Just got back from Rome and would like to share some of our experiences with you other fodorites. To give you an idea of us, we are two not very cultural adults, plus 18 year old girl, and 15 year old boy. We rented an apartment for a week through Italy Accom, and apart from the taxi being late to meet us at the airport [delay worsened by the plane being early] everything went without a hitch. The accommodation was perfect for 4 with a wonderful view of the Colluseum from the terrace [woth every extra penny] and we found somewhere new to eat every night, with only one bad meal. THe crowds were pretty bad as the main sights, but the tips in Rick Sheves book to avoid the worst queues were dead on.
In a week, we managed to see the colluseum & Forum, Trastereve, the Vatican museums and St. Peter's, Tivoli, Ostia Antica, the Capitoline, and the main central sights. If we'd been more central we could have seen more, but not much.
We took a money belt [if nothing else it saved me having to take my handbag and ending up carrying all the stuff for the rest of the family] and someone else carried water etc. in a ruck sack. Do take two pairs of your most comfortable shoes, and don't try to do it all - you won't!
The weather was almost perfect - more rain than we expected but mainly at night, but it would be hot later on in the year, so some air-conditioning would be welcome in June - August.
If you are considering Rome as a destination, do try and stay for at least 6 days - any less and you will just get frustrated at what you're not seeing!
Our favourites? - our son liked the vatican museums best [and he's no culture vulture, my husband St. Peter's, my daughter the shops, and me - almost everything, but especially the unexpected like finding the church of St. Cecilia in Trastervere, with its beautiful crypt, after we gave up trying to get into the vatican the first time.

you posted this in the US forum - try putting it in the Europe one and you will get hits on it!

annhig, what were your impressions of Ostia Antica?

Yes, I know I put it in the wrong place!
AnneMarie - we liked it a lot. Very easy to get to via Ostiense station and lots of fun while we were there - about 4 hours altogether. It's not pompeii, but it gives a pertty good idea of Roman life, plus you can easily get away from others and make your own discoveries of paintings and mosaics. The cafe there was good, and the one by the train station was cheap and friendly, though he really appreciates it if you've got some small change! Only down was the loo - don't go if you've got Roman tummy.

Thank you, annhig. I'm not familiar with the phrase "Roman tummy" but can surmize its meaning.