Rome in Nov 2012

Palazzo Olivia is a very popular apartment option recommended by many on this site. As to what to do and how many days, I encourage you to get at least the RS Italy book and probably the RS Rome book and review it to see what interests you specifically. There are enough highlights in Rome to take you weeks to see. Happy travels.

Tonya, click on the "Tours" icon on this (Rick's) web site. Take a look at the Rome guided group tour (not that you plan to spend a week doing that...but you might want to, if you have time), but to get a sense for what he considers the "highlights" and how long is devoted to each. At a MINIMUM, I would suggest three-four days, which would allow the first day as a recoup day from your long flight and some easy sights. Allow an entire day for the Vatican/St. Peters, then the bulk of a day for the Forum/Coliseum, etc., with the third day to see other items from Rick's guidebook that might interest you, such as the Borghese. But, as Michael said in the last post, you could spend weeks there and still just scratch the surface. Also, since you called your cruise a transatlantic one, will you have any stops in Europe before heading back across the Atlantic? If not, you might really consider staying in Italy for a week or more, allowing some day trips to the hill towns of the Tuscan countryside. Rome is fabulous, but Tuscany is equally fabulous, just different. If money and time are not big issues, consider signing up for Rick's "Heart of Italy" group tour before heading off on your cruise home (or seeing a few of the spots the group tour visits, but going on your own). You'll LOVE Italy and will want to return. But, see as much as you can while you are there. One of my favorite sayings is "don't postpone joy."

Thanks so much for the great information. I am in the process of reading RS Rome and looking through the Tour section of this sight will be my next stop (thanks for the suggestion)

We stayed in an apartment and loved it. Less expensive and more room that an apartment. Also easy to eat breakfast in. We also stayed in a residential area which we loved. How long you stay depends on what you want to see. I think three days at a minimum just to see the major sites. Make a list of the sites you absolutely want to see and than go to Rick Steves book and see which of his itinenaries work best for what you want to see. Of course dont' miss sites are the vatican, Colleseum, Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and we loved the Borghese gallery. Get the book, make the list of the sites you want to see and take Rick's advice on timing and times to see them.