Rome On Your Own - quick how-to

Many people have requested this information so I am posting it as a new thread. Please forgive the formatting problems.

I hope this helps a little bit. What we did to save ourselves some time was to catch a taxi in between some of the sights. For a total of 28 euros, we did the following:

1. 5 euros Taxi from Main termini to Palatine

2. 5 euros Taxi from Trajan's Market to Trevi Fountain

3. 5 euros Taxi from Trevi to Piazza Navonna

4. 8 euros Taxi from Piazza Navonna to Vatican Musuem entrance ...be sure not to get there prior to 12:30 or so to avoid lines. We never have had a line after 12:30. Total waste of time to go in the morning.

5. 5 euros Taxi from St. Peter's to San Pietro train station.

Oh...another important thing: Be off the ship asap so you can get the 8:02 train into Rome. The port has a free shuttle and you will see it parked right next to the ship's shuttle busses. We used the ship's shuttle but you can buy the ship's shuttle tickets and then turn them back in for a refund if you don't use them on RCI. Once you've gotten off the shuttle, the train station is ahead about 3 or 4 blocks and on the left.

Here's the plan for the day and it has never failed to work for us. Best of luck to you all. Have a fantastic cruise!

From train station, take a taxi to Palatine/Colosseum area. Ask taxi to take you to: Via dei fori Imperiali – entrance to Palatine. Walk to Palatine and obtain ticket that will include Colosseum entrance. Entrance cost: 10E

1. Palatine Hill –- Pre-dates Rome from 10th century B.C. The Palatine became the fashionable residential district with elites such as Cicero, Augustus, and Marc Antony building their homes upon its slopes. The views over the city and the cleaner air made it a preferred address for the ruling class. Republican Rome failed and power became unified under the Emperor. Palatine Hill remained the desirable place of residence, with several Emperors building their palaces on its rise. At one point the entire hill was covered in imperial palaces. Finally, the majority of the hill came under singular ownership of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese.

One begins an ascent up the Clivus Palatinus, which still maintains some original paving. Ascending on this path brings the visitor to the entrance of Palatine Hill. After purchasing a ticket you begin climbing the marble stairs of the Villa Farnese. Statues and cool grottos are arranged to catch your glances along the ascent. At the top of the stairway one enters the FarneseGardens which is maintained closely to its original design. Once you wander through the FarneseGardens you find yourself walking through the yards and courts of the Imperial Palaces. The palatial ruins are comprised of four main complexes: the Domus Augustan, Domun Tiberiana, Domus Flavia, and Domus Severiana. Foundations of a great octagonal fountain can be seen in the Domus Flavia area. Also of interest is the stadium that Domitian constructed with his palace in the Domus Augustana area.

You will receive a map at entrance.

2. Colosseum – -The Colosseum was opened in AD 80 by Vespasian's son and successor, Titus. Given the scale of the enterprise it was built remarkably quickly. The Colosseum was started in the aftermath of Nero's extravagance and the rebellion by the Jews in Palestine against Roman rule. Nero, after the great fire at Rome in AD 64, had built a huge pleasure palace for himself (the Golden House) right in the center of the city. In 68, faced with military uprisings, he committed suicide, and the empire was engulfed in civil wars. The eventual winner, Vespasian, (emperor 69-79) decided to shore up his shaky regime by building an amphitheatre, or pleasure palace for the people, out of the booty from the Jewish War – built on the site of the lake in the gardens of Nero's palace. The Colosseum was a grand political gesture. Suitably for that great city, it was the largest amphitheatre in the Roman world, seating 40,000 to 50,000. It was the amphitheatre's reputation as a sacred spot where Christian martyrs had met their fate that saved the Colosseum from further depredations by Roman popes and aristocrats - anxious to use its once glistening stone for their palaces and churches. The cathedrals of St Peter and St John Lateran, the Palazzo Venezia and the Tiber's river defenses, for example, all exploited the Colosseum as a convenient quarry. As a result of this plunder, and also because of fires and earthquakes, two thirds of the original have been destroyed, so that the present Colosseum is only a shadow of its former self, a noble ruin.

3. Roman Forum - Walk Through -The Roman Forum is located in a valley that is between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill. It originally was a marsh, but the Romans drained the area and turned it into a center of political and social activity. The Forum was the marketplace of Romeand also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. When the Roman Empire[/b] fell, the Forum became forgotten, buried and was used as a cattle pasture during the Middle Ages. Much of the forum has been destroyed. Columns and stone blocks are all that remain of some temples. The arch of Titus and the arch of Septimius Severus still stand and are in good shape. Like many other ancient Roman buildings, stone blocks have been removed from the Forum and used to build nearby churches and palaces.

4. Piazza del Campidoglio – Walk through on way toVictor Emanuele Monument - A few years after he arrived in Rome, Pope Paul III (Farnese) decided to reshape the Capitoline Hill into a monumental civic piazza;This splendid square was conceived by Michelangelo, who also designed the two palaces on the opposite sides of the square. It is reached by the grand flight of steps known as the "Cordonata", built to a design by Michelangelo especially for the triumphal entry of the Emperor Charles V in 1536. Michelangelo placed on a new pedestal the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (161-180), removed in 1981 for some delicate restoration and situated on the ground floor of the Museo Capitolino. Piazza del Campidoglio is one of the most significant contributions ever made in the history of urban planning. The hill's importance as a sacred site in antiquity had been largely forgotten due to its medieval transformation into the seat of the secular government and headquarters for the Roman guilds, and it was in forlorn condition when Michelangelo took charge of reorganizing it as a dynamic new center of Roman political life. The project went forward in slow stages with many interruptions; little was built before his death in 1564. It was begun in 1538 and was not completed until the seventeenth century, but Michelangelo's original design is preserved in engravings from the 1560s.

5. Victor Emanuele II Monument – Walk around – If time, go to top for great photos of Colosseum area. Tomb of Unknown Soldier from WW I. Called “the typewriter” or “the wedding cake” – not very well liked by Romans due to the white marble used.

6. Trajan’s Market – Walk around - Built by the Emperor Trajan, It represents the ancient equivalent of the modern shopping centre, housing 150 shops and offices. The offices are believed to have been used to administer the corn dole. The semicircular brick building is set into the hill above which are tiers of terraces ascending the slope. At the upper end of the hill, a two-story market hall with a series of groin vaults was lined with shops on either side of a central promenade with a balcony level and clerestory openings above. Trajan’s Column, built 113A.D. – Trajan’s Column: series of 18 colossal Carrara marble drums, each weighing about 40 tons. A spiral staircase of 185 stairs provides access to a viewing platform at the top.

CHECK TIMING. IF after 12:30 P.M., You CAN PROCEED TO VATICAN AND DO # 7, #8, and #9 after the Vatican.

7. Trevi Fountain – it is about 7 blocks north. Have map available. The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome) and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water.The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton.One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea. On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the girl after whom the aqueduct was named. The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss the coin over your left shoulder with your back to the fountain.

8. Pantheon – Quick view - Walk from Trevi to this site. Need the map! Before the current Pantheon was built, two other buildings occupied the same site. The first one, a traditional rectilinear, T-shaped structure was built in 27 BC by the emperor Marcus Agrippa, son-in-law of the emperor Augustus. The temple was dedicated to the gods Mars and Venus. It burned in AD 80 but was rebuilt by emperor Domitian. In AD 110 the building was struck by lightning and burned again. In AD 118 emperor Hadrian commissioned for the Pantheon to be rebuilt but with a totally different design. The building's dome, more than 43 meters high is most impressive. It was the largest dome in the world until 1436 when the Florence Cathedral was constructed.At the top of the dome is a large opening, the oculus, which was the only source of light. Originally a temple for all pagan gods, the temple was converted into a church in 609. The Pantheon contains the tombs of Rafael and of several Italian Kings. Its interior design contrast with the temple's structural design, but the marble floor still features the original Roman design.

9. Piazza Navona – MUST leave here by 1:00. Stop here for lunch at one of the many places to eat. See The Fountain of 4 Rivers. Take taxi to Vatican Museums. The square is built on the former Domitian's stadium, built by emperor Domitian in 86 AD. Hence the long, oval shape of the square. The stadium, which had a larger arena than the Colosseum was mainly used for festivals and sporting events. It was known as 'Circus Agonalis' (competition arena). It is believed that the name changed to 'in agone' to 'navone' and eventually to 'navona'.In the 15th century the stadium was paved over to create the Navona square, but remnants of Domitian's stadium are still visible around the area. The main attraction of the Piazza Navona are the three fountains. The central and largest fountain is the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (fountain of the four rivers). It was constructed between 1647 and 1651 on request of the Pope Innocent X.

The design of the fountain was first commissioned to Borromini, but it was ultimately handed to Bernini. The fountain features four figures, each representing a river from a different continent - the Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio della Plata. The statues are at the base of a rock supporting an obelisk, originally located at the Massenzio Circus. The two other fountains on the piazza are the Fontana di Nettuno (Neptune fountain) at the northern end and the Fontana del Moro (Moor fountain) at the southern end, both built by Giacomo della Porta, in 1576. The central statue of a Moor holding a dolphin, a design by Bernini, was added in the 17th century. The tritons are 19th century additions. Another highlight on the Navona square is the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. In 1652, it was commissioned by Pope Innocent X and built on the site where according to legend, St. Agnes was stripped naked, but miraculously saved from disgrace by extraordinary growth of hair. The front façade of the baroque church was designed by Borromini, Bernini's main rival. Construction started just two years after the completion of Bernini's Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, right in front of the building. The church was finished in 1670.

10. Vatican Museums – Entrance 13E. Open 10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Last entrance allowed 3:30 p.m. Address: at Viale Vatican right by Via Santamaura. Collection of museums, including the Sistine Chapel. Here is a quick way to exit to St. Peter’s:With your back to the Sistine altar, walk all the way through the chapel and just near the end wall on your right you should find a door.youcan exit through that door , go down some steps, and you will end up inside the secured area of St. Peter's. You will not have to go through security again. may not be able to do this if you have checked back-packs.

11. St. Peter’s Basilica – Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor of Rome, ordered to build a basilica on Vatican Hill. The location was symbolic: this was the place where Saint Peter, the chief apostle, was buried in 64 A.D. A small shrine already existed on the site but it was now replaced by building a new church, which was completed around 349 A.D. In 1506 pope Julius II laid the first stone of a new basilica which was to become the largest in the world. Julius II appointed Donato Bramante as the chief architect of the new Basilica. In 1547 Michelangelo succeeded Bramante. He designed the imposing dome and altered some of the original plans. Michelangelo died in 1624, two years before the completion of the dome. The St. Peter's basilica was dedicated by pope Urban VIII in 1626. Ever since, this church has been the center of Christianity, drawing pilgrims from all over the world. The building itself is truly impressive. The largest church in the world, it has a 218 meter long nave. The basilica's dome, designed by Michelangelo is the largest dome in the world measuring 42m in diameter and reaching 138 meter high (more than 450ft). The interior, which includes 45 altars, is decorated by many famous artists. Some of the most important works in the church are the Pietà by Michelangelo, the papal altar by Bernini, the Throne of St. Peter - also by Bernini - and the Monument to the Stuarts by Canova. Near the entrance of the Basilica you will probably encounter some of the famous Swiss guards. Since 1506 when pope Julius II invited Helvetian soldiers to join the small Vatican army. All entrants to the army must be Swiss, Catholic and they must take the oath of loyalty to the pope. This oath is taken May 26th, to commemorate the sacking of Rome on the same day in 1527 when Swiss guards protected pope Clement VII during his escape to the Castel Sant'Angelo. Of the 189 guards, only 42 survived.

WOW, thats impressive.

Thanks

Holy smokes! Are you the new Rick Steves?;) Thanks for the info, especially the taxi fares.

Appreciate your info will bookmark it for our cruise next year.

This is brilliant!!! Why didn't I think of this last year!!!

MavisMarie:

Thanks for all the information on this Port. I have printed it and started my "Rome" Research folder. We will be cruising the Med next year. Do you have other "how to's" for other Mediterrean ports? We will also be visiting Naples, Venice, Florence, Cadiz, Barcelona, Lisbon and Cannes.

Thanks again for sharing....

Even though I'll be in Rome 4 days prior to departure, I'm sure your info will help. Thanks for posting it and in such a nicely organized way.

MavisMarie:

 

Thanks for all the information on this Port. I have printed it and started my "Rome" Research folder. We will be cruising the Med next year. Do you have other "how to's" for other Mediterrean ports? We will also be visiting Naples, Venice, Florence, Cadiz, Barcelona, Lisbon and Cannes.

 

Thanks again for sharing....

Naples - Be good to yourself and hire a driver so you can see the Amalfi Coast with stops in Portofino and Ravello. I like Francesco Marrapese. Add dot com to his name. He has a great www site with a wonderful map. Great personality and patient driver. This is the most beautiful part of Italy.

Venice - do it on your own and don't bother with a map because you'll get lost no matter what you do, but it's fun and beautiful. Do google Doges Palace and order tickets ahead of time for the Secret Itinerary Tour. You won't regret it.

Florence - From the ship, you will take a shuttle to the port and then a taxi to the train station. The train station is very central in Florence and close to the sites. Alternative: hire Tuscany By Taxi . They have a www site. Great drivers and great price. Try to hook up with a total of 6 people. Cost is 320 Euros and very much worth the convenience to be driven around. Don't pass up seeing Medici Chapel, which is located behind the San Lorenzo church. Most people don't go there and it is sure to be the highlight of your day with amazing things to see there.

Cadiz - don't know

Barcelona - best thing to do is the Hop-on Hop off bus. If you're spending the night there, try to book Hotel Continental Palacete. Love it.'

Lisbon - don't know

Cannes - easy, easy bus service all along this coastline. No problem going to Nice, Monte Carlo, Monaco on the bus.

Have fun!

Thanks! I really appreciate you sharing all of your experiences with us "novices"! This is what cruise critic is all about!:D

Thank you for all this info!!!

Thank you so much for the information on Rome. We're taking the NCL Gem in a couple of weeks. I'm definitely packing your guidelines.

Any suggestions on how to avoid waiting for hours on line to get into the Colleseum?

Thanks again...

Awesome information. Thanks for sharing.

Any suggestions on how to avoid waiting for hours on line to get into the Colleseum?

 

Thanks again...

Buy the ticket at the Palatine entrance instead of at the Colosseum. That will save you a bundle of time and the wait to get in should be pretty short.

Buy the ticket at the Palatine entrance instead of at the Colosseum. That will save you a bundle of time and the wait to get in should be pretty short.

Thank you so much. You are a godsend. :D

Your information is great. I am planning to sail from Barcelona and spend my birthday Oct. 2008 in Rome. I will consider your information a birthday gift!!! My November 2007 cruise is to Cozumel/Grand Caymen. Ahoy!:)

When you booked Tuscany by Taxi, how was their service? Did they ask fo a downpayment by card when you booked prior to your cruise? Thanks.

When you booked Tuscany by Taxi, how was their service? Did they ask fo a downpayment by card when you booked prior to your cruise? Thanks.

They did ask for credit card info but they *require* payment in cash at time of service. That is normal for booking drivers in Italy. The cc info is just in case you stand them up. I know tons of people who've used them and all have been satisfied.

We had excellent email communication from them. We requested their best English speaking driver and we got more than we asked for because he was also really nice looking. :D Great service. All requests honored with a smile. Our driver even took us to a few of his favorite spots along the way. It was really a fantastic experience.

MM--Again--thank you for posting this again. I also appreciate that you took time out of your day to send an email with the link. :D

You're a GREAT help and a GREAT asset to CC!!! :D

We leave next week--and are so excited! :)

Thanks, MavisMarie, for the great itinerary. I've printed it out and plan to follow it for our day in Rome coming up on Oct. 27.

I have a question, however, since our visit falls on a Saturday, and the Vatican Museums close early, at 2:45, last admission at 1:30. It sounds like, using the itinerary, we would start with the Colosseum, then walk through the Forum. Then, take a taxi directly to the Vatican after a quick look at Trajan's Market, shortly after 11AM. I hope we would be able to do a quick walk though the museums for a look at the Sistine Chapel, then through the back door into St. Peters. After, say a half hour- 45 minutes there, hopefully, we would then have time to taxi back to Trevi Fountain for a late quick lunch (a slice of pizza maybe, and gelato) and a peek in the Pantheon. Does this sound like a feasible plan?

It could be worse, the Vatican Museums are closed altogether on Sunday.

It seems terrible rushed. It's my fourth or fifth time in Rome, albeit twenty years ago. By spending a week each time back then, we able to do so much beyond the "basics" and much more leisurely. However, it's my sister's first time there, and she wants to see as much as possible. I particularily am interested in seeing the Sistine Chapel since it was cleaned.

Thanks, MavisMarie, for the great itinerary. I've printed it out and plan to follow it for our day in Rome coming up on Oct. 27.

I have a question, however, since our visit falls on a Saturday, and the Vatican Museums close early, at 2:45, last admission at 1:30. It sounds like, using the itinerary, we would start with the Colosseum, then walk through the Forum. Then, take a taxi directly to the Vatican after a quick look at Trajan's Market, shortly after 11AM. I hope we would be able to do a quick walk though the museums for a look at the Sistine Chapel, then through the back door into St. Peters. After, say a half hour- 45 minutes there, hopefully, we would then have time to taxi back to Trevi Fountain for a late quick lunch (a slice of pizza maybe, and gelato) and a peek in the Pantheon. Does this sound like a feasible plan?

It could be worse, the Vatican Museums are closed altogether on Sunday.

It seems terrible rushed. It's my fourth or fifth time in Rome, albeit twenty years ago. By spending a week each time back then, we able to do so much beyond the "basics" and much more leisurely. However, it's my sister's first time there, and she wants to see as much as possible. I particularily am interested in seeing the Sistine Chapel since it was cleaned.

I would wait to go to the Vatican Museum until around 11:30 - 11:45. You'll still have plenty of time left for a quick look around. Especially on a Saturday, everyone else is going to be there in the morning. Pace yourself and watch the clock. It will take you about 10 minutes to get to the Museum by taxi. St Peter's you don't have to worry about because it's going to be open. I think your plan will work.

I've never eaten around the Trevi Fountain, so don't know what you'll find. I do know there is a great gelato place in the area on one of the side streets. I don't recall seeing anything nearby but I'm sure you'll find something. DO hold onto your valuables in the Trevi area. Be *very* alert.

Definitely take a taxi from Point A to Point B. It's going to save you a ton of time and the cost is minimal.

The entire day in Rome is rushed! When you have only a set amount of hours, you really have to high-step it and keep moving, especially when you're with people who've never been before.

It's a shame the cruisers have to rush through Rome but a quick look is better than none at all. On our last cruise in April, we had 2 days in Rome, which was a lovely situation for people who'd never been there before. The first day, no worries about getting back to the ship made it carefree. I wish more ships would dock longer like ours did.

Just make the most of what time you have and enjoy!

When is the best time to go to the Vatican on a Wednesday in October with the Papal Audience. I heard two different stories in that there are no lines during the Audience and not to be in line after the Audience because that is when the line gets long.

Any opinions?

I've never eaten around the Trevi Fountain, so don't know what you'll find. I do know there is a great gelato place in the area on one of the side streets.

I just read a recommendation not fifteen minutes ago!! San Crispino gelato at Via della Panetteria 42. Of all the flavors, the reviewer raved about the grapefruit flavor!

We ate at Taverna Trevi and it was very good and resonable. Right near the gelato and the fountain. Yum! I'll be looking for that again.

MavisMarie,

Your information is wonderful. We don't go again until next year. Would it be OK to send an email for more info on private tours?

When is the best time to go to the Vatican on a Wednesday in October with the Papal Audience. I heard two different stories in that there are no lines during the Audience and not to be in line after the Audience because that is when the line gets long.

 

Any opinions?

I think the audience is around 11 in the morning? You could give it a try and if the lines are too long, go eat something nearby and try again after 1 p.m. or so.

I just read a recommendation not fifteen minutes ago!! San Crispino gelato at Via della Panetteria 42. Of all the flavors, the reviewer raved about the grapefruit flavor!

Brilliant! That's the name of the place. Excellent gelato and worth the calories. :D

We ate at Taverna Trevi and it was very good and resonable. Right near the gelato and the fountain. Yum! I'll be looking for that again.

 

MavisMarie,

Your information is wonderful. We don't go again until next year. Would it be OK to send an email for more info on private tours?

Sure. I'm always happy to help. email mavismarie at telmedia dot com

Please put cruise critic in the subject line so I don't delete your email.

Mavis

can you help me please I'm still a bit confused. There are 6 of us visiting Rome next May on Voyager of the Seas. We plan to hire a private van to take us to Rome. We've all been before so have seen many of the sights but 4 want to visit St Peter's and then all of us want to see The Sistine Chapel. What is the quickest and easiest way to do this without having to stand in line for hours. Just turn up in the afternoon? If it's easier for us all to go into St Peter's then so be it.

Any advice anyone on a private driver to drive us into Rome we really don't nee da guide.

Marcy