We're booked on the Venice Florence Rome 10 day Rick Steves Tour next October (2008). We're very excited about that. My husband and I: are 50, in good shape, love to travel, are organized, do our homework, love history (more so than art), are travelling to Italy for first time, are comfortable with public transportation. Our tour ends at breakfast in Rome: we have the rest of that day (day 1), plus 2 more days (days 2&3) with no plans. We fly out of Rome (FCO) the following day (day 4)at 10:00am. We would like to spend the night before departure in/near Rome. I really don't know that we'll return to Italy - so many other places in the world on our "to do" list. We don't want time on the beach - we can rest at home- but we don't want Italy to be a blur.
My question: Now that you know us - - how would you recommend we fill those 2 1/2 free days. We have toyed with Naples, Amalfi Coast, ruins (Paestum, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Ostica Antica), Siena, Cinque Terre,etc.
Would love any and all opinions. Thanks in advance.

If you're really history freaks I would train down to Sorrento as a base and have a look at Pompeii (you can spend the entire day there if you're really interested) and then the archeological museum in Naples. Also, take the ferry to Capri and you can have a look at the ruins of Villa Jovis (Octavian and Tiberius).

Thanks for your suggestion. Don't know that we're history freaks so much as given a choice between shopping, more art, leisure, etc. and seeing something historical, we'd lean toward history.

A follow up question: given my time frame, is Paestum out of the question? I read somewhere that the ruins at night are gorgeous. That appeals to me. Of course, if I went South, perhaps the Amalfi Coast?

With only a 10 day tour (does that include travel days? only 8 nights?), I think you won't actually see that much in Rome. You might consider staying in Rome.

If your tour does Venice, Florence and Rome in 10 days how many days are spent sight seeing in Rome? I would suggest you consider staying there for the post-tour time. A week total in Rome is a good length of time for being able to explore many of the treasures that city has to offer. I encourage you to read some trip reports from people who have spent an extended time in Rome If you relocate you will lose time in travel to and from Rome

There are also many day trips you can take from Rome if you decide you want to leave the city center, Ostia Antica is a short train ride, half day trip, much easier than Pompeii. Orvieto is another popular day trip.

We arrive early afternoon and spend 3 nights...giving 2 1/2 days in Rome.

I'd stay in Rome.

Absolutely stay in Rome. there's just too much to see and too much fun watching the passing parade. Do another trip to southern Italy and Sicily sometime.

Charnee

Here's another vote for staying in Rome. From there, if you want something different, you can easily make a day trip to Ostia Antica. We visited there on our last trip to Rome. Unlike others, I still prefer Pompeii (which we visited on a previous trip), but we enjoyed Ostia Antica, the buildings and mosaics.

Rome! 2 1/2 days is very brief--several more days would be perfect.

Buongiorno

Another vote for using your time up in Rome. 5 years wouldn't be enough! It's a good way to chill out after a hectic tour.

Hi there --

My husband and I took that tour in May 2007. We planned for 3 extra days in Rome -- it was a perfect ending. By the time we were done with the tour we were very comfortable with the city, the metro, and crossing the street (which can be an adventure). Additionally, our guide helped us with any post tour info we needed such as busses to take to the appian way or the catecombs, etc.

You will want the extra 3 days in Rome -- the tour does not take you to Palatine Hill -- which is a must in my opinion. We did take a train to the Ostia Antiqa -- Rome's version of Pompeii. It's not far -- and definitely worth it.

Have fun on your tour -- it will be awesome. There are so many extra surprises that the tour provides that are not advertised as included in the price.

We are going on the Ireland tour in May 2008 because we had such a good time last year.

Since the polls have opened ... I'd also vote to stay in Roma. If you want to get out for a day of ancient communing, try Ostia Antica - or Tivoli.

Why do so many of us tell you "spend those 3 days in Rome!"? Well, Rome is a city many people do not fall for in a couple of days. He can be a tough town to get in the groove with - or one of the grooves: there is modern Rome, "Italian" Rome, Baroque Rome, Renaissance Rome, Medieval Rome, Ancient Rome. So, typically visitors will find Rome rock-hard and confusing if faced with taking it all in in couple of days. He's not easily grasped.

But in a week ... in a week you can really fall for this town. In October you can plan your excursions to pass through parks, take unplanned stops at inviting churches you never knew you'd see, rest your feet by fountains or in small piazze, eat pizza at 6:00 like a Roman then dinner at 9:00, decide for yourself which gelato you like best rather than just line up with the hoards where they've been told to go ...

You can fall in love with Rome, and with one another.

Or you can tack on 3 more days of road trips!

Buon viaggio - and if you do decide to hang around Roma (there is no better time than October), you'll get a carryon full of tips around here ...