7 Days in Rome (July 13th to July 19th) - Itinerary Planning
 

I'm trying to plan seven days in Rome for my wife and I (26 &26). I want to maximize time while minimizing costs (thus maximizing the use of rail passes, cheap days for ticketing... etc).

July 13th: Arriving in to FCO at 5:45 PM and traveling to our rented apartment near Navona Square. Don't plan to do much this day other than possible walking to find a dinner restaurant.

Saturday July 14th-Wednesday July 18th: Free.

July 19th: Need to be to FCO for a 1:35 flight home..

All of the classic tourist sites in Rome are on our list (don't expect to spend too long in Museums). I taught Roman history for several years and am interested in the classic historical sites. Would also like to find a good day trip to someplace more laid back than Rome.

I'm comfortable enough with doing everything on my own so save money on tour fees and the sorts but know I'll need to plan extensively in order to maximize our time.

Where do I start?

Where do I start?

With the Michelin Green Guide to Rome. And a detailed map of the city.

I should mention, I just ordered the Rick Steves 2012 book just to get an idea. We can probably work out the day to day planning.

But, I want help with big picture planning.

Do I get an rail card, is there a best way to maximize admissions into popular sites, etc, etc??

No, you don't get a rail card. You can get a 7-day transport pass for 16 Euro (currently; it will go up on June 1). One ticket valid 75 minutes for bus, Metro, tram, train or combination is 1 Euro (currently), so a pass *may* be worth it, but most people, particularly if they're staying in the historic center, don't use public transport more than twice a day.

There's the Roma Pass, valid until midnight of the third day you use it. It's 30 Euro, gives you two free admissions, reduced admissions on other sites and free public transport. It *may* be worth it if you use the two free admissions for high-admission sites.

If your focus is ancient Rome, I suggest you invest in another guidebook. There are ancient Roman sites galore that Rick Steves doesn't mention and may never have heard of.

For a laid-back place outside Rome, consider Orvieto: medieval but with an underground Etruscan city.

Rick Steves may be good for an overview, but personally I'd send it back and get the Green Guide.

Another great side trip is Ostia Antica, which you can reach on public transportation.

Don't buy a rail card.

Jerlon

R.Steves is good for an overview, but I also likethe Green Guide. Get Streetwise Rome map. Very detailed and laminated. All sites,churches,piazza indexed.

Determine your top sightseeing priorities and plan 1of those for each day. Plan lower priority sights nearby geographically in order to ensure seeing whats most important to you and maximizing your time.

I wouldalso highly rec Orvieto. Lovely town with much to see. Great resteruants and galleries too

http://www.romapass.it/?l=en>>

link to the Roma pass. turns out that contrary to popular belief, it's still going, but the "Roma e Piu" has been discontinued.

as well as deciding whether to get the pass, the main trick is ensuring that you group the sights you are going to see together in a sensible way - you don't want to be zig-zagging across the city as you'll soon be exhausted.

in a week you might manage 2 day-trips - ostia antica, tivoli, and orvieto all spring to mind. in July the Villa d'este in tivoli would be lovely - the fountains in the gardens are very appealing - but the bus ride was hot in April. i might want to go on a private coach tour with air-conditioning!

Given your interest in roman History and if you can fit it in your budget, I would highly recommend a tour of the Colosseum, Forum and Pallantine Hill. This should be prebooked with a reputable organization--don't use the guides offering their services outside of the Colloseum.

The reason I suggest a tour of Colosseum is that all registered tour guides in Italy must Pass a rigorous test, so they are very, very knowledgeable. We used Walks of Italy for a 3 hour tour and it was well worth it. They and other similar tours have websites.

The Colosseum, Forum, Pallantine Hill, and Pantheon are musts for me.

A few tips and suggestions (as well as photos) from my trip report. Don't let the "with kids" part through you off:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...log-photos.cfm

... throw you off

Another vote for Orvieto. An easy day trip by train and fascinating, gorgeous. And the food is gooooood.

Generally I really don't like the Green Guides, as they can be very dry, but for Rome I agree. There is so much to see there, half of which you'll never know about if you don't do a lot of reading up front. I saw the Colluseum on my own on a really hot day, and frankly think I would have gotten more out of it with someone knowledgeable. And don't forget to leave time to just wander. Walk around almost any corner and you will come across another Baroque church. Sit and have a cafe and watch people go by.

All of that said -- I'm thinking of spending a few days in Rome myself, after 20 years, and on my way to Morocco, and would love some tips that are not on the regular guide books.

OK Paris1953 -- please do tell: WHERE in Orvieto is the food so good (everywhere in Italy, but that's a different issue lol)

Many thanks

TF

I read through the Fodor's Rome book and researched on line for easily six to nine months before we went (that is almost as much fun to me as the trip).

Do not miss the Scavi Tour at the Vatican, even if you are not Catholic, you walk through a 4th century (I think) necropolis. I know you said you won't be spending much time in museums, but the Borghese Gallery is small compared to many and the sculptures on the first floor are amazing!

We saw the Colosseum with a guide and loved it. Palatine and the Forum we didn't have a guide, it would have been much better with a guide.

With the increase in the Roma Pass, I'm not sure it's a value anymore. Rome is planning to raise the price of transportation (1€ to 1.50€)starting in June so that is part of the increase. It's possible some of the museums will be increasing prices also.

Just bookmarking ;-) thanks!

I think some people forget what it's like to be a first time traveler. The Rick Steves book (particularly the dedicated Rome one) will be just fine for most of what you need and will help with some of the logistics. Fine to read others, but no need to "send it back".

I second kybourbon in that the Roma Pass was of marginal benefit before the price increase. By not having it, you have more flexibility about when you decide to see which sites rather than stacking the Roma Pass ones in 3 days.

Also, if you are staying in Piazza Navona, you will have the occasional trip (Colosseum, Ostia Antica, etc.) that will be easier with public transportation but many sites will be walkable. I don't think you need to spring for any bus passes.

One nice site that wasn't in the guidebooks was Le Domus Romane Di Palazzo Valentini.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-valentini.cfm

IF people are bookmarking this thread, I want to add that i am suspicious that anybody has seen the new Michelin Green Guide to Rome or Italy. They SUCK!!!!

Michelin has abandoned its old format in favor of an airhead encouragement of "exploring" -- I guess finally succumbing to the reality that most people now coming to Europe want to "wander and soak up the atmosphere" rather than actually study and learn.

Anybody who found Michelin 'too dry" before should give it another look. It's a frosted cupcake of bites and tastes. No depth at all.

I've never seen Steves's book but if it is anything like his website or shows, Rome really deserves better.

Wow, I didnt realize they had changed the green guide, I better take a look at it before recommending it again! Thats too bad, I really liked them before.

I am not a Rick Steves fan, but I do think he does a good job of explaining things for the first time traveller like logistics of how to deal with transit ect. I took a look through his Rome guide because it was in the apartment we stayed in over new years and I mentioned to my hubby that its the one I would give my parents next time they go somewhere without us. You will be fine with that guide.

i am lucky enough to have quite a collection of the old fashioned green guides including Rome and Paris - I certainly won't be giving them away any time soon.

as an alternaitve, i think that the blue guides are pretty good, especially if you are interested in art and architecture. However, for a short first visit, i can see the attraction of something more accessible, like Mr. Steves. it's horses for courses really.

Jerlon,

What I like about R. Steves and his guidebooks are his very practical tips on logistics and travel. What I don't like are his restaurant/food suggestions - blech! His books are good, simple starting points.

My Green Guides are old and I find them very useful. Haven't bought any in years. I would, of course, update myself prior to an upcoming trip using Fodorites' current knowledge and checking open hours for sites.

On my last trip, I did a daytrip out to Tivoli via public trans. Visited Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este, both of which I really enjoyed. I would recommend Hadrian's Villa given your ancient Roman history interest and Villa d' Este just for the pure joy and relaxation of this gorgeous Rennaisance (I can never spell that) garden. The day I went, I noticed everyone was walking around with smiles on their faces. A true delight!

Piece of art to bring tears to your eyes - for me it was the scuptures in the Galleria Borghese. Not to be missed, no big time commitment - only 2 hours allowed anyway and you can spend less if you decide you want.

We stayed for 3 nts in Orvieto and did daytrips from there via our rental car. We just loved this fascinating and beautiful town. I would definitely go back. If you go just for a daytrip - go early and stay late!

For Rome - I did two tours with Context Tours and found them worth every $. Limited to 6 people, expert tour guides. It's really more like a small group intensive seminar. Maybe too in depth for some. I did Antica Rome (Colliseum, Palentine, Forum, 4.5 hours) and Arte Vatican also 4.5 hours. Loved both.

Hope this helps. Buon viaggio!

This is my first attempt at an itinerary. Lots of work is needed and I know I'm missing lots of crucial items. Thoughts?


Friday July 13 – Arrive in Rome at 5:45, Transport to Apartment, Basic Shopping and Dinner

Saturday July 14 – Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, wander Navona Square area (Possibly

Sunday July 15 – Borghese Gallery, Bike Rental, Trevi, Spanish Steps

Monday July 16 – 9:15 Scavi Tour (booked), St. Peters, Vatican Muesums

Tuesday July 17 – Day Trip to Ostia Antica or Orvieto

Wednesday July 18 – Free day to wander/stroll, Eating Italy Food Tour

Thursday July 19 – Depart for FCO

Hi Jerlon,

a pretty good stab at it, however, i would move the Piazza navona to the sunday as it is nowhere near the colosseum, and the Trevi and s/steps won't take long, and you can only spend 2 hours in the Borghese because after that they throw you out

in fact to the Piazza Navona you could add the Pantheon, Santa Maria sopra Minerva, and the Campo dei fiori [flea market on a sunday] as they are all in more or less the same area.

monday OTOH is pretty full, but you might as well try to get it all into one day, just be ready for its being a long one.

re tuesday, if you opt for Ostia antica, it might not fill the whole day, you could think of something to do afterwards as a Plan B.

Any thoughts on the best tour (for a decent price) for the Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill area?

How about the Vatican? Should it be done solo or via tour?

If your apartment is near Piazza Navona, you can easily fit in annhig's second paragraph whenever you have a spare hour or two (though if the market is of interest, make sure you go in the morning). And regarding transport - we stayed in the same area, in Piazza del Fico, and walked everywhere. We never even used the buses, much less the metro. I say this because you were earlier trying to decide about the Roma Pass, and if a major part of the pass's appeal was the included transit pass, I wouldn't really be swayed one way or the other by that.

We did the underground tour of the Colosseum with Pierreci - I haven't seen whether they're offering it again this year. If they are, we really enjoyed that tour. Unfortunately I can't recommend anyone for the Forum because we didn't take a tour, but I absolutely agree that a tour would be really helpful - that's the one big regret I have of our trip.

http://www.pierreci.it/home-page/EN....ultLanguage=EN

I've done the Vatican Museums with a guide and on my own. You'll get more out of it for sure if you have a guide. However, since you're not really into museums and are on a budget, I think it depends on your priorities.

(Just to clarify, I meant you could fit in one or two of the things annhig mentioned whenever you have a spare hour or two - I wouldn't attempt to do them all in an hour! :) )

Your Vatican day is definitely full, but as long as you're up for it, I was glad we did that area all at once rather than going back a couple of times.

Leaving in just a few hours. Thanks for all of the help Fodorites!

I like your itinerary. DO use the buses, especially if it is hot. You can ride 116 right to the Borghese. In Borghese Park, you can rent bikes, pedal "carts" (with canvas shades), or I even have pictures of people on segways -- which looked fun.

Buon viaggio !

buon viaggio, JerLon!

tt

Trip Report: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...avona-area.cfm