Hi everyone,

WOW.

Many thanks for ALL your help on this! The info you gave is so helpful as I plan our trip. I've been referring to this forum just as much as my guidebooks.

Has anyone had any experience with Rome's Elettrico Minibuses #116 and #117? It seems like a great way to see the back streets of the city while at the same time getting from one site to another. I tried searching for info on it online, but didn't come across anything particularly useful. So, I turn to Fodor's travel forum for enlightenment!

:) Karina

>>>Has anyone had any experience with Rome's Elettrico Minibuses #116 and #117? It seems like a great way to see the back streets of the city <<<

Not the back streets, it goes through the pedestrian only areas. ATAC if the Rome travel website for buses/metro/trams. Here's a map of the electric bus routes.
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9

Hi Karina,

How long are you going to be there? you have a LOT planned.

Consider adding this, one of the best places in Rome:

Borghese Gallery

also Piazza del Popolo for a sit down and drink and people-watching .

Yep, the Borghese Gallery is awesome. Pre booking is essential. 2 hour timeslots are allocated. Check though re your mother's mobility issues. We had to use stairs in the Gallery but I don't remember wheelchair ramps or lifts. The walk through the park to get there is very pleasant.

If you are going to be in Rome on a Friday evening, I would suggest that you book the Vatican Museum entry for that evening. It is far less crowded and almost cool in the museum. I'm not sure if they offer tours, but they may and that would be something to think about. I am a big fan of the Roma Pass if it's still available. Transport around the city and entry into the most popular sites make it worth the cost.

There are so many good ideas here.

Bardo, two years ago we were walking down via Coronari when fire brook out. Being a newsman, DH jumped into action. We were right across from Ristorante San Gallo and I was sure I wanted to eat there. When we go in October we will have a meal there. Any recommendations for dishes you liked?

On maps, I find the map book Tutte le Stradale a Roma, sold at newsagents and Feltrinelli branches, to be my favorite. I've had a couple of these, and they are indexed (very well indexed) and include transportation maps and each area is well broken into understandable sections. It a lot like having an A to Zed in London or a Paris par arrondissement. I give up on spelling that one; it's late.

I am booking my clients in to a Friday night visit to the Vatican Museums, based on the reported scarcity of waits and lines. As far as getting them into St Peters, my suggestion is that they get there early in the morning to wait in line for the basilica.