My husband and I are going to Italy in Sept and have a day and a half in Rome (flying in on Sat and leaving Mon AM).
I have been to Rome and done all the touristy stuff but he hasn't...does anyone have any recommendations on how to see the best sites in that amount of time. Should we get a driver to take us around? Also, I just realized we'll be there for the 1 full day on a Sunday and museums (like the Vatican) will be closed. Any advice is truly appreciated!

Hi there!

I imagine it would depend on what you consider the "best" sites. I personally love the Forum/Colisseum/Pantheon and would take one full day for that and make reservations for the Galleria Borghese during the half-day. Not enough of Rome, but doable for the time you have. However, this is just my opinion.

Why not list what exactly you want to see and then you can decide if you can do it on your own or will need a driver and a more formal tour.

Anyway, this will bring your post up again and maybe others will have a different opinion. (Well, you can count on that! )

AS - A driver would be an unnecessary expense IMO.

You could get a day pass instead for the buses/metro.

Most of the sites of central Rome are best seen on foot anyway. Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi, Colosseum, Forum etc. are all easily walkable.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thanks for these recommendations. Very helpful. What are the must sees in the Galleria Borghese?

And don't forget the Spanish Steps!

The Galleria Borghese is a former cardinal's residence in the large Borghese Gardens. The gardens are beautiful, but the Galleria is the piece de resistance: the most beautiful Bernini sculptures as well as paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian, among others.

If you do decide to go, you will need reservations. Here is the link for that:

http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/edefault.htm

You are able to rent an audioguide and each room of the Gallery has large poster-cards with written information about the art found there. We actually used Rick Steves' tour in his Rome book.

I personally enjoyed it much more than the Vatican (although many beg to differ with me). At any rate, since you will not be able to go to the Vatican, it would be a lovely way to see classic Roman art in a relatively short time.

Hope this helps -
Linda

I was told that the Galleria Borghese was built as a gallery,not as a residence.I'll have to research that...

We are also going to be in rome on a weekend and Monday..... I didn't realize the Vatican is closed on Sunday. Is the Colloseum and Forum open for tours on Sunday? Also, Is the Vatican open on Monday? I know alot of things are closed on Mondays in Italy.... I sure hope not.......
BB

massagedive -
It's true the Galleria Borghese was not an officeal "residence" - more of a retreat to the suburbs and a place to house the cardinal's extensive art collection.

Sorry for the misunderstanding . . .
Linda

bblount -
The Colisseum and Forum are indeed open on Sunday. That is the day we went. In fact the huge street on which they are located, Imperiali Forii, is closed to traffic on Sunday so our taxi let us off a block or so away.

In a day, I'd start at the Pantheon, then walk to the Forum, then walk/see the Colisseum, then double back and see the Trevi Fountain, and keep going to the Spanish Steps. Still have some time to check out some of the swanky shops.

JackOneill

Did you book tours for any of the palces you mentioned? If so, where did you get them?
thanks,BB

I didn't book any tours. I'm a bit of an archaeology buff, and I did some reading up on the spots I wanted to see. I like to move at my own pace, and I find tours really slow me down. Of course, tours do offer some benefits.

JackOneill
I'm really torn on what tours to book, guided or on our own, or not at all. Everyone says something different......

What to do?

Check out Context Rome.The docents are prominent archaeologists and art historians.Small groups,max.6 for most walks.These walks have been the highlights of my visits.