Hi everyone, I am going on the above trip soon and just want some comments, suggestions or such for this trip. This is my first trip to Rome and Florence. I am traveling with my husband. In Florence, we will meet up with my 21 yo son who has been studying there for a semester. My husband and are in active, in our early 50's, slow travelers who love nothing better than a small, local great find which will enhance our trip and give us something to remember fondly. That said, we are hitting all the tourist sites, mainly with small group tours we have booked from here. We want to see those sites because one never knows if one can return! And..there are many other cool places to see and not enough time or money for all of them! We don't speak Italian, but are not afraid to try with the phrase book. We love architecture, urban planning, small charming restaurants. Any suggestions or helpful hints?

Day 1, Land in Rome at 10 am. Just using the day for orientation, nap and jet lag.
Day 2, Small group (8) tour of Vatican, etc.
Day 3, Ostia Antica (using Rick Steves audio tour)
Day 4 Open morning, evening tour at Borghese (don't have tour booked, just tix)
Day 5 Coliseum and Forum tour with Context (thanks, fodor's!) Evening train to FLO
Day 6 Reunion with son in Florence
Day 7 Wine and Cook tour of Chianti (6 people)
Day 8 Day trip? Sienna or Pisa?
Day 9 Ufizzi (booked)
Day10 Accademia (booked)
Day 11 Leave for States and from what I hear, plan next trip to Italy

Thanks for your consideration! Mutti Stacy

IMHO, you don't have enough time for the day trip to Ostia. I would spend that day wandering, relaxing at a cafe in a piazza, visiting some of the lesser-known sites (Ara Pacis, Knights of Malta keyhole). As for Day 8, if you are doing a day trip to Pisa via train, I would also include Lucca. Otherwise a day trip to Siena via bus would also work.

It looks pretty good, though I agree that you may want to skip day trip to Ostia Antica. Just so many wonderful things to see and experience in Rome - ekc mentioned a few, and I would add the catacombs, Trastevere, exploring churches the Capucchin Crypt, and the ever important leisurely lunch in a cafe. I also wanted to mention that we found the audio guide at the Borghese to be very well done, so you may want to consider that.

When I saw in your introduction that you are interested in urban planning, I instantly thought: "I hope they are going to Ostia Antica!"

I think it is fantastic you are going to see it before going to the Forum, because I think you will understand the Forum so much better.

I really wouldn't give that up to do something so touristy as look through that keyhole.

If you do not have the Pantheon on your list of thigs to see before you leave Rome, do that. You might want to see it on your first day, as well as the piazza Navona, another urban planners delight.

I think for your free time, goint to Trastevere would be a great using of your time. Stroll over from the Jewish Ghetto.

I would't bother with a tour of the Borghese. Visit to see the Bernini sculpture for sure, but I don't think you need a tour. The palazzo doesn't need explanation beyond what you find in a guidebook. Ditto the artwork.

I think it is a tough call for urban planners between Siena and Pisa. I'd can the Uffizi and go to both -- or not linger in the Accademia. Lucca is also interesting for its elliptical town structure and remnants of the Roman amphiteater around which the Renaissance town was built.

I really want to add that most people don't arrive in Rome with your specific interests. If you are planning another trip to italy, you can find another occasion to go to the Capucchin Crypt and even with your present schedule, you have time for leisurely lunches. I'm sure you will enjoy your evening meals in Rome. Eat them al fresco and people watch.

But don't give up that trip to Ostia Antica if you mean it when you say you are interested in urban planning! It really doesn't get much better than this when it comes to experiencing a town of antiquity in 3-D.

Wow. You're rally planning to go go go go go...! I agree that Ostia may be too much for a day, but it's up to you. What I don't see is, as noted by ekc, walking around and enjoying the city. It's Rome, for gosh sakes. Wander. Go slow. The Borgheses is a must, so good job on that. The Vatican is wonderful, enjoy Bernini's big alter (baldacchino) at St. Peter. See the many Bernini sculptures in the churches, for sure: The Ecstasy of St. Theresa (Santa Maria della Vittorio) and the two real angels whose copies are on Pont Saint Angelo (St. Andrea della Fratte? can't remember). And Michaelangelo's Moses in San Pietro in Vincoli. See Sant'Ignazio, with the amazing fake lofty ceiling and dome painted inside (tromp l'oeil). See the Pantheon, and Santa Maria sopra Minerva next door, with another Michaelangelo sculpture. See Santa Maria del Popolo. The churches are free, with all this amazing, priceless artwork. And while your walking between them, you'll see Rome.

Same thing in Florence: on day 8 just walk around. Don't book yourself with tours. Go see the Duomo in Florence. It's free. The Accademia is a short visit, the only thing in there worth seeing are the few Michaelangelo pieces, which are stunning. But walk around as much as you can and SEE Florence. Have fun.

Oops, one more thing after reading some others' notes. I love, love the Uffizi. Botticelli! And Leonardo's Annunciation. Do not miss the Uffizi when in Florence. Have lunch on the roof, it's fun and quirky.

Ooops, one more: I am a city planner by profession, and I think walking around these two marvelous cities is the best way to appreciate them.

lovely itineraries - you should ahve a wonderful time.

my only comment would be that in Florence, if you are going to be there in May/June you might enjoy the rose garden and the giardino bardini in Oltrano - a lovely way to spend an afternoon and the view over Florence are fantastic.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Please note that we only have one "big" thing per day and plan to use the rest of the time wandering, eating, dropping into little treasures we find along the way. My husband has his Master's in Urban Planning and my daughter is pursuing hers now, so loads of it has rubbed off on me too! So you can see why we are interested in Ostia Antica.

Would love to hear any suggestions for little treasures or off beat restaurants. Keep up the great feedback. I appreciate it!

Based on your husband's interests, on the way back from Ostia Antica, you might stop at EUR. I believe it is on the same train line.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EUR,_Rome

Maybe on your way to (or from) the Forum, you could poke around the Monti neighborhood for some relatively off the beaten track

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...ood-city-guide

and here is an off-beat trattoria that specializes in snails (but has a full roman menu)

http://www.osteriadellasuburra.com/S...Benvenuti.html

http://www.lucianopignataro.it/a/rom...-silvio/29150/

on your way to the Galleria Borghese, you might want to take a stroll down the via Margutta and visit La Bottega del Marmoraro

http://www.globetrottingtips.com/rom...moraro-in-rome

On your way to Ostia Antica, you could stop off at Vopetti's and put together a picnic lunch:

http://www.volpetti.com/

You don't have either the Palatine or the Baths of Caracalla on your planned itinerary in Rome. I think both are very interesting and give you more insight into the ancient city. The baths have a segment of an aqueduct but you can see more of the aqueducts outside the city at an archeological park.

I agree completely with zeppole on going to Ostia. With your interests that is a great way to spend a half-day. I don't know if on the Steves audio tour he has you start in the back and walk forward, but that is a great way to do it. Reason being is that it is so easy to spend a huge amount of time exploring in the front and then having to race through the back.

I like your itinerary.

dave

Well, ellenem, you could not find two more different places than Ostia Antica and EUR! Great suggestion for their interests.