We are traveling to Rome in October. We arrive at 7am on the morning of the 14th. This is what we have 'nutted' out to date but would really appreciate some comments on helping to fine tune our time in Rome, if necessary. Our time is limited, with only basically, 4 1/2 days to try and see so much. I thought the Context Rome tours would be money well spent and hopefully will give us quite a good understanding of the sights in a limited time span.

I've only been made aware of Context Rome via this forum so am not sure if there are others/better? tours around Rome.

14.10.05 - Arrive 7am. Proceed to hotel - Context Vatican Art Tour 1pm - 5pm. Dinner then a short stroll in vicinity and to bed. (Expecting to be pooped after our 20 hours of travel.)

15.10.05 - AM Visit - Castel S'ant Angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, forum, Colisseum, Palatine Hill.
PM - Romewalks Evening Tour 3-4 hours.

16.10.05 - AM We commence our 13 day Splendours of Italy tour and this morning we are on a bus sightseeing the Vatican, Forum etc.
PM - Free time - visit Borghese Gardens - Spanish Steps - Trevi Fountain then dinner.

We return to Rome on 27th October and thought we would do the Context Ancient Rome tour at 3pm for 4 hours. Dinner etc bed.

28th AM - Catacombs (but which ones??)
Suggestions for the afternoon please.

We will need a reasonably early night as we fly out very early in the morning to Geneva.

Initially, we will be staying at the Ergife Palace Hotel - which is why we thought we would try to keep sightseeing reasonably close to that side of town.

When we return we will be staying (hopefully) at the Fraterna Dormus on the Monte Brianzo and so thought we would do Spanish Steps etc whilst staying there.

I went on several Context Rome tours two years ago and I recommend them highly. They are Americans studying in Rome. They have a real depth of understanding about history etc. So maybe not for everyone, they were awesome for the Vatican tour which would be difficult to see without knowing what to skip and what to see. We enjoyed the walking tours also. I also followed Rick Steves walking tour and it worked great. Take the book! I am going to Rome in Sept before and after a cruise and can hardly wait to go back.

You have planned to see the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill the day after you arrive, but you will be seeing that area with Context Rome on the 27th also. Unless you are eager to see it twice (which I can understand), you might want to reorganize.

Hi Nikki - yeah I'm thinking I'm going to want to see it twice. First time will be just 'passing by' so to speak. Second time after we get back will be more in depth - I just don't think I could wait until the 27th to at least take a peek.

In my view you are WAY over-scheduled.

If doing the maximum is what you want, go for it. But I would advise against it.

For example: You can physically get from Castel Sant Angelo to the Palatine in a morning. But you CANNOT see the 6 sites you mention in a morning.

We just returned a couple of weeks ago from 5 days in Rome. I used to know it very well but last was there in 1977!

We seemed to be always on the go. But we did not do half of what you are planning to do.

Moreover, it was completely unstructured. And all good.

Having read about the crowds and timed tickets, I did not even bother with the Borghese gallery. Or the Vatican museums. A bit of a loss but I can always go back.

By contrast I went to the Forum 2 or 3 times, just to sit and to wander. And because I felt like it, at the moment.

It was one of our best holidays.