My husband and I will be in Rome for four full days over Labor Day weekend. We will Arrive Thursday morning at 8am, and leave Monday morning at 10:50am. That leaves us four full days of sightseeing. Does anyone have recommended itineraries for 4 days?
Posted by
Virginia
640 posts
Sarah,
You can start here (www.visitacity.com/) and tweek the itinerary to better suit you.
RS also has a sample itinerary if you want to see most of all.
If you are flying in on Thursday then you will be tired by 7:00-ish.
Ostia Antica is also a possibility since it is about 1 hr train ride.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA (USA)
560 posts
Start here It has ALL the stuff a first timer wants should/wants to see.
You really only have 3.5-days, since Thurs you'll be unpacking and settling in. Secure a ticket/tour of the Vatican far in advance. Purchasing a 3-day Roma Pass is advisable, you can search the forum for pros & cons.
Posted by
Huntington, CT
62 posts
Arriving at 8 am will get you to your hotel before 10 - drop your luggage (it will be too early to check in) and head out to some sites close to your home base. Plan on "easy" things that won't exhaust you - Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, a nice piazza (where you can grab lunch), maybe a church or two. Stroll around your neighborhood and acquaint yourself with the area. I wouldn't recommend any of the bigger sites, like the Colosseum or Vatican until the next day, when you are rested.
Have you picked a hotel? Last year we stayed at the Hotel XX (Venti) Settembre which is only a few blocks from Termini and close to good bus connections. The hotel was great, small but very clean, well run, good breakfast in the morning and very helpful staff.
Some things we eajoyed: San Clemente Church in Laterano (with excavations dating back to the 2nd century pagan temple to Mithras that was built at that site). It is only a few blocks from the Colosseum so combine that with your Colosseum/Roman Forum day. The Catacombs of Priscilla are only a half hour by bus, north of the city. Of course St Peters and the Vatican. San Pietro en Vincoli (St Peter in Chains) church has a wonderful Michelangelo sculpture of Moses and the chains that were used to bind St Peter before his execution are displayed at the altar. (Research the story of those chains - amazing). Santa Maria Maggiore basilica is beautiful and also has an interesting legend attached - the Virgin Mother originally appeared that that site and told the people to build a church there - then raised her arms to the Heavens and made it snow - in AUGUST. Every year on the anniversary, the church commemorates that miracle by releasing a shower of white flower petals from the ceiling. It must be incredible to witness.
You will find plenty to keep you busy for four days, but do take the time to sit for a leisurely coffee (or wine) break and relax and people watch - those memories will be priceless.