sorriso

Certainly this is a personal question and since you've not done a lot of traveling you may not even realize your own preferences yet.

Nine days is actually seven, your first day, no matter how early you arrive, and your last day, no matter how late you leave, will be a wash. Now you have five days. You've got a day trip planned, and you're left with four days. I don't think Rome can "be done" in less than that. If you travel to other cities you'll lose a great part of each day to the travel. You won't be relaxed.

On my first trip to Europe, three years ago (and after having to wait 20 more years than you!) I desperately wanted to see EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE. My daughter was finishing a year of school in London and I had two weeks. In that time we did London, Paris, Bormes in hotels, stayed with friends outside Nimes and back to London to retrieve her luggage. We were exhausted. There is so much to see and I felt cheated after getting just a taste of each place.

That said, we have neighbors who went on their first trip to Europe on one of those three week continent tours. Their schedule looked exhausting, 1-2 days in each place. They loved it!

Since that initial trip my husband and I have been to Rome twice, the first time for five days and second time for a week. I want to go back! I love Rome, I live in a rural area and the city for a week is wonderful. We enjoy architecture and ruins and history and Rome is wonderful for us. Next time we go to Italy though I'll force myself away from Rome to see more of the country.

So, my vote is just for Rome.

nanb

sorriso!
I got you on my license plate

jlmurdo1-
as you can see, you have gotten as many different answers as you have replies. Everyone has their own travel style.
on our first trip to italy, we spent 10 days in Rome and 9 days at beach location.My children were still a bit young and i knew they would not tolerate moving around alot.
and we have returned to rome three more times.
Obviously I am in the camp of those who feel there is never enough days in rome.

As others have mentioned, you can do day trips by train . and as you both are young, you will not poop out .
so, Orvieto , Florence, and as you already mentiomned ,Naples and Herculeaneum /Pompeii are choices.

Not sure if the train goes to the Abbey in Montecassino, but that was a fabulous place to visit!

whatever your decision is, I wish you buon viaggio for your first trip and I hope this is the beginning of a love affair with traveling !!

savannah300

HI.. There's lots to see and do in Rome and there's enough day trips that I don't think you'll be bored or regret your trip. You can also easily get to Assisi on the train and make that a day trip along with Pompeii, Serrento and whole Amalfi coast area. It's a great city and I can't wait to get back. You could stretch it and take a very early train to Florence and spend the day there also. But, whatever, you'll love it and definitely want to see more of Italy once you're there. Have a great time. I wish I was going!!!

Tess_Durberville

Ditto on the sentiments of Roma lovers. A great place and with 9 days you can pace yourselves and see the myriad of sites. I would suggest you consider an overnight or two in Sorrento, rather than doing the very long daytrip from Rome to Pompeii. Sorrento is a good base from which to see Pompeii and Naples and experience the Amalfi coast.

jlmurdo1

Thank you so much for all of your responses. It helped me to even just post the question, because I realized that I was hoping that all of you would say that we weren't making a mistake-so that should be my answer. We're so excited for our trip!!

savannah300

Hi .. Have a great time. I know that you will!

ACoronado78

Me and my girlfriend are going on a city stay trip to Rome (9 days with flights) with Go Ahead Vacations. One of the optional side trips is to Frascati with a wine-tasting.

My girlfriend isn't really in to wine, is the trip to Frascati worth the trip or should her and I use that day to go on a day trip of our own?

We'll have plenty of time to do as we please in Rome as most of the planned trips are half-day.

ira

>But I do not quite understand how someone who this morning stated "I have been to Italy a number of times and have not yet seen Rome" can express a *preference* for Florence and Venice.<

Well, there are things called books as well as other forms of information sharing.

If one had to visit everywhere in order to determine if one wanted to go there, one could waste one's life in the wrong places.

Couldn't one?

dee20002

As my now many trips to Italy (mostly to Rome) have taught me, there are two types of Italian visitors -- those that really prefer Florence to Rome (smaller, artier, etc.) and those for whom Rome is "IT." Florence is nice, but Rome is, well, Rome and nothing compares. After my first week in Rome (with a professional group), I returned with my husband for a second one week stay in Rome (and have been back for parts of a week since). We not only had PLENTY to do, but never came close to doing so much -- and part of what there is to do is to savor the many coiners and the wonderful ambience unlike any other city in the world, to me. We stayed near the forum, but in every corner was a new discovery. So many, endless, endless. There was a taxi strike but we didn't notice because Rome is totally walkable (in contrast with Paris) and really eternal. Rome, Rome, Rome -- venture out to Ostia or Pompeii, but a week will just scratch the service if you are like me or so many I know.

clevelandbrown

jlmurdo1,

Is there any way you could stretch the nine days to more? My feeling is that the flight over and back is a big investment, in time, money, and even discomfort, so I want as much time visiting as possible. Of course, I realize that not everyone can get the time off, especially now that both halves of a couple are employed outside the home, but I would rather, for example, take an 18 day visit every other year that a 9 day visit every year.

Another thought is that since this is your first trip, you will have a lot of learning and adjusting to do after your arrival, and I think this argues for spending all your time in Rome (with, perhaps some day-trips). This will give you time to become comfortable with things like meters and kilograms and euro, and new languages.

My final thought is that only you know what your interests are, and if you have done your research and feel that there is enough in Rome to fill, say, 7 days, then 9 days in Rome is probably right for you, because almost everyone finds some new, unplanned, things wherever they go, and you should thus leave gaps in your schedule for such events.

Enjoy your trip.

LarryJ

I go to Rome about once a year. Three days in Rome is all I can comfortably handle. Although I always enjoy Rome it is a very intense city, very noisy and for me it not a relaxing venue.

I would spend the 9 days by combining Rome with Tuscany or with the Amalfi Coast, or with the Italian Riviera (Positano, Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo etc) or with Florence / Venice.

Larry J

mjs

I am with LarryJ and a few others on this one. Since you already want to see Naples and Pompeii I would split your trip with the Amalfi. You could also split Rome with Florence/Tuscany. Would probably not split with Venice unless you did a open jaw with venice.

spootiskerry

After having just been there and browsing the responses, I'd go with Amanda's. I missed Florence and deeply regret it.

Consider staying in Naples and visiting Pompeii one day and Ercolano (Herculaneum) the next. I preferred Ercolano to Pompeii, as it was easier to get around and architecturally amazing. Pompeii is huge and requires a full day of exploration. We stayed in a hostel in Mergellina, very clean and comfy on top of the hill just above the train station. It was an easy trip to both places via train from there and you can get a private (twin) room for real reasonable.

Leely

Probably beating a dead horse, but...

"As my now many trips to Italy (mostly to Rome) have taught me, there are two types of Italian visitors -- those that really prefer Florence to Rome (smaller, artier, etc.) and those for whom Rome is "IT." Florence is nice, but Rome is, well, Rome and nothing compares"

I couldn't agree more with the above post. The first time I went to Italy, I didn't make it to Rome and I really, really liked Florence. Second time I went to Rome and rented an apartment back where the furniture restorers are, stayed a week and rome, for me is IT. I still like Florence, love the Uffizi, the Accademia, etc., but Rome just gets my heart thumping.

I actually think a lot of that has to do with choosing a relatively quiet little side street on which to base myself. I can do without busy shopping streets and the Spanish Steps, but when I have a "typically Roman" little place to relax and lots of time to explore, there's no where I'd rather be. Come on, it's the Eternal City!

Since you have a good chunk of time, I'd recommend finding a peaceful (for Rome) street/quarter for your hotel or apartment. Rome is intense, but I don't think you'll be bored.

CheBird

My husband and I spent 12 days in Italy: 5 in Rome, 3 in San Gimignano (Tuscany), 3 in Assisi, then back to Rome for the last day. We loved Rome the most. We are going back and plan to spend at least another 5 days in Rome. You will not get tired of Rome and you will never feel bored, nor will you ever see all there is to see. BUT, on your first trip to Italy, you really should split your time to see what else you like. Rome/Tuscany is a good combo. On our return trip, we're doing Rome/Amalfi Coast. Driving from region to region is an adventure in Italy - almost a trip in itself!

BLN

My husband and I have been to Rome twice - once was for 4 days as part of a 2 1/2 week trip through Italy in 2002. We LOVED it. So we spent an entire week (8 nights!) there over Thanksgiving last year. We were hestiant - would there be enough to do? Would we be bored in the same place? We had all these day trip options planned. We didn't do ANY of them. Just spending time in Rome easily filled our entire week. And we want to go back for ANOTHER week!! (To take some of those day trips and to do the things on our "city" list we didn't get to.)

Rome is definitely a "big city" and it doesn't appeal to everyone. But you're 23 and have a lifetime of travel ahead of you -- you will definitely learn a TON and enjoy your week in Rome. You won't regret it.

Mrs_jones

I agree with walkinaround -
"i think you are very different from most first time euro travelers here. most want to see far too much in too little time. in general i think you are taking the right approach. i agree that you will have plenty to do in rome + some day trips."
*except* I don't think you'll need day trips. I've now spent 4 holidays 'just' in Rome and would go again - there's still lots I haven't done. Especially if you do want time to relax too. I guess you already have your accommodation booked but I really like a hotel with a roof terrace on which to chill out on in the evening with a bottle of wine and (when single) a book or (now) my DH !

Mrs_jones

P.S. Sorry that should have been 5 holidays 'just' in Rome.

RuthMc

We went to Italy for the first time, started in Venice, then Modena for a night, Florence for 3, the Tuscany countryside scheduled for 5 and Rome scheduled for 3. We weren't real pleased with our Tuscany accomodations--had to drive everywhere--so we went to Rome a day early. Did not expect to like Rome much as I thought it would be another big city. Boy, was I wrong. We loved Rome and were so glad we had the extra night. I just booked airline tickets for next year and will spend more time in Rome, along with probably two other places. The history of the city just overwhelms you. By the way, I liked Florence also. I think you've gotten great advice on this thread from folks who have been to Rome and Italy often, just wanted to let you know the reaction of this first time traveler.

Leely, how did you find your apartment? I'm thinking about that for Rome, but want to deal with a reputable company that will deliver what's advertised and be there if need be.

Patrick

I'll jump in here, RuthMc. Check out www.palazzo-olivia.it
A number of us here have stayed there -- a smallish apartment building in a fantastic location between Navonna and Fiori, two apartments per floor totally redone a couple years ago. There is a manager on site daily and the owner lives in a penthouse in the top in case of emergencies (and he's a really nice guy). We "discovered" it this summer and probably won't ever stay anywhere else in Rome. This was our fourth trip there.

to jlmurdo1: All the posters make valid points but there is an easy answer to your question. How could going to Rome possibly be a mistake???