To stay in Rome only for 5 nights or add in some other destinations :)

You have only 4 full days in Rome. Enjoy them. We say Roma una vita non basta (Rome, a lifetime is not enough). Florence is too far, the Amalfi Coast by car is suicide and by train is a ridiculously long day.

I think you should stop trying to cram in so many stops and sidetrips in your honeymoon and just settle down. Take a walk, sit in a piazza, have a long Italian lunch. If by some chance you just cannot stand it, go to Ostia Antica for 1/2 day. Rick Steves' guide has a terrific self-guided tour. Stop at Eataly for lunch on your way back from Ostia Antica.

For more inspiration, get the books "24 Great Walks of Rome" and "Rome the Second Time." You will NEVER run out of things to do in Rome in 4 days.

You will barely scratch the surface in four days! I can't imagine running out of things to do and wanting to take a trip out of the city. I actually didn't enjoy Rome very much until I stayed a week - which gave me to time to really experience the city. The Pantheon area is a great area in which to stay. Slowing down when you travel will greatly increase your enjoyment IMO..

I would stay put, but if you really feel the need to go somewhere, Orvieto is a little over an hour by train.

Ditto to the above: stay put in Rome. We've spent a total of nearly several weeks in that city - with no day trips at all - and still have more ground to cover!

Most importantly if you do want to take a day trip that is something that you should no problem doing and deciding day of or day prior so no harm in mapping out the plan just in case. Book the 5 nights in Rome now before that books, any trips you take should not be overnights. Nothing un-refundable for the day trip should be bought in advance, train tickets I cannot imagine will be sold out.

You are arriving rather late in the day by the time you actually get to your hotel and unpack it will likely be dinner time and if you are leaving early on the 9th you may want to stay in Rome the whole time but if you do decide you want to see something else I would say you have 3 good options that can be done in the same day without an overnight:
Top choice would be Orvieto just cause I think it works easiest and can cover what you want in a day without it being rushed.
Florence and Pompeii I think are the other 2 good options.
Those 3 choices are quite diverse in what they offer.

Laurel is absolutely right! Stay in Rome -- way more than enough to do during your short time. If you just have to get out of the city you can go to Ostia Antica and do it well in 1/2 to 3/4 of a day including getting there and back on public transit.

Does anyone recommend staying in Rione Monti neighborhood over the Pantheon area?

Don't think you can beat the Pantheon area.
Would rather stay anywhere within the historic center than by the Colesseum area personally.

thanks for your help! We are booking this gorgeous place near the Pantheon! :D

It is closer to Trevi fountain etc as well! :)

Very excited!!!! We will stay in Rome for the 5 nights and see where that takes us. If we decide to do anything extra or day trips we can decide when we are there :)!

Glad you are staying the 5 nights - we've had two trips there (2008/14) - both 5 nights. First trip we did a day trip to Herculaneum/Vesuvius, second we spent a half day at Ostia Antica. The first trip we also spent a half day at Appia Antica, which I loved...

We thought on our last trip to go to Orvieto as well for a day trip, but with so much to see in Rome, we didn't have the time...

FYI, the Colosseum is in the historic center.

Hi,
I agree with most others, stay in Rome. Having been there 4 times for 4 nights each I still can return and not see the same thing again. Spend a day in Trastevere you can take a 15 minute local bus. Consider staying at Hotel Aberdeen as recommended by Rick Steeves. Great location, clean, friendly staff . Check it out. Enjoy one of the greatest cities in Europe.
Enjoy your trip
Lorieann

We really enjoyed our airbnb apartment by the Colosseum...you could see it out the window and walk there in less than 2 minutes...nothing like heading over to the Col at 7am and seeing it with barely a soul around!