon, and adrienne,

Your advise has been useful. We will plant to visit S. Pietro in Vincoli first. Then Colosseo. St petres in the afternoon or next morning. I have one and half day at rome. First day afternoon I can visit Pantheon, Trevi, Piaza Novona etc. Next morning to S Peters and back.
chatur

kybourbon

>>>If you're near a metro, you could get to the B line and get off at the Cavour exit, walk down the hill towards the forum on the LEFT side of the street(as you head down) . You'll see a set of stairs heading up to an archway - and that's the way to S. Pietro in Vincoli.<<<

Yes, but those are very steep stairs and might not be easy for someone that can't walk long distances. Here's a picture which doesn't even show all the staircase.

http://bellcurveoflife.blogspot.com/...ia-cavour.html

Here's the upper part of the stairs.

http://www.romaviva.com/Santa-Maria-...rgia_steps.htm

adrienne

I remember those stairs - they are wicked! Isn't there a way for taxis to get close to the church entrance via another route, avoiding the stairs?

While you're at the Pantheon also stop in to see Santa Maria sopra Minerva which is just steps away. Look for the elephant with an obelisk coming out of its back (in the courtyard).

travelmamana

Adrienne, I was wondering the same thing. Would love to go there early am via cab from our hotel and then walk downhill to the colisseum and save energy for that.

kybourbon

You can enter from the park side without stairs (Parco Del Colle Oppio) at the intersection of Viale del Monte Oppio where Nerone restaurant is (Via delle Terme di Tito). It's a downhill walk from there, but once you get close to the Colosseum there are regular stairs going down which overlook the Colosseum (not like the ones coming up from Cavour). You could also walk from there around the edge of the park towards Domus Aurea. That is more of a downhill driveway instead of stairs. It's only a block or so from the intersection (Monte Oppio/Terme di Tito) to S. Pietro in Vincoli.

travelmamana

As usual Kybourbon, that is helpful! It's a great solution for our group, thanks!