Colosseum-Trajan's Market--Jewish Ghetto--Trastevere

Taxis are not overly expensive. I'd hop one at the end of this tour day. That said, you asked "is this too much...in one day?" What time of year will you be here? In May or October, no, in June-Aug., it probably is too much, especially in the afternoon heat.

Trajan's Market is just not that interesting. Highly skippable. Rick's walks are right on, just follow them and you will see the highlights.

Much as I love Laurel dearly, and usually we see eye to eye, here we disagree. My wife and I like Trajan's market quite a lot. It is near a little hole in the wall where we enjoy special coffees, and the outside views of the Forum are nice. We like wandering the floors and little rooms and imaging a market alive. Others don't like it as much but we do.

It isn't mind blowing but we find it cool.

I'm with Nigel, I love the views from some of the spots in the Market.

I suggest you take a tour of the Synagogue while you are in the Ghetto - this will add an hour to your tour time (there's a short film in the Museum before your tour), tours are in English as well as other languages. Rome has the oldest documented Jewish community in Europe.

In Trastevere, stop at Santa Maria in Trastevere and be sure to go to the Gianicolo for views of Rome (you can take a bus to get there).

To each hi own, dear Nigel. :-)
I agree on the Ghetto. It is lovely and different and also a great place to eat! If you can, on Wednesdays at 5:00pm there is an English language tour of Palazzo Farnese, which is just down Via Giulia (I think Rick Steve's tour walks behind it on Via Giulia) and a stone's throw from Campo dei Fiori. You must make reservations in advance at last a couple of weeks. It can be done online.

Thanks for the tips so far. One slight adjustment I've got, let me know if you think this would work.

I thought since our tour does not start until 10am and we are early risers, that we could get take either a taxi or bus to Trajan's Market/Column/Forum, and walk thru and take in the sites, moving toward the Colosseum. That way once our tour ends at the Roman Forum we can move right into the Jewish Ghetto, rather than having to back track to Trajan's Market.

Any thoughts if this seems like a better option? Also, would an hour be enough time to get a good grasp of Trajan's Market. I know we could spend a lot more time there, but our time is limited, so we are looking to at least get a general idea and see the beautiful sites.

Thanks for the advice.

I found the Ghetto really interesting - there is one area,Largo 16 Ottobre 1943 where Romes' Jews were rounded up and transported - the area is marked with a plaque high on the wall. Close by is the Theatro di Marcello, a Roman theatre that looks like a mini colosseum (in fact it is earlier), with 15th century apartments built along the top tier! Sophia Loren is rumoured to own one. Opposite that is the Portico d'Ottavia, a wonderful mix of Roman and later building along with ruins of some temples and a great view up the Capitoline hill. The whole area is really evocative in so many ways. Look for Roman columns incorporated into newer buildings all over the place - and great restaurants, many Kosher. Rick's guided walk of the Ghetto really does hit the highlights and is worth following.

Haven't been to Trajan's Forum - must add it to the list for this year!

If you are moving reasonably quickly an hour at Trajan's Market would be fine.

I used Rick's audio tours for the Ghetto and Trastevere, and enjoyed both. The Ghetto is short since it's pretty small. Don't go on Saturday, most of it will be closed. On Fridays the museum (including the synagogue tour) close around 1 p.m. (3 p.m. from mid-june to mid-Sept. )