2(too) short days in rome

[Brigada]

Hello all!
I'm going to be back in Germany for a couple of weeks and have never been to Rome yet. I only have 2 free days so I bought an awesome ticket from DUS-CIA for 34 Euros (www.ryanair.com) . I've been reading about all the great places in Rome and really wish I had more time there. I get in at around 14:25 to CIA and leave the next morning at 9:45. I figured for as cheap as the ticket was it would be worth the 18 hours. My question is what is there as far as night time goes to see. (ie. tours, sites at night). Also the best way to get from the airport to the city centre without wasting a lot of time.
thanks to you all for such a wonderful site !

[me]

there's a bus connection from spook airport to Termini station <http://www.terravision.it> [CIA = spook airport ;D]

you don't have time for much: a quick peek each at Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, maybe exteriors at the Vatican.

have fun!

[Brigada]

Thanks for the quick reply!
terravision <--- big help
I believe the vatican closes at 13:30 is it still possible to see it from the outside or is the distance to great?
Also, still looking for something to do after hours when most everything else is closed.
On a side note, being from San Antonio, like the flag.
If anyone else has some tips on food, what to stay away from, or anything else it would help a lot!
Thanks again for the help

[jennifer]

Have you thought of a tour? There are many great ones! I think there are previous posts about some that members have tried! I'd strongly suggest that, you always get to see more and do less lines!

[me]

Brigada said:

On a side note, being from San Antonio, like the flag.
If anyone else has some tips on food, what to stay away from, or anything else it would help a lot!
Thanks again for the help

so, you're from South Texas? <i'm in Dallas, born & raised> not likely to find any Tex-Mex in Rome. not that you'd want any, few places can compare to the Tex-Mex in S. A. besides, the Roman grub is pretty good, too!

Find a good gelatoria. well, find a gelatoria. there are plenty of them. but when you land at 2.30 in the afternoon, you'll probably want a good tratoria first. i remember a good one near the Colosseum. [it was in the booklet of recommendations from the Beehive. i don't know where that booklet is, off-hand. does anyone else have it handy?]

that same book listed a good gelatoria near Trevi fountain, as i recall. wish i could find it to tell you which one.

Jen's idea of doing a tour is a good one! that may be your best bet.

good luck and have fun!

btw, you might ought to register. it'll help me keep your plan straight.

- d

[brigada]

Didn't think I'd find any good Tex-Mex in Rome! But none the less I am very excited to try some new and tasty food (I hope). A tour would be a great idea, even more so if I could find one for late afternoon, such as a walking tour to keep us active into the eve. Any parts of the city to stay away from late in the night? We plan to pull an all nighter!?
Thanks

[me]

the Tex-Mex thing was meant tongue in cheek. i forget that humor often isn't clear online.

sorry

was in Rome for 5 nights, didn't pull any all nighters so can't comment about that. but, i stayed a block or two from Termani (the areas near train stations are often where dregs congregate) and never saw anything there that warented caution. -- now that i think about it, it was at Termani where i was taken for €50 right when i got there. <i was tired and gulible - let's just say it: i was stupid!>

- d

[Jules80]

in the evening things you can do are outdoor monuments... trevi foutain, spanish steps, piazza del popolo, piazza navona... waht time does the pantheon close??? very very cool! the forum is free... don't know if you can walk through that or not... don't remember if there were gates... while the vatican museum closes early, i don't know what time st-peters closes at.
Jules

[gougeAway]

St. Peter's hours appear to be Basilica, 7am-7pm (winter 6pm) and Dome, 8 to sunset.

Trevi Fountain - there's a gelatoria pretty close - if you're looking at the front of the fountain, it's down the road to your right - not too far. Not sure if it is the one mentioned above or not, but it was decent.

Spanish Steps seems to be the place to go at night. If you can visit the Coliseum, you should - and the forum is right there, so you can visit that too. You won't see anything, but there's plenty of incredible buildings as you walk between the above mentioned sites.

[me]

jules80 said:

waht time does the pantheon close???

the Pantheon has been taken over by the Roman Church, don''t know about hours. the sanctuary of the Church i'd gone to for most all my life stays open 24/7. it used to, anyway. [but, it's not R. Catholic. any people here know policy for RC Church?]

- d

[me]

just looked here ->
www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Pantheon.html

this info is listed. [but, i've often been told that one can't count on the accuracy of what you read on the web. (except here, of course! )]
=================
The Pantheon is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on holidays that fall on weekdays except for Christmas Day, New Year's Day and May 1, when it is closed. Admission is free.

[brigada]

Awesome, It looks like there will still be quite a few places open to go and visit. I'm just gonna print this thread out and take it with me and plan my day that way! (in other words BIG help) Thanks again!
If you all can think of any other thing, big or little just let me know!
Thanks

[brigada]

In a few short hours I'll be on the hop over the lake to Germany. Thank you all again for such great help with the Italy part of it. Wish me luck and when I return I'll be sure to let you know how it all went!

[me]

did Brigada make it home safe & sound? haven't seen anything here.

- d

[stanncie]

maybe he liked rome way too much, met a roman girl and stayed there !