bab706

We are headed to Rome this spring for a week. I'm working on my itinerary and would like your thoughts about this schedule for just one day. We would like to fit everything here into the morning and afternoon - including lunch.

1. Santa Maria della Vittoria
2. Santa Susanna
3. Baths of Diocletian
-Santa Maria degli Angeli
-Epigraphical and Prehistoric Museum
-Aula Ottagona
4. Lunch in the area

I'm not sure if I should begin at the Baths of Diocletian and visit the churches after lunch, or the reverse. How much time should I devote to the Baths of Diocletian?

Any recommendations for restaurants in the area?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

laurie_ann

In planning my own Rome trip for this spring I was alerted the fact that most churches are closed at mid day for example on this link on Fodors the hours of SMV the first one on your list above are described as 7 am to noon and then later 330 to 7 pm.

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/i...ew-180064.html

So depends what you mean by "after lunch".

Others may have more specific restaurant recos but I have also found the fun Rome food blogs of Katie Parla http://www.parlafood.com/ and Elizabeth Minchilli http://www.elizabethminchilliinrome.com/.

bvlenci

I would start with the churches, which are more likely to be open in the morning. Probably Santa Maria della Vittoria is open most of the afternoon as well, as it's widely visited by tourists. I'm not sure why you want to visit Santa Susanna. It's the American Catholic church in Rome. There are some ancient ruins under the church, but they're not very visible, and there are many, many buildings in Rome with the same and more.

If your main interest is the Baths of Diocletian, there are other remains in the area that were once part of that enormous bath complex. San Bernardo alle Terme was once a circular hall at one of the angles of the wall of the complex. The matching circular hall can be seen at the corner where Via Viminale meets Piazza del Cinquecento.

The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri is a very beautiful church, built in a large part of the Baths of Diocletian. Michelangelo planned the conversion. I'm sure you know this, but Piazza della Repubblica was once the exedra of the baths. It used to be called Piazza della Esedra.

I suppose that by the Epigraphical and Prehistoric Museum, you mean the Museo delle Terme di Diocleziano, one of the sites of the National Roman Museum. It's well worth a visit. On your left, as you enter, there is an ancient Roman hall that was part of the bath complex. Inside, you can see two painted Roman tombs, which are very well preserved, but have nothing to do with the baths. They were found in Testaccio in the mid-20th century and were moved here. The hall is very well preserved.

bab706

laurie_ann - We've been to Rome a number of times in the past and we know that most churches close for a period of time during mid-day. I think my dilemma is trying to fit it all in before lunch - and I don't think that can be done. It may make more sense to start with the Baths of Diocletian and then have lunch and then see the churches in the afternoon. I was hoping someone had done this same itinerary in the past and could provide insight.

I have both Elizabeth Minchilli's and Katie Parla's food apps and have been eagerly exploring lots of restaurant recommendations. There is a restaurant called Trattoria Cadorna in the general area (Minchilli app) but I was looking for other recommendations as well.

Thanks for your feedback - and have a wonderful trip!

bab706

bvlenci - Thank you so much for the information on other sites in the area. I didn't necessary start out wanting to see Santa Susanna - but since it is so close to S.M. della Vittoria, I thought we would pop in for a look. I always enjoy reading your posts here and on TA and I greatly appreciate your recommendations.

Rostra

<<<4. Lunch in the area>>>

<<<If your main interest is the Baths of Diocletian, there are other remains in the area that were once part of that enormous bath complex. [SNIP] The matching circular hall can be seen at the corner where Via Viminale meets Piazza del Cinquecento.>>>

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And that circular hall (pavillion) also serves lunch.
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Rostra on Jan 4, 14 at 4:06pm

This restaurant is actually in one of the ancient pavilions of the Baths of Diocletian and is open Mon-Sat 12:30-3:00 for lunch.
Their website is in the post and a few links (photo & Baths' model)still work.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...diocletian.cfm