Here are my Rome plans. Any thoughts?


Saturday Aug 13
Vatican Museum
St Peters
National Museum [ Palazzo Massimo]
Piazza dell Republica – fountain of the nymphs
Night: possibly Tosca Opera if I can find tickets.
Piazza Navona area
Sunday Aug 14
Ostia Antica
Trastevere
Santa Maria in Trastevere

Monday Aug 15
Forum
Colosseum
Pantheon
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
San Clemente

Tuesday Aug 16
Tivoli
Villa Adriana
Parco di Villa Gregoriana

Wednesday Aug 17
Borghese:
-Maybe balloon ride in the park
Santa Maria Del Popola
Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps

Other things if time or close
*Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore
Via Giulia
San Giovanni in Laterana
San Luigi dei Fancesi
Santa Maria in Cosmedin

I am staying at Hotel in Parione.
Any tips on markets and/or cheap breakfasts close by?

Anything I am missing?
Days are full but hopefully not too packed?

Thank you,

You say &quot;Borghese&quot; - - you'll need reservations for the <i>Galleria</i> Borghese - - a must-see.

Best wishes,

Rex

Trevi Fountain! If you are standing facing the fountain, behind you to your left is a great market. Buy some bread, olives, cheese, wine and &quot;picnic&quot; in front of the fountain.

Hi majmaj4, don't forgot to give yourself some time to enjoy the cafes and piazza's. Don't cram so much into your days that you don't have time to just relax and enjoy the lifestyle of Rome. Happy trip to you.

On your way to Ostia Antica try to stop at St Paul's Outside the Walls cathedral - it is so amazing. I never hear many comments about this church but it has been added to my list of favorite world churches. It's the first train stop on the way to ostia, you can spend about an hour or so and get back on the train. Not to be missed.

I would find your itinerary the Battan Death March of travel as I like to spend more time sitting and watching people, enjoying a nice meal, taking advantage of unplanned opportunities. If you want to make sure you see all key sights, you've covered it. It's all a matter of personal travel tastes.

I spent 4 days in Rome and I must warn you, the Vatican/St. Peters (and you MUST see the Sistine Chapel/Vatican Museum) is a good day of walking unless you're in marathon shape. I wouldn't schedule another museum after that, then try and hang out in piazzas AND do a show that night you will be dead tired.

Ditto on Monday -- The Forum, Colisseum, and the requisite Palatine Hill (where the Caesars lived) is another day of long walking. You could get into the Pantheon that day, but you'll be a tired hoofer to be adding two more sights to see that day.

The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are great places to visit...ones that can take you 15 minutes or many hours, depending on if you like hanging out or just checking it off your list. Personally, I didn't spend enough time there soaking it in, and found myself going back for more.

We stayed at a B&amp;B near the Trevi Fountain and found it emptied out nicely at night, and we had it to ourselves on one of the nights it rained. Definitely a crowded place in the daytime, as are the Spanish Steps.

Don't miss the Pantheon. I liked it so much I went back twice.

My husband and I split up one afternoon so we could choose things we both didn't want to do and go off on our own. It was one of my happiest times on the trip -- he got to see ANOTHER museum, and I wandered around Rome alone, trinket shopping and having a ball just hanging out in various places, including one trip back to the Pantheon.

If you've never been to Rome before, I'd recommend Rick Steves Rome 2005 book -- He has great suggested itineraries and walking tours, and some of the BEST tips ever on how to get through the Vatican efficiently and easily and some great tips on where the ripoff artists are (believe it or not, they serve lunch within sight of the Vatican, LOL).

You also have to be prepared for special stuff...when we were there in October 2003, we stumbled upon the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Beatification of Mother Theresa...we sailed through security clearance, and found seats, and didn't know it, but we had just crashed a Catholic Mass that included all the Cardinals, Bishops and dignitaries around the world. The Pope didn't make an appearance THAT day...but it was quite an event that had people clutching invitations from The Pope that took 4 hours we weren't anticipating. But well worth it, that's for sure!

Happy travels,

Jules

We didn't do St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum in the same day, because St. Peter's alone was overwhelming for our family; the Museum equally so. Both in one day (including the tiresome Vatican Museum line) would not have been enjoyable. And we are people in great physical condition, to withstand the marathon walks involved in seeing these sights! We preferred to go from a breathtaking experience (St. Peter's) to something lighter--wonderful shopping along the nearby Col di Rienzo and Via Ottaviano--than to stagger on to the Vatican Museum--also, the Vatican gardens are fabulous, but in the same day as St. Peter's, your head may be spinning too much to appreciate. Also, when you see the Forum/Colosseum, stop in early to get tickets for the Golden Palace of Nero--it's in the park across the street from the Colosseum, straight down from the metro stop--then go back later for the 1-hour tour. We thought this was one of the most interesting sights in Rome, and one which wasn't available until recently.

After I arrived and checked in at noon, and had lunch, and took a leasurly walk. That afternoon, I took in Pantheon, Trevi Fountain Piazza Navonna and Castle St Angelo, then took a taxi back to my hotel.

Try to organize your days into areas, not scattered around town. Avoid backtracking to see something that you could have seen while you were already near it. Study maps for sights and plan your route.

Try to allow some time for rests so that it is more enjoyable. Relax and enjoy yourslef.

Thanks for the feedback so far. I know the first day may be too packed. If we get too tired will skip Palazzo Massimo, and may vistit it wednesday.

I just had some friends come back &amp; say the capoline was their favorite. Any one been to both Palazzo Massimo &amp; Capoline. Any thoughts on which?