I am spending a week in November in Rome and getting married at the same time and I need help. Despite the fact that this is my 2nd visit to Rome I am not sure where to eat or what we should make a point od seeing in Rome in November. Our parents will be with us for part of the week and we want to have a special time in the Eternal City - any recommendations please for restaurants and sites and guided tours.

Hi Cathy, <BR>I know I've said it before, so I hope I'm not sounding like advertising. For guided tours I highly recommend Scala Reale (www.scalareale.com). They give small walking tours guided by Ph.D. students, so they are highly informative. We had a great time on their Vatican tour and their Ancient Rome tour. <BR> <BR>Its possible though, that 4 hour walking tours might be too much if your parents are elderly. In fact, some more info about that, and your budget, and interests could prompt better answers. <BR> <BR>I also want to recommend the "Travels with Ed and Julie" website. They have loads of information about sights in Rome. Check them out at www.twenj.com. <BR> <BR>If you want a special occasion restaurant (expensive!) I absolutely loved Il Convivio, which is very close to the Piazza Navona. We had dinner there for our 10th Anniversary. The food was excellent, and imaginative, the wine list enormous, the service pleasant and the ambience very quiet and romantic. <BR> <BR>I hope this is some help!

AMEX and others (e.g. CIT) run several bus tours daily, though in most cases that's not my favorite way to see the city. <BR> <BR>For walking tours Scala Reale (www.scalareale.org) is as good or better than any in Rome. <BR> <BR>But it's really an easy city to see tour the sights on your own. You'll find our ranking of the most important sights and several half-day (mostly) walking tours outlined at http://twenj.com/romesights <BR> <BR>Our favorite 'neighborhood' restaurant is Ristorante Abruzzi at 1 via Vaccaro, halfway between the Trevi Fountain and Trajan's column, quite near the Piazza Venezia. Nothng fancy, just good food and service for more than 30 years of our visits. More on Roman food at http://twenj.com/romefood.htm

Thanks for the advice folks. my parents are not eldery and are up to walking but I am not as I have a sprained ankle which is mending slowly !! Budget wise we are aiming at cheap to medium, I am not from the States and have no idea of the exchange rate but in Ir £ or UK £ £20-£40 range or lower. I need some advise on going to Assisi - a hassle free way without changes etc. We would like to bring our parents there on a tour if possible despite my foot. Thanks for the tips on restaurants - we will check them out.

Be sure to visit Piazza Navona and have tartufo ice cream at Tre Scalini. We also like to eat at an inexpensive pizza place nearby called Buffetos. Be sure to see the Coloseum, Capitoline Museum, Vatican Museum, and St. Peter's. St. Peter's has volunteer-operated tours at 3 p.m. daily (free). Take the city bus 110 and tour around the city on the bus first thing to get oriented. M. Ham