Initial Rome itinerary attempt

Stresa is a very good choice to start your trip!

I think you've done a good job of organizing your Rome sightseeing geographically.

In case you are not aware, you'll need to get tickets for the Vatican Museums, Colosseum and Galleria Borghese way ahead of time. I assume the same is true for the dome climb. I went to the Pantheon before it was ticketed and am not up on the current situation there.

"I love churches" and "I am on a tight budget" is an excellent combination. There are so many fabulous churches in Rome, most of them free. It's not always easy to find their hours of operation online, so it's a good idea to pause and take a look at the posted hours as you walk by any church that might be of interest. Smaller churches are likely to take a lunch break, and some do not reopen after lunch.

I imagine you've uncovered these already, but here are four I would not want to miss:

• In Trastevere: Santa Maria in Trastevere and Santa Cecilia in Trastevere (don't miss the crypt!)

• Near Stazione Termini and Santa Maria Maggiore: Santa Prassede and Santa Pudenziana. Santa Pudenziana had limited hours as of February 2023. These two have lovely, very old mosaics.

Be sure you always have some 1-euro coins on hand, because the free churches may have coin-fed light boxes you'll want to use for a better view of mosaics and/or frescoes.

In addition to the core of the Quartiere Coppede, I also enjoyed walking around the area north, west and south of Piazza, which is very nearby and has somewhat similar architecture.

The area around the Trevi Fountain is thronged even in the winter, so if you happen to be passing near it very early or very late, it's worth swinging by then. It's large enough that you'll be able to see it, but you will probably be looking over the heads of a lot of people even at quieter times.

Edited to add: I love Orvieto. It has more than a solid day's worth of sights, but you'll probably want to focus first on the cathedral and the related museum. The nice thing about Orvieto is you can make that decision while you're in Rome, based on how your city sightseeing is progressing and what you're in the mood to do. The RV trains (regionals that skip some stops) don't take much longer than the InterCity trains. Regional train fares do not vary, and there are no assigned seats, so there's no advantage to buying those tickets in advance. Roundtrip fare is about 19 euros on the RVs. InterCity fare will vary but goes at least as high as 35 euros roundtrip. Getting to Orvieto involves taking a funicular (more fun) or bus up to the historic town from the train station, so there's more travel time involved than you would think from just looking at the train schedule. You'll be glad of a full, long day in Orvieto, because it has many charming streets to wander as well as multiple interesting museums.

Thanks to both of you for your replies!

Suki, I can thank Jean from Idaho on this forum for the Stresa suggestion. I think it looks like a fantastic place to rest up and get my feet under me while at the same time adding to my various different experiences on the trip.

acraven, I do have those churches marked on my list and the other info you've mentioned. I'd read some of your previous posts about church viewing :) Also, I did know about the tickets pre-visit. As soon as they're out I hope to get them. That's another reason I want to have a solid itinerary fairly soon.

I love the thought that the Orvieto choice can be later. It seems like it would be a bit different from Rome and give me yet another experience? I do want to have a planned itinerary in case I want to go last minute and I want to have a last day itinerary just in case for Rome too.

Are there any particular days that are packed enough and don't need more? I do have lots of things I have noted that I can add to my days! Usually, I have to take things off my daily itinerary plans instead of add :)

I'd like to see some churches most every day in the area that I'm in that day.

Generally, I'd like to tour early in the morning starting by 8 am to avoid crowds, eat lunch on the go, tour in the afternoon, have an appertivo, have dinner, stroll around a piazza/people watch, eat gelatto, and then back to my lodging to journal, relax, have a glass of wine and turn in by 10 pm'ish.

Nothing to add, except to compliment you on planning a fairly relaxed pace for your first trip!

I think you'll find Orvieto a nice contrast to Rome.

I can't really judge how much time you'll need on your days in Rome because you're doing so many things I did not. (I did a lot more art museums.) There's also the factor of how much of your moving around will be done on foot and how conveniently located your hotel is.

Keep in mind that having an admission ticket for a specific time doesn't guarantee you'll start your indoor sightseeing at that time. For example, at the Vatican Museums on Day 3 you'll line up outdoors with other 8 AM ticket holders, then you'll be let into the ticket lobby (not necessarily all of you at once), where you'll line up at individual ticket windows to exchange your reservation voucher for a ticket. That could easily take 10 or 15 minutes, I'd guess--conceivably longer if they decide to be hardcore and ask everyone for ID.

On Day 2 you'll need to be at the Borghese early, so build in a buffer after the dome climb. The Borghese manages things very carefully, clearing the earlier visitors before a new group is allowed in, so you should get into the gallery pretty much on time.

It looks like you've got quite a bit of free time on Day 4.

I'm not religious, much less Catholic, so I am clueless about how much time you'll spend at the services you want to attend on Day 5, but there seems to be extra time there as well.

While the Testaccio Market is a popular foodie destination, I found the architecture in that part of town not particularly interesting. Perhaps I missed the best streets, but my inclination is to say you may not want to spend a lot of time just walking around there.

It turns out Rome has multiple cat sanctuaries. You've pinpointed the best one to visit, but you might like to know where the others are. One's quite near the Protestant Cemetery; maybe that's why I encountered cats at the cemetery; those were very skittish. https://thiswaytoitaly.com/cat-sanctuaries-in-rome-italy/

Thank you, S J. I can pack an itinerary with the best of them though :)

acraven, Thanks for the cat link. The Testaccio Market seemed to fit in with the itinerary that day, and I love markets. Here's my list:
Mercato di Campagna Amica (near Cricus Maximus) Sat. and Sun.
Borghetto Flaminio (flea market) Sunday only
Mercato dell'Unità–Prati M-Sat

Mercato di Testaccio–M-Sat 7 am–2 pm
Mercato Trionfale– Vatican–M-Sat–8 am–1 pm
Mercato Monti–Sat-Sun 8am 10 pm

Maybe it would be better on day 6/Monday to visit the Trastevere area instead of Testaccio?

I'll keep working on the itinerary and thanks for the suggestions!

Joby, I saw your list of markets and just wanted to recommend the one near Circus Maximus if you are in the vicinity on the weekend. When I lived in Rome (up until last year) this was a favorite of mine. It is all food and products from the Lazio region and where many Romans shop. A great variety of vendors, with lots of cheese, olive oil, wine, baked goods and preserved meats in addition to fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. There is also a mini "food court" in the rear of the market where you can get lunch. Prices are very reasonable.

ponygirl813, That sounds like a lovely market, thanks. I think I'll delete the Testaccio market and see if I can fit this one in instead. It's only Saturday and Sunday 8 am-3 pm I see though. Local markets off such good people watching as well as photography sometimes! Bonus of good foods to snack on too and food souvenirs :)

Hello,

I sent an email concerning the discounted admission tickets (from the Scavi tour I have already purchased) to St. Peter's, the Dome and the St. Peter's museum.

This is the reply I received and would like to know if I'm understanding it correctly:

Visitors must show the Scavi Tour Ticket at the Museum ticket office, at the entrance to the Dome, at the Basilica's desk no later than 2 days from the ticket issue date:
· Guided tour of the Basilica: € 10,00
· Basilica's audio guide € 3,00
· Entrance to the Museum of St. Peter's Basilica € 4,00
· Entrance to the Dome of the Basilica with lift € 8,00
Guided tours of the Basilica are available in the following time slots:
· From Monday to Saturday 10.30, 12.00, 15.30.
· Sunday 14:00
(Please note that tours will start in the Portico of St. Peter's Basilica).

My questions I asked in the email were:

Can I pre-puchase a ticket for climbing the Dome 2 days before my Scavi tour?

Can I pre-puchase a ticket for visiting the Basilica with a guide (the day of my Scavi tour) at 10:30 am?

How long is the guided basilica tour? Do I have to rejoin a line to get into the Basilica with your 10:30 am tour?

If I purchase a ticket to the Museum of the basilica, when can I enter the museum? Is there another line to enter the museum?

The response:

Good morning,
we can offer you a guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica with one of our experienced guides on the day you indicated at the following times:
10.30
12.00
15.30
Available languages: Italian, English, Spanish, French
Duration of the visit: 1 hour
Cost of the visit: € 10.00 each
There is currently no "skip the line" mode.
We look forward to your kind confirmation for the day, time, number of participants and language.
Payment can be made at our desk office, located in the atrium of the Basilica by credit card or cash.
Please be advised that there are currently no reservations for the entrance to the dome and the entrance to the Basilica museum.
You may purchase tickets at the respective ticket offices on the day of your visit.
Kind regards,

On day 5 (Saturday) of my current itinerary I have a Scavi tour at 9 am. Would I be safe to request a 10:30 am guided tour of St. Peter's after the tour? I don't have to go through another security line, correct? The reply says I can confirm now and pay the day of. will I have time to do that after the Scavi tour and before the 10:30 Basilica tour?

If I'm understanding correctly on the Dome and museum, I can get discounted tickets, but no other advantages with lines, etc.?

I also specifically asked if I could purchase the Dome ticket 2 days prior to my Scavi tour with no direct answer, am I right on that?

Also, consider visiting Trajan's Forum and the Capitoline Museum.

Don't delete the Testaccio Market!! It offers more than just food. I added an extra day to my Rome portion of my trip just so I can go there again.
For cat sanctuaries, this one is the most popular, and you can go in and pet the cats. Roman Cats
Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary https://www.gattidiroma.net/web/en/

For my Day 4 Saturday, would this be doable and a better use of time without much risk missing a tour?

Scavi tour 9:00 am (1 ½ hours guided tour)

Climb St. Peter’s dome 10:30 am (1 hour self guided with ticket reserved, but not paid for from Scavi purchase)

St. Peter’s tour 12 noon (1 hour guided tour with Scavi purchase)

Thanks for the help so far :)

I've been working and rearranging the Rome itinerary with help from the suggestions above. I put approximate times in just for a visual way for me to see if I had time to do the visit and the visit fit the open times of the place.

Would you offer your thoughts on this attempt please?

Day 1 Wednesday

~10:35 arrive by train from Florence (~10:35 am)

~1:00 - 2:00 pm Capuchin Crypts (10 –5:30) (1 hour)
Piazza Barberini
~4:00 Santa Maria della Vittoria (8.30-12.00 & 4.00-6.00)

~4:30 San Marcello al Corso church (weekdays: 9.30 - 8.00)

Dinner
Piazza Navona

Day 2 Thursday

~8:00 - 12 noon Vatican museums

~1:30 - 3:30 St. John Laterano
~4:00 Scala Santa – Across from Saint John Lateran, (stairs 9:00-1:00 & 3:00-5:00)
~4:30-5:00 Liberation museum
Dinner

Day 3 Friday

8:30 – 11:30 Colosseum/Arena floor/Forum/Palatine hill guided tour (~ 3 hours guided tour)

~12 - 12:30 Gesu church (8-12:30 or 4:00-7)
~12:30 - 1:00 Maria Ara Coeli (10-1 or 4-6)
~1:30 - 2:30 Cat Sanctuary (12–4:30)
~3 - 3:30- St. Mary of Minerva until (11-1:00 or 3-7)
~4 - 5:00 Pantheon (9:00-7:00) San Lorenzo in Lucina w/ tic from Pantheon
~5:30 - 6:00 Sant'ignazio
~6 - 6:30 Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli (8.00 – 12.30 & 3.00 – 7.00)
Dinner
Capitoline Hill–night time views of Rome

Day 4 Saturday

9-10:30 Scavi tour 9:00 am (1 ½ hours guided tour)

~10:45-11:45 Climb St. Peter’s dome w/elevator 10:30 am (1 hour)

12:00-1:00 St. Peter’s tour (1 hour guided tour)
~2-4:00 San Clemente church & crypts (9-12:30 or 2-6) (6 min Taxi to Borghese?)
5-7:00 Borghese (2 hr tour)
Dinner

Day 5 Sunday

9:30 Mass at Santo Spirito
12 noon Angelus (30 min)
~2:30 Catacombs of Priscilla (2 hour guided tour) (9- 12 & 2- 5)
~6:00 Castel Sant'angelo evening (1 1/2 hour) (7.30pm –last entry 6.30pm)
Dinner
Spanish Steps–see at night
Trevi Fountain-see at night

Day 6 Monday

~9 - 11:00 Non-Catholic Cemetery (2 hour)
~11:30 San Saba basilica (10-12 & 4-6)
~12:30 Lunch–Perilli restaurant ~12:30 pm
~2:00 Keyhole on Aventine Hill

~2:30 Giardino degli Aranci

~3 - 4:00 Stroll Trastevere area

~4:00 Basilica of Santa Maria Trastevere (9 –5:30)
~4:30 Basilica of Saint Cecilia (10–12.30 am & 4-6 pm)
Janiculum Hill
Arco degli Acetari arch
Dinner
Campo deFiori evening

Day 7 Tuesday

~8:30 St. Cosmas & Damian (daily 10.00 – 1.00- and 3 – 6)
~9:00 Basilica of Saint Praxedes (10-12 & 2-4)
~9:30 Basilica of Saint Pudentiana (9.00-11.30)
10:30 St. Maria Maggiore (10:30 English guided tour (1 ¼ hr tour))
Shopping
Jewish Ghetto
Dinner

Day 8 Wednesday

FCO flight noon

When you go to the Cat Sanctuary I would go into the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle which is a couple of blocks away.

When you go to the Pantheon I would also visit the Church of St. Louis of the French which is a couple of blocks away and you can see 3 Caravaggios.

When you go to the Spanish Steps I would also go to the Basilica Parrocchiale Santa Maria del Popolo which is a few block away to see 2 Caravaggios.

I would go to Santa Maria della Vittoria, Santa Maria Maggiore and Saint Praxedes the same day since they are relatively close to each other and in the same side of the city.

I'd add Santa Pudenziana to Marco's last list (the group around Santa Maria Maggiore). It's a small 4th-century church with mosaics. As of winter 2023 it had limited opening hours, just 9 to 11:30 AM Monday-Saturday. I think there was online information indicating longer hours, but the times I've given here are the ones posted near the door.

For the churches that are free to enter, there is often a coin-fed light box to illuminate important frescoes or mosaics. You'll want to have some 1-euro coins on hand.

Thanks, Marco for the additional churches--so beautiful and 2 weren't on my list. I had previously looked up Basilica Parrocchiale Santa Maria del Popolo though, and it's listed as temporarily closed :(

Thanks for the post acraven but I "think" Santa Pudenziana is also known as Basilica of Saint Pudentiana and it's on my itinerary for Tuesday, day 7. Please correct me if I'm mistaken :)

I appreciate all of the helpful suggestions and comments!!

Yes, you're right, Joby. I missed that in your updated itinerary.

One more suggestion.

On day 1, maybe go into the Palazzo Barberini which is right by the Piazza Barberini and you can see works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Tintoretto and others and is relatively small.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/72uf5YeDHvWWHxZx6

Marco, I've noted your suggestion. Thanks.

acraven, Glad I have confirmation the two names are for one church :)

Signs for Saint Praxedes will probably say "Santa Prassede".

Thank you, acraven :)

Does the above itinerary look pretty good or are there any other recommended changes?

I'd like to get my Rome itinerary pretty well set so that when tickets go on sale, I can be confident in getting that particular date/time.

I appreciate all of the comments and help from everyone :)

Hi, I'm guessing since I haven't had any other suggestions my itinerary for the Rome part of my trip looks ok? Thanks for the comments! I'm surely still open to any suggestions :)

Another question is: guided tours and audio tours.

I have guided tours penned in for:
Colosseum
Scavi
St. Peter's basilica
Catacombs of Priscilla
St. Maria Maggiore

Audio guides penned in:
Capuchin Crypts
Vatican museums
St. John Lateran
Pantheon
Borghese gallery

Does this look like a good plan?