Borghese Gallery - Should I book with the in-house guided tour in English? It's only about €6 more. Appian Way on Sunday - which catacombs? I think one sight will be enough? Is it reasonable to visit both on the same day? The English tour at the Borghese is only for the 9 am and 11 am time slots.
That's about it. The only other issue is trying to fit 8 days of sightseeing into 5 days. Thank you, all.
Chani, I don't have any advice, but i love your phrase about "trying to fit 8 days of sightseeing into 5 days." We've all been there!
I know you'll get some good advice, and I hope you have a great time!
Go for the €6 tour if it doesn't take the entire two hours, you may want to spend some time dawdling on your own. Regards to Apollo and Daphne.
My favorite catacombs (sounds weird to write that) are Priscilla's, in the northern part of the city on Via Nomentana. Of the ones along the Via Appia Antica, I like San Sebastiano. I like them all.
Let us know how it goes!
Appian Way on Sunday - which catacombs?
Chani, I believe the catacombs of St. Callixtus/Callisto are closed most of the month of February, and those at St. Sebastiano (which we saw ) are closed on Sundays. :O(
http://www.catacombe.roma.it/en/info_orari.php
http://www.catacombe.org/uk_info.html
It looks like Santa Domitilla will be open (9:00 – 12:00; 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.)
Agree with Zoe. For only 6 Euro more I'd opt for the guided tour in English. I doubt it'll take the whole two hours and you can have some time on your own. It the guided tour is not to your liking perhaps you can abandon it (I assume you can) and just tour on you own the rest of the time.
Chani, a friend and I will be in Rome for only 3 1/2 days in mid-May. I have been to Rome before, but she has not, so we will likely split up somewhat during the days.
I hope that you will post your experiences when you finish your trip, especially if you do the guided tour in the Borghese.
And happy trails!
SharYn
We loved the Borghese museum and grounds! We only used RS guide and it was great for reading about each piece of art and statue.
We booked online in advance. This place is a sight to behold.
Enjoy.
Hi Chani and buon viaggio! I personally love a guided tour and particularly when I don't know very much about the subject. Although I have been to and very much enjoyed the Borghese a couple of times, I would have loved a guided tour. Maybe next time..... I say go for it especially since it's really not many more €s. We liked visiting the catacombs of St. Callixtus/Callisto but if as Kathy says, closed in Feb., I guess you won't be able to see the site. I hope you'll be posting a trip report of some sort? It sounds like a terrific trip. Have a great time and good luck with that fitting the "8 days of sightseeing into 5 days"! I always remind myself to leave something to come back for.....
Chain, we just booked the Borghese guided tour for Sunday at 11:15. If I were alone I might have gone with Rick's tour, but we are a group of 6 and it is easier with the guide. We also booked the Walks of Italy Pristine Sistine and VIP Colosseum. When you are a group, knowing the itinerary we avoid the "what are we doing today" and "what next" scenarios each morning. When alone or just a couple, it is so much easier to make decisions about where to go and what to do on any particular day.
Hi Chani,
I just want to wish you a wonderful trip!
I think you've given this advice before: One can never see it all, so plan to return!
Make sure you experience Dolce far Niente during your travels ;-)
Buon viaggio, la mia amica!
Thanks all. I'm feelin' the love ☺ I did book the Borghese with the guided tour. Barbara - I thought about meeting you on the 11.10 tour, but then I might not have enough time for Via Appia. Kathy - San Callixtus reopens the day after I get to Rome. You're right, San Sebastiano is closed on Sunday, so the choice was easy. Some of you may remember I was thinking about a food tour that included pizza-making, but it turns out it's not offered in February.
So, here's the plan:
Wednesday 12.00 arrive at hotel (from Salerno), laundromat, Palazzo Barberini, sunset stroll (maybe Castel Sant'Angelo, maybe Capitoline Hill)
Thursday Enjoy Rome guided tour to Villa Adriana and Villa d'Este, evening open: either stay in Tivoli or evening stroll in Rome
Friday Vatican Museums. If I'm not exhausted, then up to Janiculum Hill (by bus) for the views and dinner in Trastevere
Saturday 11.00 Domus Aurea tour, 17.30-21.00 Trastevere food tour (The Roman Guy)
Sunday 9.00-11.00 Galleria Borghese with guide. Via Appia including Catacombs of San Callixtus (open 14.00-17.00)
Monday finish packing (sigh) and check out, Ara Pacis, Capitoline hill including the museums, the Vittorio Emmanuel with the sky elevator, 17.00 head back to hotel to get my luggage, then to Termini and FCO.
Other things to fit in to the empty spaces: Palazzo del Quirinale (I need to book it in advance, thinking about Wednesday afternoon, in addition to Palazzo Barberini), Palazzo Altemps, Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, San Luigi dei Francesi, Piazza Navona after dark, early morning visit to Trevi Fountain (luckily not far from my hotel), Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura + Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, Villa Farnesina, Circus Maximus (newly opened archaeological sight)
Any thoughts on how to do it? If I'd done all this planning first, I'd probably have added 2 nights to Rome - and when I booked, I thought 5 would be leisurely!
Kathy - San Callixtus reopens the day after I get to Rome. You're
right, San Sebastiano is closed on Sunday, so the choice was easy.
YAY! I didn't have your exact dates so that's good news! :O)
Have a fabulous trip!
