I feel that I need to make this decision today. Any input would be great. Arriving Rome May 23, 2025 late afternoon. (RS 14 day best of Europe starts on Monday at 15:00.) Looking at tickets to Vatican for 8:00 am on Saturday May 24th @ 8:00am or Tuesday May 26th @ 15:00. Which may be less crowded? And is it crazy to expect to hit the ground running at 8:00 am after flying from California to Rome the day before?
Any food tour that you recommend in Rome?
Think the answer depends on your endurance factor.
I’m an early riser up and out a door before 6am. If you can get up without jet lag then go for the 8am slot. However if not early risers then the afternoon slot. Nothing would be worse than not being rested enough to enjoy the tour and your surroundings.
Strolling about London, Rome, Paris, Venice et al before or just after sunrise was an enjoyable way to experience these famous cities. Taking photos without humans getting in the way, joyful.
For me I like seeing the cities wake up, watching deliveries occurring , piazzas, streets, sidewalks being cleaned and all the workers who execute their jobs before dawn breaks.
It’s a frame of mind….all the worlds a stage, so I enjoy the actors. I also throughly enjoy NOT dealing with crowds. Honestly by walking and exploring so easily one discovers so much. Pocket parks, cafes, church yards, quiet beaches, unobstructed views and the best part, no screaming babies or children, piped music, or horns honking. Occasionally garbage trucks, street sweepers. Often joggers and dog walkers. Not a night person. I like my 8 hours and adore watching sunrises.
Be realistic and honest with yourselves!
Agree with Claudia. Early early morning in Rome was magical last May. We walked through tourist-free streets en route to the Trevi Fountain at 6:30 a.m. A fantastic walk from our Campo de Fiori hotel to Vatican City at 6:00 a.m. Later in the day the “must see” attractions are more crowded than Disneyworld. If you can stay up until early evening on your arrival day (we arrived at 7:00 a.m., dropped our luggage at the hotel, walked, visited less crowded sights, had lunch, checked in and showered, went out and walked some more, had an early light dinner and were asleep by 9:00 pm) you should have no trouble getting up early on day 2.
We absolutely loved Eating Italy’s Taste of Testaccio food tour. Gets you to a non touristy neighborhood you won’t see on your RS tour. The Testaccio market hall is authentic and wonderful. Our guide was fantastic, the groups are limited to 12 people, and you will eat so much and learn so much about types of Italian food! One of our favorite activities from last May (a lot of people choose their Trestevere tour, but trestevere has gotten really touristy. Less authentic and much more crowded — I’m so glad we chose the Testaccio tour instead ).
I am not a morning person but I would recommend the 8am tour. We did it on our recent trip and it was worth getting up early . Your itself is great . The museum is so much less crowded. Our tour included breakfast after the tour and on return from the Cafe around 10:30 it was crazy crowded. Go early rnjoy and then go for a nap
