We will be arriving in Rome on a Saturday morning at 8:30 (if all goes according to schedule). We have the rest of the day and all day Sunday in Rome before leaving Monday morning for Tuscany. We plan to do Rick's Caesar Shuffle per the book; however, we will likely not be able to complete in the order provided. We know timing is everything. Would you suggest doing Rick's Day 1 Shuffle on our Day 2, and visit the Vatican during the afternoon of our Day 1? Or would you suggest another order? Suggestions welcome!
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2720 posts
Most people here won't have any idea what the Caesar Shuffle entails. Here's a link that explains it:
https://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/doing-the-caesar-shuffle-in-rome/
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23650 posts
If you are arriving from the US on Saturday at 8.30, you need to plan a little time for dealing with jet lag. Many prefer to take a short nap in the pm and others gut it out till evening. Either way the first day should be spent in outdoor activities - walking, sunshine. Anything indoors will put you to sleep in a matter of minutes. Good luck. The Caesar shuffle is very aggressive for a new arrival. You might be able to do half of it.
Posted by
3472 posts
If you are arriving in Rome from the USofA, I can't imagine visiting the Vatican on the afternoon of Day 1. I would do the "Shuffle" on Day 1 - you will at least be outside and the crowds should be less overwhelming.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16662 posts
If you are arriving in Rome from the USofA, I can't imagine visiting
the Vatican on the same afternoon I would do the "Shuffle" on Day 1
Ditto. There's NO way I'd do the Vatican (museums) right off a potentially jet-lagged international flight. Whatever you do with that partial arrival day - after you get into central Rome and drop the bags - should be outside, and nothing requiring a lot of details to absorb.
But the shuffle (which I haven't done) may be problematic as well if it includes the interiors of the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine, The Colosseum requires timed-entry tickets so if your flight is delayed, you could miss your appointed entry time. But I'd do whatever you can manage of the shuffle on arrival day and let the rest go unless you can squeak some more of it in after the Vatican. Oh, and hopefully that Sunday you plan for the Vatican Museums isn't the last Sunday of a month during high season? They are free that day but not one I'd choose due to potentially VERY large crowds and long entry lines.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
The actual walking time from Campo dei Fiori to Piazza Navona (10min) - Pantheon, Piazza Rotunda, (10 min) - Trevi Fountain (15 min) -Spanish Steps (15min). Total walk time 50 minutes. What takes time is enjoying these Piazzas.
The walk around Capitoline Hill, the Forum, Palatine and Colosseum with out entrance is about an 1 1/2-2 hours. With entries an additional 6-8 hours.
Edit. With the amount of time you have, concentrate on 1 site. Enjoying your remaining time in Rome just wandering.