Don’t go in summer. Rome gets seriously hot (it was 35C on the last day of June 2004). Although it’s not an entirely unbearable heat, it isn’t pleasant if you aren’t used to it. It’s not very humid, and there is a breeze which makes it quite nice in the shade. However, if you are going to go sightseeing, you won’t be able to stay in the shade all day.
Buy a good guidebook and map. If you don’t know a lot about the history of Rome, investing in a really good guidebook is worth it. Try to find a map with a scale, as Rome is much smaller than a lot of maps make it look.
Get a drink bottle. There are many drinking fountains around Rome that are constantly pouring water from 2000-year-old aquaducts. The water is crystal clear, ice cold, and tastes like bottled mineral water. Buying a small bottle of water from a stand can cost around €2.50, so it’s definitely worth it.
Buy a fan. Be it an old-fashioned fan or a little battery operated one, whichever you choose, you will thank yourself – especially when visiting the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum. You may look like a twat fanning yourself with a €3 fan with scenes of Rome and lace around the edges, but you will also get the chance to make friends with old women who will constantly stand to the left of you in order to get the remnants of your handmade breeze.
Take guided tours. Finding a tour guide can help you skip the lines, and the information they tell you will make the sight more interesting. There is a good tour you can do for €16 (ticket €8/tour €8) that includes the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. There is an American tourguide called Brandon who will take you around the Forum for an hour. He is very interesting and knowledgeable. You can find the tourguides outside the Colosseum on arrival.
Don’t skip the catacombs. There are a few different catacombs around Rome that you can visit. At least two of them are in the southeast area of Rome, outside the old city wall. There is no Metro stop there, so you will need to catch a bus, taxi, or rent a scooter. The catacombs are closed on different days (mid-week), and are closed between midday and around 2:30pm. The San Sebastian catacomb has 160,000 graves in many miles of handcarved tunnels. The tours last about 30-60 minutes. It is absolutely freezing in the tunnels, and in some places you can see your breath in the air. Definitely a good place to go to escape the heat!
Hire a scooter for a day. Riding a scooter around Rome is the best way to see the parts of Rome you wouldn’t be able to see if you were catching the Metro. It is also a great way to travel when it is insanely hot (aside from the sweaty helmet head). But be warned! People in Rome can NOT drive (it is rumoured that Roman drivers obtain their licenses from inside cereal boxes), and most of the city streets are one way. It is very tricky to drive out of the city, but very easy to drive back in (you can come, but you can never leave!). Drive to the westbank of the river for dinner, and around the old city wall which is still intact in many parts.
There are so many things to see while in Rome, but many of them you can see all in one day. However, a lot of the sights are closed on certain days or for renovation, so find out before you leave!
Any tips on travelling to Rome with my elderly father in a wheelchair?
Hrmm, I’m not too sure about that myself to be honest. I know for sure that places like the Colosseum have an elevator so you don’t have to climb stairs, but a lot don’t – i.e., the Monument to Unknown Soldiers.
This website will help you though.
I think the best bet would be to contact a travel bureau and not to go in summer.