Hello, I am taking a group of AP Art History High School Students to Italy over Spring Break. The first day we have the tour guide to ourselves since the other group doesn't join us until the next day. Two questions: First, what do y'all think about trying to do the Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain the first day? Also - we will be on our own the second day while the guide heads to the airport to pick up the other group...it will be a Sunday and we are already scheduled to do the Vatican and Colliseum with the guide another day...any suggestions as to do without transportation on a Sunday in Rome? Thanks!

I would imagine you would want to see the Borghese Gallery with Art History students. It would help if you told us what you and the guide already have planned to see and how long you are staying so we could fill in with other suggestions. Sunday is a good day for seeing churches in general as many are only open on Sundays. Some churches filled with important art:
San Luigi Francesi
Santa Maria del Popolo
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
Santa Maria della Pace
San Andrea delle Fratte
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
Santi Quattro Coronati
San Clemente
Santa Prassede
Santa Maria Maggiore

Also, if interested in architecture:
San Andrea Quirinale (Bernini)
San Agnese in Agone (Borromini)
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (Borromini)
San Andrea de Valle (look for the one Bernini angel)
San Stefano Rotondo (a circular church with gruesome frescos of saints'martyrdoms.
Santa Maria degli Angeli (partially designed by Michelangelo).
The Tempietto (Bramante).

Here is a bit more info. We will arrive in Rome Saturday morning and will leave for Florence Wednesday morning. We are debating on taking the train to Pompeii (if not we will go to Ostia) one day. I have been to Italy once and loved the Borghese so we will definately visit it during the trip. We also want to go to the Capitoline museum. Thanks for the input and keep the suggestions comming.

bookmarking

Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain can be done in an afternoon, and throw in Piazza Navonna. You might even want to go back to some of these spots in the evening to see the fountians illuminated.

Others have mentioned San Andrea al Quirinale, beautiful baroque interior, was closed when I was there during the weekdays. Couldn't get access to Il Tempietto either, and it's somewhat out of the way in Janiculum. Visiting the churches on Piazza del Popolo is a great idea, not too far out of the way, and you can always enjoy the piazza if the churches are closed.

San Giovanni, by Boromini, until 1870 all popes were crowned here, and the Baths of Caracalla are a few other ideas.

Young people seem to like the Time Elevator.
http://www.time-elevator.it/en/index.htm

I suggest the Colosseum (exterior only), the Arch of Constantine, the Roman Forum, the Campidoglio, and the museums on the Capitoline Hill if you have enough time.

Again. Thanks so much and keep the ideas comming. I will have to research many of the churches and the baths is an interesting idea. Piazza Navona sounds like a good way to round out either our first or second night!

You can catch a boat on the Tiber to Ostia Antica on Friday/Saturday/Sunday for 13E round trip. www.batellidiroma.com

http://www.rexervation.com/scheda_battello.asp?indice=3

No, no, JWH, you miss the point. If you want these AP kids to fall in love with Italy, the very FIRST thing you do with those youngsters is to take them for a Gelato!

They will love you, and follow you wherever you wish after that.

I would definitely NOT take a day trip. These are art history students - why would you want to leave Rome when you only have three full days there?

To emphasize a few of the churches that have been suggested,
San Luigi Francesi with three magnificent Caravaggio paintings and
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva are both right near the Pantheon/Piazza Navona. I agree you can do the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona in your first afternoon.

I would not take the time go to Pompeii with so little time in Rome. Probably not Ostia Antica either although it is very interesting.

We took the archeobus (open air tram which has multiple stops and allows you to get off/on) to the catacombs, Appian Way and aqueducts. It also stops at the baths of Caracalla. Those are interesting but I am not sure I would do them over other sights. If your group is large, you might not all fit on the bus.

Are you back yet? Would love to hear about the trip!

We are back...what a great trip! We had wonderful weather and the kids were amazed at the art, history and yes...the shopping. We did so much in Rome - many churches, the Vatican, the Pantheon, etc plus we took a train to Pompeii (thanks so much for the detailed directions posted on this site), visited the catacombs and even saw Ron Howard on the bridge outside of San Angelo. We think he was scouting locations for Angels and Demons. Assisi was beautiful, Florence was crazy and we managed to see most of what we wanted to. The Arena chapel in Padua was a highlight - incredibley beautiful frescoes by Giotto. Ran down to Pisa one night and had just one glorious day in Venice that was highlighted by 40 minute Gondola ride. And of course...tons of gelato. I don't think the kids will ever forget this experience. Thanks again for all the help. JWH