The reason for the Termini stop isn't really necessary. I forgot that there is an economical left-luggage at Fiumicino...

http://www.adr.it/content.asp?L=3&Id...sito%20bagagli

So, drop off your luggage there and pick it up on the return. That negates the need to get to Termini. Have a shuttle driver take you directly to the Colosseum. I strongly support the Rome Shuttle service, as it is cheaper than the Leonardo Express for 6 people, they'll be waiting for you outside of customs and will take you right to where you want to go.

As to going inside the Colosseum. You can easily spend over an hour in there. Now, if you decide to do this, which is really cool, have the shuttle driver stop by the Via San Gregorio entrance to the Palatine Hill and buy your tickets for the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine there. No line.

This ticket gives you access to all three. Then, you can walk through the Forum after you do the Colosseum, ending at Campidoglio.

Not having to go to Termini increases your time, and would allow you to do this.

dave

Thanks so much - this is shaping up really great! One more question if I may. I "googled" Rome Shuttle and found a few different options. Can someone tell me how to contact the Rome Shuttle to arrange a pick up at the airport?
Thanks!
Looks like all that's left now is to plan what flavor gelatto!
Laurie

Rome Shuttle Limousine's website is...

http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/

There are a couple of knock off companies that have similar sites, so look for the one with the Mercedes.

We had time to kill one day and we took the train from the airport to central station and then hopped on the red double decker bus. From previous trips I enjoy the red bus better than the green one. Got off at the Vatican just to look around the outside, Trevi foundion to throw a coin in and have gelatto and then back to train station. It was quick but fun. The train was easy from the airport.

I ran around Rome last Aug. with my 7yr old...it was REALLY, REALLY, REALLY HOT. By 11am we were beat. That said...I'd still do it :-) but take it nice and slow! Go over to the Colosseum first...I'd take the bus from Termini...I would n't bother gooing inside if you only have a day - I think it is SO impressive from outside that it works well alone...I, persoannly, would not do the Forum in August...but depends on the weather that week ;-) then, I'd head over to the Pantheon and get gelato and wander the area...maybe to Piazza Navona...my son (and husband) LOVED the Cappucin crypt with all the bones...and I'm totally blanking on the name...it's errie and gross...but you didnt' say if you were travelling with boys or girls ;-) and it was a huge mega-hit. oh...actually...you can take the subway there too (Piazza Barbarini) if you're near a stop...it closes mid-day (12:30is?) and reopens in the afternoon...so don't wasate a trip there if it's mid-day...I'd take the bus (again, it will be really hot, so remember to take busses for lots of walkinig or the kids will be beat! I make this mistake EVERY time I'm in Rome and drag my kid all over walkinig until he's so tired and grumpy that I finally wise-up)to St. Peter's - the piazza is impressive, so it's not a wasted trip even if the line is long and you don't wait to go in....oh the Trevi Fountain...also a BIG kid-hit and not to miss. Have fun!

p.s. the Train to/from the airport leaves about every half hour and takes about an hour.

Thanks everyone,

Two follow up questions - is the red bus referred to by the same as the #110 tour bus?

Also, does anyone know the name of the Capucin crypt near the Piazza Navona - and does it close during midday? Traveling with 2 boys/2 girls, and I think that all but 1 of them might want to see the bones!

THANKS!
Laurie

Hi gidlaurie! In response to one of your follow-up questions...the #110 bus is a red double-decker. I don't think there is a look-alike competitor, but I'm not 100% sure. A nice thing about the #110 is its very clearly marked and you never have to wait very long for the next one. And you can just pay when you get on wherever you get on. See my earlier post for a link that has full details including cheap tickets for kids. Have a great time. You'll love Rome! Al

sorry....I was rambling and wasn't clear...the Capuchin Crypt is right near Piazza Barberini. You could take the subway or bus there easily (I've done both - they put take you right there)I KNOW it closes mid-afternoon though (because we missed it the first time).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capuchin_Crypt

(i'm sure there are more (better) links about it...but this popped up and I'm rushed ;-) )

Here's some info to keep you hydrated for the day. There are drinking fountains all over Rome that you can drink from (or fill-up your water bottles). They are all over Rome and water constantly flows from them.

Frommer's info about the Capuchin crypt. Note it might be closed
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/A20677.html

You know your kids best, but this might be something they think they would like that would bother them. (I know my son recently confessed to having nightmares after reading a book on North American monsters--bigfoot, etc-- he insisted on buying at about that age)

Also it would not be very convenient to the other areas you are planning to see.

Hi
And thanks, again!
Yeah, I'm also thinking that the crypt might freak them out a bit - seeing the pictures was pretty freaky for me!!!! We'll see. At the moment I am back to this plan:
Leave luggage at airport.
Leonardo Express to Termini (pay for 2 adults, 4 kids free)
Red Bus 101 from Termini
Get off just to see Colosseum and wander around outide it.
Get off again at Piazza Navona/Pantheon/Trevi Fountain.
Time Elevator if hot/tired/need this kind of break.
Maybe the cat sanctuary.
Eat pizza and gelatto.
Enjoy sights from the bus.
Back to Termini, back to airport, fly home!
It is still a few months off, so all options still open, of course.
Thanks for all the help,
You are all amazing and share your love of Rome in such a contagious wonderful way...
Laurie

A month after returning, and I am finally able to sit and write. First of all, a huge thank you to this forum for helping me plan what was a super one day trip through Rome. I aplogize up front that I don't have a lot of details like addresses and prices - but at least you can see how our day flowed!

We arrived in Rome at 10am, tired from an overnight flight from NY. But fortunately we "had a plan". We checked our hand luggage at the "left luggage" at the airport, kept two small packs with us for food and water. We bought tickets at the airport tourist desk for the "red bus" #110. Then we shared a cab with another family from the airport into Rome Termini. We had thought that the kids' tickets on the Leonardo Express would be free but they were not, so the price of the cab was cheaper.

We immediately boarded the #110 red bus at Termini station, and found places up top, but it was too hot so we moved downstairs. No real A/C on the bus, but at least out of the sun. It was very very hot. The English narration was adequate, though pretty minimal. Nevertheless, worth listening to. We got off at the Colosseum, and really needed foot and drink. We paid top tourist dollar for pizza squares and cold drinks at the kiosk outside the Colosseum. Not recommended, but in our case it did the trick. The kids enjoyed seeing the people dressed as gladiators taking pictures with the tourists. They also enjoyed chasing the pigeons. The bathrooms were quite satisfactory (under the stairs). We did not go inside the Colesseum, but photographed a lot from outside. Instead of heading to the Forum we decided to get back on the bus. It was noon, and very hot. Our next stop was the area around Piazza Navona. First we just wandered and found our first gelato! WOW! We are six in the family, and found that three regular sized cones fed all of us - at least for a first round! I absolutely loved the lemon gelato. The kids went for the sweeter stuff. We wandered in and out of some of the small toy shops and then arrived at the Piazza. Unfortunately the Bernini statue is under renovation but we were able to see it through the fencing. There were mimes on stilts and artists and tourists. Here in the Piazza Navona we found one of the kids highlights. They enjoyed the big fountains, but what they really loved was the drinking fountain!! We spent about 3/4 hour around this little never-ending drinking fountain. They were impressed that water was so bountiful (in Israel it is rationed). It was cold and delicious. We drank, filled bottles, drank more. The kids dumped their bottles over their heads and sprayed water on each other. Water fight Roman style! It was just what we needed to rehydrate and cool off! We left the Piazza Navonna in happy moods! On the way out via more back alleys - another gelato stop. There are so many small shops and restaurants on the small streets surrounding the large Piazza - worth the wandering! Next stop, the Torre Argentina cat sanctuary. It was about a 10 minute walk from Piazza Navona. We found the Italians very friendly and happy to help direct us, even when they only understood a word or two of our question. The entrance to the sanctuary is on the corner near the tram stop. Walking down the beautiful stone stairs we had to step over a cat who couldn't be bothered to interupt his afternoon nap! The kids were overjoyed by this place. The women volunteering there greeted us warmly, gave us a short tour of the inside facility, and then we went into the "cat nursery". About 40 cats live inside the sanctuary, and about 200 more outside. The kids played with the inside cats who are free to wander inside the nursery (some are in cages, most are out). The cats adored the kids who adored the cats. We did not join the tour of the archeologic ruins though it looked worthwhile. We played with the kitties in the air conditioned nursery instead. A monetary donation was the least we could do - what we really wanted was to take a kitty with us! There are no bathroom facilities at the sanctuary but the neighboring restuarants are friendly and open their restrooms to the sanctuary guests. Next stop was a supermarket to buy supplies (less expensive by far than a restaurant) and back to the bus. We had planned to do one more stop at the Trevi fountain, but we were too tired. So we rode the bus. Took lots of pictures! We saw the Vatican and St. Peters square from the outside. We criss-crossed over the Tiber. There was so much renovation/excavation going on in the city. And we were impressed by its cleanliness. And friendliness. Returned to the Termini around 6pm, cab back to the airport (kids were alseep in the cab within minutes), ready for our night flight home. We were in ROME! We can't wait for the next trip!

Thanks again,
Laurie

Thanks for the trip report. You hit on two of our favorite activities.

1. Wandering around the historic center getting gelato.

2. Torre Argentina cat sanctuary. We "adopted" a cat that looked a lot like our cat at home and sent monthly donations for about a year. They sent us regular updates about her, and sadly told us when the cat was gone after a long illness.

We also enjoyed the cat sanctuary. The apartment we rented was a few blocks away so we went past it several times a day. We would always stop to see how many cats we could count roaming around the temples.

Laurie, I'm so glad you enjoyed your day in Rome. Sounds as though you did it right, not trying to see everything but just enjoying what you could get to. And yes, gelato is mandatory! :-d