deb503

I've been reading this forum for some time and even more so as our Italian adventure draws near. For background I will be traveling with my husband and 2 sons ages 18 and 21. This will be our first time to Rome. Here's what we have planned so far:

Day 1, Sunday. Arrive FCO @ 10:30 am. Transfer to apartment near Campo De Fiori. Walk around Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi fountain. Dinner. Gelato.

Day 2, Monday. 10 am group Food tour in Campo De Fiori, approx. 3 hours. We're really looking forward to this outing. We're not foodies but we do love to eat and I hope it will be a perfect introduction to the city. Our afternoon and evening are unplanned... do you have suggestions? Trastevere? Anything that young men might especially enjoy?

Day 3, Tuesday. Early morning, get to Vatican City early for first entry into Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St Peters with group tour, approx 3 hrs. After that our day is unplanned.. what can we do that wouldn't involve miles&miles of additional walking? We've never been to Rome before and I'm trying not to plan too much, allowing time to savor, but I don't want to plan too little either. In the evening, I'm thinking about a taxi ride around the city and up to Gianicolo hill to enjoy the city lights.

**Btw, I don't have specific meals or specific restaurants planned for any day, and I'd welcome suggestions for reasonably priced family fare.

Day 4. Wednesday. Get to Colosseum early for 8:30 am group tour including underground, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Approx 3 hrs. Afternoon unplanned but I'm thinking Capitoline Hill and visit the museum.

Day 5. Thursday. Train to Florence @ 9:45AM. This will be our first time on the trains. How early should we arrive at Roma Termini before the train? Half an hour?

Thanks so much for your help. I look forward to your advice!

Deb

indy_dad

Hi Deb,

Take a look at my blog for some of the things that we did. You can simply leave them as options if you are up to it during the free time.

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/rome.html

Some of the things we liked:
1) Capitoline Museums
2) Borghese Gallery
3) Capuchin Monk Crypt (Bone Church)
4) St. Peter in Chains
5) church of San Clemente
6) Palazzo Valentini (ruins) -- see other recent threads

We also enjoyed going to Ostia Antica but we had an extra day that you don't.

We were absolutely spent after the Colosseum/Palatine/Forums (albeit for 5 hours) and would not have wanted to do the Capitoline on that day as well. Perhaps St. Peters in Chains and San Clemente would be good options for that day if you are up to it.

You've got (more than) enough tours. You can strike out on your own for the other bits.

Other tips and restaurant info in my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...log-photos.cfm

kybourbon

>>>How early should we arrive at Roma Termini before the train?<<<

Will you already have your train tickets? The AV trains are usually in the station about 15 minutes and it can be a trek depending on which car your seats are in.

Jean

You don't say when this trip is, but if it's in the hot summer months you may be glad you've left some afternoons unscheduled. If it's hot and humid, you may find you're not as interested in going non-stop all day.

Don't underestimate how much time you might want to spend at the Pantheon for its history and other spots (Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Trevi, etc.) for the people-watching and general atmosphere.

A couple of things you haven't mentioned that all of you might enjoy:

Scavi tour under St. Peter's (not included in your group tour and timed reservations are required; this is probably the most interesting thing we've done/seen in Rome)

Castello Sant'Angelo (interesting history, great rooftop views)

Galleria Borghese (timed reservations required)

Segway riding in Parco Pincio and Villa Borghese (park)

Basilica of San Clemente (three levels of history, beautiful mosaics)

Elevator to the roof of the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument (great views, and there's an inexpensive cafe in the building)

returntoyourseat

Have not done the Segway riding in Rome but we did it with our DD and DGD in Paris and had the best time ever. I would highly recommend it.

A_Brit_In_Ischia

Not sure who operates that particular tour, but the Segway riders we encountered up near the Knights' keyhole on the Aventine this day seemed to be having a fine old time!

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/aventine

Peter

deb503

Thank you for all the great suggestions! I think the dudes would love Segway riding, and it would be something different. As far as I know they've never done that before.

We already have our electronic train tickets. I have to say, we are very unfamiliar with public transport, buses, trains, subways etc. We don't use them at all here at home, so it's one aspect of our trip that I don't feel confident about.

Indy_dad, thanks for sharing the link to your blog, I read your Rome entry top to bottom and really enjoyed your pics. I'm so glad your wife wasn't seriously injured, that sounded like a close call, yikes!

Regarding Le Domus Romane. I have all the guide books and look at all the forums and somehow this one totally escaped my attention. It looks really interesting but according to the booking website there are not enough tickets still available (English) on any day while we are there (June 17-21). On a whim I decided to fax them an order for 4 tickets and lo behold we got the tickets. I'm pleased as punch! I think the dudes will enjoy it, they are all about multimedia. So thanks for the idea!

LowCountryIslander

If you enjoy wine or learning about wines VinoRoma is a great place to learn about Italian wines in a very friendly setting. There are several different types of tastings scheduled weekly at the VinoRoma studio in the Monti neighborhood and the sommeliers who conduct the tastings are very friendly and approachable about all kinds of wine questions. Here is the website: www.vinoroma.com

I've been to 2 tastings there and had a great time at both. I'm not sure if there is an age requirement & not sure if your 18 would even be interested, but it might be fun for you and your spouse if the boys aren't "into" it. The evening tastings are usually scheduled from 5pm-7pm so it's a nice late afternoon/early evening (before dinner) activity where you won't get exhausted.

A_Brit_In_Ischia

For the easily-amused, noon might be a better time to visit the Janiculum...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/rome_roma

On Sundays you get the puppets AND the gun!

Peter

PS: One great source of what's-on information, and much other current and useful stuff, is the handy bilingual magazine that's given away in hotels etc, "A Guest in Rome".

Download a PDF copy by starting here and clicking on the picture of its cover - over to the right of the screen....

http://www.unospitearoma.it/en.html

June's has just appeared!

Delaine

I highly support the recommendations for the Borghese Gallery! It is wonderful.

When you leave the Vatican, if you still have any energy, you could walk to Castel Sant'Angelo and go up to the top where you can see a beautiful view of Rome.

If you walk up to the Capitoline Hill from the Forum be sure to stop at the top to take in the view of the Forum and Colosseum.

When you visit the Pantheon you might want to pop into Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, which is very nearby. You will recognize it by the statue of the elephant with an obelisk on its back in front.

ellenem

What is it about using public transport has you so concerned? I ask, because rather than go into extensive descriptions of public transportation, if you told us the particular things that are worrisome to you, we could give you the best advice.

deb503

Thanks again for the great ideas. I do love a good vista so Castel Sant'Angelo is on my list. Peter, thanks for the pics of the Janiculum. The idea of getting a wide angle perspective of the city is very appealing to me. And thanks for the great link to the tourist magazine, that's great info. Because we're staying in an apartment I may not have found this on my own.

Ellenem, about public transport, I'm a total novice. I'm not concerned about safety because I travel with 3 big strong bodyguards. But I find the bus routes so confusing that I have given up for now, deciding we'll just have to figure it out when we get there. For example, we're staying near Campo de Fiore and one day we have an early morning tour at the Vatican Museum, which looks to be a 30 min walk from our apartment. Another day we have a early morning tour at the Colosseum and that looks like a long walk too. My feet are not as young as they used to be, so I'd really rather not walk it. But right now, I have no idea how we're going to get there. I don't know where the bus stops are, what bus we should take, will we time it correctly to make our tours. If we make a wrong move and miss our tour we're out of luck. So, yeah, those are my concerns. All newbie concerns. But I think/hope once we get there we'll get it all figured out. Thousands of people do it everyday, so I'm sure it can't be as difficult as it seems to be. Right?

ellenem

I am New Yorker so I had to laugh when you referred to a 30 minute walk as a long walk--a short walk to me.

I think you should begin looking for comfortable shoes and get in some practice walking because just to tour the places you plan to see will require lots of walking. For example, from the entrance of the Vatican Museums, to walk straight to the Sistine Chapel within the museum complex would take at 10 minutes (if there were no crowds in the way), never mind all the zigging and zagging through the complex that will be involved in your tour. I've traveled with friends who were able to improve their walking stamina a bit before vacation by putting in a little practice.

Chances are for your location you will catch most of your buses on Corso Vitt. Emanuele or at Largo Argentina. I'm not that familiar with the local bus routes because I would probably just walk between the locations you named, and plot a few sights to see along the way to break up the walk.

Best wishes for a good trip.

Good_Will

The Hills of Rome that define the City are important and particularly Capitoline and Palatine.

Of course everything in that area extending from the Forum can be explored and continue to be explored - there is something to learn each visit.

A Walk down Circus Maximus with its history in mind.

Then one of my favourites is the walk from Galleria Borghese through the Parco down Via della Magnolie left near Piazza Bucharest to the big white building and on to Viale di Villa Medici and walk on to Villa Medici and then to the top of the Spanish Steps - it is such a complete and beautiful vista from that high street above Rome.

Then of course down the Steps to via Condotti 20 on the right - the World's oldest Caffe Greco - take a look inside the restaurant but have the better coffee at the bar.. then on to the great leather shop of Campanile..............and a little retail.

LBev769375

On Tues, after the Vatican and St Peters tours, you might consider taking a lunch break and then taking an afternoon tour of the Scavi (reservations definitely needed) and then taking the elevator to the roof of St Peters and taking the stairs on up to the top of St Peters Dome. The view of Rome from the top of the Dome is unsurpassed. Of course the view of the dome from the walkway around the inside of the dome as well as standing beside the mosiacs (that look like pictures from the floor) is unsurpassed as well. By the time you are done seeing St Peters from top to bottom, you will be ready for a short apartment rest break and then out to dinner. Have a great vacation and a gelato on me.

Dayle

Deb,

Since you seem concerned about walking, I'll address that one.

Yes, get your comfortable shoes and sandals and start walking at home. You must break in the shoes for not just weeks, but even months of use. Low or no heels and rubber/cork soles and footbeds.

Rome is such a joy to walk - every time you turn a corner (or get a little "lost") you discover some fantastic sight! Rome will knock you out. Get a Streetwise Rome map (Barnes & Noble). It's a great map, very detailed, laminated, and with all the sites and churches cross referenced. Folds up to just the size of an airline ticket. It can really help you make the most of your time by quickly seeing what is in the area, no matter where you are.

You need to start walking long distances at home. Seriously. Start easy and work up to 3 - 5 miles a day. That is what you will do in Rome at a bare minimum.

Even with this prep, you need to take moleskin and some tiny scissors to cut it with. This stuff sticks and pads even the worst blisters. (Bandaids are basically worthless.) I can promise it will save your trip. With a family of 4, take lots!

Buon viaggio!

A_Brit_In_Ischia

Deb, you might find this of interest - the simplest, most convenient, set of bus services (and a very gentle introduction to the city's public transport!) - with one route that actually runs through the Campo de'Fiori:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/electric_buses

Picture from the market there, and other places that may be of interest, amongst these:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/places_rome

For the morning of your Vatican visit, stroll through to the nearby Largo di Torre Argentina and take a taxi from the rank near the excellent Feltrinelli bookshop there...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/torre_arg

(Now that the bus tickets are €1.50 each, it's not much more expensive!)

... then do your walking on the way back - maybe, via Castel San'Angelo and the famous bridge!

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/cast_santangelo

And for copies of bills from some mid-level restaurants in and around the Campo that we frequently return to, have a look through:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/ta_foodwine

Peter

azzure

Take a look at Bus 64; which runs VERY frequently between the Vatican and Termini. It stops in many places along Vittorio Emmanuele; if you get off at Largo Argentino you can easily stroll to Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain. The bus route is infamous, perhaps unfairly, as being a favorite of pickpockets, but my sister and I rode it frequently day and night and never felt jeopardized.

As far as the trains go, they couldn't be easier. If you've never been to Termini before, arrival a half-hour or so before will allow you to get oriented; there are also very useful schematics of the station online. My sis and I got there too early last time, but spent our time very enjoyably at the big bookstore on the main level.

kwren

Bookmarking for next week!

Vttraveler

when we stayed in an apartment in the Jewish ghetto neighborhood (near Campo dei Fiori) a few years ago, we took the bus route that runs along the north bank of the Tiber to the piazza near the Vatican several times. I think the route number is 23. These buses seemed less crowded than the ones at Largo Argentina. We found the bus system easy to use with a good map. have you checked out this one?
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=383

In addition to other suggestions for things to do above, you might enjoy going to the Appian Way and catacombs.

Another place with a great vista of the city is (are?) the Pincio Gardens above the Piazza del Popolo. You can walk along from there to the top of the Spanish steps.

Our last trip to Rome was with our younger son, then 16. He is a big history buff but not so keen on art museums or churches. We concentrated mostly on churches we could see easily near other sites, such as San Luigi dei Francesi with three early Caravaggios and the Gothic Santa Maria sopra Minerva right near the Pantheon