Need suggestions for a day in Rome
 

I'm looking for some suggestions for something to do for a day in Rome. DH and I will have a full day in early June and we are looking for something unique to do in Rome. We've done all the normal things before. Coliseum, Forum, Vatican. Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain. We aren't big shoppers. We like hiking, biking, great tours. Any suggestions from my Fodorite friends? Thanks!

For art: Sistine chapel or Borghese Gallery
Day trip to: ancient ruins of Ostia Antica.
Hadrians villa at Tivoli, tripoli
Hike or bike the Appian Way.
Go to one of several lovely beaches near Rome.
Take the train to Orvieto, very old city on a hill top, less than an hour out of Rom

The 'normal things' you mention don't anywhere near scratch the surface of Rome.
Take a walk - design your own 'food tour'- visit Paciotti Salumeria - near the Vatican but a million miles from the tourist track. Or La Cannoleria Siciliana - near San Giovanni in Laterano. Just a couple of examples of incredible food experiences to uncover in Rome.

I love bike riding in Borghese Gardens. There is a bike rental place just 5 minutes to your left of the Borghese Gallery (as you face the gallery) and towards the zoo. 7 euro for two hours. The gardens are huge. I loved riding bikes to Pincio and looking at the view over Piazza del Popolo and then having coffee at the cafe near the little lake (where you can hire row boats).

Climb the cupola of St. Peters Basilica. It's 7 euro which includes the elevator to the mezzanine/terrace. There you can have a quick jolt of espresso before you tackle the further 300+ stairs to the top of the dome. You can also send a postcard home as it's also a Vatican postal office (I sent a postcard home to myself from here and it arrived with a 'Citta del Vaticano' postmark.

Visit Castel Sant Angelo. The large round 'fortress' that has been - at various times - a household for Emperor Hadrian's ashes, a hiding place for the papacy and a jail. It's on the Lungotevere and its terrace is both a hidden gem and an astonishing 'oh my gosh' view of Rome as it's views are unparalleled. You'll recognise the view of Rome from this terrace from many photos but it flies under the radar. It's 11 euro to visit and entrance includes temporary exhibits like artworks and archaeological finds.

Take a walk to Trastevere. Walk over Ponte Sisto (a gorgeous pedestrian bridge) and under the ancient walls. Many people say this neighbourhood has succumbed to tourism but I disagree, having spent three months here a few years ago. It is as charming as it is beautiful and authentic. I stayed on Vicolo del Cedro. Explore the area around here and immerse yourself in its beauty.

Search this site and google Rome Underground. We spent our last time in Rome in November and spent it all underground-fab-u-lous!

Jan - Which site are you referring to?

I loved my day trip out to Tivoli to visit Hadrian's Villa and the Villa d'Este, a real treat. The garden and fountains at Villa d'Este are gorgeous. As I walked around I noticed everyone was smiling. Highly recommend.

Orvieto is one of my favorites in Italy! Really worth an overnight, but if you can't do that plan on spending an entire day and evening. Beautiful city, incredible duomo, great restaurants and art galleries, underground tour fascinating, much more.

Or, take a look at Context Rome website. They have excellent, in-depth tours. One of their offerings is a food/cooking class which is on my list for my next Rome visit.

Buon viaggio!

We enjoyed going up to the Gianicolo (Janiculum) and Pincio gardens (above the Piazza del Popolo)for the great views of the city. If you go to the top of the Gianicolo it is a pleasant walk down into Trastevere. Part way down you will reach Bramante's Tempietto in the cloister of San Pietro in Montorio. After Trastevere you could also cross into the Ghetto section.

The Appian Way is another interesting area to explore

As I am sure you know, there are many churches of interest wherever you go. There are separate threads on this topic

For art, I'd suggest venturing out to some of the other great museums of Rome: the Barberini Gallery, the Capitoline Museums, the National Museum of Rome at Palazzo Massimo, the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, the Corsini Gallery, the Villa Farnesina, or the National Gallery of Modern Art. I haven't been to the Maxxi or the Macro, but a lot of people have found their exhibitions (modern and contemporary) disappointing.

Maybe you'd like some of the less-visited archaeological sites of Rome: the Baths of Caracalla, the Ara Pacis, the Case Romane on the Caelian Hill (under the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo; the Domus Romane under Palazzo Valentino; the Domus Aurea (Nero's Golden House); the Museum of the Baths of Diocletian (which has a hall from the ancient bath complex, as well as a museum). And of course, Ostia Antica, already mentioned.

There are many churches with great art on display: San Luigi dei Francesi has three Caravaggios; San Pietro in Vincoli has Michelangelo's Moses; Santa Maria della Vittoria has Bernini's Ecstasy of Santa Teresa; Santa Maria del Popolo has works of several great artists, including Caravaggio and Raphael.

bvlenci,

Has the Domus Aurea re-opened? I got to visit shortly after it originally opened, but have heard it has been closed off and on for safety/stabilization.

I found it interesting, but a bit disappointing since there is not a lot to see. Trajan (I believe) did a great job of destroying Nero's pleasure palace.

I meant to add you mentioned that you had seen the Coliseum and the Forum but didn't mention the Palatine. If you have not been there I would put it high on the list of new places to visit.

Wow! Great suggestions! Thank you! Dh's eyes lit up when I mentioned nearby beaches (since we aren't getting any beach time on this trip). Is there a nice beach near Rome that someone could recommend, and what would be the best means of transportation to get there since we will have turned in our car already?

Yes, the Domus Aurea has reopened. I, too, saw it shortly after the original reopening, and I haven't seen it since. However, I've read that that you don't see all of what could be visited before. They bill this as a tour of the restoration works.

I second the suggestion to visit villa d'est in tivoli..I also suggest a day trip to orvieto..an hour away by train

dgunbug--search this site, search the forums- Rome underground although Case Romane and Domus Romane were fabulous.