We'll have 12 full days in Italy in April. The plan is for some time in Rome, then on to Umbria/Tuscany for the remainder of the time, in either one or two home bases with day trips.

Because of the high lodging costs in Rome, I'm considering cutting our time there a littler shorter than originally planned to maximize our dollar. Do you think four nights will allow us to do what what we consider the must-sees?

- St. Peters, with hopefully a Scavi tour
- Vatican museum
- Borghese Gallery
- Colosseum
- Forum
- Pantheon
and, of course, spend time walking around seeing piazzas, Trevi Fountain, etc.

Some background: we're not huge art people: we enjoy it, and museums, but are more "drive-by" rather than connoisseurs. We're early morning people and aren't ones for going out at night. I've been to Italy once before, dh has not.

I've also thought of taking a day trip into Rome from wherever we base ourselves afterwards if we find that we wish we had more time.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Rome can be heavy duty, although that can include the food, which is just fine. If it were me, I might take a longish day trip out to Ercolana/Herculaneaum or even Pompeii, just for the change of scene -- it's not a quick hop, but you might find it worth it. Re: Borghese -- there's another post here that illustrates just how military they can be there re: time, etc., but the best part of our visit up that way was just walking in the Borghese gardens.

Four nights in Rome is adequate to hit the highlights, but I wouldn't add on any daytrips out of Rome during that time. Although I love Rome and can spend weeks there, you probably won't find the need to take a daytrip to Rome from Tuscany/Umbria as your list can be accomplished in the five days/four nights.

I agree that you won't have time for a daytrip out of Rome (I've spent 30 days there in the last 2 years and have yet to take a daytrip... ). With 4 nights, which will give you 3-1/2 days, you can do what is on your list.

Stay in the center, near the Piazza Navona or Pantheon. On your first jetlagged 1/2 day, walk around to see the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. Second day, do your Scavi Tour in the morning if possible and St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum in the afternoon. Third day, Colosseum/Palantine Hill/Forum. Fourth day, do the Borghese in the morning and you'll still have the afternoon to see something else, just stroll around, do some shopping, or whatever you like. Of course, you may need to switch the days around depending on when you get the Scavi reservation. You should be sending for that reservation NOW.

Oh, I have no intention of taking a day trip <i>from</i> Rome. I'm leaving open the possibility of making a day trip <i>to</i> Rome if we're left wanting more. But I'm glad to see that y'all think the four nights will be sufficient.

My Scavi request have been sent, so I have my fingers crossed.

Hi dreamer,

I know I've read reports from people that have &quot;done&quot; the scavi tour, st. Peters and the vatican museums all in one day, but they must be made of sterner stuff than us.

the museums involve a very long walk, even ignoring getting there and possibly having to queue outside. then there's the walk back round the walls if you can't use the door at the back of the sistine chapel to get into st. Peter's, and the security queue to be done again.

you could do the Scavi tour, St. Peter's and the Borghese in the same day, getting a cab between the two.

that would leave one day for the colosseum and forum [and san clemente which is near-by, or the capitloine museums, ditto], and another for the vatican museum.

the 4th day you could spend wandering round the centre, and possibly trastevere if you felt so inclined.

do take comfortable shoes.

regards, ann