Hi all-
I'm way behind in the planning and while I've been to Rome (2005) I don't recall much of what we did as we were there for just 3 days and I want to make my husband's first time go well. We are staying at the Marriott on the days I will be there for work, and the Hotel Guiliana when I'm paying. If you have comments on dining experiences for any particular days, let me know.

Arriving April 19 - recovery and strolling (I have a conference call for work too). Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona

April 20 - Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill

April 21 - Papal audience, then I'm at a conference

April 22 - hubby by himself = hop on hop off bus

April 23 - hubby by himself - Borghese Museum

April 24 - Scavi tour, Vatican Museum, St. Peters, Castel St Angelo if time permits

April 25 - open

April 26 - long day trip to Pompeii - on hubby's must list

April 27 - fly home

Questions -
What day to see the Pantheon?
Capitoline Museum a must? If so, which day?
Other cool stuff not to be missed? We enjoyed some Nat Geo shows about underground Rome, but in general would prefer to be walking outside then in museums if we had to choose. and of course, want the chance to enjoy eating and drinking and hopefully good weather.

Thanks!

The Pantheon can be seen in less than one hour. It's the area surrounding the Pantheon that may take longer. You could easily walk or take a bus to the Pantheon on April 20th after you have finished with Colosseum/Forum. You might even have dinner in the area near the Pantheon and then walk over (5 minutes) to Piazza Navona to see the fountains. Don't forget to stop for some gelato!

Have a great trip!

Do you have the Scavi tour reservations already? Just wondering since April 25 is a big holiday in Italy and that weekend may be crowded.

Yes, we do. Didn't realize it was a holiday weekend when I requested that timing. I am going to book the vatican tickets for later that afternoon to skip the queue as well.

and bab706, it goes without saying that we will be enjoying gelato, limoncello, and all other kinds of goodies as much as possible!

I would see the Pantheon on day one since it's near Piazza Navonna.

Other than St Peter's, there are no churches on your list and Rome is full of beautiful churches. My recommendations:
Santa Maria Maggiore
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (near Pantheon)
St Peter in Chains for the wonderful sculpture of Moses
Your husband is going to the Borghese Museum - is he a Bernini fan? If so try to see the 2 ecstasies, especially the one in San Francisco a Ripa in Trastevere (best on a sunny day and not too early as you need natural light to properly see it). The other ecstasy is St Theresa in Santa Maria della Vittoria.