Three Days in Rome (early November)

[ACurlyWurly]

Hi all, it has been my dream since I was 8 to make it to Rome before my 50s and in a few short weeks I will finally be there.

Can anyone recommend anything off the beaten track to take in while we are there. I have 2 days to look forward to.

In two days there's won't be much time for doing stuff off the beaten track - just concentrate on doing all the main attractions well! The Vatican and Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Forum, steps, fountain, Basilica and Pantheon should be enough!

Seconding rice for a much longed for first visit stick to the standard, they are at the top of the list for a reason. Would add in Palatine and Forum and Villa Borghese. Also nip into any churches you pass. But 2 days will go in a flash.

Sorry 3 days - we managed in that timescale.

Depending on how much you want to see the Vatican- personally I would put that low on the list. Took about 90 minutes to get through all the corridors leading to the Sistine Chapel. You are meant to be in silence in there but with so many people crammed in and the guards repeatedly saying silence over the tannoy it did ruin the effect. The grounds are beautiful though.

I have just recently done three days with my mum. Highlights were the coliseum and forum - if you go when it opens at half eight it is actually really quiet with loads of space to look at things. We loved piazza novolo, sitting in the sun with a glass of wine. We walked everywhere which I would recommend to see everything, get Google maps up and go. The borghese gardens are beautiful, if you go through to the pincio terrace you get the most amazing view. If you want to go in the borghese gallery you need to book, it may even be booked already.
Be careful with your things and get a small cross body bag, pickpockets are an issue. We had an amazing time though, I'm excited for you!

I loved the coliseum but I wouldn't go out of my way to see the forum if you are pressed for time. If you book a tour you can get into the Vatican and St Peters's basilica without so much queuing. We got an amnia card which has a queue jump thing. The Basilica is not as much of a cattle market as the Vatican museums and if you are on a tour you can go straight from the sistine chapel to the basilica without queuing again. St. John's in the Lateran is gorgeous if you like churches. The Borghese is fab but you must book in advance (now!). I found the catacomb tour fascinating but it's probably not for everyone. There are fabulous fountains and sculptures all over the place, just by the road where you can't miss them. Piazza Navona is a nice square with fountains and restaurants and a nice atmosphere but it's probably just one of dozens.

that should say omnia card

Jam, the forum was one of my favourite sites when I visited and can’t belive anyone would advocate skipping it! The feeling of walking in historic steps there was mind blowing.

My tip would be to go to the Trevi Fountain, which is a must see, at night. In the daytime you can't see it properly for the crowds, when I went to Rome for my 21st DP and I wandered around at night a lot along the river and around town, when we got to the Trevi fountain it was after midnight and totally deserted but still lit up - very romantic!

The whole place is historic steps. I didn't really 'get' the forum. There was a very boisterous and large school group when I went and the woman in the audio guide/tour guide kiosk was just telling people to fuck off and I do like an audio guide. I loved the colosseum though (where normal woman sold me an audioguide)

Just realise I have contradicted myself, we are there for the best part of 3 days not 2....oops

on my hit list are
Colliseim and forum
Trevi Fountain
Steps
Vatican

I just cant wait to soak up the atmosphere, we are going on a Thursday so I am hoping the weekend tourists will be not be there yet and it will be a little quieter. I love the idea of seeing the fountain in the small hours Silk!
Catacombs look incredible!

Where would you get tickets for Colosseum?

Coop Culture is the official website to prebook tickets and tours. Buy a joint ticket for the Forum and Colosseum at the gate to the Palatine near the Arch of Titus to miss the worst of the queues. Be prepared for xray security at most venues.

There are preserved Roman houses underground by the Trajan Forum but entrance is by timed ticket and you need to check when english tours are. The park above the Colosseum, by Nero's Golden House and the ruins of baths, is a good vantage point away form the crowds. Most of the sites are viewable from the street at no cost.

We had 4 full days there and still only did the main attractions. The Bhorgese Gallery was probably my favourite aside from The Vatican - which needs a day in itself. We booked a guided tour and whilst it was pricey, it was worth every euro.

Have a wonderful time though, it really is an amazing city and the food is something else.

I really recommend the underground and third level tour for the colessium- the views across Rome are incredible.

Oh and download the app Visit a City- really helped us organising our trip as you can see distances, time usually spent there etc. I don’t really recommend a tour of the Vatican but we booked fast entry tickets so skipped the queues.
For the colessium you can’t take drinks (only empty bottles), aerosols etc inside.