Rome at night

[Marseydotes]

Anyone have a special memory of Rome at night? We have "run" through Rome a few times but will be spending three days there before our next cruise. With that amount of time, I assume our jet lag will be gone and we might enjoy a special sight or event. Ideas?

[mskaufman]

Fountain of Trevi is dry right now but we did enjoy walking from the Spanish Steps to Trevi at night.

[kuldalai]

A Roman highlight at night is the floodlit Castle de St Angelo by the Tiber River. One can just picture TOSCA jumping from the castle to her death in the Tiber below.

[John Bull]

Same as many places in the world, it's always good to get the different perspective of the place at night.

 

OK, a bit touristy, but you can take an evening bus tour of Rome including all the major sights (Trevi, Pantheon, Navone all involve a short walk).

Probably available every evening & inexpensive.

 

JB :)

[cruisemom42]

For those who like to walk, Rome is quite safe at night and all her monuments are lit up.

 

Rick Steves offers an itinerary for a do-it-yourself cross-Rome tour to see the major sites by walking -- no tour needed. Added bonus: you can stop wherever the mood strikes you along the way for a gelato, glass of wine or a meal.

[texancruzer]

Agree with Cruisemom…. we love to stroll Rome at night ! We have been for 4 Med cruises and have our 5th booked for next spring….. our last one we took my dh's elderly mother and father (her in a wheelchair) We had a wonderful dinner at our favorite restaurant (Panzirone) in Piazza Navonna. On our way there we just happened to spot a HUGE full hazy moon in between two ancient buildings. We took a picture with the moon in the background and then burst out singing "when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie"……. it was a funny special moment that I know he will cherish when they are gone.

 

Also seeing my first Italian opera was pretty neat too. La Traviata ! Since then we also saw Madame Butterfly in Venice (last trip) with in-laws.

 

I have lots more special nighttime moments in Rome…… it is just that kind of place !

[cruisemom42]

Depending on when one is traveling to Rome, there are a couple of special night experiences that may be available:

 

Evening tours of Sistine chapel -- for those who really want to experience the chapel without being elbow to elbow with hundreds of others. Offered by several agencies but dates are limited. Googling should yield plenty of info.

 

Musical performances (opera and ballet) are occasionally held at the Baths of Caracalla during the summer -- a most dramatic setting. Read more here: http://www.operaroma.it/eng/caracalla.php

[texancruzer]

Depending on when one is traveling to Rome, there are a couple of special night experiences that may be available:

 

Evening tours of Sistine chapel -- for those who really want to experience the chapel without being elbow to elbow with hundreds of others. Offered by several agencies but dates are limited. Googling should yield plenty of info.

 

Musical performances (opera and ballet) are occasionally held at the Baths of Caracalla during the summer -- a most dramatic setting. Read more here: http://www.operaroma.it/eng/caracalla.php

 

 

Cynthia, we are looking at doing the evening tour next spring…..we are taking my son and his wife this trip and this would be awesome…..always seen it with elbow to elbow people.

 

Also - we finally made it to the Baths of Caracalla last trip and I could really enjoy an evening concert there !!!!!!! I have posted before too that a picnic here would be perfect (daytime of course) as the grounds are park-like. Will check out your link - THANKS !

 

AWWWW - JUST CHECKED - WE ARE GOING TOO EARLY. SEASON DOESNT START UNTIL LATE JUNE

Edited November 6, 2014 by texancruzer

[euro cruiser]

Cynthia, we are looking at doing the evening tour next spring…..we are taking my son and his wife this trip and this would be awesome…..always seen it with elbow to elbow people.

My childhood best friend and I gave each other an after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums for our birthdays a few years ago. It was expensive but so worth it, it's a special experience to see the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel with no one else around. I've been back since while escorting others around Rome and it's hard to be there during normal hours now, I've been spoiled.

[cruisemom42]

My childhood best friend and I gave each other an after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums for our birthdays a few years ago. It was expensive but so worth it, it's a special experience to see the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel with no one else around. I've been back since while escorting others around Rome and it's hard to be there during normal hours now, I've been spoiled.

 

I think we had this conversation before about how, for me, the Domus Aurea would be one of those things I'd be more than willing to splurge for, should it ever reopen.

 

Lo and behold, I snagged a good airfare and am going to Rome over the Thanksgiving week. I started researching what's available and found out that they have started doing limited tours of the Domus Aurea again (limited in terms of both the timeframe -- only on weekends and only through December -- and also in terms of how much you see).

 

I immediately booked a ticket for one of the English tours for the Sunday after I arrive. The tours have a maximum of 25 people each.

[texancruzer]

I think we had this conversation before about how, for me, the Domus Aurea would be one of those things I'd be more than willing to splurge for, should it ever reopen.

 

Lo and behold, I snagged a good airfare and am going to Rome over the Thanksgiving week. I started researching what's available and found out that they have started doing limited tours of the Domus Aurea again (limited in terms of both the timeframe -- only on weekends and only through December -- and also in terms of how much you see).

 

I immediately booked a ticket for one of the English tours for the Sunday after I arrive. The tours have a maximum of 25 people each.

 

 

WOW. Lucky !!!!

[diesel1973]

You could stroll over to the Hotel Qurinale and have dinner in the outdoor garden. It is next to the Opera House and with luck you could hear the Opera.

They also have entertainment on weekends (piano and singer). We stay there every time in Rome and the rest. is open to the public.Have a great trip!

[slidergirl]

I think we had this conversation before about how, for me, the Domus Aurea would be one of those things I'd be more than willing to splurge for, should it ever reopen.

 

Lo and behold, I snagged a good airfare and am going to Rome over the Thanksgiving week. I started researching what's available and found out that they have started doing limited tours of the Domus Aurea again (limited in terms of both the timeframe -- only on weekends and only through December -- and also in terms of how much you see).

 

I immediately booked a ticket for one of the English tours for the Sunday after I arrive. The tours have a maximum of 25 people each.

 

Jealous!!!! But, have a great time!

 

I'm one who did the Nighttime at the Vatican Museum. It was Friday nights May through October. It was so amazing to go through and have no one else in the rooms with me. I also love to just walk through Rome at night. I have no fear whatsoever doing this alone. And, each night the last time I was there, I would finish off the evening by sitting out on the patio of the Rome Cavalieri hotel, glass of Barolo in hand, and just looking out over the lights of Rome.

[parkslopegal]

We did the evening Food Tours of Rome. It was over four hours starting at 6:00 pm. Great guides, a small group. Delicious food, interesting history and a nice walk.

 

 

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[Midship]

Jealous!!!! But, have a great time!

 

I'm one who did the Nighttime at the Vatican Museum. It was Friday nights May through October. It was so amazing to go through and have no one else in the rooms with me. I also love to just walk through Rome at night. I have no fear whatsoever doing this alone. And, each night the last time I was there, I would finish off the evening by sitting out on the patio of the Rome Cavalieri hotel, glass of Barolo in hand, and just looking out over the lights of Rome.

 

would you know how the weather is at night for walking, specifically in November.

I thank you in advance.

[slidergirl]

would you know how the weather is at night for walking, specifically in November.

I thank you in advance.

 

I can't help with November weather (never been there in November). But, for me, any weather is good to me for walking in Rome at night. You just have to be properly attired ;) Just like Venice - I've been there in February and spent hours and hours walking around. Paris in January - spent all night walking around with friends, stopping at little places for drinks and such.

Go to any weather site and look up typical weather for Rome in November and pack accordingly!

[cruisemom42]

would you know how the weather is at night for walking, specifically in November.

I thank you in advance.

 

I think this will be the fourth time I've been to Rome in late November/early December timeframe. I suppose it depends on what one is used to, but I have generally found the weather in the evenings in Rome to be cool, but not cold. Certainly not unpleasant to walk around at night, as long as one has a jacket.

 

The worst possibility at that time of year is rain. I'd take cooler weather any day over rain, but occasionally Rome gets a lot of it in November.

[texancruzer]

November is our favorite time for Rome !!! Been 3 times.

First time was late November (we had Thanksgiving dinner in Rome) - pretty chilly and a bit windy at night. Coat was required.

Second time was first week of November. Much warmer but still jacket weather at night.

Third time we were at the end of our trip/cruise and it was the very beginning of November. Very light jackets.

 

We have also been in early/mid May (before & after cruise). First of May was cold. Then 12 days later it was warm !!!

 

We are headed back late April/mid May next year……. expect the same.

 

Only 1 day (evening) in all our visits have we had rain….more like showers. Rain ponchos and umbrellas - not going to let a bit of rain stop us in Rome !!!!

 

Hope the weather is great for you !!!!

[cruisemom42]

While the weather is often great in November (bright blue skies, sunny, breezy, and uncrowded), it's a good idea to be prepared for some rain just in case.

 

Of my several visits to Rome in November (most at the end of the month) and early December, all but one have been relatively good weather with possibly one rainy day. However, on one visit it rained buckets for nearly an entire week. This wreaked havoc on my plans for the week -- had to substitute many museum days for outside days (e.g., no visit to Ostia Antica!).

 

Also, be forewarned that Rome doesn't deal well with a lot of rain. Things like the underground Colosseum tour or the Palazzo Valentini (visit to underground Roman ruins) can be flooded out and likely cancelled. On the week I mentioned, there were also issues with the metro getting flooded and the Tiber overflowing its banks (not in Rome itself but in outlying areas...).

 

Here's a photo of a boat that got stuck under the Ponte Sant'Angelo due to the high water:

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Piena_del_Tevere_-_Tiber_in_flood_-_Ponte_Sant'Angelo_-_Rome,_Italy_-_12_Dec._2008.jpg

[singlegrandma2]

I love the Coliseum at night. Beautiful... Actually first time I saw it was at night.

[Scriv]

I love the Coliseum at night. Beautiful...

 

Same here! We were in Rome at the end of October and it was warm during the day and very pleasant to walk around in the evening. We ate in a restaurant quite close to the Coliseum then walked around the illuminated Coliseum and Forum area. The monuments were indeed beautiful all lit up. Awe inspiring.

[Smolder]

We did a Rome at night Segway tour. It turned out to be one of the many highlights of our last cruise. Giovanna was our tour guide and was excellent. The segway was very easy to learn and a blast to cruise around on. I believe the tour lasted 2 1/2 hours and went to many of the popular sights and she gave brief lectures on each location. Highly recommend.