How long in Rome?
 

My husband and I have never been to Italy. After a 10-day cruise through Italy(starting in Venice), Greece, and Croatia that we will be going on in May, the cruise concludes in Rome. We will stay in Rome in a hotel on our own at that point. Is 2 full days and 2 full nights enough, or should we do 3 full days and 3 full nights? Doing 3 days/nights means we will arrive home Sunday evening and go right back to work Monday morning, whereas if we only do 2 days/nights in Rome we will arrive home Saturday evening and have Sunday to regroup a little before going back to work Monday. Thoughts??

By all means stay the extra day. I'd take an extra day in Rome over "regrouping" any day of the week. Between 2 trips, I've been in Rome 10 days and there are still things I've yet to see.

5 days is perfect but you can make a dent in 3.

Stay the extra day - there's so much to see, experience and eat in Rome. It definitely beats out "regrouping" time.

How long is your "must do" list? If it consists of the colloseum, St. Peter's, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi fountain, two days is enough. I had so many "must see" churches on my list that 6 days did not make a dent!

Thanks guys!! It's looking good for the extra day.

We don't really have a formal "must do" list yet, but the things you mentioned, Missypie, will definitely be on it. Plus, I like the idea of not having to rush through everything, and also wouldn't mind having some "wander around" time just to take in the city and the culture. I guess we'll be tired at work Monday either way.

Agree that for a trip to Rome you really need 5 days or so to get a good grip on majot things - and enjoy some of La Dolce Vita. If all you can manage is 3 - pick carefully what to see - and don;t ignore a lot of the relaxing, cafe sitting, strolling floddlit piazzas with gorgeous fountains after dinner etc.

If you select a hotel in the Centro Storico area of Rome, you will be very close to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Step which will save you lots of time and you can enjoy the lovely little neighborhoods as you stroll to and from the sights.

And, yes, I also agree that three nights would be the better choice...without a doubt.

Another vote for the extra day! Just remember, while you have to go back to work for 5 days, you can sleep all the next weekend. :-)

I just spent 5 full days in Rome and we didn't even get to everything that I had hoped to see, although we did add one or two things that I hadn't planned on...guess we'll just have to go back!

Just don't try to squeeze in too much...plan on one or two major sites for each day and you'll naturally be able to fit in plenty of strolling, sitting, and people-watching time.

With limited time, it would be a good idea to take note of what can be visited after dark - e.g. the Trevi Fontain and many other terrific fountains and squares. No use spending daylight hours to see those.

You guys are getting me very excited about this trip. :)

We are staying at the Rose Garden Palace Hotel? The info from my travel agent says it is 1 block from the Via Veneto and 4 blocks from the Spanish Steps.

I would stay the extra day. I find jet lag much less of a problem returning to the US than on the outward journey, in large part because most of the outward flights are overnight.

Carolena

I would recommend a lifetime; but, as you will only have 3 days, that will have to do ;-) As mentioned by other posters, there are just so many things to see and do in Rome. I have visited there many times and even lived there for awhile. Yet, I continue to add things to my to see or do list everytime I go back. Have a great trip!

3 nights it is. I just pulled the trigger and changed our flights.

Thanks for the advice!

Good choice - you won't be disappointed!