Help with Rome Visit

I would highly recommend getting a good guidebook, including Rick's Rome guidebook. Also read through the Rome pages in the Explore Europe section of this website: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/rome

Rome certainly has enough sites to keep a visitor busy for at least a week, so give it as many days as you can. At least 3. Realize that your arrival day will have reduced touring time, and you will be operating under the effects of jet lag. I also wouldn't recommend a hop on hop off bus on arrival day. It is rarely an efficient means of transportation. And on arrival day, if attempting to use it as an orientation tour you may find it just lulls you into a nap. Book your entry tickets for sites like the Colosseum, Forum, and Vatican in advance on their official websites.

While Rome is an ancient city, not many of its hotels are relics. You will find plenty that have elevators. (Most also boast modern plumbing and electricity ;-) ). Check accommodation options on booking.com. You can use the filters for price, location, and desired amenities. Make the actual booking on the hotel's official website.

Welcome
What to see and do in Rome-At a Glance
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/rome

Give Rome as many days as you can
Vatican and St Peters Basilica on one day
Colosseum on another

Always book on the official sites-you will need timed entries to Vatican,Colosseum, Borghese
St Peter’s also offers timed entry now
If you are not sure about official sites-ask here before booking

Use the search function here on forum for tour, hotel recommendations
Filter by Type and Date

Plenty of hotels in Rome have elevators
We like staying right in historic center near Pantheon/Piazza Navonna/Campo de’Fiori
You can walk most everywhere from there
Hotel Smeraldo is a forum favorite
Booking.com is a good place to begin your search-use the filters for location , budget, amenities

Hop on/off bus not beneficial in Rome as most sites are in pedestrianized areas-Rome is very walkable and really best seen on foot

Get the RS Rome guidebook

Do not miss -
The Colosseum
The Forum
The Vatican w/St. Peters
The Pantheon
San Clemente (our Fav) and so underrated- it is an old church built on 4 different centuries - 1st Century, 4th Century, etc - very close to the Colosseum

I'd hire a private guide as you'll see things quicker/the highlights, you won't be as overwhelmed, they know how to walk you everywhere quickly and get you thru the lines, & they teach you SO SO much. Plus - they help you get authentic tickets!!

The RS Rome pocket guide book has guide suggestions - we used Sonia Tavoletta for all those above sites for 2 days -- [email protected]
She was fantastic. She can also help with hotel recommendations.

How exciting for you, first cruise and first visit to Rome. A little bit more information will help with suggestions.

When is your trip? Three days barely touches the amazing sights. This helps with all the tour timing plans. You can't wait until the last minute to see some of the venues, like the Vatican and Borghese Gallery.

Roman is a very walkable city. But are you mobile and can maneuver on cobblestones and stairs? An acquaintance with mobility issues took taxis whenever she and her friend got tired. Use Booking.com to research hotels but book direct.

What are your interests? Besides the CoIosseum, add the Roman Forum to your tour. I was underwhelmed at Trevi Fountain, so crowded I could only see it from a distance. But I loved the historical layers of Basilica of San Clemente and the fountains in Piazza Navona are just as nice as fountains go. Don't forget the Pantheon.

As others have suggested, use the RS Rome guide book to help plan your days. Ask questions to clarify the information.
Buon Viaggio!

We mostly walk in Rome. A few times we've used the metro or a bus. I don't think the on/off bus would be worth it. Highly recommend getting a Rick Steves Rome guidebook. Perhaps, the Best of Rome in 7 days would be the best choice. The guidebook will have self guided walking tours, restaurant and hotel suggestions, information on getting around and suggested tour guides.

My first visit to Rome was 11 days, and I ran out of days before I ran out of things to see.

I know it's hard, but try to think of this as your preview to a future trip to Rome. Use it to familiarize yourself with the city and enjoy its ambience. Wander neighborhoods, duck into churches, eat great food. Rome is one big museum. Take your time to appreciate it.

There are no "must-sees" for this trip. Of course you can decide if there are any sights you really want to visit in your limited time, but don't try to cram a lot of tours and timed entries and rushing from place to place into your 2 or 3 days.

Rome will still be there when you have a week or two to immerse yourselves.

All the advice you have received so far is very good. Don’t try to overdo it. When I first visited Rome, as a college student many years ago, I didn’t love it. It rained, I didn’t have much money, it seemed very chaotic, I got a stomach bug. But it grew on me and now it’s one of my favorite cities in the world. Two tips, first, the Colosseum is actually more impressive from the outside than inside. With limited time, I would not bother with the hassle of getting a ticket to go in, just view the outside and spend your time on other things in that area such as San Clemente church and the Forum. Second, you will confuse people by referring to “the cathedral”, presumably you mean St. Peter’s basilica, but that technically is not a cathedral (which means the formal seat of a bishop), as Rome’s cathedral is a different church.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I didn’t mean to imply the hotels would not be modern, but when we traveled to Scotland a lot of hotels did not have “lifts” or ac!

Would the pocket version of the RS Rome book be best to carry with me ? I see both versions have maps which navigating the different parts of the city is the scariest part to me. But looking forward to seeing at least some of the sights.

Thanks to each of you for your input and suggestions. Apparently the validity of websites must be a problem? When I can figure out what we would like tickets to , I will inquire about valid websites.

The maps included with RS guidebooks are not exactly accurate or helpful for walking around-just not detailed enough
They are fine for general planning purposes and the walking tours are good-will take you right past almost all the famous sites
Your hotel can provide a good tourist map or simply use Google maps or an app like CityMapper

Yes they are some scammy websites out there
Once you have your list of sites to see just come back here to confirm official sites for prebooked timed entries

As far as tours book with the actual tour company (Walks of Italy, Tour Guy, Through Eternity are just a few)
Get your Guide and TripAdvisor, etc are resellers they don’t actually run any tours)

. I am trying to decide if 2 additional days to see Rome is sufficient, or I need to plan on 3.

If the Vatican Museum, St Peters, the Coloseum and Trevi Fountain are your 'must do' then 2 days will be fine.

If after you do as suggested (i.e., get a book and see what all is there) and see more things of interest then more days are needed.

offer suggestions on the essentials that we should try to see

That depends on what your interests are.

There's so much to see in Rome! As already suggested, I'd as many days as you can so you can enjoy a nice selection of her treasures without having to do that at a dead run!

Colosseum/Forum/Palatine have already been mentioned, and I'll recommend booking a tour that includes all 3. While the Colosseum is easy to get one's head around - its plan is still the plan for many sports arenas today - the Forum and Palatine are more complex and benefit from a guide. If really NOT into shuffling about in ruins, then maybe just the exterior of the Colosseum is enough. Some companies to look at which provide tours that include all three:
https://www.walksofitaly.com
https://www.througheternity.com
https://theromanguy.com

San Clemente has also been mentioned: I'll concur although unfortunately it's under restoration so while open, hard to say how much is under scaffolding in November. https://www.basilicasanclemente.com/eng/

Trevi is just a walk-by: do it any time of day although early morning and later evening is preferable due to lighter crowds. To get up close and personal with the lower basin involves a 2 € ticket. You do not have to purchase in advance, and you can still see the thing for free outside of posted visiting hours. Don't go Monday mornings when they clean it.
https://fontanaditrevi.roma.it/en

I'll add Galleria Borghese to the list. This is a wonderful collection of art in a structure that was specifically designed and decorated to show it off. Unlike the Vatican Museum's VAST collection, this one only takes 2 hours to enjoy...and in fact sells tickets for mandatory, 2-hour visiting slots: the galleries are cleared between each of those 2-hour slots. Do not wait too long to book your tickets when they become available for November: this one regularly sells out.
https://www.tosc.it/en/artist/galleria-borghese/

Rome's Cathedral? That would be the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. While not as big as St Peter's, its history stretches back much further (it's the oldest public church in Rome) and it houses the cathedra (throne) of the Bishop of Rome...which just so happens to be the Pope. It's well worth a visit, and has a baptistry that was not just the first in Rome but was the model for other ancient octagonal structures built for the same purpose.
https://www.basilicasangiovanni.va/en.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbasilica_of_Saint_John_Lateran

Churches...oh my. So many are very old, very interesting, ridiculously glorious, or all three. And I'm not even very religious. Most are also free so are super bargains for tight budgets.

Very cool piazzas: Navona, del Popolo, Campo de' Fiori, di Spagna, and more.

Anyway, a guide book is going to be really helpful as far as picking and choosing what piques your interest. HOHO bus? I wouldn't personally recommend it as too many of Rome's streets are too narrow to accommodate them, traffic can be fierce, wet weather could have you trying to see out raindrop-covered windows, etc. Rome is a walking city when at all possible; really the very best way to experience this particular historic center. There are public buses, and a somewhat limited metro system that can be useful depending on where you want to go. There are passes of differing values (e.g. 1 day; 48-hour; 72-hour; etc.) that can be a convenience if you intend to take transit enough to make good on the price. What's nice about the passes is that you only have to validate them the first time you use them.

https://www.atac.roma.it/en/tickets-and-passes

There's also tap-and-go and contactless credit card payment; whatever you're most comfortable with. I'm sort of a pass girl as I prefer not to have a phone or credit card in my hand on crowded conveyances or in crowded placed unless I absolutely have to. Whatever works for you!

Get tickets to the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapei and Colosseum as far in advance as you can.

The Metro is good to get around to several places but it is more limited than other major cities - they keep running into ruins when they dig ! Pickpockets on the Metro and other sites are no joke. Be aware and take precautions. My wife was picked on the Metro…fortunately it was right in front of two plainclothes police officers !

Taxis are reasonable. I wish we had used them more because my wife and DIL had mobility issues. Some Metro stations involve quite a bit of walking.

We always stay in monastery/convents in Italy. In Rome both Casa Maria Immacolata and Casa … Margherita Caiani are excellent. Check them and others out at www.monasterystays.com. You don’t need to be Roman Catholic ( we aren’t ) or even any type of Christian to stay there. They have elevators.

3 days is the minimum

Youtubers ROMEWISE and ROZIER ROMA have great info on visiting Rome

I would urge you to add a day or two. You need to account for a bit of jet lag. If you are going all that way, you want to truly enjoy it and see as much as you can. Watch Rick Steves' video series on Rome and pick up his book. They are incredible resources.

We didn't know a lot of about ancient Roman and used Walks of Italy for a tour of the Colosseum and it was worth every penny. Our tour guide really brought the place to life.

We stayed at Hotel Paba and it does have a small elevator.

Be sure to book your Vatican tickets as early as possible as well as any other tours you are planning. They sell out quickly and getting tickets the day of will waste your precious vacation time. Have a fabulous time!!

Don't forget to make time to enjoy the food. And it is my opinion that gelato should be had daily. You have some good advice above. I spent 10 weeks in Rome one time, and still didn't see everything, so you choosing what you are most interested in is the most important. I wouldn't miss the Spanish Steps, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain is not what it used to be...so many tourists, that you really won't see it unless you go at 7 a.m. That's my recommendation.

Thank you so much for all your recommendations. I do have our final flight info so we will arrive on 10/31 in the early morning - after an all night flight - so probably won't be worth much! LOL BUT, then we do not go to the ship until Tuesday, so hopefully we will have 3 full days and part of the arrival day that we can see some sights. I picked up a copy of RS Rome book (and my husband also grabbed the full Italy version) this past weekend, but I haven't had a chance to study it yet.

Can I ask why it is recommended to book with the hotels directly as opposed to Booking.com or Expedia? In fact, my company participates in a program where I am supposed to be able to get discounted hotel tickets but of course you book thru them. Would the hotels not honor those bookings? Or is there a chance the hotel won't receive the reservation? Just curious as I book a lot of hotel rooms thru secondary sites here in the US and normally find the prices are less than thru the hotel site. BUT, I definitely want a room while I am there! : )

Also, do you think that the hotels might have a place a person could store their luggage until their room is available? I don't want to have to drag it around with me all day!

I know that pickpockets can be an issue throughout Europe and I have a "slash proof cross body" that I intend to take with me that I bought when we went to Scotland/England. But, do I need to be concerned about being out past dark, or venturing into any particular places of town that maybe tourists shouldn't go? Do most of you men carry a card wallet in your front pocket to avoid it being stolen?

Thank you all for the help! You all have been wonderful! I am excited and nervous - as I feel I have a LOT to work out quickly, but I feel that thanks to your help, I am making progress.

why it is recommended to book with the hotels directly as opposed to Booking.com or Expedia

For the same reason it is recommended to make ANY booking through the official website of whoever you want a reservation ot ticket. Airline, Hotel, Restaurant, Theatre, Museum, xyz tourist attraction. If there is any problem, and I mean even the slightest problem, or if you need to make a change, then you want to be able to deal directly with them. And not play ping pong between the 3rd party you booked with and the actual site you want to be at or on or in. Everything goes smoothly when booking through a 3rd party until it doesnt. Eliminating the middleman and dealing directly just simplifies everything and uncomplicates any problem resolution. If your company has a contract with an agency that deals with European travel, then by all means use them if they can get your accommodations at a better price. But first go to the actual hotel website to compare prices before booking.

Almost all hotels will store a guest's luggage if they arrive before their room is ready. (Or for the rest of the day after they check out)

As a tourist, you dont need to be afraid of being out after dark, since it is HIGHLY unlikely that you would be wandering around in areas outside the usual tourist areas. And since you are only there for a short time, why would you want to venture away from the central, historic part of Rome?

I can only speak for my DH, but he carries his wallet in a front trouser pocket. The wallet only contains one credit card and a small amount of cash, plus a DL, and our hotel's business card. Everything else is in his neck wallet.

You'll have no issues being out after dark. Rome is at its illuminated best at night, IMHO, and LOTS of people will be out and about!

I've been a loyal booking.com user for years and have had no issues. Sure, it's a matter of what works for the individual but when I have to book a bunch of accommodations, I like to have those bookings all in one place. As well, not all smaller accommodations have their own booking website. So, up to you but I'm they've yet to fail me.

What you DO need to be cautious about is booking advance, timed-entry tickets to some of the attractions. Best to use the official websites for ticketing, and if you don't know what those are, we can help1

Yes, most hotels will store your luggage both before check-out and often afterwards, should you want to sightsee a bit before catching a train to the next location. That's not true of Airbnb or apartment rentals.

Neither my husband nor I of us carry a wallet, a large amount or cash, or our credit cards in an exterior pocket. Ever... although Ii've had to yell at my DH a couple of times to remind him. HA! Light fingers in Italy can be VERY light, and even some well-traveled visitors have found themselves missing some of their goodies when playing loose with them. Pickpockets are nothing to be afraid of if you put those goodies where nobody's fingers but your own can reach them without your knowledge. It's not difficult.

Many thousands of careful travelers make it home from Italy with everything they came with, minus what they spent on lots of fun, that is! :O)

Thank you all! That makes sense - and reminded me that somewhere we DO have a neck wallet that we purchased for my husband to use when we went to London. SMH - I had totally forgotten about it - and at the moment, have no idea where we stashed it, but I am CERTAIN he didn't get rid of it! LOL It might make more sense for me to purchase a second one of those instead of using the cross body - just thought I could stick small items we picked up in there to avoid having to carry bags.

IF I go thru a tour guide say for the Colosseum/Forum etc, and possibly for the Sistine Chapel - the tour guide provides the tickets? OR I purchase the tickets ? I am not sure we would benefit from one at the Chapel.

Thank you all so much for the input!

Neck wallets: before purchasing a second one for you, I'd put the one you already have on and walk around with it for the better part of day? While they work for some, they would fall at a really uncomfortable spot on my chest, be very obvious under my clothing, and I don't personally care for anything larger than a light necklace rubbing at my neck. We do have a cross-body + shoulder bag with locking zippers and they've been the way to go for us. You do have to remember not to hang them from the back of a chair or set them at your feet at outdoor cafe tables.

@Kate Would you mind sharing what type of crossbody locking bag you have? I have a small slingbag (i think is what the young people call them) that would hang close to the front of my body and wouldn't be as bulky as my slash proof bag, but it doesn't lock in any manner. And, actually even if it locked the fabric is such it could easily be cut. I was just hoping the pickpockets are trying to take things unnoticed as opposed to by force... We have one small belt type bag that goes around your waist under a shirt that my husband will probably use, but I could also pick up an extra of those if needed.

Could someone please suggest some specific hotels that you have personally used in recent years in the piazza narvona area? I THINK this would be a good centralized area for us to stay - not positive on that. But I am overwhelmed at all the choices and tryingto locate their actual websites and get pricing. So I thought some personal recommendations might trim the options down some. I am not looking for luxury or anything special- just clean and comfy is all we need. It appears that a queen bed is about as large as is available? Does that sound right? I also need to find the two Convents/monasterys recommended on the map and see if they are close to the area we think we would like to be - I think that could be a very cool place to stay and seem to be reasonable prices.

I don't think a private tour is going to be an option - but I am considering a small group tour for the colosseum/Forum area. Is it recommended to have one for the vatican/sistine chapel visit as well? My husband has difficulty hearing and an accent will only make it more difficult so I am not sure how much info he will glean from a tour. Oh, and it appears that I can not book tickets to the Colosseum until 30 days in advance - but I do think we would like to go to the arena floor. And possibly the attico - has anyone done the attico? I wondered how many flights of steps it would involve? and if it was worth the climb. Doesn't look like you can buy a ticket that includes both extras.

For the sistine chapel - I am not sure we are that interested in the museum at the vatican, but we might want to do a fairly quick walk thru. But, do I obtain tickets for both? And are they both specific timed entry tickets?

Thank you again everyone for all your help! I will feel MUCH better about this trip once I have at least a place to sleep lined up in Rome! :)

we will arrive on 10/31 in the early morning - after an all night flight - so probably won't be worth much! LOL BUT, then we do not go to the ship until Tuesday, so hopefully we will have 3 full days and part of the arrival day that we can see some sights.

I do not follow your calculation.

Arrive Sat 10/31 = part day
Sun 11-1 = Full day
Mon 11-2 = Full day ( beware some sites/museums are closed on Mondays)
Tues 11-3 Board ship = part day at best.

Sorry, I mistyped the date. We leave On the 29th but won’t arrive in Rome until the morning of the 30th which is Friday . So hopefully we will be up to seeing a few sites on Friday, then we will have Saturday/Sunday and Monday. I didn’t realize a lot of things were closed on Monday so I will have to try to look into that further. I suspect we will only be trying to make the journey to get on the ship on Tuesday. Not sure what time we have to board but since we are unfamiliar with the train and port where we have to go, we will want to allow extra time . Sorry about the confusion.

So, you have 4 nights, 3 full days in Rome - which is what we had on our first trip when we took in the Roman Forum, Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s, Santa Maria in Trastevere, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, San Pietro in Vincoli, the Janiculum, the Spanish Steps, the Ghetto or Jewish Quarter, the Sinigoga, Campo Di Fiori and more.

Of course, we had to go back a second time some years later for another 3 nights, 2 full days to see major sights we missed the first time, like the Borgia Gallery, Capitoline Museum, Piazza del Popolo, and churches like Santa Maria del Popolo, San Luigi de Francesi (St Louis of the French, near Piazza Navona, for its Caravaggios) and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva that we missed the first time.

Spend some time with a good guidebook with good pictures and walking tours, such as a DK Eyewitness Guide to Rome, in addition to RS, to help better envision what’s where and what it looks like. Consider your priorities: art, history, neighborhoods, churches, parks, public squares. Three days is not that much.

Buon Viagge.

Gen-
Please take the time to read back through all the previous responses here- a lot of your questions have already been answered. Since you mentioned you have the RS guidebook read that as well- again most of your questions will be answered.

It sounds like your sling bag will do just fine. You don’t really need a locking bag, etc. There should be no valuables in your sling bag- is it zippered? Your valuables are in your money belt- passport (actual passport- not a photo- required by law), extra credit cards, extra cash etc. Use Apple Pay and keep your phone on a lanyard or zipped into your bag or a zippered front pocket.
See this current thread-
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/best-way-to-deter-pickpockets-taking-a-phone

You don’t need large amounts of cash at all. I carry a few euro coins and maybe a small bill or 2 but honestly I have usually come home with all that still in my possession. (for next trip when I probably don’t use it either!)
Nobody is going to knock you down to pickpocket you. Very little violent crime. The Centro Storico is well lit, mostly pedestriainzed and full of tourists and just daily life. Quite safe.
Most pickpocketing happens on public transportation and if you stay in the historic center- near Piazza Navonna-Pantheon-Campo dei’ Fiori you can walk almost everywhere and have no need to use any public transportation.
Take a fixed rate taxi from airport to hotel.
Take a taxi to the Vatican for an early morning tour- taxis are safe and fairly inexpensive. Your hotel can call one for you or else you go to a Taxi rank- those are near every tourist site.

Hotels-
Hotel Smeraldo is very popular here.
Hotel Damaso is a good choice location wise etc.
Hotel 9 Cesari- love this place, fantastic bkft and rooftop terrace
Hotel Albergo del Senato- view of Pantheon

Do a search here for recommendations- there are literally dozens of hotels in the P Navonna area. Use Google maps to locate each one.
One bit of advice- choose the largest room you can afford. Since you are going on a cruise I assume you have some luggage- it is no fun tripping over luggage in a hotel room.
Beds in Europe are different measurements than in US. A queen is almost the same as a king here. Often a “queen” will be 2 twins pushed together and made up as one bed. Take a look at the photos on hotel websites to see how this works- it is perfectly fine.

I am again going to encourage you to go to booking.com - use the filters for budget, location, amenities (elevator, AC, bkft, beds, etc) and narrow down to a few choices. The maps on booking.com are decent enough to ID location. The reviews are legit as those can only be left by actual customers.
A search for your dates brings up over 300 options with AC, elevator, hotel, free cancellation. You can further narrow that by rating, budget, etc.
There is nothing wrong with booking on Booking.com- I do it often but first find the actual hotel website and compare prices. As a genius member of booking.com I do get discounts and also check on your mobile phone as there are often special mobile prices.
I always book with Free Cancellation.

Come back here with list of hotels that fit your needs and we can help you choose.

Tours- If Vatican and Sistine chapel are important I would book a tour with someone like Walks of Italy. The Sistine Chapel is IN the Vatican Museums- not a separate ticket and there is no way possible to “do a quick walk through” of the Vatican” It is extremely crowded at almost all times.
Some tour groups are allowed access to St Peter’s thru the secret tour- confirm this
Otherwise St Peter’s does offer prebooked timed entires now that will get you in quicker. Nobody skips the security line.

Colosseum- I don’t think it is at all necessary to do the floor and attic- those tickets/tours are almost impossible to get. Do a tour with Walks of Italy that includes the Forum and let them worry about grabbing those tickets instead of trying yourself.

There is no rule that says you MUST see the Sistine Chapel- just know that it will be a mob scene. The Vatican Museum are literally miles and miles of art. If art is not your thing it may not be necesary. We did it once and I swore - never again.
However I would recommend going to the Borghese Gallery. That is a 2 hour timed entry so not crowded and the Bernini sculptures are jaw dropping. You can meander down thru the park to Piazza Popolo afterwards then on to Spanish Steps and Trevi.

Book with the official venue website or a legit tour company. (Not Get Your Guide, Viator, etc to avoid any issues)

If you really want all of your days planned consider a food tour on Monday- they are so much fun. Eating Europe does a great job and gives you a guided tour of different neighborhoods. Not sure what they offer now but their Trastevere tour was wonderful, many others have raved about the Testaccio tour.
I am sure somebody offers a Jewish Ghetto food tour which would be good as well.

I wouldn’t plan anything important for your arrival day- (no paid tours, prebooked entries) just do one of the walks from RS guide, get your bearings, enjoy lunch and people watch at a cafe on a piazza.
If you stay in a hotel- they will hold your luggage before and after check in. We almost always are able to get into our room on arrival- we do take a quick nap- it works for us. There is no right or wrong way to deal with jet lag- do what you feel will work for you.

I didn’t realize a lot of things were closed on Monday

Only the major state museums are closed on Monday- everything else is open so this is not a huge concern. Rome has so much more than museums!
Vatican is closed on Sunday
Do the Vatican on Saturday, Colosseum on Sunday
Use your evenings to wander the historic center- using RS Heart of Rome walks that’ll take you past all the fountains and through piazzas. Most of these sites are just walk by.
Churches are mostly free and are a wonderful place to stop to cool off, get away from crowds, sit for a bit and enjoy the amazing art.

You have to pick and choose what is important to you. Rome cannot be seen in just 3 days. We’ve been 5 times and still want to go back for more.

Kate Would you mind sharing what type of crossbody locking bag you
have

Baggallini and PacSafe, not that we carry both at one time. We can't tolerate moneybelts or neck wallets thus a locking bag works for carrying the valuables. We're not worried about a bag being slashed. Anyway, there's no right or wrong as long as you take some precaution. We're all different and use different methods of keeping the goodies safe.

In 2022, I stayed at Casa di Santa Brigida convent. It is adjacent to Campo de Fiori, an easy location for getting to most of the main sights. It was not easy to get a room, as it is popular and inexpensive, so try and reserve early. The rooms were basic, clean and quiet. You can get a private bath, but no mini fridge. AC is available, but on a timed basis. No curfew. The convent had a small elevator. The main thoroughfare, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, is a few blocks away. That street has many bus lines that can easily take you to Vatican City or the Colosseum area. The buses are easy to navigate.

In 2024, I stayed at Hotel Cellini which is close to metro station Repubblica. An advantage for getting to the Galleria Borghese and the Colosseum area. A short taxi ride from Termini train station too, if you use the Leonardo Express from the airport to Termini and the historical center of Rome. My room was large compared to European standards and the hotel had an elevator. The hotel was close to a local mall which had restaurants and a bakery.

Either accommodation was a good option.

Enjoy your stay.

Hi there, you've gotten lots of good advice! Do take some time to read up on Rome, there's a lot on the RS site. I would start here - https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/rome, look at videos by scrolling down to 'watch'.

For the sistine chapel - I am not sure we are that interested in the
museum at the vatican, but we might want to do a fairly quick walk
thru.

Unless you REALLY want to go to the Vatican museums, since you only have 3+ days in Rome, skip it. There's no such thing as a quick walk through and it will be jammed! Maybe IF you're really interested, just go into St Peters, which only has a security line, (earlier in the day the better). Seriously you don't have to see any particular site! Though IMO, it would be sad if you didn't get out early and just take a walk past Piazza Navona to the Trevi Fountain, or vice versa. I found the TF to be much quieter early in the day than any time later. https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/rome-passeggiata

We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Smeraldo. Would recommend a slightly more expensive inner courtyard-facing room, much quieter, and Christine has given you a short list in the area around Campo di Fiori & Piazza Navona. I would book hotel asap.

Not sure what time we have to board but since we are unfamiliar with
the train and port where we have to go, we will want to allow extra
time

Ask the cruise company? Plan PLENTY of time leaving Rome to get to the port, especially if you want to take a taxi. It's been said before, but pack as light as you can stand, you won't regret it.
PS, I should have added that an evening stroll down the Foro Romano between the BIG WHITE monument (you can't miss it!) to Victor Emmanuelle to the Colosseum is really nice, no need to go inside either IMO. Hope you have a fantastic trip!!

Thank you all so much! I am finding that the prices in the RS Rome book must be a little dated so I was wondering if we should attempt to take a taxi from the airport to our hotel? Or the hotel has said they could have a car pick us up for 80 euros., and someone drive us to the port for 130 Euros - which seems pretty steep to me, but I have no idea what a taxi or train trip would cost. The hotel said the train station is about 15 mins away by taxi and that it would take about 2 hrs on the train to reach the Port (or close), and it would take about an hour by car. Does anyone have any idea if these rates are reasonable? Or other suggestions ?

It looks like we do not have to be at our ship until around 3 pm - doesn't leave the port until 6, but we will probably shoot for arriving around 2- 2:30. But, that does give us the morning to possibly see a few sites close to the hotel before checking out or leave our luggage with them temporarily.

One more question, I had planned to book a tour of the Colosseum that included a trip to the floor - just thought it would be cool to see that view and the price wasn't much different. BUT, my husband noticed the book recommended not to even go inside, just look from the outside, but I have wanted to see the Colosseum for years and I really can't imagine going and not going inside -but maybe it isn't worth the money?? I know the issue seems to be the crowd and really not being able to see because of all the people.... so perhaps it would be disappointing. I would welcome opinions of people who did the floor tour if you found it worthwhile.

Also, IS the only way to see the Sistine Chapel with a museum ticket? I see some early or late tours that seem to be the Sistine chapel only? But, I was hoping to see the basilica as well. Are there other sites that should be seen in the vatican city? I am not Catholic and honestly don't know much about it - but trying to learn! Thank you all again for all the wonderful help. I am slowly making my way thru the book - but work has demanded too much of my time the past month and is making it very difficult. Thankfully my husband is also going thru parts of it as well.

Also, IS the only way to see the Sistine Chapel with a museum ticket?
I see some early or late tours that seem to be the Sistine chapel
only?

I haven't seen any of the tours you mention but find it hard to believe they're Sistine ONLY. The chapel is IN the Vatican Museums, is located at the furthest end of them, and does not have a separate ticket or entrance. You have to walk quite a distance and past a LOT of stuff to get to it. The route thru is also the same for practically every tour group and independent traveler - as the Sistine is THE thing on most everyone's list - so can be very crowded and slow-going. Tour guides are not allowed to speak within the chapel.

To combine a tour of the Sistine/museums and basilica you must book one through a tour company that specifically offers that benefit. The same companies I'd previously recommended for the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine also operate V. Museum tours. I'd say (whilst ducking flying tomatoes from fans of the Sistine/Museums), that if you're not really into art, you could give this a skip and just go see the basilica.

We've not done the Colosseum's arena floor (the area that covers one end of the basement level) but don't feel we've missed anything. You can see down into the uncovered bottom level from points all around the inside perimeter. I can completely understand your desire to see more than the exterior walls, and the advice to skip the interior is largely for travelers that have limited time to cover ground. That said, the design is essentially the same as for current arenas!

Where is your hotel? A cab from the airport to hotels "within the walls" has a set price of €55.00. I'm pretty sure yours will fall into that category but need an address.
https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-taxi

The port of Civitavecchia is some distance from central Rome so €130 isn't really "steep." It very possibly is going to be more. This recent post will be helpful:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/transportation-from-rome-hotel-to-civitavecchia-cruise-port

At the moment I have a room reserved at Gonfalone 6, Via del Gonfalone, 6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy - I am still trying to figure out the city, but since it is on the Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona side of the River Tiber, I assume it qualifies as "inside the wall"??? When I google it - it does say a little over an hr to the port which is what they told me, but it sounds like the taxi is much cheaper to the hotel. I am still searching for other hotel options as I wanted to be closer to Piazza Navona but as best I can tell as a newbie, this area is close and similar perhaps?? Maybe not quite as easy as access as some of the Campo de Fiori hotels - but I was having trouble finding availability during the time of our stay, and so I wanted to secure something with reasonable ratings.

Thank you for the clarification on entering the Sistine Chapel. Sounds like we will get to see part of the museum after all! LOL .... but, that is fine as well. My current tentative plan is to go to the Colosseum on Saturday after our arrival early Friday morning, and try to see all the sites in that area if that is possible in one day. It is about a 30 min walk from the hotel to that area - and I hope to see a few interesting things along the way to break up the walk. I also saw a couple of Basilicas in the area that look interesting that we will see if we have time. My thought was to go along the river headed that way, and possibly come back by a different route to see more of the city. Not sure what Sunday will involve, but probably just some sight seeing around the inner city - the Pantheon and TF, possibly the spanish stairs - although I would like to at least peak in a couple of the nicer shops in that area who I assume will be closed on Sunday - so some of this may get rearranged as I try to get a game plan together. Then I thought we could go to the Vatican on Monday. Still very much in the planning stages but at least I feel better knowing we have a place to sleep if something else we like the location on better doesn't pop up. Thanks so much for the feedback!! I am excited and nervous as well - but figure this is our one shot at Rome! Trying to maximize it as best I can. I don't know ANY italian really - a few words and that is after hosting an Italian exchange student for a year - but that was 2010!!

Your hotel location is perfectly fine
Less than a 10 min walk to P Navonna
If it suits your needs I see no reason to change it

Taxi from airport is fixed rate 55 euros
Go to official taxi line-follow the signs
ignore anyone “offering”a taxi before that point
Get in line, wait your turn it won’t take long
Hand the driver your address written on slip of paper
All taxis are required to accept creit cards-confirm with driver that you want to pay by card ( if you do)
Otherwise have 55 euros cash ready
No tip required or necessary please!

It probably does cost about 130 euros to the port
Train requires changes and some walking
I would take the hotel offer

Gonfalone 6, Via del Gonfalone, 6, 00186 Roma RM is "within the walls", and very much "In" the city.

Your hotel is actually in a very good location.
It is just outside the pedestrianized area so your taxi can drop off/pick up right at the door.
You are only 15 min or so to St Peter's Basilica.

When you walk to the Colosseum don't go along the river- that is a bit boring- head towards P Navona or Campo de'Fiori and flow Corso V Emaneule. That will take you past lots of interesting sites- including the Large Argentina where Julius Caesar was killed, cat sanctuary, Piazza Venezia- Mussolini balcony, then the Victor Emmanuel monument (wedding cake).

On the walk back maybe dip down into the Jewish Ghetto area.

Window shopping around Spanish Steps would have to be Fri or Sat.
Drop your bags on Friday and do the Heart of Rome Walk- that takes you past many of the piazzas, fountain, sights including Spanish Steps, Trevi etc. I think walk starts in P Popolo so just do it backwards and end up there. Lovely spot for a drink or gelato.

I think you will be surprised at how walkable Rome is- something to see everywhere you look.

I'd like to add that going on one of the golf cart tours could be really beneficial for you because they can get through the narrow streets and you can sit and see a lot of stuff in central Rome !

Thank you Kate and Christine! That is reassuring that it is in a good location! And, I appreciate the suggestions! I feel so overwhelmed since there is so much I do NOT know! Will the signs at the airport be in English as well for the Taxis? Or will I need to plan to use google translate?

That you also Anne Margaret for the suggestion on the golf cart tour! That seems like it might be a great way to see some of the sights and learn some things about the city as well. It is one I haven't seen anything about either!

I will say that a MONTH ago I had no idea where ANYTHING was located in Rome - but I can actually open google maps now and go straight to Piazza Navona - and know where several sights are from there so to speak. There are still probably a million things that I have no idea what they are or where they are, but we should be able to at least take in part of the major tourist stops and hopefully have some time to wonder and see the sights that we don't know about. Very nervous about not speaking any foreign language - but hopefully I can communicate in some manner to get us thru the essentials! A look ahead at the weather looks like overnight temps in the mid 50s (which sounds like heaven at the moment since it is pushing 100 or over every day here still!), and daytime temps of mid 70s. Looks like a chance of rain one day - but that is a long time off to be worried about rain! :) So, if those temps hold we should have pretty nice temps for our visit.

Thank you all for being so willing to share your knowledge!

Taxi pickup location info:
https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-taxi

As Christine mentioned above, use ONLY taxis from the official taxi stand. As the FCO website states:

"Official taxis at Fiumicino are white and display a “TAXI” sign on the roof. The symbol of the municipality of reference is shown on the front doors, while the licence number is displayed on the doors, on the back and inside the vehicle. Passengers should use only authorised (sic) vehicles located in the dedicated areas. Any other vehicle available in the Arrivals area may not have a regular taxi licence (sic) and may apply conditions different from those provided for the official taxi service."

Should we do the on/off bus pass?

IMHO? No. Traffic in Rome is fierce, the buses are too big for many of the narrow streets, and sometimes you can get from A to B faster on foot than on a bus. They're especially not worth the $ if it's raining and you can't see out the windows very well.

Editing to add: we speak almost no Italian other than some manner words/phrases and had no issues. People in the hospitality industry in Rome are well used to hosting people from all over the world, and a fair amount speak English very well. Let's just say more can speak a 2nd language (and sometimes a 3rd, 4th...) than in my own country!

Signs at the airport will be in English (and also painted on the floor IIRC)

Don’t worry about the language barrier
Learn a few phrases
Please, thank, buongiorno, buonasera (after 4)
Dove il toilette?
Toilette is a universal word
You are among thousands of other tourists in a highly touristed city where most everyone you deal with will speak English

Read this current thread
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/speaking-with-google-translate-and-i-am-still-awful

Recent thread on golf cart tours
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/first-time-to-italy-with-two-college-aged-kids-looking-for-tour-recommendations

Thanks for those links - some good info there Christine! I had not thought about the golf carts being in with cars on the streets and not as much protection in the event of a wreck...... I am sure that Rome is so crowded that traffic can be crazy.........

Would you all suggest obtaining Euros before we leave since we will need to pay the taxi driver that takes us to our hotel upon arrival? When we traveled to Scotland/England, we did get some money ahead of time but I wasn't sure it was useful except for a couple of smaller villages we traveled thru that preferred not to use cards. We also rented a car in Scotland so didn't have to pay a taxi. I know some people have recommended utilizing Bank ATMs but I wasn't sure if we would have access to one of those in the airport? And do I HAVE to have a debit card with me for the ATM transactions? I am more nervous about traveling with a debit card because at least you have protections on a credit card. Takes more time to get fraudulent charges off that were done on a debit - or so I have been told.

And, on a similar subject, do you usually carry more than one CC with you in case one account is compromised in some manner while you are there?

Slowly but surely making progress on getting this trip planned out. Thank you all!

Would you all suggest obtaining Euros before we leave since we will
need to pay the taxi driver that takes us to our hotel upon arrival?

gen-- this question comes up often. I am going to link to a recent discussion that should give you the info you need- Roberto's info is most important in this thread

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/travel-to-italy-from-us

We get a small amount of euros (50-100) from our AAA before we leave. Don't want to hassle with finding and using an ATM high crappy rates when we arrive jet lagged.
If we need more cash along the way we use our debit card at a bank BANCOMAT during bank open hours but honestly the last few trips we have hardly used the cash euros that we brought.
Most everything is tap and pay now so you just won't need much cash.

We each carry (in our money belt, along with our passports) 2 diff credit cards. My husband keeps just 1 card handy which we use almost exclusively along the way for meals, hotels, taxi, etc.

Another suggestion- maybe post this question and others in a new thread with a more specific subject line. This thread already has 41 posts and you will likely get more eyes on a new thread.