Rome May1st. 2010

[newyorkjameson]

We will be in Rome on May 1st, A friend has told me it is a national holiday and many sites will be closed. Does anyone know if this is true and what the types of tours would be offered. Would restaurants and stores be closed. Any info greatly appreciated.

[cruisemom42]

Here's info from another recent post about the May 1 holiday that may help you:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1121253&highlight=rome+may

[kate99]

Will you also be in Rome on May 2 or 3?

[newyorkjameson]

No just the one day.

[pvmkmyer]

If you like art, especially sculpture, I highly recommend the Villa Borghese, a fabulous and small museum in the Borghese Gardens. The collection was put together by a cardinal of the Borghese family a few hundred years ago. He built the villa to house the collection and, boy, did this guy have an eye for great art! There are so many famous sculptures in this place, and unbelievable ancient mosaics it is enough to make you swoon. Best of all they limit admittance so you're not crowded. You must reserve in advance. You can buy your tickets on line. Just google for "villa borghese". They are closed on Mondays and Christmas and New Year's, so they'll be open on May 1st. Pretty good snack shop too. After you're done you can roam through the park and come out at the top of Piazza del Popolo and enjoy a drink at a cafe.

[euro cruiser]

If you want to go to the Borghese (and I agree, it is fabulous), I would reserve tickets as soon as possible. With many other places closed, tickets will go faster than normal.

 

The web site is here (http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/edefault.htm) but I think the ticket purchase may only be in Italian. There is a phone number you can call that completes the process in English.