Originally Posted by
WiscAZ
Towards the end of a business trip I have scheduled some time in Rome. I will be arriving at FCO on Saturday Oct 26 around 4:00 pm and my flight leaves Monday at 10:30 AM.
Ill likely have some questions before the trip so I wanted to start a thread to begin asking.
I will be alone for this trip with minimal baggage.
1. Given the short period of time I'm there would it be better to book an airport hotel and just spend Sunday in the city or should I spend the nights in the city? Price isn't a factor here but convenience is.
2. Is the Leonardo Express train from FCO to the Termini easy to use?
3. Is there an area or hotel within walking distance from the termini that you would suggest? I'm preferred at Hilton's and best westerns.
4. Is the termini a central place to stay to see sights? I'm thinking with one day I may do a hop on hop off bus.
5. Are there any major sites I can see Saturday night? Like the Colosseum maybe?
6. What main tourist attractions should I buy a ticket for to avoid lines or are ere any tips? Anything closed or have restrictions due to it being a Sunday?
Thanks for any help anyone can provide!
You can see some splendid things in Rome even if you are just there for a day and a half.
http://www.italymagazine.com/feature...one-night-rome
http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/10/10...anted=all&_r=0
I agree, definitely don't stay at the airport. There's nothing out by FCO. If you've never been to Rome you'll be missing a lot. If convenience not price is your major consideration, I'd just take a cab. The fixed taxi rate is now up to E48. In my opinion the Leonardo Express can be a little challenging if you don't speak any Italian.
I second the opinion that staying near the Termini is not a good idea, especially for a short stay. It's not a nice part of town, and it's over a mile walk to any of the main sites that you'll be wanting to visit. At least the Port Authority in NYC is centrally located just off of Times Square.
For a short trip I'd recommend a hotel as close to the Pantheon as possible. This would put you within a 3-6 minute walk to most of the main sites you'd want to see, e.g., Pantheon itself, Fountain of Trevi, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, and 20 minutes to the Coliseum and Forum. The only long walk, but doable, would be to the Vatican.
On a short trip I'd lean more towards sightseeing than going to places that require a ticket.
I was in Rome this past Saturday arrived at 4 PM, with a flight out at 10 AM the next day, so I just had an evening. My stroll went from the Pantheon, to Piazza Navona, Piazza di Popolo, Spanish Steps, a great dinner in Monti, Piazza Venezia, Coliseum, Forum, then back to the hotel. I would recommend those as the sites to visit during a short stay. BTW, I think it's worth seeing the Coliseum and Forum both during the day and at night. Very different perspectives.