8 full days in Rome
 

I am taking my sister and my cousin for their very international trip and we chose Rome. I was wondering if it would be better to do other areas outside of Rome? We are flying on special passes so we must go in and out of Rome but would love for them to see other areas outside of Rome. How many days would you suggest to see the city? I have been there before but don't want to rush them.

While there is plenty to see in Rome to fill up 8 days, that could be a bit intense for a first trip and it would be nice for them to see some other area as well.

A few options:
Stay in Rome all 8 nights but plan several day trips (Tivoli, Orvietto, etc)

Do five nights Rome plus three somewhere else such as Florence OR Sienna OR Sorrento

If you choose someplace else for three or so nights you might consider going to that place upon arrival so as not to have to split up the nights in Rome, and it's best to have Rome at the end so you aren't rushed getting to the airport for departure.

I could happily spend all 8 days in Rome, but 4 to 5 nights would be a good introduction.

You could stay in Rome the full time and do a couple of day trips to places easily reached by train, e.g. Orvieto.

Or, you could do a few nights (2 or 3) elsewhere, perhaps Florence. If you choose to spend a few nights out of Rome, head immediately to that destination upon landing in Rome. Put your Rome stay at the end of the trip.

As for where to go, you might think about what your interests are: seeing a small hill town, Renaissance art and history, beachside, etc. Also, if you are willing to rent a vehicle (I would not for such a short trip, since the rental process itself takes up time, but that is my opinion.)

Posting at same time. Sorry for repeating Isabel's instructions, but you can see they have merit.

We stayed at http://www.olivetreehill.com, the #1 rated B&B in the region.
There are many, many sights to see in the suburbs, and they're not far from his B&B outside Zagarolo--20 miles south of Rome via train.
See http://www.olivetreehill.com/places-...utside-of-rome
for a number of incredible sights often missed by those that just visit the center city of Rome.
We prefer to stay outside of very busy cities, especially when your Ivano cooks for you and is a fabulous tour gue. One of his best tours is a midnight tour of Rome--after all the tourists went to sleep.

I always thought I could spend a week in Rome alone, so much to see but with 8 days you might want to take the train to Florence one of my favorites; buy "skip the Line" tickets to the Academia to see David and the Uffizi if you love Art. You could see quite a bit in a full day but overnight would be the best. Easy walking to all the sites. Don't waste time to Pizza, its quaint and touristy and if you are clostraphobic you wont make it to the top of the tower. I would rather go to Assisi which gives you a taste of the Tuscan country side on the trip there and it is worth the view and the monastery visit.

Thanks all for the great information. I think going to Florence and Sienna is on the list for sure. I have seen so much of Rome (I work flights there) wasn't sure if they would feel cheated if I only booked 4 nights. I have never been to Florence but have been to Pisa. I will check if Florence is doable for side trips to other areas. Otherwise maybe 2 nights there and 2 nights in Sienna and 4 nights in Rome.

tenmom- I highly encourage you to stay in Florence. It is so unlike Rome, and yet it is incredible. :)

Some great things to see/do in Florence:

1) Of course, the Duomo. And since you are there, throw in the Baptistry that sits directly in front of the Duomo.

2) The Church of Santa Croce. A beautiful church on its' own, but also home to the amazing tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini, Machiavelli, etc. It also resides on a lovely square.

3) San Lorenzo was the church built by the Medici and includes designs/art by Michelangelo, Donatello and Branzini.
Since you are there, head out the door and around the backside to the private entrance to the Medici chapel- their private chapel.

4) The markets around San Lorenzo. Like to shop? Oh, boy! Great shopping here at the San Lorenzo markets. And since it is close by, why not stop into the Central Market to see/taste every Italian food your heart/tastebuds require?

5) Michelangelo's most famous work- David can be found in the Accademia, as well as other fine works by this man and other fine artists.

6) Uffizi. One of the world's most famous museums. Make sure you see the Botticelli's. Mmmarvelous!

7) The Ponte Vecchio- The gold here will blow your mind!

8) Make sure you find yourself one afternoon just before sunset, in the Piazzale Michelangelo. The views are incomparable!

Have a great trip!

How do you count the 8 days? If arrival and departure days are in those 8, there are only 6 useful days. Moving to anothe city kills the better part of a day with travel and checking into a hotel. Thus I think daytrips from Rome is the better choice. Especially consider non-city daytrips to prevent urban overload. Ostia Antica, Tivoli, and perhaps Orvietto would do. Also, don't schedule everything rigidly, as some days may not have outdoor touring weather.

If you stay in Rome, I highly recommend Ostia Antica. And Rick Steves has a free app (Rick Steves Audio Europe) that includes many sites in Rome, including Ostia Antica.

What time of year? I love Florence, but I might not recommend a short visit at certain times of the year. If you do go and your stay falls on a Sunday-Monday, make sure you know what things will be open/closed. Make advance entry reservations to sights that offer them.

When you think 2 nights Florence, 2 nights Siena, 4 nights Rome, consider that 2 nights means only one full day in the place. Even moving the short distance from Florence to Siena (or vice versa) will take almost half a day, and 1.5 days in Florence won't be much time. If it were my trip, I'd split the hotel nights between Rome and Florence and then see Siena as a day trip from Florence.

I could easily spend the entire time in Rome. There is so much to see. But a day trip to Florence would be nice too. You should look online for one day tours from Rome to maybe Pompeii or Almalfi Coast could be nice if that's something you enjoy. Have fun! If you need a hotel we stayed at a small boutique hotel Adriano very close to the Pantheon and within walking distance to the Spanish Steps and Fountains.

As 1st timers *IF* your sister and cousin would rather see Pisa which you have already visited there are escorted bus tours which leave Florence ~2pm and return ~7pm some will even reserve tickets to climb the Tower.

I'm just saying you could split-up for the day if you decide on an earlier Siena daytrip for yourself?
Like this company http://www.viator.com/Florence-attra...f=02&aid=g3506

I do think as others have mentioned that 2 cities are the best option with only 8 days and Florence is a good choice with daytrips available.

Just a thought.

You could also catch a train south to Naples, spend the night or not, then take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento and use that as a base to tour the Almafi coast and/or day trip to Capri.

So many wonderful options to combine with Rome.

The temptation is to try and do too much or you will spend all of your time on a train etc., so be careful with that. I love Rome so eight days is not unreasonable, but it is understandable to experience more. As suggested above, a few days in Florence would be ideal. Siena is wonderful too, but there is so much to see in Florence that with you limited time, you are likely better off to bypass Siena.