Help with Rome Itinerary for 3/21 to 3/26

Bethanne:
Nice amount of time in Rome! Monday might be nice to take Rick's Dolce Vita Stroll. Tuesday looks a might full. What time is your entry to the Borghese? if the earliest, 0900, then you will wrap up there at 1100 (mandatory 2 hour maximum visit). Spanish Steps (won't take much time, but a short walk to get there) and lunch, then on to the National Museum. Now it's at least 1400, maybe later. I think getting to Via Appia this day is rather ambitious. Maybe set your sights on a little rest and then take Rick's Night Walk Across Rome at about 1800, stop for an aperitivo along the way, then dinner. You can hit the Pantheon (open until 1930 I beleive) and Spanish Steps on this walk, as well as Piazza Navona which is lovely. Wednesday: Morning plan is good, start early! Trajan's Columns, Market & Imperial Forum are not a big attraction, IMHO. More of a walk by. If you want to go to Via Appia, grab a cab from St. Peter in Chains and have lunch on the Via Appia. Get out there by Noon or 1300, and you should have time to see highlights. I know Weds is not reputed to be the best day for Via Appia, so maybe you would want to flip flop Tues & Wed, unless you already have Borghese tickets. Thursday: long day! Another early start. You could also flip flop this day with Weds plan above for better Via Appia access. Friday: Good to plan all day at the Vatican. Should leave you some open time, too, if other items of interest come up. We love Venice and Rome. I am excited FOR you!

Laurel, Thank you!!! I thought Tuesday looked very full as well and just wanted to see what people thought... As for the Appian Way, I caught that after I posted this in the book about Wednesdays not being great for Appian Way so we could definitely flip it to Tuesday. I checked the reservations to book Borghese for either Tuesday or Wednesday and they have plenty of availability, I wanted to get opinions b/f I booked the date, so I'm going to email my B&B today and ask them to make us a reservation for the early Wednesday morning spot. Since were using the Roma Pass I was conflicted on when to go to Naples, I really didn't want to do it our last day in Rome so I figured we could just start the Roma Pass on Monday for use on the subway, then use it on Tuesday and Wednesday for sites and subway and then purchase another set of metro tickets for the Naples trip on Thursday. We then planned to stay around our B&B Vatican area our last day so no need for the metro and then we leave Saturday morning. Does that sound efficient? Also, for Monday...should we move any of these sites to that day? I'm worried about jet lag.... Thanks SOOO much for your help!!!

Monday it is likely you will be so excited that you can do some productive touring. Check in and unpack, shower, grab a light lunch and you will have a burst of energy. Your goal should be to stay awake until about 2100 so that the next morning you are on local time. You might be able to see Colosseum, Forum and Palatino, but I'd suggest snagging a tour guide to do so. The guide will be engaging and help you understand this amazing city you have landed in! (Sorry I didn't recommend this in my first post. I usually do!) We hired Francesca Caruso, [email protected], for 50 euros per hour, 3 hour tour. Fabulous! Have her end the tour with you at the Vittorio. Have a coffee to rejuvenate in the cafe there and then and take the "Rome from the Sky" elevator for a fabulous view, (sunset is about 1820). I am not sure if it is open until 1830 or 1930, so check. By the time you do this tour, you can go back to your room, wash off the day and go for an early (for Rome!) dinner. You'll be raring to go by 0600!

Assuming that you two are young & healthy, do something more on the arrival day. You seem to have missed the Colosseum. How about that for the arrival day afternoon? Have a great trip!

Thanks again Laurel!! Bob, We are 29 & 30, don't know if I would call that young but I really was thinking of that and since both you and laurel have mentioned it, I think we maybe able to do it...I was just so worried about jetlag and a groucy Michael, lol!! Thank you both!!