We have a couple of days in Rome before we head south to Sicily. We will be in Rome at the end of September. Is the Domus Aurea, Nero's house open? I know it has been closed for a few years. How far of a taxi ride is it from the pantheon area to the Appian Way? We have seen the antiquity sites in Rome but not the Appian way. We will have about three hours. Is it worth the energy/effort to see? Thanks for your help and feedback.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23653 posts
The Appian Way is best seen on a Sunday when the traffic is restricted. It is served by a couple of buses. The catacombs are worth seeing.
Posted by
Huntsville, TX, USA
36 posts
Three hours is not much time to see the Appian way, particulary if you are interested in the catacombs (which are amazing). There are trains/buses to get you there less expensively, but with your limited time a taxi would be best. I would think its about 30-45 minutes by taxi for you.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11839 posts
Michael, The Domus Aurea is indeed closed. They are excavating, but I understand it is very unstable and this closed to visitors. Laurel
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
Check out Domus Romane, located right in the center of Rome. Reservations required.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11839 posts
Domus Romane is a fabulous experience. There is an English tour daily at 13:30 and you must book in advance as it sells out. This is one of the best things we did as tourists prior to moving here. It is a guided tour and the museum is a multimedia experience. Hard to describe without sounding cheesy, but it is NOT cheesy.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland
30 posts
I just looked at the web site for the Domus Romane. It's not very clear. Is it a guided tour? They appear to have openings in Italian but not in English. I will be there the last week in September, on a Weds. Do I need advanced tickets or can I just show up? Thanks for the tip on this. I had no idea it was there. I really want to see it.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland
30 posts
Hi Laurel Thanks for your feedback. The only time I could book was 12:30 and it looks like it is in Italian. So perhaps we can go with the 1:30 English group. No choice really. We are in Rome on Monday and Tuesday and its closed on Tuesday.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland
30 posts
We have been to Rome several times over the years. Our last trip was March of 2011. Any new antiquity sites that opened since that time? I did not know about the Roma Domus so other ideas like this?