My husband and I have the opportunity for a long stopover in Rome (arrive Thursday 8:00 am, depart midnight).

We have never been to Rome, and likely will never have another chance. Any suggestions for an itinerary? Should we spend the money on a tour guide? What about bus ATAC#110

Thanks so much for your help

Assuming that you are arriving per overnight (transatlantic) flight, this is going to be such a long and draining day. I would seriously recommend splurging on a hotel, even though you won't use the room for more than a respite spot for an hour or two (perhaps twice) between noon and 9 pm.

Likely "never have another chance"? Does this mean you are older, or in poor health? If so, you will find that Rome is VERY intense, and some help might be indeed a good idea (in fact, Rome is very intense, no matter what your age or health). You might be wise to pick one thing - - have someone usher you there, and help you see it (or two close and related things - - such as St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel).

Then a 4 pm nap, dinner 6 to 8, and off back to the airport.

Best wishes,

Rex

If you type in "one day in Rome" you'll come up with several posts. Evidently you're not the first one to ask this question! A poster named Rayoflight104 asked it recently and it's a pretty informative post. I'd cut and paste it for you, but every attempt has screwed up (I'm the least computer literate person here, I'm afraid). Maybe someone else can pull the thread up for you.

No need to cut and paste nor "top" anymore, dln... just cite the URL for a thread you want to reference.

I'm guessing that you are talking about one of these two:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34429203

or

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34431491

If you are up to it, I would recommend that you book an American Express bus tour of Rome. They have 1/2 day tours that show different things on each half day portion. If you book the full day, it includes lunch. (info from 1998). This way you will see a lot of the big stuff and then ready to fly out. Rome is a hard town to get around in even when you are staying there for many days and can figure things out. As a one day visit, you do not stand a chance. Let the tour guide do the work for you.

Thanks to the wonderful posts and itineraries posted on the board here, my day in Rome was awesome.. (very tiring though) try and do a search for the posts about rome in one day and it shoudl come up. if not, i'll try and find the old posts and post them here...

Rome has a great but short metro.
Also a train from the airport, but there are 2 airports, so depends where you land. GET A GOOD CITY MAP WITH METRO STOPS AT THE AIRPORT INFO DESK!
Metro suggestion: get a day pass (about $3 each) to either start at St. Peter's or the Coluseum. (Depending how you get into Rome.) WEAR GOOD WALKING SHOES!
Warning, no shorts or bear torso or shoulders allowed in St. Peter's basilica. Each location, Coluseum and St. Peter's is about 3 stops from Piazza Espana (the Spanish steps) Stop there in between sites for a break and get off metro (turn left when you leave the station) stroll a few yards and see the steps and plaza. If you time it right you can have lunch at Restaurante alla Rampa (Stairs) in Piazza Miganelli,a few yards down from the Spanish Steps,on your left and tucked into the back corner of the little square. It is a fun restaurant and has a HUGE antipasti-appetizer- buffet that costs about $9 euros for a HUGE PLATE FULL that will probably fill you up. If not, cruise the menu AND and get more! After lunch, head out the square go right and head past the steps and a few yards down turn right into the Metro again. You will be on the RED
line. The coluseum is on the BLUE line
and you will change lines 3 stops down and head for the colosseo direction which is only 2 more stops (depending which location you started with..St. Peter's or Colusseum-otherwise flip directions!) The coluseum is right there,across the street from the Metro. So is the Forum. This whole area could take hours or months to see all if you linger! Another note, the main train station is at the BLUE and RED line Terminal, so if you take the train into town you can branch either way to start
you tour. Actually, if it is hot do the Coluseum first. After you have seen both these most important sites and if you still have time and strength for more, check your map and either walk (depending where you wind up) or taxi to Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi fountain area. It's a few minutes walk between each. Don't let the map scare you! Rome is bigger looking on the map than in reality! The walk from the Metro to St. Peter's is only 10 minutes, but that is the farthest spot from the center of town, the the metro will really come in handy! WARNING;Travel light and watch for pick pockets everywhere! Especially on the metro. We had no problem, but were prepared!If you do a bus, tour guide, you will spend lots of time in traffic.
But then you might feel more secure if you aren't familiar with subways,so weigh all options and you will have a day of a lifetime! Enjoy!!!