I have received fabulous advice on this forum in the past and this time I'm really in need. We're going on a Mediterranean cruise in October and have 1.5 days in Rome. Here are the constraints:

Day 1:
- Arrive at FCO from an international flight at 8am
- Staying at the Westin Excelsior
- Have reservations for a 2pm tour of the Vatican Museum & the Sistine Chapel

Day 2:
- Depart for cruise port around 1pm

How would you plan your time in Rome given the above? Thanks!

Is there something else that you absolutely really want to see?

Well - you really have very little time.

On the first day I would do St Peter's as soonas you can get there, grab a quick lunch, do the VAtican tour then head for the Pantheon - to find a cafe for a nice drink, then dinner.

The next moring get up as early as possible and see as much or Ancient Rome as you can - Coloseum and Forum (you'll only hae time for a quick view - not see everything).

NYT's suggestion looks good. In the evening you could also see Piazza Navona - then head to the Trevi fountain after dinner.

Both are within easy walking distance of the Pantheon. Stop off for a gelato at Giolitti's or Delle Palme ...

Steve

I agree with the other posters. You could walk to the Spanish Steps area from the hotel and take the metro to the Vatican from there. I would look for really quick lunch, as in take-out panini or pizza if you can find it near St. Peters.

Heading to the Pantheon after the Vatican museums makes sense because you really do want to see the inside of that amazing building

It sounds as though the museums and Sistine Chapel are a must for you. With so little time in Rome I would not plan any museum time

You didn't mention your day of arrival but bear in mind the Borghese is closed on Mondays.

I'd struggle after an international flight to do all that's been mentioned and I wouldn't take a Vatican tour on the day of arrival either but within your time constraints I'd visit the Colosseum, Forum and walk up Palatine Hill on the morning of day 2.
On arrival day I'd visit the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain before the tour and get some lunch and fresh air.
My choice would be to visit the Borghese gardens and museum that afternoon.

1.5 days in Rome is better than nothing! Try to spend some time outside wandering around. It should be lovely in October.

Personally, if you can get the Vatican in with ancient Rome you are doing well. The Borghese is really for those who have more time especially when you are leaving for the ship around noon on the second day.By the time that you get your luggage,get into the city with the traffic and get situated at your hotel-you will have exhausted several hours...not to mention the jet lag.
I fly Rome everyweek in the summer for my job and I would recommend a quick shower and possibly 1-2 hour nap followed by a coffee and getting into the sunlight so you will be refreshed for the Vatican and fun in the evening.
As some of the above have suggested,enjoy the" wander" and people watching as it is one of the wonders of Rome.It really does take many many trips there to see everything that you want. Have fun and save some red wine for me!!!!!

Since you obviously only have time for some highlights, here is what I would do.

Day 1: Vatican trip. You won't arrive early enough to do much more than get into lodging, get some lunch and make your tour.

Evening: Do the Rick Steves evening walk (I think he takes you from the Spanish steps to the Trevi fountain.

Day 2: Get up first thing and do the Rick Steves Ceasar Shuffle before you need to depart for your cruise.

I'm not a huge Rick Steves fan. His suggestions, however, do cover the greatest hits in a compact schedule.

HI bjd,

I suppose it depends what are Rome's greatest hits. This could be quite a debate.

With regard to walking from the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain at night, no question the Trevi Fountain is best viewed at night, preferably after dinner when there are less tourists. The Spanish Steps, however, is best enjoyed during the day. They are about a 5 minute walk or less away from one another so R could work the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain into both Day 1 and Day 2, if they want to.

In my opinion, since R will be at Vatican anyway the walk down via Giulia, through Piazza Farnese and Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Navona for a drink at sunset at the Raphael has to be a greatest hit, doesn't it?

We'll call it the WebVisionItaly.com greatest Rome people watch wander.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I was in Rome in 2000 for 5 days so I did see the majority of the sites. The reason why I need help is because my husband has never been. We arrive on a Saturday morning. Based on your suggestions, here's my proposed plan:

Day 1
1. Check into hotel, refreshen up, walk around and grab lunch.
2. Tour Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel from 2-4pm. See St Peter's.
3. Walk around 10-15 minutes to Castel Sant'Angelo. Great for pictures. Or crossing the bridge to Vittorio Emanuele II.
4. Late afternoon to early evening: Pantheon (get there before it closes), Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps then Trevi Fountain. I'll look into the Rick Steve's walk.

Day 2
1. Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill. Again I'll look into the Rick Steve's walk.

WebVisionItaly, thanks for the links. I'll look at them in more detail tonight. The Vatican isn't a must, we're not Christain's, I just wanted to show my hubby the sistine chapel.

I love the view and atmosphere from the top of the Hotel Raphael but it is pricey for most of us!

Hi Duty free,

I was there in June and had two drinks for 20 euro.

It is pricey but then again, how many times do we get to be at the top of Rome?

(well i guess you are there all the time, but the rest of us...)

sigh.