I originally thought that I would be able to fit in two nights in Rome in between attending a conference in Nice and then vacationing in Seville. So I reserved a room in a convent across from the entrance to the Vatican museums, thinking that I would spend all my time visiting the Vatican.

But then I ended up dropping one night from Nice so I could stay an additional night in Rome because it sounded so wonderful. So I'll be a bit out of the way for visiting other areas but, hey, it's still Rome so I'm delighted to be there.

Let me know what you think about this itinerary:

Thursday
Arrive at airport around 1:50 pm

Plan #1: Stash my luggage at Termini and visit Santa Maria della Vittoria, Santa Susanna (as it's just across the street from Santa Maria), San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, and Santa Maria Maggiore. Then go get luggage and check in.

Plan #2: If I feel like just getting settled in, skip the above, go straight to checking in. Then visit St. Peter's.

In either case, have a nice meal and eat lots of gelato.

Friday
9:30 am - Scavi tour. Visit St. Peter's if I didn't yesterday or once again if I feel like it. ( I often like to revisit places that I find fascinating.)

Then walk over to the Pantheon via Pont Sant'Angelo and Piazza Navona.

Have a nice meal and eat lots of gelato.

Then either walk over to the Colosseum and take either the Context tour at 3 pm or the Icon tour at 3:45 (Context sounds better) or - leave the Colosseum for a future visit and wander around this part of Rome, perhaps ending up at Termini at visiting the churches from Plan 1 above if I didn't do so yesterday.

Saturday
10 am Vatican gardens tour. Then visit the Vatican museums. Have a nice meal and eat lots of gelato.

Sunday
I have to check out by 9 am but can store my luggage there. My flight departs at 4:10 pm. Visit Castel Sant' Angelo. Enjoy a final gelato.

Suggestions and comments (including gelateria recommendations) would be greatly appreciated.

I would do the Colosseum and not skip it. Also, we were vastly underwhelmed with Castel Sant'Angelo. How about the Borghese?

castel sant'angelo isnt that great. Skip it.

Dont miss ...
Colosseum
Victor Emmanuel (wedding cake)
Pantheon
Piazza Navona
Trevi Fountain

Well, my suggestion would be "have a nice meal and eats lots of gelato", you've already got this covered!

Don't miss out on the Colosseum, I agree with artsbabe, don't skip it.

I'd consider buying a Rome Pass, which will give you free entrance into your first two sights (check which sights are included, I used my Rome Pass at the Colosseum and the Borghese, I know that Castle Sant'Angelo is also included). and free transport for three days. Another advantage of the Rome pass is that you can skip the long entrance lines.

A lot of restaurants in Rome feature gnocchi on Thursday nights, so look for it if you like it (they can run out, however!).

Don't forget that you can enjoy a lot of Rome (for example, you could do a fountain & piazza walkabout) at night. I have followed, more or less, a night walk outlined in Rick Steve's Italy guide; it was a few years ago, but I bet he still has a walk like that in his current book. Or just follow your eyes. If you end up at the Trevi fountain, San Crispino nearby has great and unusual flavors of gelati.

Mmmm... gnocchi... Yes, I definitely like gnocchi.

So I'll sign up for the Context tour of the Colosseum - I don't usually do tours but I think a tour would be very helpful for exploring the Colosseum. And I'll drop Castel Sant'Angelo and make a reservation at the Borghese for Sunday morning.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Shanti, if you plan on buying the Rome pass you need to tell the Borghese Gallery that you will be using the pass when you make your reservation. If you plan on the Borghese, the first time slot is at 9 am you will have to leave by 11 am; however, the Borghese is not close to where you'll be staying, so at 11 am you'll have to head back to your hotel, collect you bags and go to the airport. (Oh, and don't forget to have a gelato). If you plan on taking the train to the airport, it maybe better to drop of your luggage at Termini on Sunday morning before visiting the Borghese, that way you can grab a bite and a gelato before heading to the airport, this will also save some time after the Borghese visit.

Sometimes I like to take a tour, sometimes I don't. I decided on a compromise at the Roman Forum (and at Pompeii and lots of other sites) - an audio tour. Great decision. Enough information but not overload, and I could repeat and backtrack if I felt like it -which I did!

I would definitely have to go to the 9am entry for the Borghese Gallery. I'll have to figure out the logistics of storing my luggage - that's one reason I had thought to visit Castel Sant' Angelo instead of the Borghese Gallery. I could always take a taxi - expensive but it would make the morning much easier.

Rick Steves does have a night walk but as I'll be traveling solo I'm a bit leery of traveling at night by myself.

Shanti, what time of year will you be visiting? I was in Rome last November I was travelling solo, but this wasn't my first trip there. The days were short it did get dark early, some of my sightseeing was done once it was dark and I had no problem walking around by myself. I'm not sure which areas are covered in the Rick Steves night tour. I feel that you should try and include Trevi and the Spanish Steps when you're there, the only time you really have to accomodate these sights is on Friday or Saturday, if you're not too tired. I remember the Trevi fountain well, I and wanted to see Trevi again, so when I was there last November I went one evening first, to the Spanish steps and I walked to Trevi, the area was very lively and I wasn't concerned about being out and about at night.

If you don't want to venture out by yourself, consider joining a Rome by night tour. I haven't been on any so I cannot recommend a specific tour company.

Hi RIF,

I'll be in Rome in June so sunset will be about 8:30 to 9 pm. Rick Steves tour goes from Campo de' Fiori to the Spanish Steps. Icon tours has a passegiata walk which sounds pretty nice - Trevi fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Vittorio Emmanuelle monument among other locations. Context tours has a similar walk but it's only on Thursday. Another advantage of taking a tour is that I won't get lost.

Shanti, since you will have the benefit of long daylight hours, I'd dump my bag on day 1 at the hotel, set out to the Churchs you're interested in or tackle the Rick Steves walking tour {in daylight], if interested. Since you are concerned about venturing out once it's dark, I'd take avantage of daylight sightseeing hours on the day you arrive and venture away from where you're staying, there's plenty of time to head back before it's dark. Since you're staying near St Peters it's easy to visit this on Friday or Saturday (Saturday maybe better since you have alot planned for Friday).

Hi Shanti,

I just wanted to recommend another church to you- Santa Prassede. It's just round the corner from Santa Maria Maggiore. Inside is the Chapel of St Zeno which is covered in the most beautiful, jewel-like 9th century mosaics. It was one of my favourite sites in Rome.

There is a coin-operated light that takes 1 euro coins and lights the mosaics for about 5 minutes at a time. The pictures here don't do them justice- when lit up the mosaics glow gold, ruby, saphire, and emerald. They're extraordinary.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/i...a-prassede.htm

Also, I was in Rome by myself for a week after xmas and spent many evenings out walking or riding the bus after dark. I felt perfectly safe at all times. There are plenty of people out at night and the Rick Steves walk keeps you well on the beaten path. I wouldn't worry about this at all. Just use regular common sense same as you would at home.

Wow. Santa Prassede looks gorgeous. I need to tinker with my itinerary to try to figure out how to fit in a few more churches.

OK, the general consensus is that it's perfectly ok to travel solo at night as long as I don't do anything stupid. I think I can manage that

There is one part I recall from the Rick Steve's recommended route that I may not have done alone, either, and that is the bit where he starts (or ends) in Trastevere - I did stay in Trastevere once on my own and like the area, but I usually took transportation across the river to the other areas of the city that I knew better, and then walked from wherever I got off the bus or tram. Anything around Piazza Navona, Trevi fountain, Pantheon will be busy with tourists and locals, so I think you would be fine. Going earlier in the evening is a good idea, too.

But if you can find an organized night walk, that could be a fun idea instead of a do-it-yourself.

Well, you've skipped the Forum - which I found to be possibly the most fascinating singe thing in Rome. I know it takes hours - but is definitely worth it (esp versus several churches).

Do not miss Santa Maria della Vittoria it is small but amazing if you like Bernini. Depending on what time you are trying to see this the church does have visting hours. (which i learned the hard way as I had to wander around for an hour before being let in) Mon.-Sat. 9-noon and 3-6, Sun. 3-6