Planning for a weekend in Rome

Yes, punishing.... I understand your desire to "do it all" but give yourself permission to just STOP. This is especially important if it is hot. You may not remember a thing when you pour it all in at one time.

I would encourage you to put Ancient Rome and the Vatican Museums/St Peters on different days. Obviously the Vatican/St Peters on Saturday for the reasons you mentioned. The Forum/Colosseo/Palatino area is open Monday. Can you do it that day before you leave? the Borghese is open on Sunday; Make that a prioirty over the other two (IMHO).

If you set one "big" thing a day, you can squeeze in the smaller sites (Fountains, Piazzas, Santa Maria della Vittoria and things you don't even yet know you want to see) in afternoons and evenings. Ricks' walks are great for that and best done in the evening. Maybe you can even do a walk on Friday night when you arrive.

I hope you are staying VERY centrally!

I'm staying near Termini. Good? Bad? Either way I don't have too many options, most hostels by now are booked up and very expensive.

I would do the things you suggested except I was hoping to use one of my free trips on the Roma Pass for the Colosseum/Forum/etc which means it needs to be one of the first two sights I visit. So then I would only visit the Borghese Gallery on Sunday. And if that's the case then I'm not sure if the pass will be worth the money...

Just back from Rome last week and I agree with separating Vatican/St. Peter's from Ancient Rome sites, especially in the heat of summer. Pantheon is not totally adjacent to metro, depending on where you're coming from - we used the Spagna or Barberini metro stations for walk to Pantheon - both easy on metro A line from Termini station and you can continue to take the A line to the Vatican (Ottaviano or Cipro stations near Vatican depending on where you want to enter?) The Pantheon is a nice walk from the Ancient sites and I understand going there in the AM when it opens is less crowded? (We went there in the PM and it was fairly packed, but still worthwhile.) Perhaps you could start your Monday morning at Pantheon (spend half hour+ here) and then walk back to Ancient sites area (if you like cats, you may enjoying stopping at Largo Argentina ruins and cat sanctuary - site of Julius Caesar assassination, plus there's a taxi stand here if you wish to taxi back to Ancient sites?), then start your "Caesar Shuffle" as Rick says through Palatine Hill, Forum and Colosseum -(would allow at least half day/4 hrs. for these). You could go to the Capitoline Museum (quick spin; maybe 45 mins?) after Caesar shuffle as it's close by (backside of the Forum) and not that time consuming; I very much enjoyed the courtyard gallery with large statue foot/hand/head pieces - makes for fun photos - you have to check your pack in lockers here, but it's free; you just need a coin to lock the locker and then it's returned to you upon re-opening. I think the Roma pass is worth it and you can use for complimentary entry to Borghese Gallery (need separate reservation though) and the Palatine/Forum/Colosseum combo (they count as 1 site) - special Roma Pass entry line at Colosseum - just walk right in with Roma pass. And you can use Roma Pass for discount at Capitoline Museum. Plus the free Roma Pass metro/bus use is so convenient - you can use Roma pass for metro transport to Vatican and everywhere else, though Vatican Museum entry not included on Roma Pass; St. Peter's free. And metro around in the nights to take some of Rick's walks when lights of Rome and fountains come alive! Rick's Rome book and audio-guide app with down-loadable selections for Rome sites invaluable. Ciao` Diane

Your Saturday plan will require hit-and-run visits, with sprints in between--if that's what you want. You might start w St Peter's, getting in the security line before it opens at 7, and then heading to the museums when they open later in the morning.

Certainly reserve at the museums, for the first possible entry time. And leave yourself at least 15 min to do the walk, longer if you walk at a leisurely pace.

I was in Rome last Saturday-Tuesday, and I would like to echo the previous poster's advice to not try to combine the Vatican and the Colosseum/Roman Forum/Palatine Hill in one day. All of these places have huge crowds and can be very, very overwhelming. If you haven't booked a tour of the Vatican, I highly recommended it. The crush of people there is unreal and there is so much to see. We spent way longer at the Colosseum/Roman Forum/Palatine Hill than I thought we would, but are so glad we did and took our time. You could definitely easily walk and see the sights - Trevi Fountain (being repaired/cleaned/fenced off), Spanish Steps, Area Sacra, Pantheon, Piazza del Popolo, etc. Just orient yourself with the Via del Corso as so much is located just a few blocks away from it. Carry water with you, eat snacks, have a good attitude about the crowds and enjoy!

Hey everyone,

Based off of everyone's suggestions. I guess what I'll do is the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine Hill on Saturday, Borghese Gallery/other museums on Sunday, and then do the Vatican Museum/St Peter's Basilica on Monday morning (will have to store my luggage at Termini first I suppose).

Much appreciated!

Related to storing your baggage on your final day, given the potential long lines to check and pick up your bags at Termini, plus the location and cost of storage, you might consider doing what was recommended to me and I then did, also staying near Termini. (1) when you check out of your hotel, have the hotel store your bags -- most hotels are used to this and provide the service to guests at no cost; (2) take a taxi back to the hotel after your final visit of the day, quicker and less hassle than metro or bus; (3) have the taxi stop briefly at your hotel for you just to pick your bags, then continue on to Termini. I found it a much more relaxed way to leave town.

I think your modified travel plan is a very good choice. We made our way through Rome in about 3 days with a similar plan. We ended up skipping 1-2 items on our list because we were enjoying Rome itself (beyond the big sights). So be sure to catch a moment or two in a part of you've never heard of but that just looks too interesting to keep walking by. :) The bus system and the subway are very effective ways to get around but many things are within walking distance.

Regarding getting from the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine Hill to the Pantheon its actually not too bad to walk and has lots of fun places in between that are a great way to see some more of the city. I think its about 1.25 miles but in between are lots of beautiful Piazza's that are worth stopping and grabbing a bite to eat or some gelato :)

Kelly, Laurel started you out on the same path that we would, and I'll leave it to you to sort through the later responses.