POST CRUISE IN ROME FOR 5 DAYS
 

First time in Rome. Arriving Rome after transatlantic cruise. Arrive Firday, April 15th and depart the following Wednesday, April 20th. Open to suggestions on what to do, where to stay. We are 3 adults...59, 58 and 30 years old. Vatican a must. Where can I book tour. Transportation suggestions also. On a budget...nothing expensive but not too cheap either. Thanks in advance.

Sorry - but "notihng expensive but not too cheap" has no meaning.

You need to provide some specific information:

Hotels - do you want 2 separate rooms or all 3 in one room? What is your specific budget per night in euros? What are you expecting in terms of amenities, services, etc. Will cheap and cheerful - with shared bath - work for you? Or do you want an upscale place with full hotel services?

As for tours? Tours of what? The Vatican? Ancient Rome? Other? Are you looking for least common denominator group tours? (I don't reco these since any decent guide book usually provides just as much info.) Or are you looking for private tours designed around you specific interests?

As for transportation in Rome feet is the preferred method so you can really get to see the city. If we are going to have a long day we either taxi to the first place or taxi from the last place back to the hotel. Subway/bus are not especially helpful in the historic center because of limited availability.

You can google search "What to do in Rome" to see pretty good lists of various Top-10-things-to-do-in-Rome for those who need suggestions.

Without knowing what you are willing to spend, you could take a look at Walks of Italy for their Pristine Sistine tour of the Vatican museums. I believe you can also book a tour with the Vatican directly.

You can also look into the Vatican run tour of the necropolis called the Scavi. You book directly with the Vatican.

http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do

The Pantheon is free and a must for most. The only gothic church in Rome is around the corner from The Pantheon...Maria Sopra Minerva.

Piazza Navona is also close to the Pantheon ....wonderful fountains and St Agnese is in the square.

Less famous and less crowded is Palazzo Doria Pamphilj.

I love Rome! Truly amazing city...take your walking shoes!

I strongly recommend that you check the Tram map (NOT metro or bus) as a good way to get around.

DH and I had already been to the Vatican when we discovered the Tram system, so didn't use the tram to get there. According to the map, the last stop on Line 19 does. You'd need to check exactly where the station is located. The Tram was easy to use and the stops well-marked.

Can someone help with the walk-saving door between St. Peter's and Vatican Museum?

I agree with denisea about Piazza Navona, etc. area. Palazzo Doria Pamphilj has limited opening days so do check ahead but it is amazing.

Another strategy is to google 'hotels near the Vatican museum' (or whatever other site you have in mind) and see what pops up for you. Feel free to check back here to see if anyone has first-hand experience with what you find.

Good luck and have an excellent time.

I would head to your local library or bookstore and pick up guidebooks about Rome so you can see what interests you. Rick Steves's books have good suggestions for first time visitors as will others.

You can take the train from Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) to Rome for a few euro (regional train 5€, Frecce 9€). There are multiple train stations in Rome so your stop will depend on where you are staying.

Vatican tours.

http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/...isita=4&step=1