Vatican Museum ()
There is so much to see and do in Rome that it can be overwhelming. I have put this itinerary together to help you better plan. There were three adults and no children on this trip, so substitute and re-arrange as needed.
These are my notes for days five and six of the trip. We allotted time to walk to the attractions. Please note for the dinner options, there were plenty of non-pasta options as well, but I could usually only eat the pasta course and dessert. For most restaurants and attractions, reservations are highly recommended. Click here to see a condensed itinerary of all seven days in Rome.
Classic “Pope-mobile” at the Vatican museums (Tamala Malerk)
Day Five
Wake-Up: 7:30 a.m. (to sit and eat breakfast) | 8:00 a.m. (to eat breakfast on the go)
Breakfast from Caffe Camerino.
Julius Caesar Assassination Spot (Photo stop)
My friend found out that our hotel was like 500 feet from where Caesar was assassinated (supposedly).
The Vatican and Vatican Museums (Reservations highly recommended, all-day activity)
We had 10 a.m. reservations and needed almost every minute.
Unlike the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, there are several eateries on-site. However, set the bar low. It was typical over-priced theme-park-quality food, but was still better than vending machine chips.
My favorite spots: The collection of Pope Mobiles, the random Van Gogh painting that is overshadowed because of its proximity to the Sistine Chapel and the Zoo (unfortunately only statues not real animals).
We did not have time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica and had to return on a later day.
Dinner: Tonnarello
I recommend: Focaccia, Caprese, Cacio e Pepe and Tiramisu.
No After Dinner Activity (too tired)
Van Gohn painting in the Vatican museums (Tamala Malerk)
Day Six
Wake-Up: 7:30 a.m. (to sit and eat breakfast) | 8:00 a.m. (to eat breakfast on the go)
Breakfast from Caffe Camerino.
Capitoline Museums (Recommend 90 minutes to three hours)
We had 10 a.m. reservations.
There are beautiful paintings, exhibits and statues on site.
I saw what I wanted to see in 90 minutes; it took my husband and our friend three hours.
Exploring Shopping District (optional break-away activity)
If I had to look at one more marble-head bust of Caesar, Augustus or Hercules, I was going to scream. I chose to break away and explore the shopping district for a couple of hours.
Trojansmarkte Museum Rome (Recommend one to two hours)
Speaking of shopping, this was the site of an ancient market, kind-of like one of the original malls.
I could have done this in an hour by myself but rejoined my husband and friend here which took two hours.
Dinner: Osteria Da Fortunata
This place is famous for its no-reservations policy. You can watch the chefs hand-rolling the pasta on-site and in the windows.
We had tried to go earlier in the trip but the line outside was long and after standing in line for twenty minutes with no sign that we were getting in soon, we chose to go elsewhere. I couldn’t justify standing in line when I had simply walked in (or made reservations at) several other places and had fantastic food.
On our second attempt, we waited less than five minutes in line and got a seat. We went around 5:00 p.m. There are four locations in Rome near each other, so if there is a line at one, check the others.
The food was great, but nothing better than anything I had already eaten and would not have been worth waiting more than 10 minutes in line for.
I recommend: Suppli (one for each person), Carbonara and Zabaglione.
After Dinner Activity: laFeltrinelli Books and Movies
This is pretty much the Italian equivalent of Barnes and Noble or Thalia. They had a large English-language book section.
Marbel head bust at museum (Tamala Malerk)
Click here for the day seven itinerary.
Zabaglione dessert (Tamala Malerk)
