Ideas for a jet-lagged Day 1 in Rome?!
 

Hi all, just looking for suggestions for day 1 of our trip in Rome (we will be there 4/5 days)- we anticipate being somewhat tired after our flight from Boston. Also - it will be a Sunday, so I don't think that it will be the best day to do Spanish Steps / shopping / Trevi fountain - if the shops are closed? What do you think?

Usually on the arrival day I prefer to just walk around, have a quick lunch, and get oriented with the area. Maybe take in a sight or 2 (not a major sight, just an outdoor kind of thing like Trevi fountain, Piazza Navona, etc). Then take a nap, have dinner in a nieghborhood of interest and get a good night's sleep.

My motto is "hit the ground running." Well, not literally, since I have bad knees. But like the poster above, I get out and walk around, orient myself, and see some things. Just don't try to do too much, which I've done on other earlier, hence younger, trips. I feel that travel time is too limited to NOT use whatever time I have avaliable.

I also meant to say, that on our first trip to Rome, after checking into our hotel on the first day (after spending about 16 hours on a trip-from-hell plane ride), we walked the streets and saw the Forum and the Trevi Fountain before finding a quiet restautant for an early meal. I love Rome.

We did: Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Pantheon, ate gelato while gazing at the Pantheon, St. Ignatious (with the false dome), Trevi Fountain, a few minutes of a free concert at the Reformed Church, pizza, bed.

I didn't want to go anywhere that charged admission, in case I was too tired to appreciate it and wanted to return later in the trip. I also wouldn't recommend anything where you sit for a long time. I could tell while sitting at the concert that the kids were about to fall asleep and if they did, they would be OUT and they're too big to carry!

Pizza at da Bufetto was a good choice for the end of a jet lagged day. Not very expensive, familiar, so if you're too tired to translate an Italian menu, you can't go too wrong.

For the best use of time, it would be helpful to know where you are staying.
Dolf

After a long flight and major time change, I quite often book (prior to arrival) a general overview tour for the first day. It accomplished a couple of things - forces us to get up and about even though we might like to stay in bed and lets someone else do the navigating, organizing, etc. -- in essence, dragging us around even if we sleep on the bus from stop to stop. We then have an idea of what we'd like to return to investigate more in depth once we've acclimated to the local time zone.

I get horrible jet lag, so I let myself go with that... relax, explore the area around my hotel, have a nice meal, drink some wine, have a nap. If I push it that first day, I am a basket case the entire trip. If I recoup a day or two, the rest of the time is much more enjoyable.

Where is your hotel?

It would be easier to give you specific advice if we knew that. In general, I think you should identify on a map a few nearby sights -- outdoor and indoor, to account for the possibility of rain, and preferably inexpensive -- that you can wander by to see. You will probably want to return to your hotel as soon as you are allowed to unpack, lock your valuables in the room safe, etc. or even take a nap. (I generally do.) After lunch you can go further afield and begin some of your sightseeing if you've got more energy than you expect.

(Trevi Fountain is best seen at night, by the way.)

Hi C,

Our first day we don't do anything that requires thinking.

We just orient ourselves to the neighborhood, walk around and soak up atmosphere.

((I))

What about a day ticket on the open-top bus where you can hop on and off wherever you fancy? Costs 13e pp includes headphone and map. It runs every 15 mins.
Red open top bus 110 for monuments
White open top bus 110 for religious stuff.

defintetly make it a leisure day. take in the borghese gardens and stroll around. have a nice dinner in any of the cafes around the pantheon

I've been looking at airfares/schedules, and it looks like we wouldn't arrive at FCO until 4 PM on a Friday. By the time we get to our apt. in Trastevere, will there be any shops open to get basic provisions/snacks etc.? I'm sure we'll head for a pizza place for dinner, but would like to have something to drink and maybe coffee for the next AM, anyway. Any suggestions?

Stroll around the centre. Perhaps choose one destination to have a first look at - Fontana di Trevi, perhaps, or St. Peter's - whatever is the first picture that appears in your mind when thinking of Rome. Or just set out from your accommodation. Then keep wandering, get lost in narrow streets, explore and discover without a fixed destination. Stop for a coffee or cappuccino at a nice cafe, or sit down on a bench for a while and observe people. Or enter a church, rest in there. Maybe you'll come across places you have heard of and recognize. Maybe you'll find pretty, interesting, astonishing... little things you never thought of. Just be there and try to get a feeling for the city. Give your soul enough time to arrive and reach you (the soul walks on foot, no matter how fast you travel).

Quokka, I disgree with your "wander around and just get lost" advice, because if it was me, after being up about 36 hours, I WOULD get lost. I always make sure I'm heading to my "own neighborhood" by about 6 or 7 pm, because after that I can't concentrate and easily get lost. On our first night in Paris with the kids,it was about 6:30 pm and I THOUGHT I was going the right way, but the street we were on went diagonally instead of straight and we walked way out of our way and were sort of feeling sick at the thought of the long walk home. I'd save "getting lost" for when you're more rested.

missypie- That's why I always grab a business card from my hotel, and make sure I have money for cab fare back!!

In addition to knowing where you are staying would be useful to know whether you will have kids with you or not.

Caramia,

On a Friday night you shouldn't have any trouble finding some stores open until 7pm or so. And Trastevere is one of Rome's great eating destinations. You will be surrounded by cafes, gelaterias, bars, enotecas and yummies of all sorts.

And more good news: One of Rome's most gorgeous churches -- the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere -- stays open in the evenings and its mosaics, inside and outside, are a sight to behold. It is central in Trastevere, so wherever your apartment is, you'll easily find it.

The piazza in front of Santa Maria is one of the most charming in Rome, filled with children playing ball. It is surrounded by cafes. Sit down and have a drink. After dinner, if you're too wired to sleep, you can also take a 15-minute walk across the river to the Jewish Quarter and the atmospheric ruins of the ancient Portico d'Ottavia, which is beautifully lit up at night.

If you are feeling super-energetic, you can walk up to St. Peter's, also lit up to the heavens.

Basically you won't get lost if you orient your walking around to the piazza Santa maria and the river. Stick to that side of Trastevere and you'll be fine. (don't wander into the hilly park.)

Can you ask the person you're renting the apartment from to leave you some coffee, and that you'll pay for it? Isn't someone meeting you with the key? They should be able to point out where to buy whatever you need. Even if that doesn't work out, don't worry. You will be able to find fantastic coffee just outside your doorstep in the morning (probably better than you can make).

Last suggestion: If you are taking the train from FCO to get into Roma, there is a station stop in Trastevere BEFORE the last stop in central Roma (Termini). Ask the person you are renting the apartment from if you can get a TAXI from that Trastevere station to your apartment. I don't know if there are lots of taxis by that station.

Enjoy the good life in Roma. Trastevere is the place to do it.

Nessumdorma,
Thanks So much for all of your helpful information. We will be staying at Vicolo del Cinque 5, which I think must be in the heart of the action, no?

Any recommendations for good pizza to feed two teenage boys? It sounds like we've chosen well, and I'm looking forward to being in Trastevere.
I'm thinking we might just hire a limo to pick us up at FCO, since it would be about the same amount for 4 on the train plus taxi. I know we'll be exhausted, but can't wait to show our grandsons the wonders of Europe!

I think getting a limo from FCO is a great idea.

I believe your apartment is just a stone's throw from piazza Santa Maria.

I don't have a recommendation for pizza in Trastevere but surely such a place exists. You might try looking at the restaurant reviews on the Slow Travel website or asking on its message board if you don't get an answer here.

Have a great time!

Caramia,

You'll find this link useful. It mentions your address and the caffe in your building!

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/lazio/Trastevere.asp

Here's a quote from it:

"For a cozy dinner visit Il Duca (Vicolo del Cinque, 56) where the wood-burning pizza oven and dark, rustic surroundings, not to mention the tasty pizza, will make you glad you came."

There are also recommendations for other pizzerias, shops, restaurants and caffes.

Hagan and (Caramia),
What a coincidence. I am also renting the same apartment in February. I have never stayed in Trastevere (usually we stay with a friend who lives near the Pantheon). We are excited to stay there because it is a very cool neighborhood and has great restaurants. There is a "Standa" store not too far - I think on Viale Trastevere (it is like KMart and has a food and household goods section) but it is also fun to shop at little specialty shops for foods and provisions. In the morning you can cross the river to the Campo Fiori and buy fresh produce and products in the outdoor market - a truly wonderful Italian experience.

Our family usually unpacks and if we're up to it we take a walk to get some air but if we're not we take a short nap because we find that we're too worn out if we don't. Then we wake take a nice walk and have dinner, followed by another walk and then go to bed.

On your first day you can walk over the bridge through and through the ghetto, pass by Largo di torre Argentino (ruins filled with cats), cross the street and make your way up to the Pantheon -then you can walk to Piazza Navona- or in the other direction to the Trevi Fountain. That is quite a site in the evening all lit up.

I happen to love the Knopf Mapguides. It is a city focused book that has opens up with maps of specific neighborhood and it is really easy to read- especially at night under a street lamp!

Not all shops are open on Sundays but many are and you can get some shopping in or atleast eye some stores that you want to go to the following day.

Hi - thanks for all the responses. Great ideas! I will actually be staying by the train station. (I have been told it's about a 10 min. walk to spanish steps.) I think it may be best to take a leisurely walk to spanish steps / trevi fountain - and have a nice dinner. Alternatively, Borgese gardens / gallery? Also, any suggestions for a Sunday night dinner? I think we may need reservations because many restaurants will be closed. Any thoughts appreciated!

Sorry to have mixed you two up. Caramia, I wouldn't recommend the Borghese for your first jet-lagged day, especially since you would need to make a reservation.

There is a wonderful restaurant called Fiore di Zucca near the Borghese gardens.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ats/index.html

another good bet in your neighborhood is Margutta -- but it's vegetarian. Great though after a few days in rome and you feel stuffed!

http://www.deliciousitaly.com/ristor...p;regione_id=7

It's a lovely street worth a stroll all on its own. You may recognize it if you've ever seen Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn.

http://www.ilmargutta.it/margutta_en/index.php

By the way,, Il Margutta has a Sunday Brunch which might be a lovely introduction to sampling many delicious Italian creations at a reasonable price and soothing on the stomach after airplane food.

http://www.ilmargutta.it/margutta_en...&Itemid=27

If your have an early arrival time, then by all means go to Vatican Square and join the crowd waiting to see the Pope wave from the window. I believe thats at 11 AM. From there take a leisurly stroll around the square, perhaps walk over to Piazza Navona and grab a quick lunch at a cafe and then go to your hotel and catch a nap. The conceierge or front desk at your hotel will be able to confirm the time for the Pope.

I arrived on a Sunday on my last trip to Rome. After checking in at my convent near Piazza Spagna, I went to Villa Borghese to walk a little and relax. Then, I walked from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Spagna and spent some time there before having dinner and going back to my convent.

It wasn't a long walk, and it was a great introduction to Rome. I also spent 5 nights, that's why I didn't want to do much that first day.

Most of the shops around Piazza Spagna were open. That was at the beginning of September, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

Buon giorno,
Go to Italy twice annually, this is my jet lag routine. Arrive at hotel from airport. Unpack, settle in, take a nice cool shower, go out and walk in the area for two or three hours, have a light dinner, walk for another hour and go to bed by 9:00PM. Get up next morning and you're ready to go. I never take a nap on the first day, just a shower and walk.
Ciao,
Alberto

Albert,

That's great, but many transatlantic travellers in Roma at 8am and are unable to get into their hotel room until noon or later.

Funnily, I think if I took a nice warm shower after a transatlantic flight, I'd go right to sleep!