I am traveling with family to Rome in Aug 2019. I want to cover Rome in 1.5 days and 1 day for Pompeii & Vesuvius. Will it be too hectic?
My Plan:
Day 1( Half day): Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi & Piazza Navona
Day 2: Vatican, Colosseum and Forum & Borghese gallery
Day 3:Pompeii & Vesuvius Day Trip
Is this doable or I am being optimistic. Is there any Tour recommendations for Day 2 & Day 3?
Thanks in Advance.
Deb
If Rome is your first stop after a long-haul flight, then Day 1 may be too much. Some of you may still be zonked on Day w. Even if that isn't the case, Day 2 is difficult. What do you want to see at the Vatican? If you start early (St. Peter's opens at 7 am), you can visit the church before the crowds (and before there's a long wait in the security line). If you don't plan to climb the dome, then go to the museum entrance (about a 10-15 minute walk) with pre-booked tickets. Even if all you want to see is the Sistine Chapel, it will take about an hour to walk through all crowded the museum rooms to get to there, then another 10-15 minutes to walk to the exit. An early morning guided tour would probably be better. Then you have to get to the Colosseum. The last entry to the Borgese Galleries is at 5 pm (be sure there are tickets available for your date) and you need to be there at least 30 minutes in advance. Even if you grab lunch on the fly (sandwiches from a kiosk) it's a rush.
Colosseum and Forum took us 9 hours, but I guess you can skim. but what?
or I am being ( too) optimistic
In my view that is in the running for understatement of the month
If you survive day 2 and make it to the train the AM of day 3, tour Pompeii and look at Vesuvius from there.
What is the age composition of the family?
I stopped reading midway day 2. Way too much.
Both the Vatican and Colosseum are at minimum 1/2 day sites and not easily done on same day. Exhausting.
what does your "family" consist of?
1.5 days in Rome with 1/2 day the jet lag day will be rushed and difficult.
I'd say pick ONE major site- Colosseum or Vatican. Maybe add a lesser sight. Then just walk centro storico. You'll see more of Rome.
A day trip to Pompeii is a very long day.
Search "walks of Italy" or "roman guy" for tour recommendations
Our Vatican visit (museum + St.Peter’s) took an entire day, and our Borghese visit an entire afternoon. Just getting from Rome to the Pompeii/Vesuvius region and back takes time, without seeing the sights, so how much time are you planning at each location on Day 3? I’d say visit Pompeii, and enjoy a view of Vesuvius from its ancient, now-unearthed streets. And don’t forget making time for food and water during your days!
This would by my worst nightmare!
I've travelled to Rome.....a lot, it's my favourite city and there is still plenty to explore. Granted, I've been to some of the sites on multiple occasions simply because they are so awe inspiring and I felt that I didn't have enough time to explore them previously.
The Trevi fountain (well pretty much all of the sights) is going to be absolutely mobbed so either visit it as late as possible or be prepared to see little more than other peoples heads.
Pompeii is a whole day affair. I wouldn't bother with Vesuvius. We took a tour by minibus and walked the last stretch (don't fancy that in August!). I'm not sure what I expected when we reached the top but a large grass covered ditch was not it. It was pretty deflating. You can see Vesuvius from anywhere around the Bay of Naples so unless you have any real desire to travel to the top and look into a ditch I wouldn't bother.
NO, NO, NO, this is insane. Rome deserves at least 5-7 days and the trip south is over the top.
We went to Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius from Sorrento but on different days. I would never do them both on the same day from Rome. I am not sure how you could. I loved Pompeii but think you would be better off spending all of your limited time in Rome. Unlike the other poster, I also very much enjoyed the hike to the top. There no way you are going to be able to implement your day 1 and 2 plans either.
I would only attempt Pompeii and Vesuvius if you can find a tour that includes both. By the time you account for all the costs of doing a day trip on your own (trains, shuttle bus to Vesuvius, local guide at Pompeii, etc.), a tour may not be much more expensive and it would certainly simplify the travel. I think your day 2 plan is way too ambitious and possibly not even logistically possible, so you'll likely have to make a decision between eliminating Pompeii or eliminating some of the sights you want to see in Rome. On the other hand, I think your day 1 plan is good. If that's your arrival day from overseas, you'll want to be outside and active to help with any jet lag.
I am being optimistic.
Yes, and I see that you're getting that same advice on the TA forum. Rome alone will fill the 2.5 days. No way I'd try to do the Vatican, Colosseum and Borghese in a single day, and especially not in the August heat and humidity. Also, be sure you're working with days you know for sure both the Borghese and Vatican museums will be open, and understand that you're going to need to make advance, timed-entry reservations for both + the Colosseum. You are a bit late in the game for next month's tickets so you'll want put the giddyup on.
Colosseum: check the coopculture website for the next dates that timed, ordinary entrance tickets go on sale. This is THE #1 attraction in Rome and tickets can sell out very quickly when they become available. Ordinary entrance tickets do not include a guided tour; they do include entrance to the Palatine/Forum as well.
CALENDAR WITH THE GRADUAL RELEASE DATES OF TICKETS WITH SCHEDULED ENTRANCE OF THE COLOSSEUM
DAILY OPENING
Every day at 3.00 pm (UTC+1) new tickets for the next day
WEEKLY OPENING
Every Monday at 6.30 pm (UTC+1) new tickets for the following week
https://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm
Monthly and Quarterly release dates for August have already passed but you can check and see if there are any remaining openings or just wait for the next weekly release.
For a bargain-priced tour of JUST the colosseum, this is also a possibility depending on your dates. It doesn't include the underground but the ticket does include entrance to the Palatine/ Forum (highly recommended):
Very reasonably priced guided tours of the Vatican are possible through the Vatican's own website as well unless your dates are already booked. Note that "open tour" means a general entry ticket and no guide
Or you can, as suggested, look at tours provided by Walks of Italy or The Roman Guy: both highly recommended by RS posters who've used them. Dark Rome is another possibility.
And, of course, Rick offers some self-guided tours which can be downloaded to your own devices but you're already aware of those. :O)
