Rome Forum: Please Review Updated Itinerary

I see so many postings advising against trying to see too much. We really do want a relaxing trip, but when I look at previous 8 day itineraries, they all involve a day trip or two. The one trip my husband really, really wants is to visit Mt. Vesuvius. Would it be reasonable to try to visit on Monday, March 19th? Will it be open on St. Joseph's day?

1) I think your arrival day is too full. You'll be horribly jet lagged and will want to nap. I would take that day slowly and try to stay outside as much as possible. I would bypass the churches for another day.

2) You can add St. Peter in Chains, Santa Maria Maggiore and St. Johns in Lateranno on this day. They are all close to the colosseum an would make sense to see them together. If you have time you could even see the Capitolini museums.

3) I would do the Vatican in one day. Seeing the basilica in the morning then visiting the scavi will take most of your morning. After the scavi you can take a break for a relaxing lunch before heading into the museums.

4) You might add the Baths of caracalla on this day. It's not far from the Circus Maximus and is a favorite site of mine, well worth the time.

6) You will be right up the street from the baths of Diocletian so you may want to add them here and have more free time on your anniversary.

7) congratulations! Hope what ever you do on this day is wonderful.

8) Visit some of the churches you might not have had a chance to see. Don't forget the Santa Maria sopra Minerve church behind the pantheon. It's a wonderful little church.

None of your days seem particularly packed so you may find yourself with lots of spare time. I would suggest stopping into any churches you pass. You'll be amazed at the decorations inside.

Donna

Visiting Mt. Vesuvius is doable, but makes for a long day, look to the right under "Top Questions". Fast train from Romes Termini to Naples, 70 mins. 45 Euro p/p, go downstairs to the regional Circumvesuvian train to Ercolano (Herculaneum) Scavi, 15/20 mins, 3.40 Euro return. When you exit the station to your left is a mini-van company, 12 Euro? p/p. Exiting the station and straight down the street is the Herculaneum Scavi, 11 Euro p/p.

I don't know if the summit is open, due to snow. During the summer they sometimes close due to heavy rain. The trail is gravel, a little steep/slippery when dry, so I'd check and make sure: parks.it/parco.nazionale.vesuvio/… when I looked the tab for visitor center was disabled, so email/call.

I was going to recommend the Baths of Caracalla and SM Sopra Minerve Church, as I enjoy both emmensely, but I see Donna added them.

If you find you have the time, a visit to Ostia-Antica is a nice afternoon. www.ostia-antica.org.

Have a wonderful visit to the Eternal City.

What I find strange is one day for Verano cemetery... Is there any specific reason?

Another suggestion,as I always say in my posts, I would go out of the touristy places to see and enjoy half a day or a full day of Roman daily life... I'm Roman, I like the city center but I think, as you have 8 days, that you could see also some other neighborhoods... I'll add in another post some suggestions.

I give you these 3 itineraries:

In the south EUR is interesting... this area has been developed during the Fascist era and has a lot of buildings of the Rationalist Architecture, there is a big park with a lake (during March all trees will blossom) and the newest big mall from Rome Euroma2 (although I don't like it so much). this part of the city is easy to reach as the Metro line B reaches the area (Eur Palasport is the stop).

Otherwise you could move in the northern part of the city in the Parioli neighborhood. This is the richest part of Rome, very beautiful street to walk around, have a look at the Art deco Coppedè block in Piazza Mincio, than move to Galleria Borghese and have a visit (to book in advance). It is very nice full of old paintings and mainly sculptures (it used to belong to cardinal Borghese who developed in a private collection of paintings and sculptures from the 16th and 17th century), then you can stay in the park for a picnic and after that move to the new MAXXII museum of art of 21th century designed by Zaha Hadid and then end it with a happy hour in Ponte Milvio.

Last suggested itinerary: Get off at Piramide Metro B station, you will find there's a pyramid also in Rome! Then visit the English cemetery behind thi; there are Romantic Poets Shelley and Keats' graves; then walk to Piazza Testaccio.. This is the most authentic "Roman" neighborhood together with Trastevere, buy some fresh dairy bread and fruits and then move to Parco degli Aranci up to the Aventino Hill, which is another very nice and luxurios neighborhood. THere is a terrace with a stunning view of Rome. After that move to Via Ostiense and visit Centrale Montemartini which is a former power station which has been restored and filled of ancient Roman statues and end the day having a happy hour at Doppio Zero from 7pm to 9pm. You will get a drink at € 10 and all you want to eat (pizza, salads, cold pastas). I like very much going there with my friends... I think it's enough!!!!

Enjoy your stay in Rome.

Simon, there is no special reason for leaving a whole day to Verano Cemetary. We just hadn't made any other plans for that day or the following day.

I absolutely love the sound of your third itinerary. I have just finished reading it to my husband, and he wants me to be sure to print it out and put it in an envelope to pull out as an adventure for us on one of our final days.

Grazie!

Well, you could do the third itinerary on Sunday after Porta Portese, as you can buy something to eat at the Farmers' market in Ponte Testaccio (very close to Porta Portese; the ordinary Testaccio market is closed on Sunday).

From there you can go to Acatholic cemetery as it opens only in the morning on Sunday.

After that you can move to Aventino Hill where there is the Keyhole and Parco degli Aranci Garden where you can have rest (after this "walking" morning), and the lunch with fresh dairy and vegetables you have bought at the market.

Then from there you can go:

a) to have a Coffee in Andreotti (Via Ostiense) continuing along

b) to Centrale Montemartini in Via Ostiense

c) have a look to St Paul's basilica, (although it has been rebuilt in 1825 because of a fire)

and finish the day ad Doppio Zero, at 19.30 for the happy hour.

I suggest you to book as on Sunday the happy hour is really crowded http://doppiozeroo.com.

The Via Ostiense Area, From Pyramid to St Paul's basilica is quite new (it has been developed between the two World Wars) and represents the first industrial area that has been built in that time. There were the general markets (which are under change now as the Roman government wants to build the city of Youth), there are these old factories that are under overhaul, the new university is developing in this area, in old factories many clubs and pubs have opened. So it's a mixture but this is the atmosphere I like there. And you will have a look at a part of the city non so "touristy". Maybe in a week day it could be nicer as it is a little more lively.

I also would suggest you to match my second itinerary to the Verano visit. From Verano (which is one hour of visit, actually I'm still curios about this choice!) you can take tram N° 3 and get off at Piazza Mincio and then continue with that itinerary....

Simon - good ideas, all! Since you've been so helpful, I wonder if I could impose once more for a suggested day on Wednesday (our 12th wedding anniversary?)

And, to help satisfy your curiosity, some of the first dates my husband and I had were picnics at a few of the beautiful cemetaries near our homes. Morbid, perhaps, but we enjoy reading the epitaphs, sometimes taking rubbings of the more endearing ones, looking at the sculptures and decorations of the mausoleums and crypts, etc. By their very nature, cemetaries tend to be very quiet and reserved and manicured - we find them rather beautiful and romantic. I "googled" cemetary in Rome to see if there were any close to the city center that would be interesting, and Verona cemetary looks lovely. I don't believe there is anyone really famous buried there, unless you count Roberto Rossellini, who we aren't really familiar with. So, no reasons really for going except for finding our own little non-touristy yet "made for us" Roman location. :)

Let me think about it, I'll ask my wife too!!!

Simon