3 Days in Rome: Suggested Itineraries

What an amazing day! We loved everything about this tour! We had great guides, both on the bus and at Pompeii. We didn't feel rushed to see the ruins, and then we got to go to the top of Mt. Vesuvius on a hike! In between, we went to a restaurant for a pizza lunch. On the way back to Rome, the guides entertained us with factual information about Rome and even came through the bus and talked to us individually about questions we had about other tours or things to see and do in Rome. I really loved the personal touch. I am so glad that we took this tour. It was one of the highlights of our time in Italy.

Doing what: Pompeii Day Trip from Rome

Diana and Anna were so knowledgeable and were also great to give us a lot of advice on Italy as a whole and sights and etiquette in Rome. It's a long day trip but well worth it. Vincenzo was our guide at Pompeii whose knowledgeable is incredible, he kept things short and to the point and didn't elaborate or bore us with details that weren't necessary or interesting. Mt. Vesuvius was a great sight to see too. This trip is definitely worth it if you have a day to spare and don't mind getting up too early!

Doing what: Pompeii Day Trip from Rome

Awesome day trip! Very comfortable bus, stopping half-way for a break, and big windows for viewing. Pompei, the ancient city, was incredible! The city is very large and there was 2 hours there, viewing the ruins. The guide was very knowledgeable and his pace was perfect. Lunch was very, very good and you had a choice of appetizer and entree. Then, we went up the mountain, winding around the steep hill, to reach the top (almost the top) of Mt. Vesuvius. The final walk to the crater's edge was optional. Keep in mind, that even in late May, it was much colder at the top, so bring a coat, as it was probably 45 F degrees there, and 70 degrees at the bottom that day. My son did the walk, not I, as I have a bad back, but he made it to the top in 20 minutes(he's 29). The view is spectacular! This was a highlight of our vacation. Only wish we had more time in Pompei, but perhaps next time! I suggest reading up on Pompei before you go so you are familiar with what you will see. Dark Rome Tours did a great job, and we took 6 of their tours that week.

Doing what: Pompeii Day Trip from Rome

My husband and I had 4 days in Rome and went on the tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica and enjoyed it immensely. Our Guide was extremely knowledgible re dates, etc. and we even managed to reach the Dome! A most enjoyable afternoon.

Doing what: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica Half-Day Walking Tour

Once again Viator made my day trip amazing. From the outset everything is perfectly organised, the guides extremely knowledgable ( in multiple languages) and the attention to detail second to none. Some reviews criticise the time so let me explain. The tour does take the amount of time recommended with the bus returning to Rome generally around the time advertised. However because Viator then ensure everyone is dropped off close to or at their hotels it does take some time to do this. I think this is preferable than being dropped off and then having to find your own way home. My day in Florence was beautiful, and I have special memories of my day spent there. Thanks Viator

Doing what: Florence Day Trip from Rome

This was my second time in Rome and seeing the Vatican but the first time I didn't do a tour. Save yourself any hassle and just book this tour. its fun, educational and our tour guide (I really wish I could remember her name) was very knowledgeable. She was an archaeologist! and you could just tell she loves Rome and all its glory and history. When in Rome you can't miss the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter's Basilica. Seriously, do this tour and avoid fighting with the tourist crowds and wasting a whole day waiting in lines. It's convenient and worth the money.

Doing what: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica Half-Day Walking Tour

This was a totally amazing package that just kept getting better and better. The Naples walking tour is about 50 minutes which is really just as well. Lunch and shopping at Pompeii was a little cheesy but the tour of the city/ruins itself was very informative and enjoyable. Those of us proceeding to the coast enjoyed a bus ride down to Sorrento where the real surprise awaited. That would be the hotel which was advertised as a 4 star. I think they are being modest because the hotel was absolutely stunning. The package included 2 nights here with breakfasts and 2 three course meals in the dining room included. The next day was Capri which included the blue grotto and tours of Capri and Anacapri. Be sure to take the chair lift to the top of the island during your free time. Final day was free time in Sorrento then back to Pompeii by bus to meet the big bus back to Rome. We were back by 8:30. This was a good deal as all the transportation (by boats and buses and there were quite a few of them) were included. Staff was gracious and competent (Tour coordinator Susana, Fabiano in Naples and Pompeii and especially Sascha in Capri and Sorrento). I enjoyed this very much and recommend it highly.

Doing what: 3-Day Italy Trip: Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri

It is a long but rewarding trip. Overall, it is worth the investment of money and time and a very cost effective way to visit both Assisi and Orvieto in the short span of a 13 hour day. Certainly for two outstanding destinations such as Assis and Orvieto, such a quick tour could not possibly do them justice, but given only one day to have covered so much, it is well worth it for people who are not after an indepth tour. That being said, I do have the following suggestions.
1. For the tour of Assisi by the local guide, time allocation or management could be improved by allowing more time at the San Francis Basillica (with Giotto's frescoes). Much more time was spent in the less renowned sites such as the St. Claire Church, St. Francis' birth place, and another more obscure church. Actual time at the Basillica was about 15 to 20 minutes.
2. While the tour was supposedly in English, there was one French couple and the guide had to repeat every thing in English and French; this thus took away even more time in the more obscure places.
3. Too much time was spent at the lunch place in a farm -- service was slow and did not begin until 30 minutes were spent in the advertisement and purchase of the farm goods.
4. While the pick up was good -- a driver picked us up from our hotel and dropped us off at the central pick up point where the big tour bus was - the drop off took an hour after our arrival in Rome. Between the first hotel drop off and the last drop off, it took an hour !!! The tour guide should have announced the various drop off and the time required, so that passengers could have chosen to get off early and "walk" -- that would have taken 1/4 of the time, rather than one hour circling in Rome.

Doing what: Assisi and Orvieto Day Trip from Rome

It was absolutely worthwhile to book this tour and skip that unbelievable line up! I happened to visit on a particularly busy weekend due to holidays and events in Rome. The tour guide Nicola was excellent at keeping the group together and focused so I found the whole experience to be interesting, particularly as he shared little known insights about Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel. Time and money well spent.

Doing what: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica Half-Day Walking Tour

We had a fabulous trip! Comfortable bus transport on larger bus than expected as we were 2 groups together. There was a "comfort" stop en route, although the number of people using the facilities at the stop limited access to drinks, food and souvenir shopping. Our two guides were like a comedy act at times, but imparted a lot of knowledge about Vesuvius, Pompeii and Rome. There was cloud around Vesuvius that day, but the magnitude of the site was not hidden. You are expected to walk up to the rim area within 20-25 minutes, which limits the time you have to take in the views when you are expected back at the base to meet the bus within an hour. We were lucky to have an additional 15 minutes and got lots of photos. Although people were walking in sandals and flip flops, shoes are advised as the path is loose chips and pumice. You can opt to use wooden poles to help you up and down the steep walk, for a donation. The tour guide does not come up with you, but there appear to be rangers who are able to give information. Lunch is simple but filling. Pompeii is amazing! The reclamation is massive and the local guide was funny and informative. Take water with you when you walk around the site with the guide, especially in warm weather and since you only have one drink with lunch - we missed that trick and had to buy lots of drinks when we got back to the entrance! Shoppers beware....there is no time to do any! (See the smiling face of my husband?) Which is a shame considering the length of the bus journey to and from Rome, but I am sure the approachable and flexible guides could let you shop for 5 more minutes if you ask.

Doing what: Pompeii Day Trip from Rome

It was difficult to get specific directions to the meeting place but I can help! It's at the NE corner of Via Germanico and Via Leone IV. There is a sign on the SE side of the building that says "Enjoy Rome" and the door is right next to the sign on the ground floor. Backpacks will have to be checked at the door of the museum and it's a good 10 minute walk to get back to your possessions after the tour. Don't go without taking a tour! You will have long waiting lines and won't understand much. As for the tour, our guide was Valentino and we absolutely LOVED her. She was fantastic! There were 23 in our group and she kept us with us all beautifully. The tour was 3 full hours. You do get a shortwave/earphone to hear the tour guide. The crowds were incredible - 20,000 people a day makes it very crowded and very loud. I would NOT go in the summer as there is no air conditioning. We saw one museum, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. No talking and No photos in the Sistine Chapel. It was all fascinating and beautiful. A definite must-do on your trip to Rome! One suggestion - go eat at Ristochicco Restaurant after - make reservations!

Doing what: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica Half-Day Walking Tour

This was my first tour on my short trip to rome and i really enjoyed this magnificent villa it was amazing to think what a master Hadrian was at all different skills and experience and even today how much survived in good condition.Hadrians bathouse was alone worth visiting but this was only one of many gems to visit.The guide was very knowledeable.We then went onto the Villa d'este and the world renowned tivoli gardens.Again an amazing villa but unfortunately when we got to the gardens it was pouring down and unfortunately they stop the wonderful fountains when it does.Still a very good reason to go back to rome in the near future.

Doing what: Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Half-Day Trip from Rome

Was a fantastic day we learnt so much about all the history Pompeii and the hike up the volcano was awesome the views were out of this world and a unforgettable experience. Our guides Sara and Maria from Dark Rome were exceptional.

Doing what: Pompeii Day Trip from Rome

I didn't realize that we needed to buy tickets 2 months in advance to avoid what would have been a 1-2 hour wait in line, in the drizzle of early April. And Saturday was the only day we had to see the Vatican Museums--they were closed Sunday and Monday. So I was glad to find this tour. And, I would buy tour tickets again, even if I had the chance to buy advanced tickets--you get so much out of the tour. Dario was a great guide (handsome too, single girls!), and told us many stories about the artwork, its significance, and history. Worth every penny.

The only thing I would say in improvement is that the web site could use a map to the 8 Germanico location (start of the tour). It's easy get lost in the many small alley ways in Rome, and we barely got there in time after wandering off course a bit.

Doing what: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica Half-Day Walking Tour

Really a fanastic day. We are normally the DIY type of travelers, but opted for this tour. The Viator guide (Mike from California) was absolutely fantastic with his knowledge of ancient history and humor. The bus leave Rome early and an hour and a half later stops at a "rest area" which is clearly designed for tour buses. Nice, clean place for a "pit stop" and a coffee but amazing how much useless stuff the Asian tourists can buy.

Another hour or so and the bus stops near Pompeii for lunch at a place again designed for tour buses. Our expecations were a bit low but the pizza was AWESOME!

Doing what: Pompeii Day Trip from Rome