Arriving on Monday

According to Rick's Italy book the Coliseum, the Forum, St Peter's Basilica, and many other sights in Rome are open on Mondays. We always like to stay outside and get some exercise and natural light on our first day in Europe, so the Coliseum and form, or some gardens or other outdoor attractions would be good choices.

Days closed varies by museum, and a number are open on Monday (eg, Vatican Museums are open, I believe); the RS guidebook has a helpful summary of what's open which days . However, I find I do best with something outdoors on my day of arrival--maybe wander some of the ancient sites that interest you, or a neighborhood of interest.

The best advice is to try to get some in some exercise in the fresh air and sunlight (assuming the weather's decent enough). It will help you adjust. If you tell us where you're staying you will probably get some good suggestions on some areas to explore.

Well, you will probably need to check into your hotel and freshen up a little bit. Maybe get something to eat. I'm going to be in Rome next week and that is my first plan (I don't suffer from arrival jetlag either). Might want to consider acclimating yourself by taking one of the suggested walks. Rick Steve's Rome has a night walk that could just as easily be done in the day and that way you get to tour the Pantheon. There is always the Forum/Coliseum. Or you can visit some of the churches in the Pilgrim's Rome suggested tour or the Vatican Museum. When are you going? I'm arriving on a Friday and leaving on a Tuesday. I didn't realize that museums were closed on Monday's when I made my plans.

I believe I saw on roninrome.com that the museums are closed on Mondays, although I did know the Colosseum is open. We will be going in May, and I am just about to nail down our hotel. I don't have names right in front of me, but I remember that one option has a rooftop that overlooks St. Peters' dome, and the other is just off the Villa Borghese. (Do those sentences make me sound as much like a doofus as I feel they do? :) )

I wouldn't stress about the museum schedules for Monday since it's your arrival date. There is so much to see and do in Rome. There are churches around every corner, fascinating fountains, and food galore to name a few. Sounds like you hotel choices are pretty upscale.

If you stay near the Villa Borghese, you can wander around the Borghese Gardens, which are beautiful.

As a general rule, state-operated Museums in Italy are closed on Mondays. The Vatican is open as these museums are in a differrent country! The Colosseo combo is open on Mondays and a couple of the catacombs have unique hours on Mondays. But if you want to see the Galleria Borghese, Castel Sant'Angelo, or the Academia Galleria in Florence for example, you will not be able to do it on a Monday. Many people agree that staying active - and being outside - helps them with their jet lag. Everyone reacts differently, though. Your first day could be spent wandering Rome. I'd avoid the Vatican on your first day as it - by itself - is exhausting and Mondays are the most crowded days. Some people like to use the Hop On/Hop Off buses to get better acclimated to the city. I prefer "local" transportation, but for more info on the HOHO's, see this link **** http://tinyurl.com/Rome-HOHO ****

I also think the Hop On Hop Off bus might be a good option for your first day. I would also walk around the Piazza Navona, Pantheon & Campo de Fiori areas. Theose areas are close together and make for a nice walk.

Are you arriving in Rome (the city) before 10 am or are you landing at the airport before 10 am? If the airport, you have to get through passport control and (maybe) pick up your checked luggage, then make your way to the train station. From there it's a 45 minute ride into the city - and you may have to wait 30 minutes or more for the train. If you land on time and all goes quickly, it will still take you well over 2 hours to get into your hotel room. I'd probably take a quick shower, have a leisurely lunch at a sidewalk cafe and then walk around. There is plenty on display outside. And do pop in to the churches you pass, each one is a small museum. The HOHO bus is a great way to do it.