Rome Itinerary Critique
Jul 10th, 2014, 05:32 PM
#21
If there's a WWII museum in the Monument, it would be minuscule and new since 2012 (our last visit to Rome and the Monument). The Museum of the Risorgimento takes up almost all of the interior space, and its signage is almost entirely in Italian.
Maybe you read about this museum? The photos look more like a random display of artifacts...
http://www.ww2museumrome.eu/4/
There are other "museums" in Rome related to WWII events, but they're pretty specific. The Nazi round-up of the Jews (museum in the Grand Synagogue), Italian Resistance, the mausoleum at Fosse Ardeatina to the Nazi mass murder of Italians, Museum of the Liberation (former German prison on via Tasso), etc. They're all pretty Italo-centric, so I wouldn't expect multi-language signage.
Anzio v. Orvieto? I think you'd have to be really into WWII to choose Anzio over Orvieto.
Maybe you read about this museum? The photos look more like a random display of artifacts...
http://www.ww2museumrome.eu/4/
There are other "museums" in Rome related to WWII events, but they're pretty specific. The Nazi round-up of the Jews (museum in the Grand Synagogue), Italian Resistance, the mausoleum at Fosse Ardeatina to the Nazi mass murder of Italians, Museum of the Liberation (former German prison on via Tasso), etc. They're all pretty Italo-centric, so I wouldn't expect multi-language signage.
Anzio v. Orvieto? I think you'd have to be really into WWII to choose Anzio over Orvieto.
Jul 10th, 2014, 06:20 PM
#22
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Bevlenci: wow - thanks for so much advice! What do you mean by "time reserved visits"? That makes me fear there is something I don't know about needing reservations at the sights I listed (besides villa Borghese).
We weighed the pros & cons of taking guided tours or going alone & the tours are a good idea for us personally, based on our personalities & needs. As for saving some main sights for another trip in favor of lesser known sights, there's two of us to satisfy. I would happliy skip the Vatican on this trip but it's a must for my husband. We both want to visit the coleseum. I want to visit Villa Borghese so it seemed logical to visit the gallery while there. Between the two of us we ended up at the standard first time list of sight seeing, not surprisingly. I would skip the Borghese tour but I think my husband would benefit from it. Without that tour it will be easier for me to request Scavi tickets though. We'll probably end up not doing the Borgese tour.
Trastevere - yep, I know not all of Trastevere is so quaint or charming. And I know that rental listings sometimes stretch the boundaries. The apartment we rented is not ON a picturesque block but its not far from them. We get close proximity to the tram as a trade off. The apartment also has some features that are important to us, some of which are not very easy to find in Rome. We just about always prefer apartments or independent houses when we travel even if its just the 2 of us, so we differ there
. I have not been to Rome yet but this will be my 3rd visit to Italy & the language isn't a fear for me.
Thanks so much for the detailed info on the view opportunities, I'm definitely saving that.
We weighed the pros & cons of taking guided tours or going alone & the tours are a good idea for us personally, based on our personalities & needs. As for saving some main sights for another trip in favor of lesser known sights, there's two of us to satisfy. I would happliy skip the Vatican on this trip but it's a must for my husband. We both want to visit the coleseum. I want to visit Villa Borghese so it seemed logical to visit the gallery while there. Between the two of us we ended up at the standard first time list of sight seeing, not surprisingly. I would skip the Borghese tour but I think my husband would benefit from it. Without that tour it will be easier for me to request Scavi tickets though. We'll probably end up not doing the Borgese tour.
Trastevere - yep, I know not all of Trastevere is so quaint or charming. And I know that rental listings sometimes stretch the boundaries. The apartment we rented is not ON a picturesque block but its not far from them. We get close proximity to the tram as a trade off. The apartment also has some features that are important to us, some of which are not very easy to find in Rome. We just about always prefer apartments or independent houses when we travel even if its just the 2 of us, so we differ there
. I have not been to Rome yet but this will be my 3rd visit to Italy & the language isn't a fear for me. Thanks so much for the detailed info on the view opportunities, I'm definitely saving that.
Jul 11th, 2014, 08:45 AM
#23
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I vote for skipping the Borghese tour. Since it is a timed entry (and exit) you really can't get distracted. It is lovely and compact with good signage. I can't really think what you would need a tour for - a guidebook and/or audio guide would be sufficient IMO.
I have been on tours of the Colosseum/Forum and Vatican museums and found them invaluable!
I have been on tours of the Colosseum/Forum and Vatican museums and found them invaluable!
Jul 11th, 2014, 09:55 AM
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Limmy - I just requested Scavi Tour for "the week of ..." and got a reply in less than 24 hours!!! I was amazed. I would strongly suggest you go ahead and get the Scavi Tour and then schedule (or reschedule) the other tours around Scavi. Scavi is the least flexible in that they only allow so many people in each day, and there are only 1 or 2 English tours each day.
Book Scavi now, then book or re-book the other tours you're interested in.
Book Scavi now, then book or re-book the other tours you're interested in.
Jul 12th, 2014, 02:06 PM
#27
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Jean: I agree that one would have to be very into ww2 to choose Anzio over Orvieto! I'm team Orvieto, Anzio was a consideration for my husband, but he is certainly not set on it. Thanks for the onfo on the other related sights, that's helpful.
Jul 12th, 2014, 02:15 PM
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Eck- thank you for your reply. I'm now thinking that seeing Borghese Gallery on our own is a better plan, agreed And I do still think that we want tours for the Vatican & Colleseum/Forum/P.Hill. Thank you!
And I do still think that we want tours for the Vatican & Colleseum/Forum/P.Hill. Thank you!
Jul 12th, 2014, 02:34 PM
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Jill: I actually already requested & paid for/received Scavi tickets! We were originally going to be in Rome a few days earlier. But a work obligation came up & we had to rearrange some things, so we can't use the Scavi tickets we have now. When I requested those tickets I gave a 3 full day window. I'm hoping a 2 day window will work now - in fact an after 10:30am one day, plus another whole day - I guess I can only try & see what happens! I know setting the Scavi first & then the tours after make sense, but the tours have some restrictions too + there are certain times/days that fit better with our schedule. I'm trying to have my cake & eat it too
Jul 13th, 2014, 08:44 AM
#32
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limmy,
I used the audioguide for my visit to the Borghese and was very happy with the amount of information it gave. Plus, you get to go at your own speed and hit the button for each piece when you are ready. I spent most of my time with the sculptures and just a little walking through the upstairs paintings.
If you go with the day trip to Orvieto, make it a LONG day to include the evening. There is much to see in Orvieto, so do a little research. I really enjoyed the underground tour, but it's only given in English 1 or 2x a day, so know before you go. Evening in the town is very special. Stay for the passagiata and dinner, many excellent restaurants. Be sure to try the Orvieto Classico, a nice white.
Buon viaggio!
I used the audioguide for my visit to the Borghese and was very happy with the amount of information it gave. Plus, you get to go at your own speed and hit the button for each piece when you are ready. I spent most of my time with the sculptures and just a little walking through the upstairs paintings.
If you go with the day trip to Orvieto, make it a LONG day to include the evening. There is much to see in Orvieto, so do a little research. I really enjoyed the underground tour, but it's only given in English 1 or 2x a day, so know before you go. Evening in the town is very special. Stay for the passagiata and dinner, many excellent restaurants. Be sure to try the Orvieto Classico, a nice white.
Buon viaggio!
Jul 13th, 2014, 10:08 AM
#33
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Thanks Dayle. I'm fine with going alone to Borghese myself. I think my husband will be antsy without following someone. But I realized that we don't have to go together, he can go do something else while I do the gallery & we can meet after, problem solved
I would love to do the Orvieto underground tour someday! I think we will save it for when we can overnight in Orvieto. I would have liked to on this trip but no matter how I tried to work it, we just didn't feel we could work it out in the time we have. But I am interested in taking a later train back to Rome so we could dinner & passeggiata in Orvieto - I'm totally on your page, thank you!
I would love to do the Orvieto underground tour someday! I think we will save it for when we can overnight in Orvieto. I would have liked to on this trip but no matter how I tried to work it, we just didn't feel we could work it out in the time we have. But I am interested in taking a later train back to Rome so we could dinner & passeggiata in Orvieto - I'm totally on your page, thank you!
Jul 13th, 2014, 10:38 AM
#34
Limmy, you do know that you will have to reserve the Villa Borghese in advance, don't you? you can't just turn up and expect to get in.
I think what bvl meant by the restrictions of reserved tours is that they tend to restrict what ever else you are going to do that day. We tend to try to book any tours/reserved entries for first thing so that we have the rest of the day free, but I know that that's not always possible. but you shouldn't have any trouble seeing the Pantheon, Trevi, Spanish steps etc - they are all outdoors and easily seen in one afternoon and/or evening, which you should be able to fit into your itinerary. Ditto Santa Maria in Trastvere, which should be near your apartment; don't miss also Santa Cecilia [also in Trastevere] which has the most beautiful mosaic chapel in the basement [it costs about €3 to go down into the crypt but it is well worth it].
Regarding the scavi tour that you have booked and can't do, why not e-mail the Vatican and ask to change the day? [I get the impression that you have just written off your earlier reservation - apologies if I've got that wrong].
talking of underground tours, personally I wouldn't worry about missing the underground tour in Orvieto. We weren't that impressed. Much more important is the Basilica, both inside and out - I could sit and look at the front of the cathedral for ever.
have a great trip!
I think what bvl meant by the restrictions of reserved tours is that they tend to restrict what ever else you are going to do that day. We tend to try to book any tours/reserved entries for first thing so that we have the rest of the day free, but I know that that's not always possible. but you shouldn't have any trouble seeing the Pantheon, Trevi, Spanish steps etc - they are all outdoors and easily seen in one afternoon and/or evening, which you should be able to fit into your itinerary. Ditto Santa Maria in Trastvere, which should be near your apartment; don't miss also Santa Cecilia [also in Trastevere] which has the most beautiful mosaic chapel in the basement [it costs about €3 to go down into the crypt but it is well worth it].
Regarding the scavi tour that you have booked and can't do, why not e-mail the Vatican and ask to change the day? [I get the impression that you have just written off your earlier reservation - apologies if I've got that wrong].
talking of underground tours, personally I wouldn't worry about missing the underground tour in Orvieto. We weren't that impressed. Much more important is the Basilica, both inside and out - I could sit and look at the front of the cathedral for ever.
have a great trip!
Jul 14th, 2014, 05:58 AM
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Limmy- You can try to ask for an afternoon tour. I am unsure of how many tours per day there are and the times. When I sent my email off I gave a range of 3 days and they got back to me with a tour time of 0915. Good Luck!!
Jul 15th, 2014, 11:55 AM
#37
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annhig: Yes, I know that reservations are required at Borghese Gallery. What I don't know is how far in advance to make them?
My desired tours are at good times for us. The 1:30pm Tour of Colosseum/Palentine Hill/Forum on our first full day in Rome is good because if gives a chance to rest & just stroll around casually that morning after a long tiring arrival day. The Pristine Sistine is early AM which is good to have the rest of the day free, and we get special access to the museums before the general public enters which is of value to me. I assume there will be other tour groups in there with us, but a somewhat thinner crowd than regular public hours.
You do understand correctly on the scavi tix. I searched for instructions or feedback from others that tried to reschedule with the Vatican. I found little info, and the only 2 accounts I read of people rescheduling were both problematic. I thought it safest to just write off the first tickets and start a new reservation request.
I'm not worried about missing the Orvieto underground tour. I'm interested to do it in the future but just visiting that brilliant duomo will be great on this trip! It's something I'm really looking forward to.
I google imaged the crypt at Santa Cecilia - wow! Thank you!
My desired tours are at good times for us. The 1:30pm Tour of Colosseum/Palentine Hill/Forum on our first full day in Rome is good because if gives a chance to rest & just stroll around casually that morning after a long tiring arrival day. The Pristine Sistine is early AM which is good to have the rest of the day free, and we get special access to the museums before the general public enters which is of value to me. I assume there will be other tour groups in there with us, but a somewhat thinner crowd than regular public hours.
You do understand correctly on the scavi tix. I searched for instructions or feedback from others that tried to reschedule with the Vatican. I found little info, and the only 2 accounts I read of people rescheduling were both problematic. I thought it safest to just write off the first tickets and start a new reservation request.
I'm not worried about missing the Orvieto underground tour. I'm interested to do it in the future but just visiting that brilliant duomo will be great on this trip! It's something I'm really looking forward to.
I google imaged the crypt at Santa Cecilia - wow! Thank you!
Jul 15th, 2014, 12:05 PM
#38
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monicarichards: Okay, so maybe I did see something of this after all. Whatever I read gave me the impression that the exhibit probably isn't a worthwhile destination in itself. More like if we're at the monument anyway for the view from the top, then it might be worth popping in while there. Thank you for the info
Jul 15th, 2014, 12:12 PM
#39
limmy - as you are going at a popular time of year I would book the Borghese asap - that will give you more choice of days as well if you are aiming for the 8am or 10 am slot, but beware, you need to be there at least 30 mins in advance to deposit bags etc, so the 8am slot may be a tad optimistic.
I do hope that you get to see St. Cecilia's - it was the very first church that we visited on our first visit to Rome so it has a special place in my heart.
I do hope that you get to see St. Cecilia's - it was the very first church that we visited on our first visit to Rome so it has a special place in my heart.
