i plan on arriving in rome ~`8:30am on a friday--so i will be spending fri, sat, sun, mon seeing the amazing sites--im concerned about what is opened/closed ie: vatican, museums over the weekend--any advice --also whats best to see upon my arrival-ie awaiting the 3p checkin etc

ladybug, what month are you going? where are you staying? Just a comment, the hotels I have stayed in Rome have always been gracious in letting us to our rooms even if we have arrived before the 3pm check-in time (then again we always travel off season....)<BR><BR>I would suggest for Friday to head out to outdoor sights, i.e. Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Fontana de Trevi, etc. Have a great time!

maira--thanks for your reply--i will be traveling in early June--and staying at Hotel Marcella--near termini--i was also planning on doing the area around spanish steps on friday--then saturday vatican city, sunday major museums, monday ancient rome--what do you think?

ps--hoping my hotal allows me the same courtesy re the early checkin!!

ladybug, even if your room is not available for check-in, most hotels will allow you to leave your luggage there. Usually they have a place where you can deposit your stuff and head out for a few hours until check-in time.<BR>I'd follow Maira's suggestion ~ head for the outdoor sights. In addition to those she's already mentioned, may also visit the Coloseum and the Pantheon. <BR>

thanks--tess and maira--so far--this is my plan: Fripanish steps, trevi fount, piazza del popollo Sat: vatican city, st. Peters. Sun: Pantheon, Piazza novana, museums, and Mon: ancient rome--colosseum, forum, palantine etc--sound reasonable??any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!thank you!!!<BR>

One more suggestion --- a walking tour that will include several of your sites. Review comments on these two threads:<BR><BR>&quot;What's so special about Scala Reale tours?&quot; --- http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&amp;tid=34402066<BR><BR>&quot ;Rome walking tour&quot; ---<BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&amp;tid=34401069<BR>

Ladybug - I would save the outdoor sites for Sunday, when many things will be closed. Many sights, most stores and even restaurants will be closed on Sunday, and many of the stores will not reopen until Monday afternoon.<BR><BR>Be sure to get any shopping done on Friday or Saturday. <BR><BR>Given that the outdoor sites are always open, I like to visit them on Sunday when things are (sometimes) a little quieter.

sounds great--what about the vatican and museums--when are they open/closed what days do you all suggest i save for them??thanks--ladybug--

The Vatican Museums are closed on Sunday, except for the last Sunday of the month and then it is free.

ladybug, your itinerary sounds very reasonable to me. I think concentrating on outdoor sights the day of arrival will help you recoup as you can take it at your own pace, fresh air, take in the ambience, the smells, get familiar with the city layout, etc. I would add the Roman Forum to the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Fontana de Trevi, and Piazza del Poppolo. Tess's suggestion of a Walking Tour (theme: Ancient Rome, Christian Rome, etc) sounds like a good one. Have fun in Rome!!

thank you all for your thoughts/insight--i feel like i hit the jackpot by finding this message board--!!!thank you all for sharing your time!!!so excited about my upcoming travel!cant wait-- ladybug--

You don't say which museums you mean to see but the Galleria Villa Borghese is highly recommended.<BR><BR>Also, be sure to visit the Campidoglio and view the Roman ruins from their. The Capitoline Museum there is also excellent. From there you can walk to the Piazza Venezia and the Vittorio Emanualle II monument and museums.

I meant to add that I wouldn't recommend staying near the Termini. It is not convenient to the many tourist sights and also kind of a seedy area. I much prefer the area of the Pantheon or Piazza Navona or the Spanish Steps.

thanks leslie--i was also considering changing my location--recently posted--hotel marcella--which is located on via flavia--located in the termini section--i booked it b/c the price was right, and now i am second guessing my choice-i was looking into the hotel de la intercontinental--i know its more expensive--but it might be worth my piece of mind--do you have any suggestions--??thanks ladybug--

Yes. We stayed at the Santa Chiara and loved it. A three star place in a great location near the Pantheon. Be sure to pop into the nearby church called the Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. Buon Viaggio.

thanks leslie--ill be sure to check it out!!!!!!!

Hullo Ladybug,<BR>This is my itinerary and it is for a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Perhaps you may find it helpful! <BR><BR>Day 1. Santa Croce Church first. Then walking straight down the street Santa Croce you will come to (in about 15 minutes) the Basilica of Saint Mary Major ). Just around the corner, tucked into a small side street you will find the church of Santa Praseda - and it is a beauty!! continuing straight down the street called Via Merulana you will come to Rome's cathedral, Saint John in Lateran and the chapel with the &quot;holy stairs&quot;. (Take a nap!) Then - Rome by night walk + dinner in Trastevere.<BR><BR>Day 2. Morning visit to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's. Cross the river to see the old city center (Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the Piazza del Popolo with the church of Santa Maria del Popolo And that is a day! <BR><BR>Day 3. Church of San Clemente with its multiple and very interesting layers of history. The gladiator school, the colosseum, the forum, the capital hill, the church of San Pietro in Vincoli with the statue of Moses by none other than Michelangelo himself...A late afternoon visit then to the Galleria Borghese - Rome's finest art gallery.<BR><BR>That's what I am hoping to accomplish! Have a great trip!

hey Brahmama--thanks for the great itinerary--looks well planned and very doable!! i think i will mold mine after yours!! what hotel are you staying at?? or do you have any suggestions for me--i am paranoid about my choice-- (hotel marcella) near termini--i have heard its not the best area--but then again--i dont plan on spending my time at the hotel while in rome--just to wash up, nap, sleep at nite etc--while in capri, florence, and venice i chose more upscale hotels--just wondering what your thoughts are-- thanks so much!!!!!!!ladybug--

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