My husband and I have been to Rome with other first timers several times. We are doing this again in May, but want to do leave the first timers to the "must see" attractions and to explore some new things in the city. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
It would be helpful to know what you've seen and what you like - I can recommend about eighty churches and twenty museums, but if you've seen them or don't care to, it's a waste of space. How far off the beaten path do you want to go? Daytrips (Frascati and Orvieto come to mind)? How many nights do you have?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
There's a great resource here:
http://romethesecondtime.blogspot.com/
Also check out Villa Torlonia and the surrounding gardens. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Torlonia_(Rome)
There's a great place to eat on the grounds, La Limonaia.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
As Zoe says, it depends on what interests you. If you are here on a Saturday, you can see Galleria Colonna. I also recommend Galleria Doria Pamphilj when one gets past the Vatican and Galleria Borghese. Ostia Antica is great if you haven't been (ancient Roman town), Palazzo delle Esposizioni sometimes has worthy exhibits, and Palazzo Valentini was one of our favorites the second time around.
Posted by
Atlanta
5295 posts
Consider a trip out to Ostia Antica just outside Rome. It is the original site of Rome and is quite a different change of pace. You can get there on public transient quickly and cheaply. Google it and see what you think. It is closed either Sunday or Monday -- can't remember which. TC
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Quirite's point about Ostia Antica is a good one because it means it's included in a lot of the transit passes that you might get.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2112 posts
We were in Rome this May for our third visit. This time we did a day to the Appian Way and another daytrip to both Tivoli and Hadrian's Villa. Both trips were by bus from Rome and we found the connections easy and convenient. After a morning at the Estes estate in Tivoli it is easy to pick up a bus in the town center for Hadrian's Villa. There is a TI kiosk in the town center with bus schedules and information. We had a pleasant lunch in a garden restaurant directly across from the entrance to the Villa before entering. Tivoli was beautiful; the Villa is huge and you can walk for hours if you choose. The Appian way was fascinating and we did some catacombs and rented bikes. After 45 minutes the cobblestones had taken their toll and we abandoned the bike plan; you may have better luck. Then a longish walk toward the Quo Vadis church and the bus back to Rome. Another day we took the train to Orvieto for the day...lovely town and beautiful ceramics. Have a great trip.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
Ostia Antica, Aquaduct Park, and the Appian Way
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3943 posts
We just did Ostia today. We had a 24 hr transit and it was good all the way out. I'd say early morning as it got very hot. The site is closed Monday. (That's what the sign said). It was about 25 min from the piramide metro stop (we changed to a train there). I hope I am rem correctly. Interesting site...we spent about 3 hrs there but were getting hot and tired and didn't look at everything. We also enjoyed appia Antica on our first trip to Rome in 08, but I don't think we have time to do it again this trip. There are neat catacombs there.