Rome - 2 days can we do it all?
Jun 8th, 2007, 05:33 AM
#22
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Yes, you can do this in 2 days. I just returned and spent 3 nights. We basically had 2 1/2 days to see everything you listed except Ostia Antica. We walked a ton and it takes all day (we were out and about from 9 a.m till midnight all three nights!!) I kind of disagree with Dave-not only did we see these sights but we enjoyed them too. I am thrilled that we got to see everything! Get a map, make a plan, put on your comfy shoes and go for it! I do recommend getting the Vatican museum tour and Colosseum tour tickets a head of time, that way you can plan your day around your pre-arrainged tour times. It was awesome to walk right past all of the people in line! We used select Italy and it work out perfectly!! Have a great time!!
Jun 8th, 2007, 05:59 AM
#23
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I agree with Dave.
For me, a trip to Italy is not just the "sights" or the "must sees" and I would not choose to blow through the city without savoring an early evening passagiata and coffee on the square, a few times a day.
For me, a trip to Italy is not just the "sights" or the "must sees" and I would not choose to blow through the city without savoring an early evening passagiata and coffee on the square, a few times a day.
Jun 8th, 2007, 07:54 AM
#24
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"People"-treat Rome like an artichoke...each trip that you go you peel off another piece to reveal even more interesting and unusual sites for you to enjoy! If you put yourselves on one of these "timed gotta sees" you will not enjoy Rome or the experience.(I travel to Rome almost everyweek during the summer and STILL have not seen everything. I enjoy seeing new things each trip,shopping and eating and also experiencing the mingling with the Italians in just walking around and doing ordinary things.) Take time to smell the pasta,drink the wine and savor the gelato........
Jun 8th, 2007, 09:01 AM
#25
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Victoria Reynolds: We are excited to have a tour booked with Francesca for next Wednesday and the Context Vatican tour on Tuesday (in the morning we have the Scavi tour). We only have 2 1/2 days in Rome but think we are using our time wisely. On Monday evening we booked the Rome orientation tour and have dinner reservations for the Roof Garden Restaurant at the Forum Hotel. We have a busy schedule but we will be well adjusted since we are coming to Rome from Tuscany.
Jun 9th, 2007, 07:10 PM
#27
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wow thanks for all the replys!
on the vatican- if we just wanted to wander by ourselves through it can we get tickets before hand? or is that just groups and if you go in a group do you get ample time to photograph things? and lastly i did hear that if you get a fax from the vatican its like 36 hours before you visit- we'll be on a ship! and no i don't want to call home to find out or use the ships expensive internet to find out from family.... we're on a tight budget.
thanks again!
on the vatican- if we just wanted to wander by ourselves through it can we get tickets before hand? or is that just groups and if you go in a group do you get ample time to photograph things? and lastly i did hear that if you get a fax from the vatican its like 36 hours before you visit- we'll be on a ship! and no i don't want to call home to find out or use the ships expensive internet to find out from family.... we're on a tight budget.
thanks again!
Jun 10th, 2007, 05:11 PM
#28
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With the new rules, you can now purchase tickets in advance for either 8:15 or 9:30 in the morning, before the official opening. These are not tour groups. We already have ours for the Christmas week.
Several tour agencies offer the tickets. They are like 23 euros per person.
dave
Several tour agencies offer the tickets. They are like 23 euros per person.
dave
Jun 10th, 2007, 06:41 PM
#30
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I think you could do the Vatican/St. Peter's one day... and ancient Rome the other day... I'd skip the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain completely. Unless of course you like to shop, in which case the whole area around the Spanish Steps is great for shopping (the Tridente).
I think it would be tough to fit in Ostia Antica as well - we were there 4 nights and didn't manage to fit it in... (and I have yet to go despite other trips, too). I'm sure it's possible but remember to factor in time to get there, etc.
If Ostia is highest... try to do that early on the first day and then see how much time you have left when you return to visit something else that day. Day two may be pretty packed though!
I think it would be tough to fit in Ostia Antica as well - we were there 4 nights and didn't manage to fit it in... (and I have yet to go despite other trips, too). I'm sure it's possible but remember to factor in time to get there, etc.
If Ostia is highest... try to do that early on the first day and then see how much time you have left when you return to visit something else that day. Day two may be pretty packed though!
Jun 10th, 2007, 06:43 PM
#31
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ps. For the Vatican Museums, I weighed the time factor and decided to spring for the private after-hours tour. This assures no line and very few people in the museum with you. It isn't cheap but you can arrange it in advance so you have peace of mind that you will get in, as well.
No lines... few people in the museum... and an assured spot before you get to Rome. Worth the extra cost, to me anyway.
No lines... few people in the museum... and an assured spot before you get to Rome. Worth the extra cost, to me anyway.
Jun 11th, 2007, 02:55 PM
#32
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daveesl- where did you get your tickets for the vatican?
if i bought then straight from the vatican would they send them straight to me long before my cruise-( like if i ordered them 6 months in advance? our cruise is sept of 2008)
if i bought then straight from the vatican would they send them straight to me long before my cruise-( like if i ordered them 6 months in advance? our cruise is sept of 2008)
Jun 12th, 2007, 04:52 AM
#34
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The new rules that went into effect this past January allow for certain tour operators to sell reserved tickets to the Vatican museums between the hours of 8 and 10am. Public admission is now after 10am. These tour operators have to pay the Vatican something like $6,000 for the right to do this.
This is the one I used, but there are many that do it now.
http://www.rome-museum.com/
Remember, these are not guided tours, just simply early admits at preset times. If you are late, you miss out and have to wait in line.
dave
This is the one I used, but there are many that do it now.
http://www.rome-museum.com/
Remember, these are not guided tours, just simply early admits at preset times. If you are late, you miss out and have to wait in line.
dave
Jul 8th, 2007, 11:13 AM
#36
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Just returned from a pre- cruise tour of Rome. Spend the money as we did and get a private guide to take you around for the 2 days. Our guide, Aldo, knew the best times of day to see certain sites and his knowledge of history made the whole trip so worth while. Aldo works for www.limousineservicerome.com. Spend a couple of $$ and call Walter (the owner) directly and have him assign Aldo to you. They will talor make any touring you want, but Aldo really knew how to navigate. Very very reliable service.
Jul 8th, 2007, 12:25 PM
#37
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Rick Steves' Mona Winks is good, but his new (2007) guide for just Rome might be better if that is your primary destination.
It is mostly self-guided tours of Rome and includes the Tour walk of Ancient Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, etc., plus many others:
Vatican Museum
St Peter's Basilica
Borghese Gallery
Pilgrim's Rome Tour
Pantheon
Jewish Ghetto
Ostia Antica
Tivoli
and another half dozen walks and other museums.
We just made our forth trip to Rome and still haven't made it to Ostia Antica or Tivoli, but did finally get to the Borghese and were just blown away. If art is your thing, don't miss it. Hope to get to Ostia Antica and Tivoli this fall, but will make it a point to return to the Borghese.
No matter what you see, it will be great!
It is mostly self-guided tours of Rome and includes the Tour walk of Ancient Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, etc., plus many others:
Vatican Museum
St Peter's Basilica
Borghese Gallery
Pilgrim's Rome Tour
Pantheon
Jewish Ghetto
Ostia Antica
Tivoli
and another half dozen walks and other museums.
We just made our forth trip to Rome and still haven't made it to Ostia Antica or Tivoli, but did finally get to the Borghese and were just blown away. If art is your thing, don't miss it. Hope to get to Ostia Antica and Tivoli this fall, but will make it a point to return to the Borghese.
No matter what you see, it will be great!
Jul 8th, 2007, 01:12 PM
#38
hi, aocain,
yes, you can do most of what you have in your list, and daveesl has told you how to do it.
will you enjoy doing it? possibly, if it works; frustrating if it doesn't.
I can only tell you that we went to Rome for 6 nights last year, and felt that we had only touched the surface. In a restaurant one nighht, we met a couple who were seeing all you want to see in a day en route to Florence, where they were seeing that in a day too. Not sure they knew what country they were in or what time it was!
on the other hand, i know a local vicar who has been 50+ times, and still goes back for more.
pre-booking the Vatican would be essential if it's to work at all, and the galleria borghese would probalby have to go.
regards, ann
yes, you can do most of what you have in your list, and daveesl has told you how to do it.
will you enjoy doing it? possibly, if it works; frustrating if it doesn't.
I can only tell you that we went to Rome for 6 nights last year, and felt that we had only touched the surface. In a restaurant one nighht, we met a couple who were seeing all you want to see in a day en route to Florence, where they were seeing that in a day too. Not sure they knew what country they were in or what time it was!
on the other hand, i know a local vicar who has been 50+ times, and still goes back for more.
pre-booking the Vatican would be essential if it's to work at all, and the galleria borghese would probalby have to go.
regards, ann
Jul 8th, 2007, 04:11 PM
#40
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Just one note about the Borghese - a friend and I got stuck there not long ago - impossible to find a cab, and the museum had closed. Make arrangements with the desk or have a cell phone or something.
