Alitalia MilleMiglia - When in Rome, for less than 12 hours

I'm planning a quick side trip from BEY to TIP via FCO on AZ this Sep using QF points. I was able to find seats on several days/flights options.

Since I don't have much time to burn on this trip, I am thinking of catching an early flight on 28 SEP, spending about 10 hours in Rome before catching the evening flight to TIP.
On another day, there's also the option of flying in the evening (arriving at 7:10PM), spending the night in Rome before catching the 10AM flight to TIP.

Do you think this sort of quick getaway is possible? We've never been to Rome before, but would like to have a nice meal somewhere in the city (could use a recommendation) but nothing requiring formal dress (don't have the time to change) or crazy prices.

Also, do you think the evening flight is a better option? We could overnight in a hotel (would appreciate your recommendations too).

Cheers

Hello edy4eva,
Maybe moderator will move this thread to the Italy forum.
Anyway, I really hope that AZ launches some good smart policy about stop-over in Rome.

Well, that could be another thread. Back to the getaway: you can easily hit the town with that amount of time.
Since it's your first visit to Rome, I'd suggest the first combination rather than the overnight stop-over, so you can spend more hours in the city.
The latter combination could be good if you've your favorite restaurants, places to go, hotels and such, since you'll arrive a little bit late (well, it's not that late in Rome :) )
In September, weather should be fine.
You can take the first available train service to the city, get off at some underground station (Termini, Ostiense, etc) take the underground and get Colosseo (Line B), or Spagna or Flaminio (Line A). Just find Colosseo, Spagna & Flaminio stations and Castel Sant'Angelo in the map (http://maps.google.it/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=it&geocode=&q=colosseo&sll=41.826282,12.498654&sspn=0.042085,0.090895&ie=UTF8&ll=41.900616,12.477121&spn=0.021018,0.045447&z=15) and, simply, walk in that area plenty of great places.

Some useful website:
http://www.adr.it - FCO website
http://www.turismoroma.it - Rome tourism board
Http://www.metroroma.it local public transportation
http://www.trenitalia.it shuttle train between the city and the airport