lcaruso, I can try to give you some advice on my "must sees", as you mentioned it above, but its hard to do as everyone has different travel styles. My husband and I love ancient history, so we usually spend hours in the Forum when we are in Rome. Most people can see it in an hour or two if they aren't as into history.

My suggestion would be to make a list of the top places you really want to visit. From there use a good map of Rome to try to create itineraries based on where everyyhing is located to maximize your time.

My biggest piece of advice would be to take things slow. I love Rome but many think its hectic or chaotic. I can't stress enough the importance of taking your time and allowing time to stop and visit places you stumble upon, sitting at outdoor cafes with a glass of wine or a coffee, and people watching in one of the hundreds of piazzas in Rome. So many people visit Rome and just visit one big sight after another and end up exhausted and not very enchanted with the city. Taking time to enjoy it will most certainly benefit you.

Best of luck!
Tracy

Hi lcaruso
I'm heading to Rome soon too and am spending 3 days as well. Below's my itinerary - I've been planning it for awhile so as not to miss the important sights. Just thought i'd share it with you.

Day 1: Arriving 10.40am. Get our bags and check into our hotel and be on our way by 12.30pm. Our hotel is located between the Piazza Del Popolo and Spanish steps.

First stop Piazza Del Popolo with a visit to the Santa Maria Del Popolo

Then we'll make our way to the Villa Borghese. We have a reservation at 3-5pm. (its by reservation request only. we made the reservation yesterday so you still have time to do it if you wish!)
http://www.ticketeria.it/ticketeria/borghese-eng.asp

After the Borghese gallery & Museum, take a stroll starting at Spanish steps - Trevi Fountain - Pantheon (Go for the Free Tour of the Pantheon with the Angels Tour) - Piazza Navona for dinner.

Day 2: Breakfast at Piazza Farnese and then we're off to the Vatican. I made a reservation for a tour of the Vatican with Angels Tour at 12.30 - the tour ends in St Peters around 4pm. Climb St Peter's Bascilica on our own. Then make our way up to the Spanish Steps/Trevi fountain for dinner.

Angels Tour has really good reviews and you get to bypass some lines too:
http://www.angeltoursrome.com/en/prices.htm

Day 3: Early morning start to the Coloseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. (You can get your tickets at the Palatine Hill ticket counter instead to avoid the long lines to the Colosseum.) Then explore around and maybe visit the baths or other museums. Our flight leaves at 9pm

I was told to purchase the Roma Pass. It is a 3 day pass that will allow you unlimited access to the busses and trains AND you get free entry to TWO museums/sites.

http://www.romapass.it/index_en.html

Good Luck!

Hope this helps!

As for Sunday closings, the Pantheon is also closed on Sunday.

We were at the Pantheon on Sunday, May 28th. Is the Sunday closing a new thing?

I definitely recall being in the Pantheon on a Sunday on several of our visits. I believe its open every day, although I wouldn't be surprised if it has shorter hours on Sundays.

Tracy

Some churches (and the Pantheon is a church) are closed all day Sunday to tourists. Others don't allow tourists during morning services but reopen in the afternoon. On any given day, many lesser-known churches close for a few hours at midday, reopening by about 4PM. If you have your heart set on a particluar church and since your time is so limited, check schedules carefully.

(I also visited the Pantheon on a Sunday afternoon this past May.)

Sorry, maybe I should have gotten more information before sayng that. When we were there two weeks ago, we were told it was closed on Sundays. We got to see it from the outside but I didn't check for opening and closing hours. We went late in the day (about 6 o'clock I think) but perhaps it was open earlier.

The thing my husband and I love about Rome is that you can walk everywhere, and you generally stumble across "something" every few blocks. Buy a good map and wander and you will probably hit it all. The metro system in Rome is great--only 2 lines, so you can't get that lost. Also, as this is your first trip, I would suggest concentrating on the right side of the river, and leaving Trastevere for another trip.

I just posted a trip report with all of the details of our last trip (we went all over the city). If you can wade through the first few days in Paris, you may find some helpful items for Rome.

Erika

According to http://www.romeescape.com/attractions.html the Pantheon is open on Sundays from 9:00 - 18:00. jrmama496, it looks like you just missed it. I hope you eventually got to go inside!

Tracy

Forgot to mention that I'm not sure how accurate that website is (the one I posted above), as I've never used it before.

Thanks!
Tracy

Thanks to everyone for all your great information and suggestions!!!

Yes, it seems no matter how many sources you check and compare, something is always closed when you get there anyway. I love Italy!

Bookmarking ...

I'm going to start making reservations.

I clicked on the ticketeria/borghese gallery website recommended by Beachbum but it wouldn't allow me to make reservations for October, only September. So much for planning ahead (maybe TOO much planning ahead?).

I'm going to try the Roma Pass soon.

ttt

bookmarking

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