twiggers

I've finally finalized the itinerary. 9 days in mid-May (yes, only 2 weeks away!). Hotels and tours are booked.

Note that these are just general ideas for things to do in a day (i.e., trying to group things together by area). If I don't make it to everything then I'll try another day.

Also, I'm a hop in and hop out of churches kind of person. I stroll around, take things in, and move on. I'm not religious, so no lighting candles or prayer stops.

I do plan to stroll around city in the evenings and spend time just vegging. Amazingly, I packed my last Europe vacation like this and still had a LOT of time to just relax and take in the cities (Amsterdam/Brussels/Brugges and a few other cities).

Friday: Arrive mid-morning (staying overnight at airport due to a late flight)

Campo de Fiori market (open until 1 PM)
Lunch in this area

Walk over to Piazza Navona

Pantheon
Church of San Luis dei Francesi
Gesu Church
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
Church of San Ignazio
Galleria Doria Pamphilj


Saturday: Ancient Rome (this is a very packed day and may not get to it all)

Arch of Constantine
Colosseum (underground/3rd level tour booked for 9:40 AM)
Palantine Hill
Roman Forum
Mamertine Prison
Santa Maria Aracoeli
Victor Emmanuel
Trajan's Column
Piazza Venezia
Up grand staircase to Capitol Hill
Capitoline Museum
Bocca della Verita


Sunday:

Villa Borghese (tour booked for 11 AM)
bus to Piazza del Popolo…or is it a short walk???
Piazza del Popolo
Santa Maria del Popolo

Stroll down Via del Corso
Ara Pacis
Via Condotti window shopping
Spanish Steps

Capuchin Crypt

Back down Via Del Corso towards Capital Hill

If I made it through the Capitolini Museum the day before, then continue on.
Otherwise, proceed to Capitolini Museum to see that.

Possible stops along Via Del Corso:
Trevi Fountain
San Ignazio (if I didn't get to it already)
Galleria Doria Pamphilj (if I didn't get to it already)

Monday: Vatican Day 1

Scavi Tour (booked)
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Dome

Catch bus to trastevere (#23 or #171)
Lunch in Trastevere
Rick Steves walk through Trastevere
St. Cecilia - 9:30 - 1 PM; 4 PM - 6:30 PM
Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere - 7:30 - 9 PM
Villa Farnesina - 9 Am - 4 PM

Possibly start at Villa Farnesina and work over to St. Cecilia so that it will be open.

Tuesday: Vatican Day 2

Vatican & Sistine Chapel (tour booked)
lunch
Castel Sant Angelo

Laundry!!!!

Wednesday: Day trip to Florence (yes, I know you need more than a day, but this is what I have chosen). I absolutely realize I won't get all of this...priority is the museums, Duomo, and Ponte Vecchio.

Santa Maria Novella
Basilica San Lorenzo
Medici Chapels
Accademia (David) - booked for 12 PM
Uffizi Gallery - booked for 3 PM
Ponte Vecchio (bridge)
Duomo
Campanile di Giotto
Baptistery (the bronze doors)
Piaaza Santa Croce
Basilica di Santa Croce
Michaelangelo Piazza

Thursday: 1/2 day trip to Orvieto

Duomo
St. Patrick's Well

Back in Rome (these are all near hotel):

National Museum
Baths of Diocletian
Santa Maria Vittoria

Friday: 1/2 day trip to Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica

Back in Rome (all near hotel):

San Giovanno in Laterno
Santa Maria Maggiore
Church of San Clemente
St. Peter in Chains

Saturday:

Open day. Depending on how we're feeling, possible rent a bike for the Appian Way and visit San Callisto.

Sunday: Depart mid-morning for cruise.