We are leaving in 9 days for 5 weeks in Italy, all planned, but one nagging detail.

Rome is our last stop, where we will have 3 nights. DH and I have been to Rome a few times before, and have seen most everything. One of our favorite places is Borghese Gallery.

Our daughter and son-in-law are meeting us for the last two weeks for their first ever visit to Italy, so I want the trip to be special, but not too rushed.

For their benefit, I have booked a morning tour of Colosseum and ancient Rome on Day 2, and an afternoon tour of the Vatican on day 3.
Day 1 will include travel from Amalfi Coast.

Can we squeeze Borghese Gallery in here somewhere without completely overwhelming daughter and SIL?

I don't know if we will be able to get tickets if we wait till the last minute to decide.

I say, yes!

Day 1 late afternoon or Day 3 morning--it's a maximum 2 hours because they clear you out after that. Arrive half an hour early to check your possessions, can only hold on to your passport.

As you know, it's such a special place, a chance to see a piece of Renaissance Rome and beautiful sculptures.

An easy walk down through the gardens brings you to the Via Veneto--if you squint your eyes you can imagine what it was like in the 50s and early 60s.

Assume one of the tours includes the Pantheon? Don't want to miss that.

Cath, yes, we were planning to do a walking tour on our own Day 1, to see Pantheon, Spanish Steps,, Piazza Navona.

I would do it on the afternoon of Day 2, if you can get tickets. I also suggest when you enter go straight upstairs and see everything up there, then go down to the first floor and see everything there. You will avoid alot of the crowds, who will naturally tour the first floor when they enter.

With the two hour limit at the Borghese it is definitely doable, but I would ask them if they are interested in going to the museum or having some free time to just wander. Sounds like you have a lot of tours scheduled and some free time might be nice.

Agree about asking their preference and also about heading upstairs first if possible!

Yes , since you can only stay 2 hours, I think you can do Borghese Gallery. So many people love it, so I think you will be glad you included it.

Yes, do go to the Borghese Gallery. It's one of my favorite places.

>>>Arrive half an hour early to check your possessions, can only hold on to your passport.<<<

You are allowed a plastic bag to put your wallet in.

I was finally able to talk to my daughter tonight. Though trying to describe to her the magnificence of Apollo and Daphne netted a slightly glazed over look across her eyes, I can hardly wait until she sees it herself and then can comprehend what I have been trying to explain in my limited way.

Free time can be good, but can also be exhausting, walking aimlessly with nothing in particular in mind. And thus is my excuse why we should fit the BG into our wandering.

So 8:30 am Colosseum and ancient Rome until noon. Then lunch and rest our feet.
Can we make the 3 pm time slot? I think so if we take the Metro up the hill.

We decided that a 3 pm time slot would be perfect, so we can have a wander around the park after the Gallery, then make our way to the Pincio to watch the sunset. Anyone have any ideas for happy hour/antipasti time after the Borghese Gallery?

We just returned from Rome and I would definitely vouch for trying to do Borghese. We liked it more than the Vatican where you are treated like cattle. My 16 year daughter loved it, especially Apollo and Daphne. Make sure you pony up for the audio tour sets. I think they were an extra 5e each. Also, when we were there in August the Metro line was shut down at Termini for long term construction of the new Line C. You may have to take a taxi. Either way, you still have to walk through the park to get to the gallery. So plan on another 15 minutes for walking. IMO, taxis are the way to go in Rome. I paid around 7-10 euros for each trip. There is taxi line behind the coliseum across the street and another up near the top of Palatine Hill, also across the street. You should be able to cover the coliseum and forum in under 4 hours.

Our taxi driver was able to drop us right at the gallery's entrance, no walking through the park at all. Make sure you tell the taxi driver you want the Borghese Gallery, not Borghese Villa.

Check with the desk (where they rent out audio guides) if there will be an English-speaking guided tour. My time slot was 11 am, and there was an English-speaking guided tour starting at 11:10am for 6.5 Euros/pp additional. The guided tour lasted about 90 minutes. It was wonderful to listen to a live guide and from whom you can ask questions.

You will need to be there about 2:30 to check your bags/cameras, etc. I think I would head over there right after your tour ends and find somewhere to eat that won't take long. There used to be a pizza place on via Veneto (near Hard Rock, but across the street) that might be a fast option.

We did the guide, too, and it was terrific!

Great advice, thanks. The taxi option sounds good. There are 4 of us, so that's probably the same cost as the bus anyway.
I was wondering if you could get a guided tour right at the Borghese, thanks. I will go on the website and see if they tell the times for English tours.
I should correct that our tour of the Colosseum is through Walks of Italy and is 3 hours, so it is finished at 11:30.
Thanks for the reminder that we must be there half hour early, kybourbon.

We enjoyed eating at Gusto (http://www.gusto.it/IT/Section/SubSe.../%27Gusto.aspx) after our visit to the Broghese, and it would be perfect for your antipasti/wine stop!