Need ideas for first timers to Rome - minus Vatican

[cruisemom42]

Wow, thanks everyone for the ideas. I think we are going to train it in, see Colosseum/Forum and then simply walk the area and take in the sites. Cruisemom42.......I would love to know your advice for the quicker travel route. Aulanis: thanks for the heads up, especially with teens who can become lax. Seems to be happening ALOT everywhere lately. What a nightmare! I really dislike heat, but this is an earned trip so we had no choice on dates so July it is!:eek: Thanks again!

 

 

The OP is not looking for a private tour.

[slidergirl]

The OP is not looking for a private tour.

 

Some must feel the need to "shill" for the private tour companies, regardless of what someone wants...

 

But, if I ever feel the need to be privately escorted in a car to sites and let out of the car for a couple of minutes to look at something before getting back in the car, never to actually experience a place, I'll look for these people ;)

[jchristi]

Sorry to barge into the thread, but we are in a similar position. We wish to see the Roman sites but not the Vatican. Joe Banana's Rome without the Vatican is not available on Wednesdays which is the day we are in port.

 

How early does the port shuttle and local bus to the train station operate? We arrive into port at 0600 and intend to disembark ASAP.

[cruisemom42]

How early does the port shuttle and local bus to the train station operate? We arrive into port at 0600 and intend to disembark ASAP.

 

The port shuttles begin running at 7:00 am. Not sure about the bus to the train station but probably around the same time.

[mmccool719]

Cruise mom: I'm still interested in another post from you suggesting what to do after Forum and Colosseum. Also, how the heck do I get back to ship?????

[IsanTom]

We are going the last week in October. I feel sorry for folks visiting in July, so hot and humid. I would like info taking the

train from Civitacheccia to the Vatican. What train station do we leave in Rome for another train to the Vatican? Any help would be appreciated.

[mmccool719]

Don't feel sorry for me.......this is a trip we earned FREE of charge through my hubby's company. I'm sure you'd consider July too if you weren't paying for it. :cool:

[4774Papa]

As somebody previously mentioned we did a private tour in Rome with Rome in Limo and had an amazing time. We also skipped the Vatican and toured the Catacombs instead. We were able to see so much, avoided the crowds, had far less walking (I am still recovering from a broken foot) and enjoyed a lovely sit down lunch all without feeling exhausted at the end of the day.

 

 

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We did the Catacombs and were underwhelmed. I am not Catholic, but found St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel to be amazing. The Sistine Chapel is my favorite work of art in the World. I didn't want to leave.

 

Of course, if you are time limited, then plan on coming back for the Vatican.

[cruisemom42]

Cruise mom: I'm still interested in another post from you suggesting what to do after Forum and Colosseum. Also, how the heck do I get back to ship?????

 

Sorry, I dropped the ball. I will get something posted later today. :o

[cruisemom42]

So....

 

After your visit to the Colosseum, I would suggest that you exit and then walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali -- the Roman Forum (the oldest) will be on your left side and the Imperial forums will be on your right. Past that, you'll see Trajan's column -- spend a moment looking at it: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/trajan-column/article.html

 

Walk through the round Piazza Venezia (with the Victor Emmanuel building -- also known as the "wedding cake" or the "white typewriter"). Keep walking north on Via del Corso.

 

After about 3 blocks, turn left onto Via del Caravita (a small street, look for the name on the tangerine colored building above you). There's also a bus stop there. Walk a few blocks down this narrow street and you arrive at the Pantheon. Visit this wonderful building (my favorite); the piazza and streets around are a great place to grab lunch (a quick sandwich at the Salumeria on the piazza, eaten sitting on the low wall around the Pantheon) or some gelato -- several shops are nearby.

 

When you're done, retrace your steps up Via Seminaria (same street you walked down, but it has a different name here). When you get back to via del Corso, turn left and walk two short blocks, crossing the street when you get to via della Muratte on the opposite side of the street. Walk down this street until you reach Trevi Fountain.

 

Toss in a coin (but keep any eye out for pickpockets working the crowds). This area is also a good spot for gelato if you didn't try it before.

 

From here it's about a 10 minute walk to the Spanish Steps -- I would suggest you use Google maps to look at the route and write down the streets. Personally, I don't think the Spanish Steps are 'all that', but you can have a look and then hop on the metro at the Spagna station which is located right beside the Spanish Steps and take the Red line to Termini station (look for trains headed in direction Anagnina). Go two stops and get off at Termini.

 

It's best to catch the train back to Civitavecchia from Termini station, where it originates -- you are much more likely to get a seat. The regional trains depart from a set of tracks that is quite far from the front of the station (tracks 25-29), so leave yourself plenty of time to walk to it. There are trains departing for Civitavecchia at 3:12, 3:42, 4:12 and 4:42, etc. The trip back takes anywhere from an hour to an hour and 20 minutes, depending on which train you take. You can see timetables here: http://traintorome.maxonthenet.altervista.org/?lang=eng

 

I don't know your time in port but it's always best to figure out what is the LAST train that will get you back in time, leaving yourself about an hour to get to the ship once you arrive back in Civitavecchia. THEN aim for the train BEFORE that one. :D

 

If you don't feel like doing the Spanish Steps or Trevi Fountain, you can dawdle around the Pantheon area or walk a couple of blocks west and see Piazza Navona. There is a taxi stand right next to the Pantheon, and you can get a taxi to take you to Termini when you're ready to catch the train back.

[pompeii]

Cruisemom, thank you for the walking tour directions! Between the Pantheon and the Colosseum is exactly what we want to do when we arrive in Rome. Very helpful!

[mmccool719]

Cruise mom........you are a genius. Wish you could come with us and show us around! THANK YOU!!

[Carolyn R]

There is also a taxi stand at the north entrance of Piazza Navona.

[cruisemom42]

There is also a taxi stand at the north entrance of Piazza Navona.

 

Yes, good point -- you need to walk around the building at the north side of the Piazza and the taxi stand is on the other side, in a small piazza (Piazza di Tor Sanguigna).

 

And for extra fun, that building you walk around -- look underneath it as you go by. Some of the remains of the stadium built by Domitian are visible. (The shape of the modern Piazza Navona is based on the shape of the stadium, on top of which it is located.....:cool:).

[jchristi]

Cruise mom,

I'm printing your walking instructions to take with us! If we chose to skip the Spanish steps, what is the best way to get back to Termini from the Trevi Fountain?

[cruisemom42]

Cruise mom,

I'm printing your walking instructions to take with us! If we chose to skip the Spanish steps, what is the best way to get back to Termini from the Trevi Fountain?

 

From Trevi you can walk to the nearby Barberini Metro stop. It's still a 7-8 minute walk, so that's why I usually just suggest going to the Spanish Steps anyway. Once at the metro station, you'll board the metro and head in the same direction as I said above, getting off at Termini. (Definitely look it up on Google maps as the path is not so clear...)

 

Or, there is also a taxi rank at Piazza Poli, about a 3 minute walk from Trevi Fountain: facing the fountain, walk around the left side of it until it is behind you and continue straight onto the street called via Poli. After walking about 2 minutes you'll reach Piazza Poli where the taxi rank is, just before you get to the major street called via del Tritone. A ride from here to Termini shouldn't much much, perhaps 6-8 euro.