Welcome suggestions on Rome in a week.
June 4th arriving and maybe a double decker bus tour to get familiar, maybe walk to Pantheon.
Thursday, no plan. Friday, tour of Vatican and Excavations,Yea!! Sat,Sun,Mon,and Tuesday no plan.
We do want a tour of Colosseum,visit family in Abruzzo,Pompeii and maybe Capri!! Opps, fit in Borghesi. I wasn't sure if to schedule 2 days in a row tours as to not be on overload of history and enjoy all?

Are you planning to hire a car? Otherwise (and, in fact, even with it!) trips out to Abruzzo, Pompeii and Capri will be very tiring. The journey from Rome down into Campania is a long one, Pompeii and Capri together would ideally involve an overnight stay. Rome has more than enough to occupy you for a week without any need to rush about. Relax and enjoy the city!

I would forget about Pompeii, and do a day trip to Ostia Antica. Much closer, and a great time. I would also forget about Capri - too far for a day trip. May I make a few suggestions (and this is just an idea, as there is so much to do in Rome and depends on where you are staying):

Day 1: Get acquainted with Rome, See Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and walk to Piazza Navona.

Day 2: Ancient Rome: Check out Coloseum, Forum, Palantine hill, trajans forum, etc

Day 3: Vatican, and western side of Rome - maybe Piazza Navona (if you didnt go) and Campo de Fiori

Day 4: Day trip to Ostia Antica. If you have alot of energy, chk out Testaccio on way back.

Day 5: Perhaps Chk out the magnificent churches of Rome, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Clemente, San Giovanni in Laterano. Or Stroll up to Piazza Del Popolo, Borghese Gallery.

Day 6: Day trip to Orvieto. Or nuke the day trip, and check out Trastevere.

So many options :-). I have been to Rome 6 times, and I feel that I have just scratched the surface. Whatever you do, make sure you relax at times, sit in an outdoor cafe, and soak up the surroundings and culture.

Hope this helps - and remember, there are alot of options,

Glenn

Thanks,
We do plan on relaxing. We are just going to
rent a car to Avezzano. Not sure what day,
maybe Saturday. The day trip to Pompeii or
Ostia Antica which I have heard many good things
will be by train.
lele

quote:

Originally posted by ltexas:
...Opps, fit in Borghesi.

Don't forget, you'll need reservations for the Borghese Gallery. Click here to reserve online.

I agree with the poster who suggested Ostia Antica...It's a 30 min. train ride out of the city..Rome just has so much to offer that even a week will be "weak"......

ciao,
Cheryl

We are spending 4 nights in Rome this June and are planning a day trip to Villa d'Este to see the gardens and fountains in Tivoli. After lunch we may stop at Hadrian's Villa if my group is up for it (includes on grandparent and 2 kids!). Just another day trip option to consider that's not too far outside of Rome. Because we are 5 people, I am hiring a private car service.

The hop on and off bus stops at 13 places. It is 18 euro for one day and 23 for 2. I suggest 2. Some of the stops are a bit far from the venue. You can start at any of the stops, as a cashier is on the bus. Go upstairs, nothing can be seen from downstairs. It took about 2 hours to make one loop (they say 1 to 1 1/2 hrs). They have plug in mulilanguage commentary, but the system is only fair. Lots of talking from the other passengers. Even cell phones!. They do run every 15 to 20 minutes. The area around Termini Station is a dump. We started our at the castle. Note the bus comes on the other side of the river. Look for the bus type sign. If I went back I would do it again. We spent our time with 2 round trips and a long walk to the zoo and back.

Glenn, interested in your comment "check out Trastevere". I'm going to Rome in October and my B&B is in the Trastevere district. What attractions there were you referring to?


JVP
Deep in the Heart of Texas