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April-May Itinerary - Suggestions/Critiques

Posted by (San Antonio, TX, USA) on

Ok, after countless hours planning and reading and planning some more, I think I have a doable and leisurely schedule set-up for Rome.

Tuesday - Arrive in the AM, get situated in the apartment, and depending on jet lag:
a) Walk around, see the Castel Sant' Angelo, , St Peter's Square (Basilica maybe), do stroll in evening (Navona to Spagna)

b)If feel up to it Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel (12-1) ( best time to be there according to Ron in Rome)

Wednesday - Campo dei Fiori and San Giovanni in Laterano and Roman Colosseum, Forum, Roman Pantheon, Piazza del Campidoglio and Capitoline Museum (Evening is free for a nice sit down meal)

Thursday - Ostia Antica and Mediterranean Sea (afternoon - Galleria Borghese Museum (need reservations)

Friday -Florence (Early morning leave, late return) Need reservations for Accademia Galleries and Uffi Gallery)

Saturday - May 1st - (Holiday) walk around Rome (Piazze - Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps), Piazza Navona (Fountain of Four Rivers), Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Venezia and the Trevi Fountain - Possibilities -Church hopping/Appian Way

Sunday -Portese Flea Market (morning) 1st chance to do whatever we missed or want to see twice

Monday - – Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (Trastevere) or Pompeii (depends on what we did Tuesday)

Tuesday - Tivoli (Villa Este) half day or Pompeii (Cameos) full day or Vatican Museums(again depends on what has already been done)

Wednesday – Papal Audience - 2nd Chance to do whatever we missed or want to see twice

Thursday – 3rd Chance to do whatever we missed (absolutely nothing planned)

Friday - leave AM for 11:00 flight

Any suggestions and critiques are welcome. I think we have planned a leisurely time in Rome (except for the Pompeii and Florence trips). Thanks, as always for the tips and suggestions.

Posted by
113 posts

I would also suggest 2 days in Florence...1 for Museums and 1 for the many other wonderful things that Florence has to offer.

Posted by
4555 posts

No news may be good news! Nice and restful, the way I like it! I'd maybe suggest an overnight in Florence, but if you don't want to change hotels twice in two nights, a day trip is OK.

Posted by
97 posts

I think your plan looks heavenly! I wish I had that much time! I'm only going to have 4 jam packed days! Next time I think a longer more leisurly time - like yours is what I'm going to plan.

Have a wonderful trip - We will be in Rome the exact same time thru May 1st. So when you see the crazy lady running around with 3 other adults and 4 kids in tow....with her husband complaining...that'll be me! ha ha ha

Posted by
15788 posts

I agree that 2 days in Florence is much, much better than just one. With 10 days, I'd probably spend 3 of them there. There is so much more to see, the Pitti Palace, the Medici Chapels, the Bargello, the Duomo museum and the Baptistry.

Monday is generally a very crowded day at the Vatican, because most of everything else is closed. If you don't want to see it on another day, I recommend that you spend the extra 4 euro per person to buy tickets online in advance. You will avoid standing in line.

Posted by
72 posts

Can you really get to Pompeii in a half day tour? We are going to Pompeii in May as well from Rome, but the tour is twelve hours. I agree with the others that Florence would be very hard to do in a day, but I also understand you may not want to change locations either. You may make the best use of your time there by booking tours and tickets well in advance. Also, if you stick with the Vatican on Monday, you could avoid some of the waiting by also booking a tour.

Posted by
61 posts

The trip sounds great! The only suggestion I'd have is make sure to take in the Trastevere neighborhood in Rome. It's quite charming.

Posted by
251 posts

Great schedule! The only thing I would suggest is if you see everything you want to see by your last couple of days and have no other areas you want to explore in Rome (other churches or museums, etc.), then take a daytrip to Orvieto. It's not too far away, and well worth it.

Have fun though!

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