Regarding suggestions for where to eat see the foodies' recommendations linked in this thread (which is currently seen on the first page):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy...-eat-rome.html
Also currently seen on the first page of our forum is this thread where I've recently linked some info regarding Florence:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy...staurants.html
Regarding Rome: are you looking for night clubs? What are your tastes? Perhaps if you let us know what your interests are, our
jamm will make some recommendations.
There's an English language magazine, ROMEING, that could be very helpful in figuring out which club to go to, and what special events are on offer during your stay. And their website has a helpful interactive calendar that you can pull up events:
http://www.romeing.it/
Here's their published magazine from
this past August, to give you an idea.
I'm also tweeting current info about Rome's events, and other related info of use to the Rome bound traveler. I'm keeping all the current stuff filed in my favorites folder - which is what's linked in my signature below. I'm hoping that by scrolling through it proves useful (and I un-favorite the stuff that becomes out-of-date).
Whose food tour did you book? I'd think you'll be able to ask them for their recommendations of where you guys should go for meals for the remainder of your time.
I'm not a fan of the hop on/off buses. Firstly, they're expensive versus using the regular bus (and you're budget minded, right?). Secondly, I've read there can be long wait times at the stops. Thirdly you're going in August - which means it will be sweltering hot. I'd personally avoid getting on any bus in August. If you plan your paths smartly, you won't have to take any public transportation - except for going out to the Appian Way.
Regarding doing the Colosseum and Roman Forum in one day - sure, many people do. But your €12 ticket is good for 2 days - and I'd personally be planning my itineraries so that I'd be in that oppressive heat as little as possible. You'll have very long days,
the sun won't set until around 8pm, so if it was me I'd go to the Colosseum very late in the day one day, and I'd explore the Forum and the Palatine very late in the day on the other day.
You also may be able to visit the Colosseum in the evening hours, called
LA LUNA SUL COLOSSEO. That link shows what they had last year, and it included being able to tour Rome's Underground as well.
As to your inclusion of Campo de Fiori, that seems kind of arbitrary. In that, it's not particularly near the Colosseum and Forum. I've recently made a bunch of suggestions on another thread, including the suggestion to get a good guide book and map so as to best plan your trip. Seen in this thread, post number 34, which is also on the first page of this forum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy...ilan-rome.html. I'd acquaint myself with what was near what, and make choices based on that. Plus, Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona, Piazza della Rotonda, etc, are so fun to visit at night. You'll be surrounded by tourists but still, the piazze and fountains and buildings all look so fantastic illuminated - and there are sure to be musicians/street performers/etc.
And in general, because of the heat you'll be experiencing, I'd plan to visit museums during the day, and as a budget traveler another option to get your "art fix" is visit some of Rome's wonderful churches. They are great places to get out of the sun for a stretch, and you'll see a huge amount of world renowned artwork and amazing architecture. And of course, for the religious they are the destinations of pilgrims from around the world.
Well this is a very busy day. First a question: what is it you plan to see in "Vatican City"? And if you want to see the Sistine Chapel then you'll need to purchase an entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums (ticket alone without a tour, is €15, and if you prebook to avoid the lines there's an additional €4 charge). This wil make it your single most expensive ticket in Rome - so I'd think you'd want to allot some time to explore the museum. It has a massive collection and is probably one of the most, if not the most famous museum in the world. The basilica is similarly jaw dropping amazing, and with your guide book in hand, there'll be much to see and learn about.
And then you're going to also get out to the Appian Way and Catacombs? Well, you're young! You could do it - but it's a day's plan I wouldn't undertake.
To get your catacomb fix on that day, I'd advise the Scavi Tour. Info in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy...ites-rome.html
Ok, I've got to ask: why do you want to visit Via Veneto? To single out just one street in Rome, this seems like an odd choice. If I had to pick one single street, I might choose Via dei Coronari with Gelateria del Teatro as my destination! There is so much more to see in Rome than what you've listed. But you have plenty time to research Rome and find out what you'll be most interested in seeing. Then plan itineraries that make geographical sense - and that keep you out of the worst of the heat each day. And since you're a self proclaimed foodie, I'd think a good approach would be to start researching where you'd like to go for meals and ice creams, etc, and then see what sites are near them - and plan that way. In that thread above you'll see that two of the foodies also have apps - so you can look at the maps and go from there.
Another great tip for Rome travelers on a budget, is to make good use of the aperitivi offers. Here's a blog post that has some recommendations:
Best Places for an Aperitif in Rome
Also, you'll be there during Estate Romana, so there'll be special events scheduled and along the Tiber they've had
Lungo il Tevere Roma - so I imagine they will again (I just don't want to go out on a limb and state that they'll definitely have it, what with all the austerity measures Europe-wide).
Regarding nighttime events, as part of the Roman Summer, they've had really neat performances in the ancient theater in Ostia Antica in the past, among other places. That would be really fun to attend I'd think. In fact, speaking of Ostia, why not do something an Italian would do in August - get away from all the tourists you'll be cheek to jowl with in Rome, and go to the beach for the day - like to Sperlonga for instance. That won't just be fun and cool (as in not scolding hot like the city), but you'll be exposed to a fascinating Italian cultural experience, unlike any experience of going to the beach in the States.
And getting back to your foodie label, you'll want to spend some time in Testaccio no doubt, a mecca for foodies. So why not see some sights in that neck of the woods. If you're there on the 2nd or 4th Saturday of the month, how about checking out the inside of
1st century BC pyramid.
I second
slawecki's recommendation that an open jaw would be more logical - if you can make changes to your tickets.
But regardless, why would you book your train tickets through Viator. Especially since you're looking to keep your expenses down. Avoid booking anything through a third party, and snag one of the deeply discounted tickets offered by Trenitalia (there are some caveats: the discounted cheapest fares won't be able to be changed I believe). But even their regular fares will beat Viator's since you'll be booking directly. There's also now Italo, that goes from Ostiense Station (next to the pyramid) to Florence - so check out their fares too.
I've read alot of great things about Hotel de Monti (note the spelling), but I haven't recommended it before because you have to walk up to the fourth floor (in Italy called the third floor). Especially for the tourist who overpacks, that's a lot of steps to be hauling up your luggage. And when I've check their rates they didn't seem very cheap to me, that's why I've recommended another place in Monti for budget travelers. May I ask you what rate you booked?
But staying in Monti will be terrific! It's where I plan to rent apartments from here on out. I'm gathering you haven't spent time on our forum and haven't read the threads here, so I'll link this thread for you where I've linked a bunch of stuff for Rione Monti :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy...one-monti.html. But I have a lot more bookmarked that I've yet to add. As you plan your trip, check out this forum (not just your own thread). You'll see questions and answers by others that will no doubt be helpful.
On that Monit thread, make special note of post number 22. I heartily recommend you adding that suggestions to your itinerary. It's not just the current number 1 attraction in Rome - but it will be positively ideal for you since it will be nice and cool inside.
Regarding expenses, on your current itinerary in Rome, your expenses for the Vatican Museums is €19, and for the Colosseo/Forum/Palatine €13.50 (that's €12 for the ticket and €1.50 to book online to avoid the lines). If you want to visit some of the sites a long the Appian Way, that ticket is €6 and also include the Baths of Caracalla. If you add the Scavi Tour that's €13 and the Palazzo Valentini is €11.50.
I have more links, and thoughts, but I'll stop here for now! As you can see, I'm pretty nuts for Rome, and I enjoy helping others plan their trips. Please ask away! (This thread will not just be helping you, but all those others who read it. Just like you'll be helped by reading other people's threads.
)
But I'm sorry, I have to add this: is there
any way you can reschedule your trip to a more hospitable month? I'd say August is considered the absolute worst time to visit Rome...