2 days & 3 nights in Rome---solo
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,566
2 days & 3 nights in Rome---solo
I am going on a tour of Puglia which ends in Rome. I have decided to stay on by myself in Rome for 3 nights (6/3-7/2). I haven't been there for over 30 years so it is almost like never. When I was there 30 years ago, I did a lot...Vatican, Pantheon, etc but I did not visit the Colloseum. Since my time is so limited I am wondering what the best way to see some sights would be---I don't want to be crazy running around or spend a lot of $$$. I think I am willing to forgo visiting the Vatican/Sistine again as I don't want to deal with feeling like cattle in the crowds but maybe should see the Colloseum--I have been reading on here that I need to reserve tickets ahead of time?
Should I look into doing one of those hop on & hop off buses? Tour guide for a day (if so, any recommends for a cheap one---tall, dark & handsome would be a plus)? Just wing it on my own? I am staying at the Marriott Grand HOtel Flora on Via Veneto.
I am sure this question has been asked 100 times on her but search feature fails me. Thanks!
Should I look into doing one of those hop on & hop off buses? Tour guide for a day (if so, any recommends for a cheap one---tall, dark & handsome would be a plus)? Just wing it on my own? I am staying at the Marriott Grand HOtel Flora on Via Veneto.
I am sure this question has been asked 100 times on her but search feature fails me. Thanks!
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,560
I am going on a tour of Puglia which ends in Rome. I have decided to stay on by myself in Rome for 3 nights (6/3-7/2). I haven't been there for over 30 years so it is almost like never. When I was there 30 years ago, I did a lot...Vatican, Pantheon, etc but I did not visit the Colloseum. Since my time is so limited I am wondering what the best way to see some sights would be---I don't want to be crazy running around or spend a lot of $$$. I think I am willing to forgo visiting the Vatican/Sistine again as I don't want to deal with feeling like cattle in the crowds but maybe should see the Colloseum--I have been reading on here that I need to reserve tickets ahead of time?
Should I look into doing one of those hop on & hop off buses? Tour guide for a day (if so, any recommends for a cheap one---tall, dark & handsome would be a plus)? Just wing it on my own? I am staying at the Marriott Grand HOtel Flora on Via Veneto.
I am sure this question has been asked 100 times on her but search feature fails me. Thanks!
Should I look into doing one of those hop on & hop off buses? Tour guide for a day (if so, any recommends for a cheap one---tall, dark & handsome would be a plus)? Just wing it on my own? I am staying at the Marriott Grand HOtel Flora on Via Veneto.
I am sure this question has been asked 100 times on her but search feature fails me. Thanks!
#3
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
I am going on a tour of Puglia which ends in Rome. I have decided to stay on by myself in Rome for 3 nights (6/3-7/2). I haven't been there for over 30 years so it is almost like never. When I was there 30 years ago, I did a lot...Vatican, Pantheon, etc but I did not visit the Colloseum. Since my time is so limited I am wondering what the best way to see some sights would be---I don't want to be crazy running around or spend a lot of $$$. I think I am willing to forgo visiting the Vatican/Sistine again as I don't want to deal with feeling like cattle in the crowds but maybe should see the Colloseum--I have been reading on here that I need to reserve tickets ahead of time?
Should I look into doing one of those hop on & hop off buses? Tour guide for a day (if so, any recommends for a cheap one---tall, dark & handsome would be a plus)? Just wing it on my own? I am staying at the Marriott Grand HOtel Flora on Via Veneto.
I am sure this question has been asked 100 times on her but search feature fails me. Thanks!
Should I look into doing one of those hop on & hop off buses? Tour guide for a day (if so, any recommends for a cheap one---tall, dark & handsome would be a plus)? Just wing it on my own? I am staying at the Marriott Grand HOtel Flora on Via Veneto.
I am sure this question has been asked 100 times on her but search feature fails me. Thanks!
Now for my Colosseum advice: We bought tickets ahead of time on https://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm. The entrance includes access to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill. The online reservation "surcharge" is 2 (bringing the total to 14) and was completely worth it IMHO. We saved quite a bit of time waiting in line. For an extra fee of 5, you can select an option on the site that gives you a guided group tour in the Colosseum. We traveled without a larger tour group, so this guided tour gave some good historical overview, and it took ~45 minutes.
Afterwards, we went to the Forum/Palatine Hill complex. There are multiple entrances. The one that is closest to the Colosseum tends to have crazy lines (as it did when we were there). There is an entrance further south on Via di San Gregorio (map here) that had a much shorter line, which probably saved us 20 minutes.
Oh, and if you thought the crowds 30 years ago at the Vatican were bad, it's insane now. Also, the entrance to the Vatican Museums is different than it was 30 years ago. Anyway, that whole experience felt like a blur because of sheer number of people and things to see.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,557
Well, over the last 40 years or so I a) lived in Rome (for work) for a total of ~15 months; b) visited (for work) about 30 times for a few days each; and c) have visited for "pure pleasure" about 10-15 times. Still, there are certain "things" I haven't been able to visit, which I'm always planning to do/get the "next time". I have a trip of the third kind (pleasure) planned for October and I'll get a few of those missing gems in. I'm never, ever getting enough of this city.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: LAN
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AY Plat
Posts: 144
In my opinion, getting inside the Colosseum is not worth the wait/crowds. In that area I would rather concentrate on the forum and have a look at the nearby Basilica Dei Santi Cosma e Damiano (5th century), see the Roman Senate building, Capitoline museums, Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Rome's titular church). Elsewhere, check out Trastevere for a stroll, a meal and some beautiful churches. You say that you have been to Vatican. What about the Lateran Palace and Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano? It is hard to recommend without knowing your interests.
And I am definitely in agreement with KLouis - I don't see how one can see everything there is to see in Rome even in a year, let alone a couple of days
And I am definitely in agreement with KLouis - I don't see how one can see everything there is to see in Rome even in a year, let alone a couple of days
#6
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 71
Rome airport (FCO) departure nightmares
Enjoy your trip. But FYI, getting through passport control <<departing>> FCO took an hour tonight (security took 5 minutes). Am told it's like that every day/night. They've got n row of shiny new passport readers that don't work. And of the 15 booths to check passports, 3 were open while approx 150 angry people waited, sans AC. Why it takes the Italians 5 minutes (average) to put a meaningless exit stamp on each passport is yet another mystery. Everywhere else in the world, this takes 10 seconds.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,566
Excellent advise and tips from everyone! Thank you. I know it is corny and touristy but has anyone used the "hop on & hop off" bus to get around to the various sites?
As far as interests...I'd prefer not to spend time in a museum (and yes, the entire city is a museum!) but I do love architecture, ruins, fountains, cathedrals, and also love stuffing my face and sitting at a cafe people watching. One of the days is my birthday and I haven't decided whether to find a splurge restaurant or just eat pizza & gelato all day. I know I can't go wrong with either choice.
Tlvyyz, thanks for the heads up on the airport. I am really glad I switched my departure flight from 9am to 11am. It sounds like I will need the extra time.
As far as interests...I'd prefer not to spend time in a museum (and yes, the entire city is a museum!) but I do love architecture, ruins, fountains, cathedrals, and also love stuffing my face and sitting at a cafe people watching. One of the days is my birthday and I haven't decided whether to find a splurge restaurant or just eat pizza & gelato all day. I know I can't go wrong with either choice.
Tlvyyz, thanks for the heads up on the airport. I am really glad I switched my departure flight from 9am to 11am. It sounds like I will need the extra time.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,403
From what I have heard/read, it is not worth it. My understanding is that because of ZTLs and such the buses can only access certain parts of the city. I've never done it myself, and maybe others have had more positive experiences.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,557
I "did" the bus in the 90s (back then run by ATAC!) accompanying my sister who was visiting for a day or so. You get a rough idea of the "whole" city, that you can't get otherwise. I'd recommend this only to people who are there for a very short time.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,566
Well, that's me...short time!
#11
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,968
ZTLs are restricted driving zones, basically limiting traffic in city centers to authorized vehicles including residents. What is mentioned above is an extension of that: trying to keep some of the historic areas including main squares around sights as pedestrian-only areas, so that not even buses can get there.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SFO, VCE
Programs: AA EXP >4 MM, Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,881
Then you have not yet been to Rome. I went to school there for a year, and since then I visit for a month or two, 3-4 times per year since the early 90's. There are still a vast number of treasures and sites that I haven't been able to, "get in." It's like saying I went to New York City for 3 days and, "got everything in," except Rome has about ten times more things to see and do.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Wisconsin
Programs: HH Diamond, DL Platinum
Posts: 41
On my second trip to Rome last fall, I had a fellow traveler who was unable to walk long distances so we took the hop on/hop off bus one afternoon. It is true that their routes are limited and most sites are seen from a distance as the buses aren’t allowed into certain areas. It was about $35-40 per ticket which I didn’t feel was worth it given the limited access. If you are mobile, I think your better option is mapping out a walking route from your hotel that gets you to your top sites. Make sure you have a map of some kind that indicates where the city’s taxi stands are located in case you want a ride back to your hotel.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,557
In my first trip to Rome in 1979 (20 days, late September) we started walking from out hotel close to the Piazza del Popolo at around 8 am and we came back at arounf 7 pm for the aperitivo at a vineria on via Scrofa and then dinner. We repeated that a week later, visiting only places we hadn't seen the first time. The next timesI walked that much in Rome was on two of my recent visits a few years ago when I had to deal with an ATAC strike .
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,566
On my second trip to Rome last fall, I had a fellow traveler who was unable to walk long distances so we took the hop on/hop off bus one afternoon. It is true that their routes are limited and most sites are seen from a distance as the buses arent allowed into certain areas. It was about $35-40 per ticket which I didnt feel was worth it given the limited access. If you are mobile, I think your better option is mapping out a walking route from your hotel that gets you to your top sites. Make sure you have a map of some kind that indicates where the citys taxi stands are located in case you want a ride back to your hotel.
Is it difficult to locate taxi stands? I assume that you can't just hail a taxi from anywhere on the street (like NYC). Are hotels a good place to catch a cab if needed?