My wife and I are to spend Valentine's in Rome (Feb. 10-16) and will be at the Cicerone Hotel.
Any suggestions, ideas and comments about location, transportation, sights to see will be appreciated. This is my wife's first time there and my first in the winter.
Our trip package includes transfers between airport and hotel.
We are excited!
Thank you,
Ron
It would be helpful to know what kinds of things you're interested in as well as whether you're up for lots of walking. (Please respond in this forum, not via private email. Thanks.)
Hi, Michael,
Since this is Margie's first trip to Rome and we will be there so few days, I feel we will try to hit the major attractions first. I would like to make it to Orvieto, weather pending.
Will likely follow RS's list for short visits.
Would appreciate any tips on what to watch out for, how to save time AND good, non-touristy places to eat. We enjoy walking and hope to hit a lot of sites that way, weather permitting. Our trip includes a four-hour bus tour which will help orient us. We are staying at the Hotel Cicerone which is located at Via Cicerone, 55, Rome 00193 which its web site says is "15 min walking distance to Castel Sant'Angelo-15 min walking distance to Vatican and Piazza Navona."
Reading replies on this forum tells me we should get a Roma bus pass; we are studying on whether to do an actual tour at the Vatican or do it via book. Hopefully there won't be lines of folks in the second week of February!
Thank you for inquiring.
Ron
I've been to Rome twice in winter and it's fantastic! No crowds, low prices, etc.
Borghese Gallery: I recommend asking your hotel to make the reservation for you. Ours did it no problem, emailed us the reservation number, and with the confirmation number and the Roma Pass, we got in for "free". Alternatively, as long as you don't care which day/time you visit, you should be fine to book the reservation upon arrival.
Roma Pass: Highly recommended. We used the metro all over town, plus the bus once. We used the sights pass to bypass the line at the Colosseum/Palentine Hill/Forum (all one entry) and at the Borghese as noted above. We purchased ours at the train station but since you will have a direct transfer, I suggest purchasing it at the Palentine Hill ticket office, assuming you plan to go there.
Vatican: I've done it both ways--RS tour first time and book/RS Sistine Chapel audio tour the second time. If you are concerned about lines, you can purchase a reserved time online from the Vatican Museum now. We did this, and it was completely unnecessary because the museum was uncrowded, but it only cost about 4 euro extra for the peace of mind.
Whether you do a tour or not depends on your personal style. You will enjoy it far more if you understand what you are looking at, which favors having a tour guide. But if you don't like being hurried through on someone else's schedule, you will be much happier with the book. Case in point--our tour skipped the Pinoteca. I went with Rick's book the second time and it was one of my favorite sights in the Vatican. YMMV.
More tips coming in the next post...
Additional tips:
1) Figure out the metro system. It's not too complicated and will get you from your hotel (which looks like it is not too far from the Lepanto stop) across to the Colosseum in a jiffy. Be warned that rush hour can be crowded and watch out for pickpockets. I assume you have seen and plan to follow the money belt warnings.
2) Directions can be confusing. Recommend a compass. We looped an extra 10 minutes away from Piazza Navona because the road didn't go through and we headed the wrong way.
3) I highly recommend Orvieto. We spent 2 days there and it was lovely. Alternatively, Ostia Antica is very neat, especially if you are into ancient Rome. Either makes an excellent day trip out of Rome and I would be hard-pressed to choose.
4) Stop and eat the gelato. Seriously. I know it's winter, but it's gelato and it's Italy. :-)
5) It's winter. It will be chilly. Long underwear, gloves, waterproof shoes all recommended. Scarves can be purchased in Rome. If it will be sunny, bring sunglasses. I nearly went blind the first two days there. Have jackets with hood in case it rains.
6) If it rains, try to get to the Pantheon to see the rain coming down through the hole.
7) Trastevere is very quirky and interesting, and not too far from your hotel. Recommend strolling around there one night and visiting Rick's recommended gelateria.
8) St. Peters' Dome is quite a climb, but if you are fit, the view is spectacular. Being winter, it will get dark earlier so plan your schedule accordingly.
Hmm, that's all I got for now. If you have more questions, post away.
I know that the Borghese Gallery requires a reservaton but since we will be there the second week of February, arriving on a Tuesday morning and departing the following Monday morning, is it practical to wait until our arrival to make the reservation? Am guessing that the number of tourists in winter might allow for us to wait.
