I have been furiously working on my Rome itinerary... still have Florence, Venice and Bologna to go, but since we're in Rome the longest I thought I'd knock it out first! Would appreciate comments/feedback from you guys.

Sunday
- arrive from USA at 2:00pm
- taxi to hotel (Albergo Cesari)
- leisurely exploration/dinner around hotel as time allows
- Piazza Navona
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
etc

Monday
- Catacombs of St Domitilla
- Trastavere
- Santa Maria
- Santa Cecelia
- Jewish Ghetto (Rick Steves' walking tour)

Tuesday
- Vatican City
- St Peters
- Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel
- Castel San Angelo (if time allows)

Wednesday
- St Peters in Chains (early AM)
- 3 hr Organized Tour (9:15 am)
- Colosseum
- Forum
- Palatine Hill
- San Clemente
- Domus Aureus (time allowing) OR
- Capitoline (time allowing)

Thursday
- Pantheon
- Galleria Borghese

depart Rome (for Florence) via train by 2pm for hotel check-in prior to 5pm.

IMHO overscheduled and too many marginal sights versus actually spending time exploring Rome.

We go with a list of what we want to see and only schedule something like the Borghese for which you need advance tickets. The rest we fit in as the mood strikes us, based on weather and how late we've been up the night before.

I don't schedule this tightly either but I think it looks good. Makes sense to me logistically. You probably won't be able to do it all because Rome has so many delights (where's Santa Maria del del Popolo), but if you like Rome you will be back.

I don't think Thursday will work unless you are extremely organized, early risers and never get lost. Sunday will really depend on your jetlag. You could see the Pantheon this day instead if you wanted. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday look good. I probably wouldn't have the stamina for the Capitoline though, after all that time in ancient Rome.

Anyway, once you get there you can decide what is really critical for you to see and what, if you are tired or just lazing about enjoying some wine one afternoon or whatever, can wait for next time.

Man I love Rome! Have fun.

Itinerary sounds fine to me. You'll be finding time to explore Rome as you travel around on Sunday afternoon, Monday, and Thursday and many of these sights are clustered near each other which minimizes back and forth.

As long as you aren't too rigid about seeing all of the minor sights you should have a good visit - be willing to drop things from your list if something else pops up or you find yourselves just wanting a break. I'd consider these sights minor. Catacombs of St. Domitilla, Santa Cecelia, St. Peters in chains, San Clemente, Domus Aureus, Capitoline museum. Pantheon you can see on Sunday.

If you are interested in churches, which it looks like you are, I'd put St. John Lateran and St. Paul's outside the walls higher on my own list, and take the opportunity to pop into some stunning neighborhood churches like Gesu along the way.

There is no right or wrong itinerary - each traveler has their own style and preferences.

I assume you mean Santa Maria in Trestavere on your "Trestavere" day. You are within fairly close walking distance from there, back across the Tiber, to Santa Maria in Cosmedin. The "Boca della Verita" (Mouth of Truth) is there and is really fun to see.

I also assume (?) that when you list Pantheon, you will be heading directly next door, also, to Santa Maria Sopra Minerva? PLEASE don't miss that one! It is one of the most beautiful churches in Rome.

And though it is still a good step from the Colosseum, I would try to hit St. John Lateran. I thought this cathedral nearly as beautiful as St. Peters.

Have a wonderful trip. Please remember to stop and enjoy Rome. You will go back. Can't be helped.

Buon viaggio!

Hello, FallingLeaves, I think it is good to have an itinerary but of course you can adjust it after you arrive in Rome. Do, if it is of interest to you, take time to enjoy a few outside cafes. Personally I would try if possible to visit St. Peters in Chains. The statue of Moses is beyond beautiful but just my thought and experience of course. If you click on my name you will see the thread I posted today about the gladiator pits being opened to the public at the colloseum as well as the ability to climb to the 3rd tier which will give one a glorious view of Rome which you might enjoy. Have a wonderful visit in vibrant Rome.

thank you all for the great suggestions, please keep them coming! we are not so rigid that we cannot make changes as we go, but I know from experience if we DONT get something committed to paper in advance we'll spend a lot of wasted time sitting around trying to decide "what to do next" (and subsequently will probably get into an argument! ;-))

Domus Aurea is closed after a partial collapse of an adjacent tunnel earlier this year. It will likely be years before the sight is open to the public, if ever.

Even without Domus Aurea, I think Wednesday is too full. What does the 3-hour tour cover?

What time of year is this trip? If summer, the heat and humidity may slow you down.

Thanks for the info on Domus Aurea, Jean. The 3 hr tour covers the Forum, Colleseum and Palatine.

I like the recommendations for San Giovanni Laterano, Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. While you are visiting Piazza Navona or the Pantheon you might also visit San Luigi dei Francesi. Both Santa Maria and San Luigi have beautiful Caravaggio paintings. Santa Maria Sopra Minerva has an early Michaelangelo sculpture too.

I enjoyed the Capitoline Museums and recommend them if you have time. There is a fine view of the Forum from the terrace behind the museums.

I think you would have time to visit Castel Sant'Angelo, depending on how long you spend at the Vatican. I visited the Vatican Museums, leaving from Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's then walked to Castel Sant'Angelo and climbed to the top. That being said, I had visited St. Peter's before, but it is doable.

Fallingleaves, your Wednesday plan is OK, although 3 hours to cover the Forum, Colosseum and Palatine will be a bit rushed.

On Monday after the Catacombs (get an EARLY start), I would have a taxi drop you off at Gianicolo for the best views (IMHO) of Rome. From there, it's an easy walk (downhill!) to Santa Maria in Trastevere and the rest of your day.

bookmarking

I think your itinerary will work fine.