An extra day - stay in Rome or day trip?
I'm working on a trip to Italy.
The way thinks are just now I have an extra day to spend there. Should I stay in Rome (I was originally staying there for 3 whole days/4 nights) or should I try and make a day trip somewhere? If so where? (Is Florence worth visiting for a day? I find the tours to be very expensive.) Here's what I was going to do in Rome;- Day 1 Visit the Vatican Museams and St Peters, Day 2 Visit the Forum/Palaine Hill and the Colloseum, spend remainder of day strolling around. Visit Trevi at night. Day 3 Visit Borghese Galleria, Spanish steps, etc. Do last minute souvenir shopping. Day 4 leave. What should I do with my extra day? Any suggestions would be appreciated. |
You could stay in Rome. It's possible to do a daytrip on your own. It's also possible to stop there for a few hours on your way there from Venice.
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Actually, I just looked again and didn't notice your "extra day." Where is it?
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Obviously, there's so many more interesting things in Rome than the few on your 3-day itinerary. I recommend you stay in Rome.
BTW, it's possible to go from Rome to Florence by train for a day. You don't need a tour, and if you can find it here Ira has posted a good walking route from the train station to the top sights. But do I suggest you do this after only 3 days in Rome? No. |
There are about a million more great things to do in Rome. I would just stay there for the extra day.
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Thanks for all the feedback.
ellenem, sorry I wasn't too clear. I will be travelling to Venice first and then to Rome. I will arrive in Rome a day earlier than I had orginally planned. So, I'm now trying to deceide how to spend the extra day. I did think of visiting Florence enroute to Rome, but I've deceided against it, mainly because of the luggage that I'll be traveling with. The Day 1 to Day 4 that I described in my orginal post is what I had originally planned. I think the reason I posted this, is because this is all I had planned on visiting in Rome. I'm not complaining, I do have an extra day and I'm wondering what I should do. So, I'm open to suggestionsof how to spend Day 4 in Rome, or as a day trip form Rome. Thanks. |
going,
There is no such thing as an "extra" day in Roma! Possibilites, depending on your interests: Capitoline Museums all the churches with incredible art - Santa Maria Sopra Minerva has a Michelangelo you can walk right up to and no crowds; San Pietro in Vincoli, another Michelangelo "Moses". Endless others! What about the beautiful and famous piazzi (SP?) - Piazza Navona, Piazza della Republica, etc., etc. Trastevere?? Castello Sant'Angelo? The Villa Dora Pamphilli (SP?) the Pantheon?? Stay in Rome! |
Stay in Rome.
Sincerely, Rome Lover |
got back from 10 days in Rome Not the first visit - and still too short.
Don't worry , is a great place full of wonderful sights. |
There is a luggage check in Florence you could use if you wanted to stop there for a few hours. It is in the train station.
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Stay in Rome. We spent there 7 days and did not visit all things that are iunteresting for us.
Rome is a museum in open air, so many fountains, statues, beautiful buildings! Even you don't enter any museum this day, you will have what to see. |
STAY IN ROME.
There are many places to see in ROME, Especially on a first visit there. 3 DAYS IS NOT ENOUGH. It is an amazing vibrant city........and don't get me started about THE GREAT FOOD. Just "eating" in ROME is wonderful, and deserves "time" and attention. You will enjoy all Rome has to offer if you aren't "rushing from 1 sight to the next" without stopping and enjoying dining. Don't forget to wear your DESIGNER SUNGLASSES "when in Rome" at all times! Italy & Rome is amazing. SAVE FLORENCE, & other Italian destinations for another trip to ITALY. |
I am very partial to Florence as it is magical and easy walking. Venture out and take the train to Florence early in the morning. Rome needs a lot of time, but can be tedious getting around and the lines...! If you just walk around Florence and view the Baptistry Doors, the Duomo, the Pitti Palace, the shops on the Ponte Vecchio that overlooks the Arno River, the Bell Tower and more. All can be done by walking with no taxis or extra expense. Eat outside for sure. A piece of pizza, a caprese with a glass of red wine for lunch...well, nobody does it better than in Florence! All of Italy is wonderful, but to go home without seeing Florence would be a travesty.
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I just have to add to the suggestions to stay in Rome. It truly is an amazing city and there is so much to see. After three trips I still have a rather lengthy list of things I want to see.
I highly recommend adding the Baths of Caracalla to your itinerary. Wonderful, and they are in a nice green park a little outside the center so it may be a little quieter. The Pyramid of Cestius is also interesting and in a neat part of town. And I too suggest visiting some of the beautiful churches. Santa Maria in Trastevere and San Pietro in Vicoli are two of my favorites but they are all amazing. Tracy |
Another vote for staying in Rome. Use that extra day at the end of your trip to just walk around the city, sit at a cafe and soak it all in. You never know, there may be places that you wanted to visit that you didn't have time for, so use that extra day for that.
IMO, you can't have too much time in Rome, especially on your first trip! My first trip there was for only three days and I barely scratched the surface. There is so much more to Rome than you can imagine! |
If considering a day trip, maybe consider Tivoli or Ostia Antica (I've been to neither). Florence is not a bad idea either, of course.
I think that Piazza Navona, Pantheon, etc. can be squeezed in very easily especially if you're there during summertime. You don't need an extra day to see those sights. |
You might want to squeeze these in on day 4 (not in alphabetical order, of course):
Altar of Peace Augustus's Mausoleum Basilica di San Clemente Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Baths of Caracalla Campo de' Fiori Capitoline Museum Castel Sant'Angelo Catacombs of St. Callixtus Catacombs of St. Domitilla Catacombs of St. Sebastian Circus Maximus Diocletian Bath Galleria Colonna Galleria Doria Pamphilj Galleria Nazional d'Arte Antica in Barberini Palace Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Corsini Golden House of Nero Hadrian's Villa Janiculum Hill Jewish Museum Keats-Shelley House Montemartini Museum Monumental Cemetery of the Capuchin Brothers Museum of Roman Civilization National Etruscan Museum National Gallery of Ancient Art National Gallery of Modern Art National Museum of Palazzo Venezia Ostia Antica's Ruins Palazzo Altemps Palazzo Massimo alle Terme Palazzo del Quirinale Palazzo Spada Pantheon Park of the Monsters Piazza Barberini Piazza Navona Protestant Cemetery Pyramid of Caius Cestius Palatine Museum San Clemente San Luigi dei Francesi Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Santa Maria d'Aracoeli Santa Maria della Pace Santa Maria in Cosmedin Santa Maria in Trastevere Santa Sabina St. Paul Outside the Walls St. Peter in Chains Subterranean Rome (tour groups only) Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary Vatican Gardens Villa dei Medici Gardens Villa Farnesina Villa Gregoriana Villa Lante Villa d'Este Also, make time to relax and explore the shops, cafes, piazzas, parks, in each of the neighborhoods these sights are located in. |
While I like to be thorough as well, I can't understand why someone who wants a more rushed itinerary tends to be discouraged here (with a long laundry list of what else there's to do).
I've lived in NYC for many years. There're tons of things I've not seen in NYC. Why can't a casual visitor to Rome for 4 days find something else to see outside of Rome even if there're still a million things that I bet many Romans haven't seen? For what it's worth, I don't think that the Borghese Gallery, Doria Pamphilj, Barberini Gallery, etc. are essential for someone who may not be interested in art. None of this really ranks with the greatest art museums in the world. Call me blasphemous, but that's the case. But you can't skip the Vatican Museums. There are such things called "prioritization" and "preference." |
I'd stop in Florence on the way, store your luggage, and spend the day walking around. It's a shame to be so close to Florence, and not see it. This would be easier than making a day-trip from Rome, I think.
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Absolutely stay in Rome. Just walking around ,visiting the piazzas,people watching, sitting in a cafe with a coffee, stopping in to any church that you came across all this is a part of the joy of Rome. I spent 10 days there last fall and I am returning this fall for another 7 days. Have a great trip.
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<i>But you can't skip the Vatican Museums.</i>
111op, Just curious - how many visits do you feel is aqdequate to even take in all that the Vatican Museum has to offer? Assuming they can only visit the Vatican Museum once - hour long should they plan? How many breaks? |
If you want to take a day trip, I suggest Orvieto.
It's just an hour's train ride from Rome, and we found it so charming on a day trip several years ago that we went back for two days in April this year. The cathedral is beautiful, and there are interesting Etruscan antiquities, nice shops, as well as lots of outdoor spots for people-watching and wine-sipping. Just a suggestion... Have a wonderful trip. Byrd |
I was just in Rome last week with my parents. We started touring around 3:15. We finished around 5:30.
It depends on what you're looking for. In my opinion, the most important parts of the Museums are Pio-Clementine Raphael Rooms Sistine Chapel Pinacoteca You can get a good sense with 2-2.5 hours. The official tours organized by the Vatican take that long also, if I remember right (though I've never been on one). The Vatican Museums publishes an official guidebook with an abbreviated tour and a complete tour for visitors (it's listed in the first couple of pages). If interested, I can post the itinerary from home later. I was planning to write my own short guide to the Vatican Museums. I'll post it here when I'm done. But off the top of my head: In Pio-Clementine Laocoon Apollo Belvedere Torso Apoxyomenos Perseus (by Canova) Raphael Rooms: Four of these -- you visit in the reverse order of completion (in the first one you get to, the Constantine Hall, the frescoes are mostly completed by assistants after Raphael's death). Most important frescoes: Disputa School of Athens Pinacoteca Giotto (Stefaneski Triptych), c. 1300 Caravaggio (Deposition) 3 Raphaels (Transfiguration -- the last painting that Raphael completed?) Leonardo, St. Jerome Bellini, Pieta Another guide: Google Nick Trend's "How to Visit Vatican Museums" publised in Telegraph UK. Hope this helps and answers your questions! |
Pick that extra day and wait to the last minute to choose between doing a daytrip or spending more time in Rome.
I was for 2 full days in Rome and it was enough for me!! Really i could have spent may be one more day, but no more. And i'm not willing to go back, there are many places in the world to visit. I wouldn't go to visit a museum that i wouldn't visit at my home city, if it's not really important i wouldn't waste my time in it if i have limited time. If i would stay a week in Rome then i finally would visit some of the museums and churches given for some Fodorites, but in 3 days you have to choose, and instead of visiting a boring modern art museum or a church just because it has a painting of a saint... i would take the daytrip. Sincerily i have readen many guides and many comments and people tend to visit dozen of churches just because there is a painting of a famous artist, not a famous painting. People spent a full day in a museum watching every piece, .... unless you are really in art, focus on the main things and leave the rest or by the 2nd hour everything will be the same for you, and when you finally reach a masterpiece you would say 'bah another picture of a saint, i can't stand any more'. My opinion, leave the decision until the last minute but probably you'll do the daytrip, so plan one. |
Thanks for all the helpful feedback.
It looks like I'll be spending the day exploring Rome. When in Rome...... |
Hi G,
Staying in Rome is a good idea. You could also visit Orvieto for a "hill town" experience. Should you wish to go to Florence, here is A DAY IN FLORENCE: Train to Florence SMN: The Luggage Office is to your left as you leave the train. From Piazza d' Stazione, walk up via Nazionale to via d'Ariento and the Mercato Centrale, wander through. Take any street going NE to Via Degli Alfani and go right to the Accademia for The David. Take via Ricasoli SE to the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Opera Museum (Originals of the bronzes on the doors) From the Campanile, take via Calzaiuoli S (do some window shopping) to the Piazza d' Signoria. Look around, take a break. Continue S to the Uffizi. Visit. From the Uffizi, walk W along the Arno River to the Ponte Vecchio. (You can walk up to the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens if there is time. Great views of Florence from the top of the Gardens) If you have time, walk E along the S bank of the river to Ponte alle grazie and cross over to visit Santa Croce. If not, go W along the Arno from Ponte Vecchio to Ponte S. Trinita and go right. Go left on Via d'Spada to via d'Fossi and go right to Santa Maria Novella. Look around. SMN is across the square from the train station. If you have time, take the no. 7 bus (you can find it at the SMN train station) up to Fiesole (0:20 hr 1E) to watch the sunset from the terrace of the Bar Bleu. Be sure to have lots of gelato (in a cup, not a cone), take some wine breaks and a light lunch. Train schedules, prices and tickets are at http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html Call center from outside Italy is 39-06-68475475 Bus routes are at http://www.ataf.net/ Buy your ticket before you get on the bus. Stamp it in the yellow box on the bus. Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1010987 (dial around number), 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. There is a long listing of press 1 for this and 2 for that--press 4 for bookings. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services. You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them. Have a nice visit. ((I)) |
bookmarking
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As many have said, you have plenty more to see in Rome on your fourth day.
However, you mentioned choosing <i>not</i> to see Florence en route from Venice because of your luggage. I'm just letting you know that you can check your luggage at the Florence train station, go tour the city, and pick up your baggage when you're ready to head on to Rome. |
Spend the extra day in Rome-Florence can be had on another trip. In my opinion,Orvieto is a nice day trip but there is NOTHING to do when the town is at siesta(1/2 to 4PM) as everything to shop or eat is closed. We enjoyed the cave tour but did it in the morning as that was when the English tour was scheduled.The town is loaded with tours particularly Rick Steves and we went in the off season.
As someone who flys to Rome everyweek in the summer,you can always find some fun and fascinating things to do there no matter how many times you have been there. Have fun planning! |
I would definitely recommend spending the extra day in Rome. You have a long list from others of things to see there. I would add a possible trip to the Appian Way if you are interested in Roman history. (Several of the catacombs are at the upper end of the Via Appia Antica, but it is worth going farther along this amazing road and/or to the aqueducts)
If by some chance you decide you have had enough time in Rome after three days, you could easily go to Orvieto or Ostia Antica on Day 4. On your day 3 I would add in exploring the Piazza Navona/Pantheon/Campo de Fiori area. Definitely plan to get to the Pantheon during the day when it is open |
We spent 8 days in Rome last spring and never ran out of things to do...
I do prefer Florence, but why not save and savor it another time? gruezi |
Another vote for an additional day in Rome. When I went, I only had 2 full days, and I didn't think it was at all enough time - there was a lot I didn't get to see.
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I wonder if the OP has taken the trip as this thread started 6-18-08. There was no mention of the dates the OP would or will be in Italy.
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