Only 2 days in Rome ~ which sights are most memorable?
Dec 29th, 2009, 07:44 AM
#21
Hi wrenwood,
the weather here is not great, [thank you for enquiring] but it was ok enough for us to go for a walk along thecoast yesterday, which by the sound of it you won't be doing any time soon. 17 inches, hey - that's a lot of snowmen.
I'm not sure how long you've got for this trip, but if it's the standard fortnight, [14 nights], you could spend 4-5 nights in Rome, pick up a car, drive down along the coast towards Naples, spend 2 days doing Vesuvius and Pompeii ,then head further into the amalfi for the rest of your stay.
the weather here is not great, [thank you for enquiring] but it was ok enough for us to go for a walk along thecoast yesterday, which by the sound of it you won't be doing any time soon. 17 inches, hey - that's a lot of snowmen.
I'm not sure how long you've got for this trip, but if it's the standard fortnight, [14 nights], you could spend 4-5 nights in Rome, pick up a car, drive down along the coast towards Naples, spend 2 days doing Vesuvius and Pompeii ,then head further into the amalfi for the rest of your stay.
Dec 29th, 2009, 11:18 AM
#22
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Like Annhig, we spent a week there and felt as if we just scratched the surface. We had plans to leave for a day trip here or there, but got so engrossed with Rome itself, we never left. If I had two days, I'd do St. Peter's and Castel San Angelo and maybe finish with a walk up Giancolo one day and then I'd set off early the next day and wander through Trastevere, the ghetto, Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, perhaps finishing with a walk up the Spanish Steps into the Borghese Gardens. One of my favorite sights in Rome is the Baths of Caracalla. While not exactly an A list sight for most, I found it to be a lovely and gorgeous place.
Dec 29th, 2009, 12:07 PM
#23
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wrenwood - I am also fascinated by Rome and there must be something that piques your interest above all else? even if just a little - then that's what you should see.
So far I've had just two short visits there in the last few years. I saw the Colosseum and the Forum and the Borghese modern art museum on my first trip.
The 2nd time I saw the Pantheon and did the Hop-on Hop off tour, and went to the Trevi each time. I found the fountain beautiful and it was fun to be with so many people appreciating a beautiful evening and the lights on the
water.
But for me, the Pantheon was the best thing I could have seen. There's something about being in that ancient space that gives me a sense of peace.
You might like the Hop-on Hop-off tour - we really enjoyed it and you can get a good look at everything in one simple pass through.
So far I've had just two short visits there in the last few years. I saw the Colosseum and the Forum and the Borghese modern art museum on my first trip.
The 2nd time I saw the Pantheon and did the Hop-on Hop off tour, and went to the Trevi each time. I found the fountain beautiful and it was fun to be with so many people appreciating a beautiful evening and the lights on the
water.
But for me, the Pantheon was the best thing I could have seen. There's something about being in that ancient space that gives me a sense of peace.
You might like the Hop-on Hop-off tour - we really enjoyed it and you can get a good look at everything in one simple pass through.
Dec 29th, 2009, 12:16 PM
#24
Good luck. We were just in Rome for eight nights and couldn't get everything in we wanted to see...but we came close.
For lunch, I highly recommend Enoteca Cul de Sac near Campo Fiori. Good food and great wines all at a relatively inexpensive price tag. Gets crowded, so sometimes you share a table with others.
For lunch, I highly recommend Enoteca Cul de Sac near Campo Fiori. Good food and great wines all at a relatively inexpensive price tag. Gets crowded, so sometimes you share a table with others.
Dec 29th, 2009, 12:26 PM
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok, here's a question ~ where is the best "area" to eat dinner?
Sheri mentioned the Trevi fountain with the lights in the evening .......
It will be October so it will be dark fairly early (7:00 I think?) But walking back from dinner to wherevertheheck we decide to stay it would be nice to be walking through magical "Roman" places.
Sheri mentioned the Trevi fountain with the lights in the evening .......
It will be October so it will be dark fairly early (7:00 I think?) But walking back from dinner to wherevertheheck we decide to stay it would be nice to be walking through magical "Roman" places.
Dec 29th, 2009, 12:41 PM
#27
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It was October on my trip too and I did find a small cafe nearby for dinner but nothing I'd recommend to anyone. There probably isn't one 'best' area for food - you will find a wealth of dining recommendations on these boards, and trip reports.
Dec 29th, 2009, 12:58 PM
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree that there's not one "best" place for restaurants. But most things are pretty centrally located. In Rome, we've generally had dinner within a 10-minute or so walk of our hotel near the Piazza Navona or the Pantheon. And each evening, either before or after dinner, or both, we'd walk to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, and sometimes to the Trevi Fountain as well.
So many places in Rome are magical, that you won't need to look for them!
So many places in Rome are magical, that you won't need to look for them!
Dec 29th, 2009, 01:02 PM
#29
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Forum, and Colisseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain one day.
Then consider a tour of the Vatican museum and St. Peters. We used Context Tours. Pricy, but a highlight of our trip. Four hours, so obviously you can't see everything. Our tourguide was extremely well versed in the art we were seeing. Small group, only 6 of us. To me Rome is equivalent to the Vatican/St. Peters, so I would never miss a chance to see it.
http://www.contexttravel.com/rome/to...nked-tours=yes
Then consider a tour of the Vatican museum and St. Peters. We used Context Tours. Pricy, but a highlight of our trip. Four hours, so obviously you can't see everything. Our tourguide was extremely well versed in the art we were seeing. Small group, only 6 of us. To me Rome is equivalent to the Vatican/St. Peters, so I would never miss a chance to see it.
http://www.contexttravel.com/rome/to...nked-tours=yes
Dec 29th, 2009, 01:22 PM
#30
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even with just two days you will want to revisit the Pantheon at least a couple of times. It is a different experience depending upon the time of day and depending upon what the weather is like. Armando Al Pantheon is a sweet little restaurant nearby that would be good. For amazing seafood and a bit of splurge, Pierluigi is a special place near Campo die Fiori.
Dec 29th, 2009, 01:26 PM
#31
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,524
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you'll enjoy Rome much more if you spend at least 4 full days there. You could easily spend much longer.
We rented an apartment in the ghetto neighborhood for 7 nights during our last visit and left with a long list of things to do.
Our apartment was on a small pedestrian street off Piazza Mattei. It might seem claustrophobic to you. We are very sensitive to street noise which can be a problem in Rome.
The Piazza Navonna, Piazza della Rotunda (Pantheon), ghetto and Trastevere neighborhoods are all great places to walk through on the way to/from dinner.
We rented an apartment in the ghetto neighborhood for 7 nights during our last visit and left with a long list of things to do.
Our apartment was on a small pedestrian street off Piazza Mattei. It might seem claustrophobic to you. We are very sensitive to street noise which can be a problem in Rome.
The Piazza Navonna, Piazza della Rotunda (Pantheon), ghetto and Trastevere neighborhoods are all great places to walk through on the way to/from dinner.
Jan 4th, 2010, 04:22 AM
#33
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,524
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our family went out to the catacombs and the Appian Way when we visited Rome almost 3 years ago.
We took the archeobus which is run by the tourist office and had a good experience with it in early March--others have reported that it can get too crowded. It makes a few stops in the center city then goes past the Porta di San Sebastiano (major gate in the Aurelian walls) onto the Appian way as far as Castal Rotondo then across to the Via Appia Nuova and to the aqueducts on Viale appio Claudio. It is a good way of getting to all these sites.
Several of the major catacombs are along the Appian Way--we visited the catacombs of San Callisto. The most impressive tomb is the Tomb of Cecilia Metella. There is an archeological park and the area is not built up, so you really have the sense of getting out of the city.
The upper part of the Appian way near the gate is closed to traffic on Sundays. There are bicycle rentals.
If you have decided to take more than the original two days in Rome, this would be a good excursion for you since you say your primary interest is history.
We took the archeobus which is run by the tourist office and had a good experience with it in early March--others have reported that it can get too crowded. It makes a few stops in the center city then goes past the Porta di San Sebastiano (major gate in the Aurelian walls) onto the Appian way as far as Castal Rotondo then across to the Via Appia Nuova and to the aqueducts on Viale appio Claudio. It is a good way of getting to all these sites.
Several of the major catacombs are along the Appian Way--we visited the catacombs of San Callisto. The most impressive tomb is the Tomb of Cecilia Metella. There is an archeological park and the area is not built up, so you really have the sense of getting out of the city.
The upper part of the Appian way near the gate is closed to traffic on Sundays. There are bicycle rentals.
If you have decided to take more than the original two days in Rome, this would be a good excursion for you since you say your primary interest is history.
Jan 4th, 2010, 09:10 AM
#34
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<He advises against staying near The Termini (train station) surroundings ~ good transport connections, but an ugly neighbourhood, and he says he means the FAR surroundings of Termini, not just the immediate ones.<
ROFL!!!!!
Two of the most expensive 5-star hotels in Rome--St. Regis Grand, Boscolo Exedra--are a short walk from Termini.
There is nothing wrong with the neighborhood West or North of Termini.
One of my favourite restaurants in Rome--Trattoria Monti--is near Termini.
I go to Termini to buy groceries at Conad. There is nothing wrong with Termini. Anyone who says differently is a country bumpkin.
Thin, posting on Fodor's since 1999
ROFL!!!!!
Two of the most expensive 5-star hotels in Rome--St. Regis Grand, Boscolo Exedra--are a short walk from Termini.
There is nothing wrong with the neighborhood West or North of Termini.
One of my favourite restaurants in Rome--Trattoria Monti--is near Termini.
I go to Termini to buy groceries at Conad. There is nothing wrong with Termini. Anyone who says differently is a country bumpkin.
Thin, posting on Fodor's since 1999
Jan 4th, 2010, 10:58 AM
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vttraveler ~ I am now planning on 4 nights, so that will give us 3 full days plus our arrival day.
I wish we could see The Appian Way on a Sunday but that is probably the day we would arrive. We may be sleepy and jet lagged, with only a half day available.
I'd love to do a full day starting on the Appian Way and Catacombs, and then the Colosseum and Roman Forum area.
I have been thinking of booking a tour for part of the first full day as our "introduction"
I wish we could see The Appian Way on a Sunday but that is probably the day we would arrive. We may be sleepy and jet lagged, with only a half day available.
I'd love to do a full day starting on the Appian Way and Catacombs, and then the Colosseum and Roman Forum area.
I have been thinking of booking a tour for part of the first full day as our "introduction"
Jan 4th, 2010, 02:24 PM
#37
hi wrenwood,
there is so much to see just wandering around for your first [half] day. starting at the Pantheon, through the piazza navona, campo dei fiori, over the bridges to trastevere, st. cecilia's, st maria's, back over the bridge to look along to St. Peter's... that should fill your first day!
then one day concentrating on the roman remains - the colosseum, forum, possibly the capitoline museum and nearby church at the top of those stairs, or the other churches mentioned above, and the other day on the vatican - the museum, st. peter's itself, the dome, and possibly castel san Angelo if you've got the energy.
of course there are other things you can do, [I know someone who's been back more than 50 times] but IMHO this would make a good first trip.
regards, ann
there is so much to see just wandering around for your first [half] day. starting at the Pantheon, through the piazza navona, campo dei fiori, over the bridges to trastevere, st. cecilia's, st maria's, back over the bridge to look along to St. Peter's... that should fill your first day!
then one day concentrating on the roman remains - the colosseum, forum, possibly the capitoline museum and nearby church at the top of those stairs, or the other churches mentioned above, and the other day on the vatican - the museum, st. peter's itself, the dome, and possibly castel san Angelo if you've got the energy.
of course there are other things you can do, [I know someone who's been back more than 50 times] but IMHO this would make a good first trip.
regards, ann
Jan 4th, 2010, 07:55 PM
#39
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, first of all, you can't go wrong on any choice - just turn in any direction and you will see something amazing. Trevi Fountain is not a joke! It may be crowded, but I wouldn't let that stop you from enjoying the beauty.It seems like many fit that in in the afternoon, or evening. We happened by there fairly early one morning while headed elsewhere, and there was no crowd at all - just a few other groups. The light that hit it early was amazing - I think much prettier than late afternoon.
We enjoyed Appian Way very much We were there on a Sunday (had a fantastic lunch @ Archeologia.) The catacombs were closed, but taking the walk without vehicle traffic was beautiful, and a great start to our week. There is a combo ticket combining Archeobus and the hop on hop off bus -we found that a great way to fit in many options.
For a quick first time visit I would recommend staying in the historic center. Yes, it's crowded, but with People - not traffic. Vehicle traffic is limited, so it's mainly pedestrians, and lots of them!
I second the rec. for Armando al Pantheon!
If you are mostly interested in history, I would not miss the Colosseum and the Forum. I have only been to Rome twice (once for just a day, once for a week.) Each time we went to the forum, and I believe I would go back every chance I get.
Truly, you can't go wrong. You will find history at every turn. The more research you can do before hand, the better.
You will have an amazing time!
We enjoyed Appian Way very much We were there on a Sunday (had a fantastic lunch @ Archeologia.) The catacombs were closed, but taking the walk without vehicle traffic was beautiful, and a great start to our week. There is a combo ticket combining Archeobus and the hop on hop off bus -we found that a great way to fit in many options.
For a quick first time visit I would recommend staying in the historic center. Yes, it's crowded, but with People - not traffic. Vehicle traffic is limited, so it's mainly pedestrians, and lots of them!
I second the rec. for Armando al Pantheon!
If you are mostly interested in history, I would not miss the Colosseum and the Forum. I have only been to Rome twice (once for just a day, once for a week.) Each time we went to the forum, and I believe I would go back every chance I get.
Truly, you can't go wrong. You will find history at every turn. The more research you can do before hand, the better.
You will have an amazing time!
Jan 5th, 2010, 05:52 AM
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's my rough sketch at the moment of things I would like to see ~ comments please!
Day 1 ~ arrive and settle in, hopefully in an apartment so we will need to do some shopping, take a nap, go out and walk and eat dinner.
Day 2 ~ Appian Way, Catacombs, Colosseum, Forum, Capitoline Museum, Palatine Hill
Day 3 ~ Vatican Tour, Vatican Museums, St Peters Basilca & Piazza San Pietro, Necropolis of St Peter
Day 4 ~ Galleria Borghese and Gardens, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon
If we stay longer Ostia Antica is on the list
...maybe I should change the title of this message
I'm still looking for an apartment in Piazza Navona or Campo dei Fiori ~ what time does the market at Campo start in the mornings and what time does everyone pack up? Is it 7 days a week, or not on Sunday?
Piazza Navona, off via Canali
Day 1 ~ arrive and settle in, hopefully in an apartment so we will need to do some shopping, take a nap, go out and walk and eat dinner.
Day 2 ~ Appian Way, Catacombs, Colosseum, Forum, Capitoline Museum, Palatine Hill
Day 3 ~ Vatican Tour, Vatican Museums, St Peters Basilca & Piazza San Pietro, Necropolis of St Peter
Day 4 ~ Galleria Borghese and Gardens, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon
If we stay longer Ostia Antica is on the list
...maybe I should change the title of this message
I'm still looking for an apartment in Piazza Navona or Campo dei Fiori ~ what time does the market at Campo start in the mornings and what time does everyone pack up? Is it 7 days a week, or not on Sunday?
Piazza Navona, off via Canali
