Golf cart tour vs auto tour of Rome

I haven't taken either type of tour, but I'm doubtful that any sort of motorized vehicle can get close enough to the Trevi Fountain in August for riders to see the fountain--or at least more than the very top of it. I walked past the fountain two or three times in Feb-Mar 2023, and the confined area was packed with people on foot even then.

A very long time ago, my mother than 80 and I got up at the crack of dawn and had breakfast at the Trevi fountain at dawn -- I got take out cappuccino and breakfast rolls and we sat on the little marble bench that surrounds it -- it was us and a very young Japanese couple in Disneyland like wedding attire -- it did look like bluebirds at dressed her in tiny bows and furbelows -- having pictures taken at the fountain. It was kind of magical. And so peaceful and empty.

Every other time I have been near it, it has been jam packed -- I can't imagine a vehicle could get close. I have seen auto tours near the Pantheon and I always feel sorry for people experiencing this lovely places from the middle back seat of a car.
Do less, see less, experience more.

There are actually a fair number of posts in the past year mentioning golf cart tours here on the forum - you would have to wade through them:

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=1y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Rome+golf+cart&utf8=%E2%9C%93

Having ridden through Rome in cabs recently, I believe you would have better visibility from a golf cart.

As for Aqueduct Park - I'm not sure how someone intolerant to heat would fare at the end of August. But you might search for wheelchair accessible tours - not that your sister uses one, but just for the fact that they may be more accommodating to someone with mobility issues.

It's going to be hot in Rome in August. Just sayin'.

I'm not familiar with the golf cart tours, but I doubt that they are enclosed and air conditioned. As others have already said, cars won’t get you very close, but they might be air conditioned. That would be a trade-off.

A few years back, I did a personal tour with Scooteroma. I was on the back of a Vespa and loved every minute. My tour was based on the street art one but designed just for me. I was picked up at my apartment and returned there when we were done.

You might consider their Ape Calessino tours for the 2 of you. They say, "The route is similar to our popular Vespa Tour but as always we can adapt the itinerary to your needs and wishes." Exploring the tours link at the top of the page will give you an idea of what they can cover in 3-4 hours. Here's the link if you want to consider the possibilities: https://scooteroma.com/tours/ape-calessino-tour/

And they have a new Electric Wheels tour that says it can take you places that even the Vespas and Apes can't go. It also says "All of our tours and itineraries can be enjoyed on our electric wheels." It's a tiny car. Hmmm?! Here's the link: https://scooteroma.com/tours/electric-wheels-tour/

So those are a couple more options for you to consider. If I were to do it again, I'd choose one of these 2 options and try to go at twilight if possible. It might be cooler.

Hi.
Dad (92) a d I were inRome in October. We took the evening golf cart tour. Would recommend that.
Do not think hoho bus would work with heat. We enjoyed the tour very much. We saw a lot. I think we stopped for Gelato

Do not waste your money with a HOHO bus, as they are limited to the major roads and cannot use the smaller streets around most of the sites. The golf cart tours on the other hand get good access. Although they are not air-conditioned, they do provide shade and a seat and you'll get around faster than walking. I'm not familiar with any tours by car.

Thanks to those who responded.

I figured HOHO would not work well. I thought about Aquaduct park as an area of greenspace with shade to just chill.

I am aware that neither the cart or car option is ideal. Just looking for the best "not great" option.

Thanks again.

...an area of greenspace with shade to just chill.

Then you might consider Villa Borghese - especially first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. You should be able to find shady spots to sit and relax. They also have bicycle carts for rent which you might be able to use to pedal your sister around the park. And if she's up to it, the Borghese Gallery is right there.

I did aquaduct park with my son long ago on public transport. I remember it as a fair hike from the public transport stop in the outskirts of Rome. You had to know where you were going, it was not well signed then. And while you can get up close, it was then not that park like and there was not much shade nor were there any places to sit and chill out. It was interesting. Of course it has been years since I did this and perhaps it is more developed now with amenities, but there were none when we were there.

In January 2023 we did a Turtle Tours golf cart tour of Rome. It was about four hours and we travelled round all the major sites leaving about 9am. We loved the tour. Got close to everything we needed. We did this the morning after we arrived and was a great way to see the sites.

What was great was the amount of distance we travelled and how many sites we truly got to see we started by travelling up behind the Spanish steps close to villa borghese and views across the city. We travelled through all of old Rome seeing the key areas and getting very very close to where we needed to be without much walking. we got across to the aventene keyhole and also across to circus maximus. We started and finished at our accomodation near the Spanish steps.

For what we were able to see in 4 hours It was great and there was not a lot of walking involved. Four of us went on the tour and we had two carts. The carts are open air but also have doors for safety

We paid 320 for the four of us. 2a and 2 kids

Was a great way to see the city and we would 100% do it again.

All our other days in Rome we ended up doing 20,000 plus steps so it can save a lot of walking.

I have not yet been to Rome, but am seriously considering a golf cart tour for my arrival day in October. I am leaning on booking with TurtleTours as they seem to be the most affordable and get excellent reviews. They can customize the tour for you, which is what I plan on doing by skipping the things I can easily walk to or have no interest in.
I have seen some golf cart tours that also combine food tasting/sightseeing. I feel this would be a fantastic option for you and your sister.
No to the HOHO bus, you'll never get close enough to your desired attractions and if you hop off you'll have to wait in a queue for a bus to come back around to board all over again. The reviews are mixed, but more are negative than positive.

Just wondering, isn't a golf cart in Rome dangerous? So small, no protection.

Then again, it's not like the city isn't traffic dangerous to begin with.

I didn't feel at any point in danger in the golf cart

I took a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old on it and felt safe as houses.

It took most of the back streets, and tiny streets without any problem.

The cart had four doors as in this link. https://turtletourrome.com/rome-by-night-in-golf-cart/

We actually changed the tour and removed the Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo as we were going there later in the week.

I could not say enough good things about the tour, highly recommended.

The Turtle Tours "golf cart" does look safer than the ones we drive around here.

Thanks to all who actually answered my question. I did not come across Turtle Tours in my research but will definitely investigate.
I did find some golf cart/food tours. Kind of pricey but heh, in the grand scheme not so much.
Re: Borghese gardens-is this a ticketed site? Not so much interested in the museum but the gardens might fit the bill.
Again, thanks to all.

Yes, admission to the gardens - and the park - is free.

This appears to be the official website:

https://www.sovraintendenzaroma.it/i_luoghi/ville_e_parchi_storici/ville_dei_nobili/villa_borghese

A search on "borghese gardens" will bring back many links for commercial tours, including golf cart tours.