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