I think I can do this

Your trip is in October, right?

yes...coming from sorrento...via naples...first night I will do the spanish steps...trevi fountain and pantheon...maybe the wedding cake

I think skipping the vatican museum...with so little time in rome might allow this last day before heading to Venezia for 3 days

to see Michelangelo's pieta in person is a must for this trip

No, you didn't mention doing the museums too or I'd be doubtful you could pull this off. The three you have are do-able although I'd probably be in line at the basilica a little before the doors open in the morning.

I might opt to do the Borghese the afternoon you get in from Sorrento, and the Spanish Steps + Trevi, which are just walkbys, after that. A linear walk of Basilica>Pantheon>Vittorio Emanuele> Colosseum> metro back to Spagna makes more sense to me. This isn't going to be a Sunday or Monday, right?

yes on a sunday...I have not thought of doing the Borghese on arrival...maybe check into the hotel and have a late ticket to the borghese...then see the classic roman sights during the late afternoon/night...that might work

I can always move it to a Tuesday if need be

Sorry, I should have been more specific...
This isn't going to be the FIRST Sunday in the month of October?

Last month, I did the Borghese at 1:00 and the Coliseum at 4:00. That worked fine. I took a taxi from Borghese to Coliseum since time was a little short. I didn't do St. Peter's in the morning, but that would definitely be possible. I don't think you want to try to do the Vatican Museum on the same day.

I agree with Kathy. I was in Rome last month and it is very efficient to go from the Borghese (through a really lovely park) to the Spanish Steps (you will walk down them, not up) and then onto the Trevi. There are great places along the way to stop for a coffee or gelato and even some shopping.

Check the hours for the Pantheon hours, when we were there last month it closed at 7:15 and they start ushering you out the door about 10-15 minutes prior. It is a must see inside.

As for the Vatican/Coliesium, we did it is one day on a private tour and it was a lot of walking and taxing between the two sites. The Vatican is a zoo at anytime, but especially in the mid-morning to afternoon and without a knowledgeable guide, it is difficult to navigate through the artwork. To really experience the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and the Basilica, you need at least 2 hours, but really 3 and that is assuming you get a skip-the-line ticket.

Rome is fabulous. It is a big city with a lot of people/traffic, but it has great neighborhoods and people watching. It is one of the cities in Europe that I could live in and I hope you get a chance to experience that side of Rome as well.

Have a great trip.
Sandy

The Vatican is a zoo at anytime, but especially in the mid-morning to
afternoon and without a knowledgeable guide, it is difficult to
navigate through the artwork. To really experience the Vatican,
Sistine Chapel, and the Basilica, you need at least 2 hours, but
really 3 and that is assuming you get a skip-the-line ticket.

Our OP isn't planning on doing the museums, just the basilica. That makes it more possible to hit the things on the list in a day.

Thanks for all of the advice. I've done italy a few times but am taking an italy first-timer on this trip and want to see as much as possible in our short stay in Rome. Our time in Sorrento and Venezia I have nothing booked...I just want to play those stays as chill time and don't mind having a little rushed time in Rome.