I am ending my European. trip in Rome and spending five days there coming from Naples. Almost everyone I have talked to say to shorten my stay. I am looking for more suggestions and advice on this.
My itinerary starts in Venice, then Florence, Siena Naples and finally, Rome. Four days in each location, except Rome.
I can change my itinerary completely, but it would be a lot of work, especially since all my train connections are made from each place.
Thanks so much,
Lisa Bonner
Almost everyone I have talked to say to shorten my stay.
Don't listen to them. It's your trip. Rome is an amazing city for a longer stay (and 5 days is really not that long, actually).
Here's how we filled 8 days in Rome: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-rome-dec-2022
Not sure what you question is. Five days in Rome hardy begin to cover it. We have spent nearly a month over the years and still haven't seen everything --- BUT -- we tend to be slow walkers. There is so much to see and do in Rome. And we are the type that can easily spend three or four hours in a sidewalk cafe sipping wine and watching the world roll by. We are never in a hurry except if we have to catch a train. I see nothing wrong with you suggested schedule.
PS Just noticed your posted your question in "Trip Reports." Probably get more and better responses in the appropriate section.
You could not fill five months in Rome, so I would not change anything. You can always take a day trip if you are so inclined.
Rome has so many amazing museums, churches, and places to eat, you'll easily use all that time. The Borgese Gallery alone can fill a day, including walking there, two hours in the museum, and enjoying the surrounding park before heading to a long, late lunch, then the passeggiata and a fine meal. Or if you need to wind down, you can find a piazza or sidewalk cafe and entertain yourself with people watching and a great glass of wine.
You need a minimum of four nights in Rome if you include Vatican City. I don’t know how many nights five days is but a good day trip option is Orvieto by direct train (1h 30m).
Thank you all for your thoughts! I instinctively thought my trip was great!
I am planning on taking some days excursions, as well.
But, I am an explorer at heart and love to wander and find hidden gems!
Lisa
PS to Frank, thanks for the tip. I didn't know my post was in trip reports. I have enough response anyway, but for future inquiries I will change it.
Does your time in Naples include Pompeii, Capri, Amalfi Coast, etc? If so then 4 days in that region may not be enough as transportation challenges can eat chunks out of your day. In this case I might consider less time in Rome.
Rome is more than the highlights everyone sees. Having 5 days allows time for improvisation, sitting in a piazza with an aperitivo late in the afternoon, after dark explorations, a museum you didn’t know of until you were there.
In Italian they say Roma, una vita non basta! Rome, a lifetime is not enough. We lived there for almost 5 years and still found wonderful new things to when we revisited last year. Here is my post-trip report https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/rome-again-sites-you-might-not-otherwise-visit.
Five days in Rome? That's a good start.
Brad
We’ve been there on three different tours and there’s still things I would like to go back to see. But then it all depends on your interests…..
Hi Lisa, Well it's your trip, and as you say, I am an explorer at heart and love to wander and find hidden gems!, you cannot go wrong with Rome. We've been a number of times, the last trip was 8 days without going into a single one of the major attractions people like to see on their first visit, so yes, go and enjoy your 5 days.
I too was wondering what you're focused on seeing in Naples, maybe a day trip to Pompeii and for the food?! HA.
I would wait to book any day trips until after you arrive in Rome, you may decide 5 days is hardly enough. Here's our 8-day trip report from last year, lots of hidden gems! https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/rome-was-jammed-over-ny-but-still-fun.
Totally agree with the previous commenters: five days in Rome is just enough to know you want more.
BUT in my experience, by the END of a three week trip anywhere, particularly in one country, I'm saturated, and can't absorb another thing. My only suggestion would be to take it easy in Rome, seeing perhaps a few well-planned blockbusters (Vatican and Forum, for example), but focus on "la dolce vita". Otherwise, your sight-fatigue by that point will leave a bad taste in your mouth. And you must return to Rome, in any case, Trevi fountain or no Trevi fountain.
Pish, Lisa. You'll barely scratch the surface of Rome in 5 days so the "almost everyone" who told you that are seriously misinformed. That or they didn't care about the vast amount interesting things that ancient city has to offer. Shoot, there is enough there that you really don't need day excursions elsewhere to fill your time.
You are going to have a wonderful trip!!
Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement and wonderful articles of past trips! I can't wait to explore EVERYTHING!
By the END of a three week trip anywhere, particularly in one country,
I'm saturated, and can't absorb another thing.
Suzanne is so right. I've read a bit on dopamine burnout, and can just add 'dopamine MUSEUM burnout' is a real thing. We're keen museum-goers who research extensively ahead of time, but i'm only good for 2-3 days in major, fascinating museums and then I need a day to just wander.... so your 5 days will fly by!
