To Rome with Love
When to go: April-May, for the best values travel in late February when hotels are much cheaper and the weather is 50-60 degrees. Summer is hot and crowded.
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Where to stay: Both Hotel Cesari and The Pantheon Hotel were ideal locations for touring the city. They are walking distance to Trevi Fountain, the Coliseum and the Forum, the Pantheon, and have the feel of living in a historic city, yet were comfortable. Hotel Cesari has a a nice rooftop where we enjoyed complimentary breakfast.
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What to do: Days 1-3 give you an idea of the highlights of Rome. There is so much to see in this historic city, we recommend multiple visits if possible. For our full itinerary, click here.
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(Day 1) Our flight arrived in the afternoon. We took a taxi to our hotel and then spent our first night walking to some of the monuments that are lit up in the evening. Be sure to download your Rick Steve's audio tour in advance of visiting the Pantheon.
Trevi Fountain
The Pantheon
Piazza Navona
(Day 2)
It is an easy hike to the top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument and will give you a nice view of Rome; an elevator also available. We bought a combo tour ticket for both the Coliseum and the Forum which we recommend. It was cool in February so was very doable to tour both on the same day; in warmer months touring both in one day may be too much for some.
Victor Emmanuel
The Coliseum
Vestal Virgins in the Forum
(Day 3)
We decided to take a bus tour to Pompeii and Sorrento because same day train tickets are expensive (tip). Be sure to plan for a guided tour of Pompeii.
Pompeii
Pompeii Village
Sorrento
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(Day 4)
Vatican City-we hired a tour guide to take us thru the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica with the plan to first attend the Pope's Audience. This was a full-day in itself. On our second trip to Rome, while our Moms toured the Vatican, we hiked to the Basilica of di San Giovanni. It ranks above all Cathloic churches in Rome and was well worth the trip.
The Pope's Audience
The Vatican
The Sistene Chapel
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
