Off to Rome tonight!

It's been a heckuva few months and never has a vacation (short though it is) been so welcome! My nearly 96 yo MIL passed away a week ago giving us enough time to actually keep our plans to travel. So much work + life stress and I have a feeling that the best laid plans to visit a lot of sites will fall by the wayside so that we can just relax and enjoy the Eternal City.

We'll be there on the Ides of March! We'll try to include the site of the Theater of Pompey in our walk that day if we can.

We do have tickets for the Scavi tour, Domus Romane/Palazzo Valentini, and Galleria Borghese. Otherwise, I think we'll just see how our energy is and walk as much as we can. The weather looks good for the next week in Rome (though not in NYC, where I live!). I'm too tired at the moment but am very excited about going!

And did I mention it's 18 degrees in NYC outside right now?! With a Noreaster/snowstorm predicted for next week, I'm glad I'm leaving town!

Progol--

Condolences to you.

And best wishes on your travel. I too see value in planning but with the knowledge it won't all get done.

Here's how we just spent our 8 days in Rome. It was DH's first trip (and one that got shortened by his feeling bad half of it), so we did have the "biggies" as priorities, things you've already seen. But...if you want a glance at what we fit in:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...urary-2017.cfm

2 fave churches--St. Peter's in Chains--Moses not to be missed and San Clemente for the layers of history

Hi Progol!

Foy sure you are in need of those vacations. What better than Rome to walk and wander?

I assume you know the city very well, as you are not planning on the "big" visits...well, Borghese is a big and good one.

Just in case, realy easy to reach is Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, a charming visit .

And Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano and San Paolo Fouri le Muri are Papal Basilicas and almost as good and Saint Peter.

Santa Maria degli Angeli is a one of a kind church, and Il Gesu is something you must see in case you haven' t been there.

Just relax and take your walks .

Many thanks, texasbookworm and jelopez33!

texasbookworm, I've been enjoying your report and have it bookmarked. I so appreciate your approach and have been making many notes - though your energy level, even with an ill husband, far surpasses mine these days!

Thanks for your recommendations of churches - most of the ones you've both mentioned have intrigued me and this just gives me more incentive to try to include them. In 8 days, I suspect we will see a lot, but I'm too tired to create a very strict plan and I think we'll enjoy a more relaxing visit (she says, as she's noting all the places that are must-sees!).

Again, thanks!

Sorry about your loss, Paule. I hope that your trip will be a welcome respite from it all. Do spend some time just wandering about; Rome is a very good city to do it, especially with gelato in hand. Safe travels.

Thanks, tripplanner - much appreciate the condolences. It is a huge relief because she was truly diminished and, at nearly 96, she had a long life. So we are not so sad as aware that an entire generation has gone, as she was the last of her siblings and in-laws. Now, we are THEM! Scary!

This trip was a compromise because of her deterioration so we didn't make plans for a longer, more extensive trip, and I'm actually thrilled that we have 8 days to spend in the city. Having been there before (but not for nearly20 years), it'll be a treat to take the time to enjoy and relax. Gelato, pasta and every other good thing!

My condolences to you two. I hope you two get some relaxation in while taking in a beautiful city. Enjoy your trip and glad that you get to get away from the weather in NYC.

Many thanks, Paqngo! like your name, too!

The weather in Rome is predicted to be very nice -- low to mid 60s during the day, low to mid 40s at night - and I'm looking forward to the perfect walking weather! Especially since it's about 20 degrees outside right now (and I'm still talking Farenheit!).

My condolences and best wishes for a vacation that meets your needs!

Thank you, kja. Being in Rome will be such a blessing - especially with the current weather prediction for the East coast next week!

So sorry about your loss but the beauty of Rome may help you and your spouse to relax a bit after too much stress. Seek out a cool aperitivo on a rooftop cafe as the sun sets.....

Progol,
I don't know if you remember me; I read your trip report to Andalucía, Madrid, and Toledo this past fall & asked you a few questions. We are going to Spain in September, and we are staying at one of your hotels - Hotel Ladron de Agua in Granada, based on your recommendation.

So sorry to hear about your loss. I understand your concerns and worries because my husband and I have elderly parents in late 80's to early 90's, and wonder if we will have to cancel a trip at the last minute or return home early due to a death. But that is life, and we need to make our travel plans; otherwise, we will be sitting around waiting for people to die. We have purchased trip cancellation insurance, just in case.

Hope you are enjoying Rome! Do you plan on writing a trip report when you return? We live near Boston, and are in the midst of a blizzard right now, along with NYC, etc.

Safe travels to you!

Enjoy your trip. Wonderful city. Everything is wonderful.