# What would you do with 5 days in Rome? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 10, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962 "2009-05-10T18:24:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/21 "2009-05-11T00:03:39Z")
Awesome! I know some countries it can be really tricky to find good vegetarian food. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/22 "2009-05-11T00:07:10Z")
For Pompeii, what I’d do is go to Naples in the morning. Including the museum with the Pompeiian artefacts, you can get the essentials of Naples in an afternoon (sorry, Neapolitans… just my opinion). Then you can go to Pompeii, arrive in the morning while it’s still cool, spend a couple of hours in the ruins, have lunch in town, and be back in Rome in the late afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/23 "2009-05-11T00:15:09Z")
If you do go to the Naples museum, don’t miss the [painting](http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/classics/PhotosToCome/Sappho.jpg) from Pompeii that looks just like [me!](http://www.flickr.com/photos/32527822@N04/3038837266/in/set-72157617908260520/)😃 ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/24 "2009-05-11T00:19:21Z")
Haha! That’s awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/25 "2009-05-11T01:41:26Z")
Are you staying in a hotel? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/26 "2009-05-11T07:09:27Z")
Some hints: Wear really good walking shoes. Definitely go on a day trip to Pompeii (it really should take all day). When you visit the Sistine Chapel, do not try to photograph it. When throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, stand facing away from the fountain, and throw the coin over your shoulder. (the coins go to charity). Spend a lot of time in the Coloseum and Roman Forum. Learn how to cross streets. Don’t wait for a break in the traffic, or you’ll wait forever. Just have blind faith and start walking, and they will stop for you. Gelato!!! ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/27 "2009-05-11T10:13:05Z")
Rome can be brutal to see everything in 5 days. Also check for days and timings for museums. IIRC the Vatican is open in the afternoons some of the other place only mornings. I spent two days in Pompeii/Hurculaneum. Both worth the visit. I went to the Catacombs. Used all the public transportation and I’ll add to be vigilant on the pickpocket thing. I’m a veg. never went hungry that’s for sure. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lars\_Aruns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Lars\_Aruns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars_Aruns)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/28 "2009-05-11T10:14:54Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Don’t wait for a break in the traffic, or you’ll wait forever. Just have blind faith and start walking, and they will stop for you. No. Don’t do that, or you’ll die. You _do_ have to wait until there is a decent sized gap between cars, so they can just slow down and not break the flow. If they’re too close when you cross, they will have to stomp on the brakes and risk an accident with cars behind them, or just won’t have time to brake and hit you. Or cross at the traffic lights when it’s red for the cars. Don’t be a Bad Tourist; we have too many of them already. ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/29 "2009-05-11T12:28:48Z")
I’ll be the dissenting voice on Pompeii. Consider visiting Ostia Antica, instead. You get all of the 1st century AD Roman ruins you can stand, it’s never crowded, and it’s a very quick commuter train ride from Rome. My 11 year old son thinks its the “most awesome place on Earth.” > **[Ostia - Harbour City of Ancient Rome](http://www.ostia-antica.org/)** > > This website is dedicated to Ostia, the harbour city of ancient Rome. Here you will find information for professional archaeologists and historians, for students of Roman archaeology and history, and for interested lay-people. My wife is a mostly-vegetarian, and her favorite restaurant was Trattoria da “Giggetto”, which specializes in Jewish-Roman cuisine (especially their deep-fried artichokes). [http://www.giggetto.it/english/home.htm](http://www.giggetto.it/english/home.htm) (Hey! I’m off to Italy in three days… I’ll be doing nine days in Sicily, but three (May 23-26) days in Rome–it was going to be two days in Rome, but we stole a day away from Sicily just so my son can revsit Ostia.) ---
**Author:** ![Walkabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walkabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walkabout)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/30 "2009-05-11T12:33:20Z")
On my most recent trip to Rome the absolute highlight was the Scavi, or Excavation, tour. This is a small group tour of the necropolis below St. Peter’s, including St. Peter’s grave, directly below the high alter of the basilica. You must make reservations in advance by emailing the scavi office at the Vatican. Tell them the range of dates you will be in Rome, and, if you’re lucky, they will tell you the date and time tickets are available for the tour. There are only 10 or so tours a day with no more than 12 people, so tickets can be hard to come by. The details are [here.](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20040112_en.html) We were in Rome this time for only four days but still managed to see all the major sights - the Vatican, the Colosseum/Forum, the Pantheon, Trevi, and Spanish Steps. We also fit in several of the many beautiful cathedrals and time for shopping. Pompeii is a full day trip, but Ostia Antica is a good alternative that could be done in half a day. As for crossing the street, if you’re in a crosswalk and you have the right of way, just step out there (assuming the car or motorcycle has time to stop). They’ll stop for you. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/31 "2009-05-11T12:41:22Z")
> [@Yossarian](#): > > I’ll be the dissenting voice on Pompeii. Consider visiting Ostia Antica, instead. You get all of the 1st century AD Roman ruins you can stand, it’s never crowded, and it’s a very quick commuter train ride from Rome. My 11 year old son thinks its the “most awesome place on Earth.” It looks cool as far as ruins go, but it lacks the main points I’d want to see Pompeii for. As tragic and creepy as it is, I’m curious to see a city that was killed by volcanic ash, etc. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/32 "2009-05-11T12:43:39Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Are you staying in a hotel? Yes. We looked at some apartments, but they’re more expensive and the assumption is that you’d be cooking some of your own food. For me, that kind of spoils things a little bit. For every meal I cook for myself, it’s an opportunity missed to eat some local food, you know? And for 5 days, I think I’d rather eat at restaurants and experience local cuisine. ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/33 "2009-05-11T12:47:39Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > It looks cool as far as ruins go, but it lacks the main points I’d want to see Pompeii for. As tragic and creepy as it is, I’m curious to see a city that was killed by volcanic ash, etc. Hey, it was also killed by geology: floods! Lots of them! It’s like the Roman equivalent of New Orleans. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/34 "2009-05-11T12:50:17Z")
Yeah but did it leave people frozen in motion, etc? ---
**Author:** ![Walkabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walkabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walkabout)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/35 "2009-05-11T12:53:18Z")
Another Popeii-like alternative is Herculaneum. It was destroyed at the same time as Pompeii, but it’s smaller and easier to tour. It’s still almost full day trip, though, since it’s also just outside of Naples. We left Rome at 7:30am and got back late afternoon. That gave us plenty of time to see all of Herculaneum and have a leisurely lunch there. ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/36 "2009-05-11T13:01:40Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Yeah but did it leave people frozen in motion, etc? They all very slowly escaped. (An interesting aside: many of the buildings and monuments built elsewhere in Italy, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, were built from stones quarried from Ostia… so like many Roman Ruins (_sans_ Pompeii), it’s destruction is largely man-made.) Even if you make it to Pompeii, don’t consider Ostia an “instead of”–it’ll only take a half a day, and it really is one of the more interesting things to see in/around Rome. Especially if you go at a time when Rome is crowded, it would be time better spent than (for instance) waiting in line for and then crowding into the Coloseum. I’ll also strongly recommend the Protestant Cemetery for the graves of Keats and Shelly. (But especially Keats!) [http://www.protestantcemetery.it/english/content/blogcategory/14/31/](http://www.protestantcemetery.it/english/content/blogcategory/14/31/) It’s right at the Pyramide stop, so if you do Ostia, you can easily catch it on the way there or the way back (although note that they can keep odd hours). ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/37 "2009-05-11T13:43:01Z")
Is there something special about the graves, or is it just who is in them? Because I don’t have any attachment to either of those writers, so visiting their graves just because it’s their graves wouldn’t really mean anything to me. ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/38 "2009-05-11T13:53:53Z")
Keats has an awesome epitaph. (Found a pic: it’s the one on the left: [http://lh4.ggpht.com/\_7TSTn1vPwso/SKMTNneWU2I/AAAAAAAADSI/i2p-1gcrup8/100\_3664.JPG](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_7TSTn1vPwso/SKMTNneWU2I/AAAAAAAADSI/i2p-1gcrup8/100_3664.JPG)) ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/39 "2009-05-11T14:53:48Z")
My first bare handed strangulation. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962/40 "2009-05-11T15:14:14Z")
> [@Yossarian](#): > > Keats has an awesome epitaph. > > (Found a pic: it’s the one on the left: [http://lh4.ggpht.com/\_7TSTn1vPwso/SKMTNneWU2I/AAAAAAAADSI/i2p-1gcrup8/100\_3664.JPG](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_7TSTn1vPwso/SKMTNneWU2I/AAAAAAAADSI/i2p-1gcrup8/100_3664.JPG)) Quoth the raven : 404 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-with-5-days-in-rome/495962.md?page=3)