I never liked Rome the first 3 times I went. Only more recently have I started to appreciate it. I think it depends a lot on where you stay so that you are in some nicer parts of it vs just the "big city" parts.

That said, 2 weeks is plenty of time to add Rome.

Second the recommendation on Verona.

If you fly into Rome, I think it's worth stopping to see it if your daughter asked to and you can make the time. I like the Coliseum, the Vatican, the Forum, Circus Maximus, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon to name a few things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Planning a trip to Northern Italy. My adult child has never visited the country. She has asked if we can fit in Rome because she has heard of the coliseum (I think that is the basis of the request, she is not a history buff.

I hope your adult child has heard of the Coliseum.

You sound quite unpleasant.

The point of that statement was that she did not seem to have more of a basis for raising that option.

Do you think posters like you add anything of value to the community?

If you decide Rome is too far I think a good alternative would be a stop in Verona.

Verona has a very well preserved arena (a little bit smaller than the Coliseum but still very impressive— and still used for performances).

Also your daughter might enjoy stopping by “Juliet’s balcony” and it’s just overall a very pleasant fun city.

And it’s probably right on your way between Cinque Terre and the Dolomites.

We were in Italy this past summer. Flew into Rome, train to the Amalfi coast for a few days - hiking and beaches, then went back to Rome via Pompeii. We loved the Amalfi coast. We enjoyed Rome a lot too BUT we found the colosseum boring. We liked the Forum better and LOVE the Pantheon.

If you go, make sure to go to the church with three levels - the bottom level is a Roman pagan church that was excavated and then an early Christian church sits above it with the “today” church above that. Forget what it’s called but google will know.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't go out of my way to go to Rome just for the Colosseum, but if you have an interest in art/architecture/history, you might want to consider doing a couple of days there on your way in/out of the country to see some highlights.

The Vatican museum is awe-inspiring. The catacombs are also something to behold. Lots of famous art in random churches.

Get tickets to these things in advance.

TBH Rome was my least favorite part of my Italy trip. Its just a big city, and I am not a fan of cities either when I am travelling. All the major sights are just very crowded. The Colosseum is impressive of course, but just so many crowds to shuffle around with that I couldn't really enjoy it. I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Anonymous wrote:Planning a trip to Northern Italy. My adult child has never visited the country. She has asked if we can fit in Rome because she has heard of the coliseum (I think that is the basis of the request, she is not a history buff.

I hope your adult child has heard of the Coliseum.

Anonymous wrote:Late May.
Trip length is about 2 weeks.

My tastes favor Tuscany and Venice (if we are adding to the two original destinations).

But I am sincerely open to her wish list. Justly wish it was not geographically out of the way.
Thanks for helping with our itinerary.

It's not that far out of your way, especially because it's easy to start your trip by flying straight to Rome, which has nonstops from Dulles. But yeah you are talking a 4 hour train ride to get to La Spezia (the jumping off point to go to Cinque Terre) from Rome, so that takes up probably 8 hours door to door, or the main part of a day.

Doesn't sound like you have enough interest to justify it. If you are going for natural beauty, the Dolomites are definitely worth it.

I wouldn't go out of my way to go to Rome just for the Colosseum, but if you have an interest in art/architecture/history, you might want to consider doing a couple of days there on your way in/out of the country to see some highlights.

Late May.
Trip length is about 2 weeks.

My tastes favor Tuscany and Venice (if we are adding to the two original destinations).

But I am sincerely open to her wish list. Justly wish it was not geographically out of the way.
Thanks for helping with our itinerary.

How long do you have for the trip overall, and what time of year are you going?

If your motivation is that someone has heard of the Coliseum, that's not reason enough. If you love history and love old cities, that's more than enough reason (even just one of those).

Planning a trip to Northern Italy. My adult child has never visited the country. She has asked if we can fit in Rome because she has heard of the coliseum (I think that is the basis of the request, she is not a history buff).

Is it worth going out of our way? (We will be traveling by train). I am not a huge city tourist. We would be heading to Cinque Terre and the Dolomites afterwards.

If we fly into Rome, what are must-see sights you would recommend for a short introduction to the city?Thanks.