Rome for 5 days

Hi ms,

I presume you mean "this month?" Rome won't have snow, maybe some rain? But, it will be cold, so dress accordingly.

There are a lot of hotels in Rome (in and around the city center) - budget friendly, some with many amenities - breakfast included, etc., close to Termini or certain neighborhoods you favor. Some neighborhoods may be more expensive to stay in compared to others. Book direct with the hotel.

Metro and Autobus rides are not expensive - individual tickets are 1,50€ each. Bus tickets are good for a 100-minute (validated) ride including a transfer. I think the metro ticket is good for only one ride.

Make sure you validate your ticket - this past year, there was an increase of "inspectors" getting on at random at some stops and checking tickets. If you do not have a legitimate ticket, you may be fined on the spot. If the validation machine is not in operation, take your ticket, write the date, time and stop you got on. Also, note the bus number - ex. Bus 64 - #5555. It may be good to also take a picture of the invalid machine.

The Pantheon is beautiful and does not need a ticket.

If you want to visit Saint Peter's - no reservations or tickets needed - just wait in the security line and be on your way. The Vatican will need an entrance museum ticket. If you go with a "group tour," entrance to St. Peter's is automatic - but not usually escorted unless paying extra. No need for a tour in Saint Peter's anyway.

If you go with a Vatican entrance first, keep in mind that large backpacks, luggage, large umbrellas or extra large bags will need to be checked. In that instance, at the end of the tour, you will need to go retrieve those, and it will affect your entrance to Saint Peter's - you will have to go out and queue in that security line.

The Vatican and Saint Peter's are very strict about photos, unruliness and stupid behavior. I went into the Chapel of The Blessed Sacrament that was definitely restricted with no photos (or loud talking) a small whisper & prayer only - the sign stated so, the guard stated so. So....what do some do? Yep, take photos - flashing this and that! The guard came in and the "visitors" were told to leave the Church. They don't mess around! Most basilicas in Rome are free to visit.

If you go to the Borghese, you will need a ticket. I don't know how the visit will be in January as far as times and closures. Check their official website. The Colosseum will need an entrance ticket. You can do a self tour. It's best to check all the official websites of any major attraction you are interested in. Things may change for unknown reasons.

Stop at Campo de' Fiori and discover its lively day market; say ciao...to Giordano Bruno; at nightfall, it changes. Sometimes, you can catch the professional street musicians playing around the statue. They also frequent Piazza Navona and Piazza della Rotonda - Pantheon.

I cannot comment on the Vatican, but at St. Peter's Basilica (no ticket needed) one day last week, I arrived at 8:10 a.m. --it was deserted. I literally could not find the entrance bec I could see no security line! When I entered, it was me, many security guards and probably---in the whole Basilica-- 12 other tourists. The dome does not open until 9am so perhaps people don't go until that time and it was too early for the group tours. I've been there before when it was mildly crowded in April, but it was a pleasure to have this quiet time in such a beautiful place. Later in the day it was very crowded. I

I did the same thing at Trevi Fountain---it was empty at 8:30am. The advice I heard loud and clear was to go early and that worked well. We also had 9:30 tickets to the Palazzo Valentini (which was an excellent multimedia presentation) and there was one other family of 4 on that tour, usually I think it is a group of 20-25. At this time of year, it is still a bit dark at 7:30 a.m. but by 8, the sun is up and out. My advice: Go early!

PS: Weather was between 40 and 58F degrees, 40 degrees first thing in the morning. I wore a hat and gloves every morning. Enjoy your trip.