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Planning our time in Rome

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We will be spending four nights in Rome as part of a larger Italy trip this fall. We are a group of four adults, for three of us it will be the first time to Rome but one has been previously. I've been doing a lot of research but have a few questions on the best way to plan our time. I don't want to pack things too full, but at the same time want to hit the major sites for those of us who have never been while working in a couple "new" things for the one who has (specifically some catacombs and the Borghese Gallery). This is a very rough itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Rome in the AM. No specific plan for this day, we're staying in the Centro Storico. My thought was to drop our bags and walk around to see things like Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, etc.

Day 2: Vatican- planning to do a tour. To avoid the worst crowds, is it better to go first thing in the AM or wait until the afternoon? Any thoughts on additional things to see outisde of the Museum/Sistine Chapel/Bascillica? Are the gardens or grottos worth visiting? While the scavi looks cool, I understand this is more difficult to arrange and probably not worth the effort with the time we have.

Day 3: Colloseum, Roman Forum

Day 4: Visit some catacombs in Southern Rome- any recommendations for which to choose?

Day 5: Depart

I gather some of these things won't take the whole day, so that would leave us time to explore various neighborhoods in the PM- definitely want to go to the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere areas. The one thing I can't work out is how to work in the Borghese Gallery- was initially thinking Day 1, but we arrive on a Monday so it will be closed. Since tickets need to be purchased in advance, we can't really play by ear. Maybe the afternoon after the Vatican or Colloseum/Forum? Or should we take advantage of the hop on-hop off bus and visit the catacombs after the Colloseum/Forum instead? That just seems like it would be a very long day.

Any thoughts would be appreciated- thanks in advance!

Posted by
1994 posts

I'd suggest getting the first morning appointment at the Borghese, and then taking a taxi out to the catacombs area midday. The Vatican, and the Coliseum/Forum, each really require a full day; it could be exhausting to try to add the Borghese to either of them.

My favorite way to enjoy St. Peter's Basilica is to be there when it first opens in the morning – at 7 or 730, if I remember correctly; you can check the website for the hours. It's quiet, uncrowded, and the atmosphere of reverence is still preserved. Also, the view from the roof of the basilica is wonderful on a nice day. The stairs/elevator to the roof are on the right side of the basilica. (The same entrance for climbing the dome.) You could reserve tickets to the Vatican museums for little later that morning.

Posted by
16242 posts

Are your 4 nights in Rome at the beginning of your trip (after you arrive from North America) or at the end (before you return home)? That will make a difference because at the beginning of your trip you would have to deal with the jet lag that will severely hamper your first day.
If you are jet lagged, the first day should be spent in very sunny areas and far from the lure of your hotel (where you will experience an irresistible magnetic attraction toward the bed). If your first day is your first day in Europe, I'd go straight to see the following sunny areas:
Colosseum, Forum, Palatine.

Posted by
7737 posts

I don't know what your stamina is like, but you might want to plan for a late afternoon or early evening break back at your hotel/apartment before heading out for dinner. Rome can be exhausting (in a good way, but exhausting nonetheless).

Posted by
55 posts

Thanks for the suggestions! Roberto, we go to Rome at the beginning of the trip so yes, the first day will be the first day in Europe. I hadn't even considered doing the Colloseum/Forum/Palatino that day- figured we'd be too jetlagged for something that big but your suggestion of going to a sunny site makes sense! Will have to give it some more thought.

Has anyone gone to the Priscilla catacombs in northern Rome? Would they be a good alternative to the southern ones? It would make an easier pairing with Villa Borghese if we must do them on the same day.

Posted by
11613 posts

Depends on time of year, since in July or August the Colosseum/Forum can be intensely hot and crowded. I would suggest going to the Galleria Borghese late on your first day, but get to the Villa and walk around the park for awhile first, afterward walk to the Pincio (follow signs), great views of the city, take the footpath to Piazza del Popolo and end that day with a ride to the roof of the Vittorio Emanuele monument.

Catacombs: San Callisto or San Sebastiano, you can also soend a little time at Acqueduct Park. The hours for the ho-ho archeobus are sporadic, you could rent bikes or Vespas for the day.

Visiting the Vatican/Saint Peter's and either Galleria Borghese or the Colosseum/Forums on the same day is very rigorous.

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