My husband and I leave in a week for Italy. We are flying into Rome then heading to Sorrrento for three nights at the Hilton. Yea I know no character but it is free! Why such a short trip? we have 9 month old twins at home and this is our first time away for more than a night. We can't come up with babysitters for longer nor do we want to leave the guys for longer but need rest and relaxation and fun and romance. I have spent time in Rome before and done most of the majors. We reservations for the Scavi Tour at St. Peter's. I want to do Nero's Golden/Domus Aureus while my husband tours the Colosseum. Otherwise we are open to suggestions.<BR><BR>Weather permitting we will hit Capri Friday, Amalfi/Positanto/Ravello Saturday and Pompeii Sunday.

Hi.<BR><BR>Four days!? Yikes! Are you sure you want to do this? Your schedule seems very ambitious for such a short trip. If you've done Rome before, why not just head for Capri for the whole time and get the R&amp;R you're going to need to keep you going for the next 18 years or so?<BR><BR>Bon voyage!<BR><BR>You're welcome.

Where will you find the babysitters for the vacation you will need after you get back from this vacation?<BR>

I was hoping for suggestions not criticism. I have down two long weekend trips to Europe and been very pleased. If you work full time and have kids you take what you can get and even vacations are done at 55 mph rather than our usual 90. Sleeping in at my house is anything later than 6:30 a.m. so vacation is relative.

Jill<BR>When I went to Domus Aurea last early October reservations were suggested; otherwise there was a wait. Your hotel front desk can make the reservation for you the day before, you pick up the ticket when you get there. If you can, go there on a pretty day, the grounds are peaceful

Hi Jill!<BR><BR>How about a nice walking Wine Tour of Rome at night?? Includes dinner and a professional historian....... Try Through Eternity Tours: <BR><BR>http://www.througheternity.com/index.htm<BR><BR>I think this is a nice way to see a city and enjoy different wines and neighbourhoods - Have fun!!

I am not sure I agree with the Scavi tour at St. Peters. I just go into the basilica and then down into the crypt of the Popes and have always enjoyed it without dealing with a tour (surely more insightful but too time constricting for my schedule). When you can travel at your own pace, you can save time for what really interests you and skip over the dross. Also, I am not really crazy about visiting the Colosseum. What I mean is it's nice to look at and readily &quot;in your face&quot; from many Roman vantage points and we all love it, but going on an actual tour inside to my mind was not worth it. But that is just my opinion. You may also want to try and visit the Galleria Borghese -- it's fantastic! Make sure you reserve in advance so you don't have to wait in line. You'll be swept away by Scipione Cardinal Borghese's extremely vast array of paintings from all the Great Masters (5 or 7 Caravaggio's alone make it the largest amount of Caravaggios in any one collection!) and then to see Bernini's sculptures on the 1st floor (Daphne and Apollo is my personal favorite). Besides that, the interior of the Palazzo is sumptuous. You won't be disappointed. If you like sculpture, try www.thais.it Great site. Have fun!<BR>

Thanks eye spy and others. I have done the Borghese and my husband is not into art. I too think Colosseum is overrated which is why I will do Domus while he does Colosseum. The Twilight Rome sounds perfect for us as we will be back in Rome the last night. Seeing sites at night is one thing I have never really done anywhere in europe.

Then it sounds as if your best bet would be &quot;da feet.&quot; Try to have dinner in Trastevere by Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere -- just don't be in a hurry re: service. Go to the Enoteca at the Campo dei Fiori (by Giordano Bruno's statue facing the street leading to the Palazzo Farnese (French embassy), look to your left (go between 6-8pm or even later) and mingle with Romans having cocktails in a great atmosphere. You can then meander to Trastevere for dinner (or wherever else -- I know some great restaurants by Campo dei Fiori) and come back later. Visit the Pantheon or stroll around the top of the Capitoline hill where Michelangelo designed the Piazza and visit Santa Maria in Aracoeli church next door (but make sure the sign says &quot;Aperto&quot; before you climb all those stairs). Hard to believe your husband doesn't like art ... Rome has real treasures to admire. You may want to go to the posh Aventine hill for a nice view of Rome and St. Peter's.