Rome on Labor Day May 1 and Republic Day June 2

Ditto, I'll be in Roma on June 2, wondering what to expect.

May 1, Labor Day, is a major holiday throughout Europe. most things will be closed, including all banks, government and private offices, stores, museums, etc. Restaurants and bars should be, at least in part, open, certainly in the historical center. But there are plenty of open air monuments and other places to visit in Rome, so you will know how to fill your day. May 1st is officially called International Workers' Day. There will be plenty of political marches (or even protests, usually peaceful) organized by labor unions in support of workers throughout the country. Many will be holding red flags and banners, some with hammer and sickle. But no worries. It's not the Soviet Union Army that have invaded Italy.

June 2nd is a holiday nobody cares for. Most things will be open. However there is usually a large military parade on the boulevard along the Forum (from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum), therefore there might be closures there.

What Robert said. May 1 is truly a big deal and everything that can shuts down, so take a long walk and see monuments and ruins. On June 2, you won't even know it's a holiday, kind of like Columbus Day in the U.S. :-) On May 1, take one of Rick Steves' suggested walks, or see the book "24 Great Walks in Rome" for some itineraries. The Gianicolo is nice; great views over Rome especially in the afternoon.

As for getting to your hotel on Via Veneto, you can take a cab for a fixed price of €48 or the Leonardo Express from FCO to Termini then Metro to Barberini and walk up Via Veneto. I think the Leonardo Express is €15 per person now.

Thank you both. I read that the Pope conducts a mass in St Giovanni in Laterno and then rides in the open "Popemobile" to another church, San Clemente I think. And I have read about the parade. I like the Columbus Day analogy.