First time trip to Italy at the end of August. We are flying in and out of Rome. As of now I have a hotel for 9 nights in Rome. I was considering Rome as a jump off point for a day in Florence and the side trips such as Tivoli. I am now wondering if 9 nights is too much time in Rome and should consider 2 or 3 nights in another city such as Naples. We are not renting a car and will rely on public transportation. Any insight would be appreciated. Besides seeing the sights in Rome I am also interested in restaurants and shopping. Thank you so much!!!

We're also planning 9 nights and I think once you get to really planning, you'll realize that it is just enough time. Especially when planning some day trips outside the city.

It is not difficult to do this type of trade-offs. Simply come up with different scenarios - few days in Florence, etc, add costs (www.trenitalia.com for train cost), travel times and see how much time you have left to do what you want. What you would probably find is that longer you stay in one place, if you are looking to visit attractions, there is a diminishing return, so it makes sense to move to another city. However, if your objective is certain kind of experience in an environment, the value proposition will be different.

That is why defining different scenarios would probably make sense. You can compare side by side what each scenario offers, the cost, the time needed, the hassles, target shop and restaurant opening hours and days, etc. Simply allocating so many days here, so many days there, might not match what YOU want to do.

If you are indeed staying in Rome that long, an apartment is a consideration.

Is 9 days actual days on the ground - or does that include the day you land and the day you depart. If the latter I would stick with rome and perhaps 1 or 2 day trips.

If you have 9 full days in Rome (on top of the day you arrive and the day you leave) you could easily do 6 days Rome and 3 in either florence or Venice. But then I would an open jaws ticket to avoid having to trek back to Rome to return home,

One thing to keep in mind about a trip in August is that it's going to be hot, and you may not feel up to filling entire days with sightseeing. I could easily spend 9 days in Rome with a day trip or two, but I also wouldn't mind spending a few days in the countryside at a place with a pool (or water nearby) and an air-conditioned car for exploring.

Thanks for all your advice. I will be in Italy for 9 full days. As nytraveler mentioned I definitely want to be in Rome the last 5 or 6 days to be close to the airport. I guess my concern is that I would not have enough to do in Rome for 9 days. I also want to see the other cities that are near Rome like Florence, Naples or Venice. I just have to make choice and your input will be a factor.

Rome for 5 or 6 nights is enough to see the sites. But please book your major museums such as the Vatican in advance. If you are planning on a trip to Tivoli, do not attempt a Friday. Weekend traffic in and out of the city is bumper to bumper and you may be stuck on a tour bus for hours.
I would suggest Florence for 2 or 3 days. If you want to be in Rome at the end of the trip, arrange to head straight to Florence upon arrival in Rome. It is 2 hours by train. I cannot recall the public transportation options from Rome's airport into the city, or if there are any options directly from the airport to Florence. In the past, we hired a driver, but it is very expensive. Other Fodorites can help with this.
Florence is easy to navigate on foot, and you will be able to see the main attractions in 2 or 3 days. Just be sure to book in advance for the Accademia and the Uffizi.
And with any museum, do yourself a favor and check operating hours. Planning a few days in another city, and then discovering your intended attraction is closed is both disappointing and frustrating.
I agree with "greg" and think you may want to compare the prices of an apartment versus a hotel. Again, other Fodorites can offer some suggestions.

I agree with the others who suggested 3 days in Florence or Venice. I personally prefer Florence and the train is very easy to and from Rome.

I think 9 days in Rome is a good amount of time to really enjoy the city. August will be hot, but that's all the more reason to give yourself plenty of time in Rome so you don't feel rushed.

When I read posts from people who complain that Rome is hot and crowded and terribly hectic, I often wonder if that's more a description of the visitor!!!! If your time is too tight, you will wind up rushing around and not enjoy the experience.

I have to disagree with GoodLuckGirl: you cannot see all the Rome has to offer in 5 or 6 days. You can see a lot, especially most of a guidebook's "TopTen" list. But, depending on your interests, there is such an enormous amount of history, great art, fountains, parks, off-the-beaten path discoveries to be made that you couldn't possibly seem them all.

I'd suggest you give yourself lots of time to take breaks whenever you want -- sit in the shade and have a coffee or gelato; to cool off the Borghese Gardens; linger over lunch -- even allow time for a mid-day nap.

There must have been a reason you initially gave yourself 9 days in Rome; maybe you could go back over than and think about what kind of vacation you really wnat!

I think you can easily spend 9 days in Rome.
My husband and I did this a couple of years ago.
We did take two day trips..........one to Venice and one to Florence. I know some people may not think days trips like that are worth it but for us it worked!
The train rides were relaxing after several busy days in Rome.
And the best thing was not having to pack up and go to a different hotel!

I hope that this trip will be your first and not your last and agree that you can find enough to do in Rome in 9 days. There are several day trips mentioned above, and:

Orvieto (killer church)
Pompeii (killer volcano)
Perugia (killer hill-take a cab to duomo!)
Ostio Antica (killed off by mother nature)

This is a personal call, but I'd do an overnight in Venice. It is a visual feast. If the Medicis and Renaissance art are more your thing, do an overnight in Florence. Really really read and see what's calls out to you. Remember also that it will be physically impossible to see scads of things in one day in Rome-it's just too spread out and huge-you will be pooped! Also, some stuff closes during afternoon.

GoodLuckGirl right on about taking your day trips during the week-just make certain you choose a day that things are open.

After reading your responses I am glad that 9 days is OK in Rome. I am still undecided about going 2 or 3 days to Florence so I really appreciated Bettina's response since she already went to Florence for the day and it worked out. Thanks TDudette for the Killer advice. I didn't think I could do Pompeii as a day trip from Rome. I am staying at a hotel and not an apartment because I am using hotel points--yes. Thanks again for all your advice.

tex13 if you type 'bus tours from rome to pompeii' (and Florence and Venice), you can get an idea about bus trips. They are long days for sure but with guided tours, someone else is doing all the "heavy lifting" with driving, tickets and getting you close to your destination. Sometimes worth it.

Hub and I never stayed in an apt.-he didn't feel like he was on vacation if he had to shop, cook and clean.

Enjoy!

Dear Dudette,
I so agree with your husband. The only shopping I want to do is for clothes and shoes. Will look into the bus tours. Thanks