Solo Monday in Rome

Posted by uvahokie on 09/07/16 04:30 PM

I would be interested in any advice/thoughts/recommendatoins on a solo Monday in Rome. In November I'll be arriving in Rome (flight will allegedly arrive ~7:30 am). The rest of my tour group (from the UK) won't arrive until 6pm. It looks like most museums are closed on Monday (except the Vatican Museum) so I was thinking I would spend the day there and keep that as my only plan since flights can be late, jet lag may knock me out, etc. If I do have additional time, not collapsing from jet lag, etc is there any other sites you recommend that day (the tour part will be ancient archaeological sites through Andante Travels).

I thought from the airport I would suck it up and pay a taxi to take me to the hotel who will hopefully be able to store my bag if my room isn't ready---I'm not big on schlepping my stuff solo through Rome with no idea where I am going after a long flight.

thanks!
Rob

Posted by tonfromleiden

the Netherlands

09/07/16 05:21 PM

2487 posts

Are you sure you'll appreciate the Vatican Museums when you fear the effects of jet lag? I would limit myself to some walking. The area around the Piazza Navona has a good collection of interesting churches (but check their opening hours!) and always has some bar around to fill you up with coffee to beat the jet lag.

Posted by uvahokie OP

09/07/16 05:32 PM

16 posts

Well, it will be my only opportunity to see the museum so even in a zombie-like state I figure it's worth seeing :)

Posted by Zoe

Toledo, Ohio, US

09/07/16 09:21 PM

11613 posts

There are a couple of places at the Vatican Museums where you can access the courtyard to get a little sun time. There's a nice cafe in the courtyard as well, you can have a lunch break there.

Buy your tickets for the museum before you leave for Roma, or you might have plenty of outside time waiting in line to buy tickets.

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

09/08/16 12:24 AM

7175 posts

I'd look at a walk from Trastevere to Piazza Navona via Campo di Fiori, a direct distance of about a mile. These are interesting areas to passively explore with no set agenda. Poke your head into churches along the way, taking a seat in a pew to rest your jet lagged weary body.

Posted by lrdpttnll

Rome

09/08/16 03:26 AM

62 posts

As far as museums go, there's some others belonging to the city network that are also open on Mondays: among them, the Capitoline Museums, the Ara Pacis, the Trajan Markets. I would do one of those, if they're not already covered by your tour, especially because it takes way less to get to them and visit them, and the queues there would be non existent as many foreign visitors don't know about the Monday opening.

Posted by Work2Travel

09/08/16 06:05 PM

824 posts

Rob,

I don't see a huge reason to "suck it up and pay a taxi." The Leonardo Express is a much more cost-effective option and I hear there's now a very cost-effective left-luggage operator just outside Termini (search this forum for details). It's then an easy metro or bus ride to the Vatican Museums.

A word of warning - the Vatican museums can be a real crush of tourists. When we went, it was a shoulder to shoulder lock-step march down the 700 meter corridor and the Sistine Chapel was packed solid. I wouldn't have missed it for the world but the actual experience wasn't all that pleasant. I really can't imagine doing it jet lagged.

That being said, if the weather is pleasant, I would recommend dropping your bags and heading to the Via Appia Antica/Parco degli Acquedotti (Aqueduct Park) or go to the Villa Borghese Park/Gardens. Fresh air and mild exercise are the best to keep jet lag at bay.