Italy Travel

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Rome Introduction and Recommended Hotels

Cafes lining Rome's Piazza Navona.

James Martin, Europe for Visitors

Rome is a popular travel destination in Italy full of attractions. Today's Rome, Roma, is a vibrant and lively city with reminders of its
past everywhere. In Rome you will encounter the glories of Ancient Rome, medieval and Renaissance buildings and fountains, and
great museums. Rome boasts many fine restaurants and cafes, good nightlife, and lively streets and squares. It's a living museum of
history from Roman times to present.

Although Rome is a huge city, its historic center is small, making it easy to walk.

I recommend at least a stay of 3 full days in Rome (4 nights).

Prior to the first full day you will check into your hotel. Here are four recommended hotels in which I have stayed:
Daphne Inn - Small, personal bed and breakfast with 2 central locations, especially good for first time visitors. They even give you a
cell phone so you can call them if you have questions or need help.
Hotel des Artistes - hotel and dorm rooms near the train station.
Hotel Residenza in Farnese - Quiet, small 4-star hotel in a former monastery in a great location off Piazza Farnese near Campo dei
Fiori.

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Palazzo al Velabro - short-term apartments, good for families
More Rome Lodging Recommendations

After checking in, take some time to wander around the neighborhood near your hotel. If you want to see some of Rome, take public
bus number 110 (from the train station or ask your hotel for the closest stop). Riding on this bus is an inexpensive way to get a good
overview of Rome.

Tip: Buy the Rome Transportation Map at a newsstand or tourist shop. I've found it to be the best map and if you want to take a bus
or the metro, it will be very useful. You might also want to buy a Rome Pass or Discount Card to use on transportation and
admissions.

Continue to the next page for a sample 3-day Rome itinerary.

Index: Rome Three Day Itinerary - What to Do and See with 3 Days
in Rome, Italy

1. Rome Introduction and Recommended Hotels

2. Day 1: The Glories of Ancient Rome, Trevi Fountain, and Dinner near
the Pantheon

3. Day 2: Capotiline Hill Museums, Rome Neighborhoods, Traditional

Cuisine

4. Day 3: Rome's Catacombs, the Ancient Appian Way, Piazza Navona

and Tartufo

5. Extra Days: Suggestions for More Places to Go in and Around Rome

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 Italy Travel

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See More About: rome suggested itinerary ancient rome attractions pantheon restaurant self guided visit to roman
ruins trevi fountain

Day 1: The Glories of Ancient Rome, Trevi Fountain,

and Dinner near the Pantheon

Rome Picture: Trevi Fountain

James Martin, Europe for Visitors

Today you visit some of Ancient Rome's best monuments and ruins.

Palatine Hill and Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum, Ancient Rome's huge amphitheater, was built in between 70 and 82 AD in the heart of Rome as a venue for
gladiatorial and wild animal fights. Today it's one of the best and most popular monuments of Ancient Rome. See Buying Colosseum
Tickets for ways to avoid the long ticket line and Rome Passes and Cards for discounts on admissions.

Nearby you can visit the excavations and museum on the Palatine Hill, home to Roman emperors and aristocrats.

Tip: On Sunday, the Via dei Fori Imperiali leading to the Colosseum is closed to traffic, making a nice place to walk.

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum, a huge complex of ruined temples, basilicas, and arches, was the ceremonial, legal, social, and business center of
ancient Rome. Give yourself at least two hours to wander around.

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Trevi Fountain and Gelato Break
Now you'll try what many consider the best gelato in Rome at San Crispino on Via Panetteria near the Trevi Fountain. Then see the
magnificent Trevi fountain, completed in 1762. Toss a coin in the fountain to ensure your return to Rome.

Pantheon and Dinner

The Pantheon, the best preserved building of ancient Rome, has a spectacular dome and free admission, closes 7PM. For dinner try
Armando al Pantheon, in a street to the right of the Pantheon as you're facing it. (Salita de' Crescenzi, 31). After dinner, splurge on a
drink outside in the Pantheon's lively Piazza di Rotonda.

Tip: Bars and cafes charge more to sit outside but it's worth it if you stay awhile and enjoy the ambiance.

More about ancient Rome in Top Ancient Rome Sites

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 Italy Travel

Rome Three Day Itinerary - What to Do and See  Free Italy Travel Newsletter!

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See More About: capotiline hill museums rome neighborhoods rome restaurants rome suggested itinerary traditional
cuisine

Day 2: Capotiline Hill Museums, Rome

Neighborhoods, Traditional Cuisine

Rome Picture: Victor Emmanuel Monument

James Martin, Europe for Visitors

Today you visit a few of Rome's neighborhoods and museums and sample traditional Roman cuisines.

Campo dei Fiori, Trastevere, and Jewish Ghetto

The Piazza Campo dei Fiori is alive in the mornings with flower vendors so it makes an interesting start to your day. From there
wander along the Tiber River to Ponte Sisto, cross the Tiber and visit the church of Santa Maria in Trestevere (picture), Rome's first
Christian church. Cross back to the other side and continue to the Jewish Ghetto. There are several places to sample Rome's
interesting Jewish cuisine in the Ghetto.

Tip: If you're up early and want good photos of Piazza Navona, start the itinerary there, before the tourists arrive. Then continue to
Campo dei Fiori.

Capitoline Hill Museums

From the busy Piazza Venezia, a transport hub and home to the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, go up to the Capotiline Hill, where you
will have a fabulous view of the Roman Forum. The piazza was designed by Michelangelo and the museums are the oldest in the
world. Palazzo Nuovo has Greek and Roman sculptures and Palazzo dei Conservatori has art galleries, sculptures, and frescoes. A
ticket is good for both.

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Testaccio District
Tonight go to the Testaccio District by taxi, bus 75 or the metro. You'll want to make a reservation for dinner at Checchino dal 1887, a
very nice restaurant serving old Roman cuisine. The Testaccio District has several good night clubs if you want to go out after dinner.

Tip: Be alert for pickpockets on the Metro and in crowds.

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 Italy Travel

Rome Three Day Itinerary - What to Do and See  Free Italy Travel Newsletter!

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See More About: rome suggested itinerary rome attractions ancient appian way piazza navona catacombs

Day 3: Rome's Catacombs, the Ancient Appian Way,

Piazza Navona and Tartufo

Rome, Piazza Navona. The Piazza is built on the plan of the Roman Circus
Domitianus.

Martha Bakerjian

Today we visit the Ancient Appian Way, catacombs, and Piazza Navona with optional shopping.

Via Appia Antica and Catacombs

The Via Appia Antica, the major road of the ancient Roman Empire, is now a regional park, Parco Regionale Dell'Appia Antica. Take
bus 118 or 218 to visit the catacombs of San Callisto, the largest and most impressive of the catacombs. Then walk or rent a bike and
ride along the ancient road, lined with tombs, monuments, and churches. A beautiful place for lunch is the Cecilia Metella Restaurant,
especially when it is nice and you can sit on the patio.

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Tip: You can buy bus tickets at a newstand or tabacchi. Validate them in the little machine when you board the bus. If you say
catacombs, someone will tell you when to get off.

Spanish Steps and Shopping

If you have time in the afternoon, go to Piazza del Popolo and walk along Via del Corso, the main shopping street. Turn onto Via
Condotti and follow it to the Spanish Steps. Window-shopping and people-watching is good in this area and won't hurt your budget.

It's fun to try a restaurant you've discovered on your own and after three days of walking around Rome, you've probably found
something you'd like to try.

Piazza Navona and Tartufo

In the evening, Piazza Navona is a great place to continue your people-watching as well as see the three lavish Baroque fountains.
The much-touted ice-cream dessert, tartufo, is said to have originated here - you can try it outside at the Tre Scalini for a splurge.

Index: Rome Three Day Itinerary - What to Do and See with 3 Days
in Rome, Italy

1. Rome Introduction and Recommended Hotels

2. Day 1: The Glories of Ancient Rome, Trevi Fountain, and Dinner near
the Pantheon

3. Day 2: Capotiline Hill Museums, Rome Neighborhoods, Traditional

Cuisine

4. Day 3: Rome's Catacombs, the Ancient Appian Way, Piazza

Navona and Tartufo

5. Extra Days: Suggestions for More Places to Go in and Around Rome

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 Italy Travel

Rome Three Day Itinerary - What to Do and See  Free Italy Travel Newsletter!

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By Martha Bakerjian, About.com
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See More About: rome attractions rome suggested day trips vatican city ostia antica

Extra Days: Suggestions for More Places to Go in and

Around Rome

Picture of St. Peter's Square

James Martin, Europe for Visitors

There are plenty of things to keep you occupied in Rome for more than three days. Here are a few suggestions for what to see in Rome:

 Vatican City Museums and St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican City, also called Holy See, is home to the Pope and the Vatican, St. Peter's
Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, and the fabulous Vatican Museums. Vatican City is easy to visit from Rome, plan to spend at least
a half day there. Vatican City Essentials
 Baths of Caracalla - At the foot of the Aventine hill are the monumental ruins of the Baths of Caracalla, used from the Second to
Sixth century AD. Taking a bath was a social event for the people of ancient Rome and the huge complex could hold up to 1600
bathers! Besides baths, they held an array of facilities such as a gym, art galleries, gardens, and shops selling food and drinks.
 More of Rome's Majestic Churches - Visit Rome's Cathedral San Giovanni Laterno, Saint Peter in Chains with its Michelangelo
statue of Moses, or Santa Maria in Cosmedin with its Byzantine mosaics and the Boca della Verita. Top Rome Churches
 Ostia Antica - The ruins of the ancient Rome port of Ostia Antica are well worth a visit. It is a huge complex and you can easily
spend several hours wandering around the old streets, shops, and houses. You should plan at least a half day for this trip. To get
there, take the Metro Line B to Magliana and take the Ostia Lido train from there. Ostia Antica Pictures from Europe for Visitors.
 Rome Day Trips - Includes Tivoli and the Villa d'Este, Orvieto, Frascati, Florence, Etruscan tombs, and a day at the beach with
information about how to get to each on public transportation.

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  rome suggested day trips  ostia antica  Italy Train Travel
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 Planning and Information  Islands of Italy Rome
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 More Italian Cities  Italy Travel Glossary Top Ten Cities in Italy
 Tuscany  Where to Stay in Italy Italy Airports Map
 Regions of Italy Civitavecchia Transportation
Top Florence Attractions

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