My husband and I are staying at a friends home in Verona for the month of July. We have never been to Italy but are interested in seeing Rome especially. How much does the train cost from Verona to Rome? We are very interested in seeing the Colosseum and catacombs and any other historical structures in the area. Is there a hotel that is easy access to these and about how much can we plan on spending for 3 nights? Also, can we walk to see these two sites or is transportation required. Thanks so much for any input you can offer!

It would be better if you state your hotel budget and then you will get more suggestions. Since you will be in Verona a month, you should have time to snag some discount train tickets (Mini fares) on Trenitalia.

You can walk to many sites in Rome, but would depend on where you chose your hotel.

Morning departure fast trains that don't require a change take 3 hours and regular price is 70€ 2nd class (one way). Discount Mini Fare for a random date in March shows a price of 32€ 2nd class (same train). Other trains require a change in either Padova or Bologna and will take about an hour longer. Prices/schedules for summer won't be loaded until late May/early June although some long distance trains may be loaded earlier.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD

First time...here is the website for Trenitalia.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

You can get a good idea of costs and timetables. You want to take the bullet train if possible (start with Freccia..) It appears there are a few a day from Verona to Rome.

Additionally, I highly recommend on those trains, you do not pay for 1st class. 2nd class is perfectly comfortable and lovely. However, if you decide on a regional train (one that takes 4 hours, you might want to go first class on those).

July is very busy tourist season in Rome. If you are on a budget, consider an apartment for 3 nights. If you are going for 2 nights/3 days, a hotel is probably better option.

Do go to TripAdvisor.com for real traveler reviews of hotels. Just plug in Rome, Italy and sort by reviews or price. Read the reviews and decide where you want to stay.

I recommend a Roma Pass. It gives you free admittance to two attractions and discounts at dozens of others. Additionally, you get to ride the bus and train system throughout Rome for free for 72 hours from first use of the card. Here is the website: http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=it&tid=2
(you can choose "English" in the upper right of the screen.)

The absolute best use of the Roma Pass (in my opinion) is the expedited entrance it can afford..especially at the Colosseum. Make note of this.. if you have the Roma Pass, stay to the far left of all the queues of people. You will see a big sign overhead that reads, "Roma Pass". Head to that queue. Goes very fast and you bypass the hordes who will be waiting in lines to the right. (E60 for two passes)

Much of Rome is walkable, depending on your age/ability. But some sites might require mass transit.. catacombs, St. John in Lateran, Borghese. Try to pick a hotel that is CENTRALLY located. Then you can walk to most everything.

Good luck- you will absolutely love Italy!

If you are in Verona for a month, do allow longer time in Rome than 2-3days, especially that you say, you are interested in historical buildings - you will not be disappointed. Rome is like a huge theatre decoration - where ever you turn you see another sumptuous vista.

Rome is also very "walkable". The distances between its many attractions are not what they are in other European capitals. There are some hills to "scale", but overall it is walkable.

An apartment would make sense over a regular hotel. If your budget is a bit tight, you might find accommodation in the monasteries a bit more palatable... Alsodo check booking.com - an excellent site with many specials.

Buon viaggio!

>>>However, if you decide on a regional train (one that takes 4 hours, you might want to go first class on those).<<<

Even the fast trains are going to take about four hours so I wouldn't base it on class selection on time, but on type of train.

>>>I recommend a Roma Pass. It gives you free admittance to two attractions and discounts at dozens of others<<<

I used to recommend this pass, but with the price increase of the pass a few weeks ago, you can no longer get your money's worth. That may change this summer if there are rate increase for sites, but it's still good to bypass lines. You can also bypass lines buying tickets in advance for most of the state museums/sites. You can purchase on Pierreci which is the official booking site. The Colosseum/Forum/Palantine is on one ticket for 12€ and should be good for two days.
http://www.pierreci.it/home-page/en.aspx

For the Vatican Museums, you can book tickets or tours on their website.
Tours:
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...zi_Visite.html
Tickets:
http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do

Thank you so much for all the great advice. I was wondering if anyone has ever stayed in a monastary - this sounds so interesting. What is it like?

Monastery and convents range from bare bones to luxury hotels owned by them. Most are bare bones. They are typically very clean with many in the best locations because the orders have been there for hundreds of years. For July in Rome, you need to book a convent with AC. There are 230 in Rome, but only a dozen or so have AC.

look up convent stay Rome on Google and it will give you links to follow.

ky- you say you don't recommend the Roma pass because of rate increase?

Doesn't its value depend on how many sites you are going to visit and how often you ride the Metro/bus system? I don't think you can quantitatively say that one won't get their money's worth.

Of course, I would have purchased it just for skipping the lines at the Colosseum. And that was in March! In July, it's got to be nuts.

I still say it's worth it if you are riding the system for 3 days and going to 3 or more places that take the card. Especially in July.

IMHO.

>>>Doesn't its value depend on how many sites you are going to visit and how often you ride the Metro/bus system? I don't think you can quantitatively say that one won't get their money's worth.<<<

Yes, it does, but for the typical tourist spending three days in Rome, one of those days will be the Vatican (not included). They will visit the Colosseum/Forum/Palantine (12€) and one other museums which is usually only 6€. You really have to visit the most expensive sites to try to break even. Most tourist don't use much of the transport part except for a ride or two on the subway because they aren't familiar with the bus system and the metro system is limited. A day pass for transport is 4€, but that would take at least four rides to break even (most tourist won't use four rides in a day). I use the transport a lot, but am very familiar with all the tram/electric bus routes, etc.

I've bought the pass several times in the last few years, but not sure I will in the future. It will depend on whether there are entrance price increases. If you look at the entrance fees for included sites, you will see it's now hard to break even.
http://www.romapass.it/doc/sitiAdere...lietti_eng.pdf

>>>Of course, I would have purchased it just for skipping the lines at the Colosseum.<<<

You can purchase the regular ticket in advance and skip the lines plus it's good for two days. There are multiple other passes/cards such as the Omnia Pass which includes the Vatican and Rome which might meet some tourist's needs better than the Roma Pass.
http://www.omniavaticanrome.org/en/buy-now/index.html

There's also the Archeologia Card (27€) which is good for 7 consecutive days (no transport), but not quite the same sites as Roma Pass. You can read it about on this link along with the Appia Antica Card and the Four Museum combo ticket.
http://www.roninrome.com/sites-and-a...ickets-in-rome

Also, we are travelling from Verona to Rome - we are thinking of driving close to the city and parking the vehicle, then taking a train in. What are your thoughts on that. How much for a 3 night stay for our vehicle. Just trying to cut down on the travel expense for the train.

kybourbon,

Thanks for the good info on other types of passes! Very helpful.

First timer,

Unless you plan to stop along your drive to Rome for some sightseeing (like a few hilltowns) I doubt there is any point in trying to park outside Rome. Too much hassle and probably no savings.

I agree you should spend more than just 3 days in Rome. 5 would be much better. You will love it!

first-timer, the train tickets will be much cheaper (and the train much faster) than the cost of a car.

Sample fare from Venice to Rome run between 80-90 Euro (2nd class, which is perfectly fine). And the trip via train is about 3-1/2 to 4 hours.

I guarantee that driving, you will not be in Rome four hours after leaving Venice by car. And what is that rental costing you per day? And how much more for fuel?

So, unless you are planning on stopping along the way and staying somewhere between Venice and Rome...trust me- train. No contest.

Ok thank you - that is very helpful. I was also wondering which catacombs in rome are the best to see?