those who have been to Rome/Florence

I'm trying to plan our itinerary for the 4 days before our honeymoon cruise leaves. Our "home-base" will be Rome, with a 1 day excursion to Florence.

I was just wondering how our itinerary looks-is there anything I'm missing? Should I add anything? Take anything away?

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Arrive in Rome
Drop off bags at hotel
10:00 am Colosseum
$12 combo ticket includes the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
11:30 am Roman Forum
Ticket bought for Colosseum
1:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm Hotel Check in, Siesta
4:00 pm Paletine Hill
Ticket bought for Colosseum
6:00 Pantheon/Surrounding Churches
7:30 Dinner
Ristorante il Gabriello ($60 pp + drinks)
9:00 Spanish Steps

Thursday, July 15, 2010

10:00 Vatican Museum Tour
$14 ticket
Modest Dress Required
Reserve time online
2:00 Lunch
Hostaria dei Bastioni ($20 pp + drinks)
3:00 St. Peter’s Basilica
$6
6:00 Dinner
8:00 Free time around Rome

Friday, July 16, 2010

8:00 Train to Florence
10:00 Arrive in Florence
10:30 Accademia
$10.50
Reserve ahead www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/Uffizi
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Duomo Museum
$6
3:00 Uffizi Gallery
$14
Reserve ahead www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/Uffizi
No bottled liquids allowed inside
5:30 Walk the Ponte Vecchio Bridge
6:00 Dinner
8:00 Train to Rome
10:00 Arrive in Rome

Saturday, July 17, 2010

10:00 National Museum
$10 ticket
12:30 Lunch/Siesta
2:30 Borghese Museum
$12.50 Ticket
Purchase in advance: www.ticketeria.it
Mandatory bag check for even small bags
2 hour limit in museum-strictly enforced
6:30 Dinner
Ristorante Da Giovanni ($15 pp + drinks)
8:00 Opera

sorry it's so long!

Re: those who have been to Rome/Florence

I'm confused....you're going to the Coloseum and Forum then to lunch, the hotel and then BACK to the Coloseum/Forum?

Ancient Rome is sandwiched between the Coloseum and the Italian Govenment Building. You just walk around through it.

And what about Piazza Navona or Via Condotto (Rome's Rodeo Drive) at the base of the Spanish Steps.

In Florence, there's also the Boboli Gardens and also depending on the day/month you are there, the open air markets. Are you climbing the Duomo?

Don't forget to factor in LINES. Lines at the Vatican are insane, as arethe Accademia and Duomo. Keep in mind that it takes a while to get through the Vatican just to get to the Sistine Chapel.

My honest opinion though is that once you get there, this schedule is gonna go out the window, because you can plan the times all you want, but it's never going to happen that way. I hope that doesn't sound mean.

Message edited 3/1/2010 9:51:29 PM.

Re: those who have been to Rome/Florence

the museums in florence take a long time in my opinion
i would also try to stop by the trevi fountain in rome one night..toss a coin in and take a few pics!

Re: those who have been to Rome/Florence

This is a tight schedule. It sounds great but most of my fun in these places was roaming the streets

In Rome I would go to the Ghetto for pizza....i often think about this pizzz

In Florence take time to climb the Duomo and dont wear a skirt like I did

Re: those who have been to Rome/Florence

Sounds like fun, but that's a lot going on in a short time.


Def go to Vivaldi (sp) in Florence for their gellato

Re: those who have been to Rome/Florence

I think it's a lot to do in two days (the Rome part, I've never been to Florence). In July it is beyond HOT, this will slow you down. It slowed my DH down and he grew up in Australia where it is beyond hot there too!

Also you need to count in gelato breaks! You will literally have 3-5 gelatos a day it's that good!

Keep in mind everything seems to run late in Italy; well it has for me in my past experiences.

I would say do the Colosseum, Palantine Hill and the Forum at one time, they are right near each other.

I would drop off bags at the hotel, go see the Colosseum, have lunch, gelato break, the Forum and Palantine Hill, gelato and pastry break, check in to hotel and see where you are by then. I would then do Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain (these can be done at night) and have dinner and some more gelato. It's great just to sit on the steps and people watch. I would be exhausted after that.

I think you can do the Pantheon and the Vatican in one day.

There are some good piazzas that I wouldn't miss, I forget the names sorry.

Re: those who have been to Rome/Florence

Honestly there is so much to see in both cities that you will only really be able to do one or two highlights. I have been to Florence and Rome 4 times now and I even studied (my major was art history) in Florence for 6 weeks in a summer program and I STILL didn't see everything I wanted to see. There is so many amazing museums, churches, squares, cafe's etc.

I could try to help you if you let me know what kind of things you are interested in.

The top things I recommend are (and there are SOOOO many more things but there is NO way to come close with only 2 days)...

Uffizi is a must even if you only get to do a quick walk through you don't want to miss it...

Duomo - the bell tower and the baptistry doors right across from the church - Definitely try to find time to climb to the top it is a fabulous experience and amazing to see the city from up there.

I love the Piazza Pitti and The Boboli Gardens which has gorgeous views of Florence.

Santa Croce

There are so many things but those are some of the highlights...

There is a series of Maps called ArtWise - they have them for many major cities - but they have them for both Rome and Florence - I highly recommend them - they have all the churches and museums on there - but it also lists the times the places are open and days which is helpful.

I'm sure you know but just in case you don't remember most churches don't let you show your shoulders or knees so bring a sweater to cover your shoulders if you are there in summer and wear a tank top, and wear capris or a longer skirt/dress if you plan to visit - sometimes they let you in sometimes they don't. I think you said July - I was there late June into July and it was upper 90s and low 100s a few days. There is little to no air conditioning so just be prepared.