My wife and I will arrive in Rome on Sunday, May 2 and will have a good portion of the day free before we catch our tour group in the evening. We are staying at the Albani Hotel which isn't too far from the Villa Borghese. Any suggestions or recommendations from Fororites? Thanks in advance!

Merv,
May 2 is a Monday. What you can do will depend greatly on whether it's a Sunday when virtually everything is closed until afternoon or a Monday when most things are open.

So, which is it?

Sorry, my mistake...we are arriving on Sunday, May 1 and we arrive sometime in the early morning. Thanks for pointing that out.

Our visit to the Borghese Gallery on a Sunday this past March was one of the highlights of our stay in Rome. The gardens, the building itself and the art inside were all amazing for us, even in the chilly March weather.

You should know that reservations are mandatory at the Borghese Gallery:

http://www.galleriaborghese.it/default-en.htm

Galleria Borghese gets rave reviews from nearly everybody. We were actually pretty disappointed with it. After the incredible wealth of art in the Vatican and Capitoline museums, the Borghese collection seems little like leftovers. If you choose to visit it, they absolutely don't allow cameras of any sort so either leave at hotel or check it if you have one.

If weather is nice there is a stationary balloon in the park that you can 'ride' to get a nice view of Rome.

What we generally do on our first day, however, is just walk around the city and visit some of our favorite spots, most of which are outside and thus available even on a Sunday. This allows you to work off some of your jet lag without overtaxing your sleep deprived brain; I have found it to be the very best way to force your body to acclimate to the new time zone.

The areas around the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon are especially nice (a cup or two of coffee here along with people watching helps with the jet lag too). Rome is ideally suited for walking (as long as you watch carefully when crossing the street, since they closed the colloseum to gladiatorial contests, aiming their car at pedestrians seems to be the new national bloodsport).

There is an archeological museum near the Piazza Republica that is open on Sundays, at least it used to be, which has a very nice collection. The church there is also a nice visit; a reconditioned Roman Bath done by Michelangelo. Don't miss it.

rfb...what is name/address of museum near Piazzi Republica. Will be staying near there this week and would like to check it out. Also..I'm assuming I can bring my camera into Vatican museum? Thanks

The church is Santa Maria degli Angeli, it is roughly directly across the Piazza from a new luxury hotel, the name of which escapes me.

The museum is Museo Nationale Romano, when you come out of the church turn to your left and follow the fence around to the entrance. Church is free, museum is roughly €5

Yes, there are greater collections in Rome, but the Borghese is small enough to allow appreciation of individual works ....and the staggered admission assures that you have plenty of opportunity to appreciate everything without being part of a mob. Seems to me if you're in the neighborhood it would be a lovely introduction. (Just be sure to have reservations.) Times may have changed, but I recall we had to check EVERYTHING at the Vatican Museums.

Yes, outjetboat, you may bring a camera into the Vatican Museum......but not the Borghese.

The Borghese Gallery is definitely worth a visit, even if you just spend an hour with the Bernini sculptures.
Since it is near your hotel, a 2 hour visit would be lovely and relaxing way to start you trip.
Also, this museum is unlikely to be on the itinerary of the tour you are joining.
Just be sure to reserve an entrance time, which you can do on-line at http://www.ticketeria.it/ticketeria/borghese-eng.asp

Please keep in mind that Sunday, May 1 is a holiday in Italy, so some additional things may be closed. Also, my understanding is that there will be a large concert going on that day. Perhaps that will be a good activity for you.

We will also be arriving in Rome on Sunday, May 1 - Labor Day. I inquired at the Borghese Gallery about tickets & they are closed since it's a holiday. I've been mulling over what to do that day as well...