Borghese Gallery-to see or not to see...
Sep 8th, 2005 | 06:13 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
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Borghese Gallery-to see or not to see...
I only have 3 days in rome and want to do all the MUST -DO's. Scavi, Forum, Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi, Piazza Novono. But if i am not all that into art, should i still do the Borgese Gallery? Tell me why you enjoyed it (or didn't) Thanks!
Sep 8th, 2005 | 07:26 AM
#2
Joined: Nov 2003
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It is IMPOSSIBLE to see all of the "Must Sees" in Rome in three days,or thirty days,for that matter.The Galleria Borghese is certainly high on the list,but I must admit that I only got to it on my fourth trip to Rome. Something else always got in the way.It not only houses important art and amazing sculpture,but the building is breathtaking and it sits on some gorgeous grounds(the Villa Borghese.)You will never see it all,however,so you be the judge of how to use those three short days.
Sep 8th, 2005 | 08:15 AM
#3
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 144
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tccgirl.
I must say it is a dilemma to go to Rome for only 3 day. I know how you feel - you want to get as much packed into 3 days as you can. My first piece of advice is to relax; it is the Italian thing to do. What you don't get done this trip will be done on the next trip. And there will always be a next trip!
Now, it is my opinion you can do all that you mentioned in 3 days.
Day 1 Rome is a very walk able city so you can see the Trevi, the Spanish Steps, P. Navona easily in one day.
Day 2 schedule the Scavi tour the day you see the Vatican and reserve the whole day for the Vatican. The Scavi tour is the one site you must see in Rome (in my opinion). One tip - visit the Vatican Post Office On one sire of the Basilica and send a postcard to some one. The Vatican is a country unto it's self so they have their own postage.
Day 3 Go to the Borghese Gallery. It is really a small villa filled with the most amazing statues by Bernini (sp). I can't stress this point enough the statues were amazing!!
Not an artsy type person, but it was the best museum experience ever. It does not wear you out like the bigger one museums. The tour lasts 2 hours - enough time to go through it 2 times. Next you can take a short walk to the P. di Popollo.
Hope this helps,
Greg
I must say it is a dilemma to go to Rome for only 3 day. I know how you feel - you want to get as much packed into 3 days as you can. My first piece of advice is to relax; it is the Italian thing to do. What you don't get done this trip will be done on the next trip. And there will always be a next trip!
Now, it is my opinion you can do all that you mentioned in 3 days.
Day 1 Rome is a very walk able city so you can see the Trevi, the Spanish Steps, P. Navona easily in one day.
Day 2 schedule the Scavi tour the day you see the Vatican and reserve the whole day for the Vatican. The Scavi tour is the one site you must see in Rome (in my opinion). One tip - visit the Vatican Post Office On one sire of the Basilica and send a postcard to some one. The Vatican is a country unto it's self so they have their own postage.
Day 3 Go to the Borghese Gallery. It is really a small villa filled with the most amazing statues by Bernini (sp). I can't stress this point enough the statues were amazing!!
Not an artsy type person, but it was the best museum experience ever. It does not wear you out like the bigger one museums. The tour lasts 2 hours - enough time to go through it 2 times. Next you can take a short walk to the P. di Popollo.
Hope this helps,
Greg
Sep 8th, 2005 | 08:17 AM
#4
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,076
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I'm going to vote "yes," and that's <i>because</i> your time is short. It's a small-scale museum, but the breathtaking beauty of each piece makes it a worthwhile experience...even for a non-arty. Think of it in terms of efficiency, a whole lot of culture for just a small time investment.
Remember: you can't just walk up. You have to pre-book your tickets.
Remember: you can't just walk up. You have to pre-book your tickets.
Sep 8th, 2005 | 08:54 AM
#6
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,602
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tccgirl-Don't bother with the Borghese-I was just there a couple of weeks ago-and, to quote Shania Twain: "that don't impressa-me much"
You also don't need to make reservations in advance-I was there on a Sunday afternoon, and there were PLENTY of people who just walked up and got tickets for the next two hour viewing-so don't sweat that, by any means. If you feel like going one day, then get yourself up there (it's a hike) and go buy your ticket for the next two hour time slot. People on this board act like you can't get in without reservations weeks and months in advance. Not so.
You also don't need to make reservations in advance-I was there on a Sunday afternoon, and there were PLENTY of people who just walked up and got tickets for the next two hour viewing-so don't sweat that, by any means. If you feel like going one day, then get yourself up there (it's a hike) and go buy your ticket for the next two hour time slot. People on this board act like you can't get in without reservations weeks and months in advance. Not so.
Sep 8th, 2005 | 09:18 AM
#7
Joined: Feb 2003
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Everybody is different but to me Borghese Gallery is a must even if you are like me, only mildly interested in art. The Bernini sculptures are unbelievable.
I've never done the Scavi so don't know how important that would be . You can do Colesseum, Forum, Trevi, Pantheon , Piazza Navona in one day/ evening.
You still have 2 days to do the rest in your list. It's totally doable.
I've never done the Scavi so don't know how important that would be . You can do Colesseum, Forum, Trevi, Pantheon , Piazza Navona in one day/ evening.
You still have 2 days to do the rest in your list. It's totally doable.
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Sep 8th, 2005 | 09:20 AM
#8
Joined: Mar 2003
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"Must Do's" depend also on your likes and dislikes.
When you say "3 days" is this 3 days or 3 nights? Big difference. Three full days versus three days and two nights is probably what you mean ,so here's my recommendations:Note: the time of year (daylight hours),whether this is your first day in Italy (jetlag), and your desire to use tour groups would adjust this.
Day 1: Arrive and check-in. Lunch near Spanish Steps?Trevi (depending on where you are staying). Walk to the Parthenon and visit it using a good guide book.
Walk to Piazza Novona.
Make this a relaxing walk and stop at shops (detour a bit at Via del Corso)and points of interest along the way. You might also consider an off-n-on bus ,depending on time.
Again, depending on where you are staying, you should have time to get back to room, refresh and have dinner (lots of possibilities).
Day 2: Get to the Forum early and book the first English speaking tour there.After the tour,you'll be able to get to the Colosseum around 11. Take the inexpensive tour that organizes nearby its entrance.
Take a bus (or taxi) to the Vatican and eat a quick lunch near there. Enter the Vatican Museum around 1:30. There will be no lines.
Return to room and prepare for a nice dinner near Novona or the Spanish Steps.
Note: This may seem "undoable", but we did exactly this and while tired we really enjoyed the day.
What "forced" this schedule was a Scavi tour at 2:15. We arrived early am, but line to Vatican was LONG, so we split the days up.
If you can get an early Scavi reservation, I'd follow VolGreg's "Day 2", but might add Castel Sant'Angelo and St. Peter's.
This would be an extremely busy day!
Day 3: Scavi tour. Plan around it by taking a "free" tour of St. Peter's before your entrance time (if you are like me, you'll arrive at Vatican early so as to not be late for the Scavi tour). Walk over to Castel Sant'Angelo and tour that and,except dinner, most of your day is gone. You might eat at the Trastevere area and walk along that area at night.
The next morning, depending on your schedule, you could hit the Borgese. The earliest tour is 9-11.
You could accomplish all this in your time frame, but I think there's a reason why some people go to Rome and return with a "I really didn't care for it that much" ,or "Too much traffic", or "Too dirty, I just don't get the appeal". I think this is often a direct response to having too little time to see too much.
My first two trips there were for 3 days and I found Rome okay, but liked Paris (other cities also) more. Last year we spent a week. It's now my favorite city and will do another week in October.
So, I'd take my recommendations (other's here as well) and would print them out. Highlight what appeals to you the most and then rank them in order. Review the recommendations again and then come up with a relaxing schedule that gives you a great taste and desire to return.
When you say "3 days" is this 3 days or 3 nights? Big difference. Three full days versus three days and two nights is probably what you mean ,so here's my recommendations:Note: the time of year (daylight hours),whether this is your first day in Italy (jetlag), and your desire to use tour groups would adjust this.
Day 1: Arrive and check-in. Lunch near Spanish Steps?Trevi (depending on where you are staying). Walk to the Parthenon and visit it using a good guide book.
Walk to Piazza Novona.
Make this a relaxing walk and stop at shops (detour a bit at Via del Corso)and points of interest along the way. You might also consider an off-n-on bus ,depending on time.
Again, depending on where you are staying, you should have time to get back to room, refresh and have dinner (lots of possibilities).
Day 2: Get to the Forum early and book the first English speaking tour there.After the tour,you'll be able to get to the Colosseum around 11. Take the inexpensive tour that organizes nearby its entrance.
Take a bus (or taxi) to the Vatican and eat a quick lunch near there. Enter the Vatican Museum around 1:30. There will be no lines.
Return to room and prepare for a nice dinner near Novona or the Spanish Steps.
Note: This may seem "undoable", but we did exactly this and while tired we really enjoyed the day.
What "forced" this schedule was a Scavi tour at 2:15. We arrived early am, but line to Vatican was LONG, so we split the days up.
If you can get an early Scavi reservation, I'd follow VolGreg's "Day 2", but might add Castel Sant'Angelo and St. Peter's.
This would be an extremely busy day!
Day 3: Scavi tour. Plan around it by taking a "free" tour of St. Peter's before your entrance time (if you are like me, you'll arrive at Vatican early so as to not be late for the Scavi tour). Walk over to Castel Sant'Angelo and tour that and,except dinner, most of your day is gone. You might eat at the Trastevere area and walk along that area at night.
The next morning, depending on your schedule, you could hit the Borgese. The earliest tour is 9-11.
You could accomplish all this in your time frame, but I think there's a reason why some people go to Rome and return with a "I really didn't care for it that much" ,or "Too much traffic", or "Too dirty, I just don't get the appeal". I think this is often a direct response to having too little time to see too much.
My first two trips there were for 3 days and I found Rome okay, but liked Paris (other cities also) more. Last year we spent a week. It's now my favorite city and will do another week in October.
So, I'd take my recommendations (other's here as well) and would print them out. Highlight what appeals to you the most and then rank them in order. Review the recommendations again and then come up with a relaxing schedule that gives you a great taste and desire to return.
Sep 8th, 2005 | 09:26 AM
#9
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,725
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The Borghese Gallery was one of the highlights of my trip to Rome, so for me it would be a must do.
Given that you have such a limited amount of time in Rome, if you intend to go to the Borghese Gallery, I think it would be foolish not to make reservations in advance. It would be a waste of time to go there in hopes that you can get in - and then find that you aren't able to.
Even if you're not sure, I would make the reservations and play it by ear. I don't believe you have to pay until you show up to claim your tickets, so if you decide not to go, you haven't lost out on anything.
Given that you have such a limited amount of time in Rome, if you intend to go to the Borghese Gallery, I think it would be foolish not to make reservations in advance. It would be a waste of time to go there in hopes that you can get in - and then find that you aren't able to.
Even if you're not sure, I would make the reservations and play it by ear. I don't believe you have to pay until you show up to claim your tickets, so if you decide not to go, you haven't lost out on anything.
Sep 8th, 2005 | 09:28 AM
#10
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
It is a must see. It only take 1-2 hours. It has great sculptures.
If you only have three days, start checking the sites right after you check in. Also, get a map and plan your routes from one site to the next. Try to avoid back tracking. Take taxis to the starting point of your planned route. Make reservations everywhere possible. Try to get reservations for the Scavi tour NOW. They fill up fast. There are several places to get them that might be easier than the Vatican
Day 1. If you arrive in the A.M. Check into your hotel. Do the easy stuff that day such as Trevi, Pantheon, Piazza Novona, Spanish Steps.
Day 2. A.M. Coloseum, Forum. Noon relax and walk around. Late Afternoon Borgese Gallery
Day 3. Vatican & Scavi.
If you only have three days, start checking the sites right after you check in. Also, get a map and plan your routes from one site to the next. Try to avoid back tracking. Take taxis to the starting point of your planned route. Make reservations everywhere possible. Try to get reservations for the Scavi tour NOW. They fill up fast. There are several places to get them that might be easier than the Vatican
Day 1. If you arrive in the A.M. Check into your hotel. Do the easy stuff that day such as Trevi, Pantheon, Piazza Novona, Spanish Steps.
Day 2. A.M. Coloseum, Forum. Noon relax and walk around. Late Afternoon Borgese Gallery
Day 3. Vatican & Scavi.
Sep 8th, 2005 | 10:45 AM
#13
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
I loved the Borghese Gallery, and I didn't realize it was a must-see until I went there. As everyone has said, it's lovely and accessible. Looking at the things you are already committed to doing, it would also represent something of a change of pace, since it's smaller and quieter and prettier than some of the other key sites.
But if you are really neutral about art, don't go just because someone says it's essential. Yes, it could pleasantly surprise you, but it could also be an obligation on an already busy visit.
Still, it's certainly a good idea to make the reservation regardless. Then, it's up to you once you're there.
But if you are really neutral about art, don't go just because someone says it's essential. Yes, it could pleasantly surprise you, but it could also be an obligation on an already busy visit.
Still, it's certainly a good idea to make the reservation regardless. Then, it's up to you once you're there.
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