We are planning 1st trip to Italy. The first leg is Rome. I would appreciate pros/cons etc. on our itineray. We like to people watch and do not want to over-plan every moment. Here is our plan so far:

Day 1: arrive in morning from ORD. Find hotel (Smeraldo in Campo de'Firoi area). Take a 2-4 hour walking tour with small group/guide to get oriented and adjusted. Explore Campo de' Fiori and Piazzna Navona on our own. Early supper/bed.

Day 2: Walk to Colosseum/Forum/Capitol Hill/Pantheon. Relax. Walk to Spanish Steps and Tevi Fountain in evening.

Day 3: Hire driver to take us to small village 90 miles from Rome (Campotosto) where grandparents were born.

Day 4: Vatican City area

Day 5: Visit cousins (never met) that live right outside Rome(train) in am. Villa Borghese/Borghese Gallery in afternoon.

Day 6: Leave for Florence

Thanks for your input.

I think your first six days sound perfect. Keep going!

Thanks. I was concerned day 2 had too much. I will start now planning Florence.

Hello,

Your itinerary sounds great. My only concern is that you are planning to little for each day. Rome is quite a compact city. On my first trip I was amazed at how close together all the sites are. The day that I had planned for doing the colosseum, forum, etc. only took us a few hours. Everything was right there next to each other, where on the map it makes it look like its a good walk to get from one to the other. Day 2- for example, you could also add the circus maximus, santa maria in cosmedin and the temples of Hercules and Portunus since they are in the same area and would add about 30 minutes of walking time (more time depending on how long you stay at each site).

I guess what I'm saying is that beyond the plan that you already have,(which is a very good one) be sure to know what else is in the area for you to see. That way if you do find yourself with extra time you will at least have some idea of what is in the area and be able to add it to your tour.

Donna

thanks for the suggestions. I need that help! I do not want to over-plan, but don't know how long certain sites will take. I want time to sit, enjoy a glass of wine and watch! That is a great idea to have "add-ons" if time allows. I did find a book from Eyewitness Top 10 Rome that is divided by areas that I think I better bys.

Hi Julieann,

Your plan sounds just fine. I totally agree with Donna's suggestion to know other sights in the areas so you can do more when and if you feel like it.

I might suggest switching your cousin visit to the afternoon and doing the Borghese Galley in the morning. Once you get out to visit relatives, you very well may end up staying much longer than anticipated! I can guarantee it, in fact!

Buon viaggio!

That is a great idea about switching relative visit and Borghese ... I never thought of it, but we are a talkative group!

We were also thinking of a boat ride on Tiber River just because we like rivers! Is this a good idea? I have not heard much about this, any reason why?

Julieanne,

I haven't done a boat on the Tiber and didn't see where you would do it. I did really enjoy strolling along the Tiber on my last afternoon in Rome. The part from Castello Sant Angelo down past the Vatican has beautiful, huge trees.

I will say that in Paris, a Seine boat ride was the biggest "must do" on my list. It was also the BIGGEST dissapointment!

thank, I just have not heard much about boat rides on Tiber ... I think we will wait for Cinque Terre and Venice to "hit the water."

Julieann -
We JUST returned from Rome. Your itinerary looks good, but it would depend on the time of year you're going. Day 2 is completely do-able now, and you could add more, as has been noted, but in the height of tourist season, you might have to deal with more crowds, so seeing each site could take a little longer.

As for a cruise by the Tiber -- the Tiber is not the same kind of river as the Thames or the Seine. Much lower, it appears, and not nearly as picturesque. (I jokingly called it a creek.) I would spend too much time trying to research a tour on the Tiber, as there are many other things to do that would seem far more worthwhile.

We are going in June, so you are right it will be at the busiest time. It is our first trip to Italy (my sisters first trip overseas) so the small little details of planning are helpful. Thanks.

As others have mentioned, you haven't overplanned at all. I agree with seeing Borghese before the cousins!

Although I haven't done it myself, I remember reading a post here where the person said it definitely was not worth doing the boat ride on the river. I think they said it was too low to see anything.

Thanks everyone. I am going to get busy on itinerary for other places. I will be back.

We are also going to Rome next year, in September. I bought the green guide for Rome and it is excellent! It shows you where all the top sights are and in teh description section of the sights it tells you what other sights (and restaurants/cafes) are nearby. I highly recommend it!

Jamie

julieann,
Hi. I was doing some research on Campotosto in preparation for a trip there soon, and ran across your posting. I just found out that my grandfather left Campotosto in 1913 for a new life in the U.S. Appreciate any thoughts you might have about your trip and about your family's origins.
Here is my e-mail: [email protected]
If you are OK with it, please e-mail me and we can share additional info directly. Thanks, Chris De Angelis