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Rome Itinerary Help

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

Hi,
We fly into Rome on Saturday evening at 7:20 PM. I have arranged airport pick up by our hotel, Albergo Cesari which is located near the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.

I have been to Rome twice before and spent several weeks there, but one person in our party has never been to Rome so we are hoping to show her as much as possible before our train to Florence leaves the next day (Sunday) at 6:00 pm.

She realizes she won't see anything in depth, but we want to show her as many highlights as possible. I am hoping that even though it will be late when we arrive that we can walk down to the Piazza della Rotunda to see the exterior of the Pantheon and up to the Trevi Fountain.

The next morning we will eat breakfast, store our luggage and check out of our hotel.

How much can we see in this amount of time?

I would like to try to take her to see the Colosseum, Forum, San Pietro in Vincoli, St. Peter's Square and Basilica.

Hours for San Pietro in Vincoli are daily 8–12:30 and 3–7. St. Peter's Basilica is open every day from 7.00 to 19.00
How can I make this work? We will need time allotted to go back to the hotel, retrieve our luggage and get to Termini to catch our train.

Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions!

Posted by
11852 posts

Assuming you are here in hot weather, go first to the Colosseo & Foro Romano, which open at 8:30 (I think. Haven't been in awhile!) That will take all morning. Get a guide or use Rick Steves' self-guide (in his book). Say it's 11:30 when you finish. Walk over to San Pietro in Vincoli and see it, then stop nearby in Via Cavour for lunch. (Cavour 313 is very good.) Take your time over lunch. Then head over to St. Peter's, not a long trip but grab a taxi to save time. It will take 60-90 minutes to see. Again, Rick Steves book or audio tour are good. That should give you plenty of time to get to your hotel for luggage and off to the train.

Posted by
251 posts

I agree with the above post suggesting to see the Colosseum and Forum in the early morning. I was there last summer in June and it was pretty hot when standing in line. That should take you a few hours and then you can walk north to San Pietro in Vincoli and take the Metro Station at the Cavour stop to the Ottaviano stop. From there, you can walk south to St. Peter's Square and Basilicia by late afternoon.

Posted by
213 posts

Hi, a very ambitious plan, especially if anyone suffers from jetlag. .Also remember that it is a Jubilee Year so the lines at security for St. Peter's Basilica can easily take over an hour! Entrance through the Jubilee Year door can also slow you down( if your interested in entering that way).

Posted by
70 posts

Thanks to all for your helpful advice! I really appreciate it!

Posted by
7175 posts

As well as the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon (exterior), take in Piazza Navona while having dinner on Sat night. St Peters opens 7am daily so get there early on Sunday. Walk to Castel San Angelo then cab across to the Spanish Steps. Metro to Colosseo where time will dictate any visit, as it will with nearby San Pietro in Vincoli.

Posted by
70 posts

Thanks! Can you recommend a restaurant in piazza Navona? I think we only had gelato last time I was there.

How does this plan sound?

We get up early, eat breakfast, check out of the hotel, store our bags and head to St. Peter's.

Then we will walk to Castel Sant' Angelo.

How long is the walk from St. Peter's to Castel Sant' Angelo? I would love to take my friends to the top for the awesome view! Great idea and one I hadn't thought of. I love Bernini's Angels.

Then we will take a taxi to San Pietro in Vincoli because I remember it being hard to find and it closes at 12:30 until 3:00 pm.
Are taxis readily available at Castel Sant' Angelo?

After San Pietro in Vincoli we will probably want a quick bite to eat. Any suggestions? I loved La Neumachie but I doubt we have time for that.

We will then walk by the colosseum, walk through the Forum and then head back to the hotel to retrieve our bags and head to Termini to catch our train to Florence at 6:00 pm.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

Posted by
334 posts

I am reading this and get tired just thinking about it lol. We will be in Rome for 2 nights and I don't have this much planned like you guys. With the crowds, traffic I honestly don't see how you can achieve all this. And jetlag! I suggest 1 tour the day of your departure. I was reading about one that takes like 5 or 6 hrs and you get to see a lot ..Happy Traveling

Posted by
16753 posts

We will then walk by the colosseum, walk through the Forum and then
head back to the hotel to retrieve our bags and head to Termini to
catch our train to Florence at 6:00 pm.

I don't know how long ago you've last been to Rome but you are aware that the Forum is no longer free? Thought I'd mention that as some years ago you could just walk in and take a stroll around, and maybe that's how you remembered it. No problem, of course, buying tickets at the entry.

Posted by
11852 posts

Pertaining to your latest post on June 7

  • Do not eat in Piazza Navona. Get a few blocks away to save $$ and have better food

  • Taxis are available at Piazza Cavour, right behind Castel Sant'Angelo

  • For lunch after San Pietro in Vincoli, try Enoteca 313 on Via Cavour, which opens at 12:30. I believe you can reserve online

  • You have time to walk by the Colosseo and ancient area, but not to tour them.

Posted by
70 posts

Thanks Kathy! No, I was not aware that the Forum was no longer free. That is good to know!

Thank you Laurel! No, we definitely don't have time to "tour" the Colosseum or the Forum, but I just want to walk my friend by them.

Does Enoteca 313 have floor to ceiling wine? If so, I have eaten there. We still laugh to this day over the "hard and tasty" cheese plate.

Thanks again for your help!

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