Buon giorno Roma! 39 days and counting...here's the plan....
Jul 30th, 2012, 03:36 PM
#21
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Hi Denisea -
Thanks for posting the details of your trip. I think the Walks of Italy Colosseum VIP tour already includes the Forum.
I also have that tour on my short list - but was thinking about the PM tour.
Thanks for posting the details of your trip. I think the Walks of Italy Colosseum VIP tour already includes the Forum.
I also have that tour on my short list - but was thinking about the PM tour.
Jul 30th, 2012, 03:53 PM
#22
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Today I received an email stating that they still have not opened up the schedule and tickets yet for the Colloseum underground tours past the end of August. Was wondering how you seem to have this definitely planned out in your itinerary now?
Jul 30th, 2012, 04:53 PM
#23
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DinPa...you are correct. That is the plan but it is not confirmed yet...however, I am religious in checking sites to snag tickets as soon as they become available. There are several excursions planned that I am waiting for the tickets/reservations to open up on. I have to have a plan to start with, so that when I start booking things, I can keep it all straight.
Jul 30th, 2012, 05:29 PM
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Ok, thanks, hoping things work out for the both of us. As a side note, since you have never been to Rome before, don't be shocked when you get there and see the whole city is covered in grafitti. After a few days you won't even notice it, but a lot of people get upset when they first see this.
Jul 30th, 2012, 06:20 PM
#26
Last time I was in Rome, for only five days after a mostly Sicily trip, we did bring snacks into the Palatine Hill/Forum and picnicked, I think after our tour of the underground Colosseum. Very relaxing to sit in the shade and nosh on salumi.
What, no Antico Arco? The wine list is superb.
What, no Antico Arco? The wine list is superb.
Jul 31st, 2012, 02:39 AM
#27
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The Protestant Cemetery is not all that far out. We took a bus from Trastevere then caught another one up to the entrance to the Palatine. The pyramid of Caius Cestius and a good section of the Aurelian wall are nearby.
It would be good to plan to visit the Campo de' Fiori one morning when the market is open. This is easily combined with the Piazza Farnese and a walk along the Via Giulia.
The Baths of Caracalla are another possible destination--a glimpse into ancient Roman life that is different from the other monuments and very interesting.
It would be good to plan to visit the Campo de' Fiori one morning when the market is open. This is easily combined with the Piazza Farnese and a walk along the Via Giulia.
The Baths of Caracalla are another possible destination--a glimpse into ancient Roman life that is different from the other monuments and very interesting.
Jul 31st, 2012, 05:09 AM
#28
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Vttraveler, that's very true - I should have said that the Protestant Cemetery is farther out compared to the tourist circuit. 
I remember it being so peaceful and really gorgeous.
And denisea, you're welcome. I'm not so good with restaurant rec's... but navigation seems to be my thing!
I remember it being so peaceful and really gorgeous.And denisea, you're welcome. I'm not so good with restaurant rec's... but navigation seems to be my thing!
Jul 31st, 2012, 05:46 AM
#29
>>>When I was in Rome as a college student, I remember we exited from the Palatine Hill and just hung out on the grass of the Circus Maximus for a while. It'd be the perfect place for a picnic snack.<<<
I would not even walk through it. It's dusty (little to no grass),weedy (thistles) and full of broken glass. There are random trees on the sides, but still not pleasant as they are close to the street (lots of traffic). Don't walk down there unless you have closed-toe shoes.
I would not even walk through it. It's dusty (little to no grass),weedy (thistles) and full of broken glass. There are random trees on the sides, but still not pleasant as they are close to the street (lots of traffic). Don't walk down there unless you have closed-toe shoes.
Jul 31st, 2012, 07:33 AM
#30
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latedaytraveler...after all the Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites I "live" in all year, I absolutely will enjoy it! My day to day road warrior life, is soooo less glamorous!
love all the suggestions, and they are appreciated.
love all the suggestions, and they are appreciated.
Jul 31st, 2012, 08:38 AM
#31
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Denise...
GREAT itinerary, and your restaurant picks are terrific...I'm still dreaming about my meal at Glass in March! ;-)
I'm very interested to hear about your wine tasting experience in Orvieto. It might be something mom and I would like to do during our November trip to Rome.
GREAT itinerary, and your restaurant picks are terrific...I'm still dreaming about my meal at Glass in March! ;-)
I'm very interested to hear about your wine tasting experience in Orvieto. It might be something mom and I would like to do during our November trip to Rome.
Jul 31st, 2012, 08:48 AM
#32
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The underground tour is only about an hour,but is given 2xa day in english. Everyone in Orvieto has a cave because their moremodern homes were built on top. It's a very interesting tour. You will learn a lot.
Buon viaggio!
Buon viaggio!
Jul 31st, 2012, 12:06 PM
#34
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kybourbon, I guess I was a little over-eager - and probably over-optimistic - in my Circus Maximus suggestion... But even two years ago when we walked past, to me it looked more like a regular, fairly popular city park than a post-apocalyptic wasteland. (Okay, now maybe I'm overstating in the opposite vein!) I live in NYC, and it didn't seem any different from well trafficked wide grassy places here - like the Great Lawn in Central Park - before the city spent money to renovate them. At the Circus Maximus that May, there were plenty of dog walkers and people out enjoying a sunny day, some sitting on the grass. Then again, in September after a long summer it will probably look the worse for wear!
That said, I like Leely2's suggestion of a picnic of sorts on the Palatine Hill. There are some benches in the park-like area when you enter from Via di San Gregorio, and if I remember correctly, some more in the area directly overlooking the Forum at the other end, closer to Via di San Teodoro (these were more crowded than the former, when I was last there).
That said, I like Leely2's suggestion of a picnic of sorts on the Palatine Hill. There are some benches in the park-like area when you enter from Via di San Gregorio, and if I remember correctly, some more in the area directly overlooking the Forum at the other end, closer to Via di San Teodoro (these were more crowded than the former, when I was last there).
Jul 31st, 2012, 02:52 PM
#35
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Thanks LCI....I got a lot of help from someone in South Carolina! I hope you and "the nose" have a great trip.
will definitely report on Orvieto and the wine tasting!
I feel obligated to try to report on the condition of the Circus Maximus! Park or gangland? :-0
totally enjoying all the comments!
I hope you and "the nose" have a great trip.will definitely report on Orvieto and the wine tasting!
I feel obligated to try to report on the condition of the Circus Maximus! Park or gangland? :-0
totally enjoying all the comments!
Jul 31st, 2012, 03:00 PM
#36
When we were in Rome this May, we took a tour that included the Colosseum (including underground and upper lecvels), the Palatine, and the Forum. The Palatine would be perfect for as a picnic site.
Since you have an uncommitted Saturday and Wednesday, you may want to look for two things we did: The Palazzo Doria Pamphligj had a combined tour and musical concert on Saturday that was delightful and artistic. Context tours runs a Tour in the Public Interest on one Wednesday a month that is unusual and inexpensive. A little googling will help you find out if your dates mathch either of these two activities. Both are bookable on line.
I found both the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps remarkably uninteresting except for their iconic reputations. Worth at most a walk-by.
You may want to wade through my very wordy trip report (click my screen name).
Since you have an uncommitted Saturday and Wednesday, you may want to look for two things we did: The Palazzo Doria Pamphligj had a combined tour and musical concert on Saturday that was delightful and artistic. Context tours runs a Tour in the Public Interest on one Wednesday a month that is unusual and inexpensive. A little googling will help you find out if your dates mathch either of these two activities. Both are bookable on line.
I found both the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps remarkably uninteresting except for their iconic reputations. Worth at most a walk-by.
You may want to wade through my very wordy trip report (click my screen name).
Aug 2nd, 2012, 04:16 AM
#40
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Crisis, averted (before we have even left)! Elizabeth Minchilli had to cancel our food tour on Monday evening, but we are shifting to Friday evening.
Even though it is our arrival day, I think it will be a good "intro" to the city and we can learn how to order coffee and pizza appropriately! We can snack our way through Campo di Fiori, I hope.
Even though it is our arrival day, I think it will be a good "intro" to the city and we can learn how to order coffee and pizza appropriately! We can snack our way through Campo di Fiori, I hope.
