Hi there. My husband and I are going to Italy in just 4 weeks (wooo hoo!!). We'll be in Rome for just 2 nights, and for the full day in between, will do the Caesar Shuffle (Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps). We're looking for something brief to do for a few hours in the morning before flying home (our flight leaves at 3:15pm and we'll be taking the Leonardo Express train from Termini station). Our hotel is just east of Piazza Vittorio (south-west of the train station). I had thought of going to the National Museum of Rome a Palazzo Massimo, since Rick recommends it, and it's close to the station. But we're flying home on a Monday and the museum is closed on Mondays (so I think we'll do it the afternoon we arrive in Rome). Any other ideas? We'll each have a small backpack and a rolling carry-on size suitcase. The hotel is about a 10 minute walk from the station (from what I can tell) so we could leave our bags at the hotel, or in lockers at the station (assuming there are lockers), or we could just take the bags with us on a short walk. So, can anyone suggest a walk in the area, or a sight, or maybe a round-trip public bus ride that would show us some nice sights/views? Or a short subway trip somewhere? We're not planning on seeing the Vatican (we're not religious so we're not broken up over this decision) but if there were a nice public bus route (or subway stop) that would let us just see it from the outside (we're not going to stand in line or pay an admission), that we could do in a couple hours, we might do that. Thanks for any tips! Cathy
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Maurice, Louisiana, US
46 posts
You do not have to be religious to be awed by St. Peter's Basilica, and you don't have to pay to go inside. The longest lines and the steep ticket prices are for the Vatican Museum (the site of the Sistine Chapel). I think it would be a shame to be in Rome and not see St. Peter's. This is what I would do if I were you: Get up as early as possible. St. Peter's opens at 7:00 a.m. (except on Wednesday mornings when it's closed for papal audiences.) The earlier you get there, the shorter the line will be. Make sure to wear long pants or a skirt and covered shoulders. Check out of your hotel, go to Termini, store your luggage there. Take the Metro to the Ottaviano stop and walk 10 minutes south on Via Ottaviano. When Via Ottaviano hits the wall of Vatican City, the crowds may turn right. Those people will be going to the Vatican Museum. Don't follow them. You keep going straight, towards St. Peter's Square. Once you hit St. Peter's Square, use the RS audio tour. The first part of the tour talks you through the square and the exterior. Then you go through security and use the tour for the interior of the Basilica. Once you get past security, you won't need more than 45 minutes to hit the highlights. Re-trace your steps, go back to Termini, pick up your luggage, head to the airport. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and go through security to your gate. It can take a LONG time in Rome. I would skip lunch and grab something once I got to my gate, using the last of my Euros. Have fun.