10 Days in Rome

August can see several places closed for vacation. But not enough to stop you from having a wonderful time! Sorry, I don't know your hotel. When in Rome my preference is rent an apartment - love all the fresh fruits, veggies and meats.

Florence you could do in a day trip but you're looking at a very long day. Figure 1 1/2 hours to get there by train. Orvieto is a nice place and even though the train ride isn't that much shorter (different line), the city takes far less time to get around and enjoy the history, the art, the shopping, the food, the local wines, and the gorgeous vistas. Venice, my favorite city, I think is too far.

If you like exploring, you might try a day at Tivoli Gardens (amazing fountains), and Ostia Anticha (in some ways I like this place more than Pompeii). Rick divides the city walks into themes. You might also look at a map of the city and explore a section each day. I bet you won't be disappointed! I must admit that I do return to Trastevere each evening and have a cool drink on the piazza. Ah, life is good!

Enjoy Rome! There's much to enjoy!!!

Thanks Robert. I will look up the places you mentioned.

Pompeii and Orvieto are easy day trips. Ostia Antica is a nice half day outside of Rome. Also consider a day away from the city and visit one of the surrounding lakes, Lago di Bracciano or Lago di Martignano.

Thank you Diane! I will look those up also.

We're staying at the Hotel Armetide, but I can't figure out what
area/neighborhood that is. Anyone know?

That hotel is walking distance from Termini train station and on a main street (Via Nazionale). Best way to locate it is to look it up on google maps but I'd probably call it the Esquilino neighborhood. Good location: we've stayed a few blocks further than you will be and didn't have any issue walking to our accommodation form the train. Have you looked at the hotel's own website?

http://www.hotelartemide.it/en/

Also, looking to do a day trip or two while in Rome?

Florence is 90 minutes, one way, by fast trains, and Orvietto, Ositia Antica and Tivoli are good options. Pompeii is possible but is a long, hot (in summer) day. Naples is about an hour by fast trains. Consider Herculaneum from there instead of Pompeii?

Look at walking a good stretch of the Appia Antica as well: if you start at a further point and walk your way back into Rome, you'll be out in the countryside for a piece of it. We LOVED that day!

I will chime in on Florence...if it appeals to you for a visit...AND if you can change your Rome reservation...I recommend spending 1-2 nights in Florence to get a taste of another place..unless this is too much for your mother, not sure if she is elderly etc. As others have pointed out, it is a quick train ride, but too much for a day trip. You are in the termini area in Rome so the trips to Ostia etc. will be easy!

I have spent 1 night there...arrrived early morning, slept one night and saw the city again on the second day, returned to Rome in the late evening...so if you add 1 more night, it could be an easy trip for anyone, with enough time to rest.

Enjoy!

Florence is just doable as you are close to Termini. Orvieto is lovely and worth a visit. The villas in Tivoli, Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana, are worth a trip but a bit of a pain to get to between the two. I loved Ostia Antica, my wife had no interest in it, so read up about it before making a decision. The Castelli Romani area to the southeast of the city may also be of interest to you.