National Lampoons Vacation

Rome in Two to Three Days
On the first day, do the "Caesar Shuffle" from the Colosseum to the Forum, then over Capitol Hill to the Pantheon. After a siesta, join the locals strolling from Piazza del Popolo to the Spanish Steps (see my recommended "Dolce Vita Stroll," in Rick Steves' Rome). Have dinner near your hotel. On the second day, see the Vatican City (St. Peter's, climb the dome, tour the Vatican Museum). Have dinner on the atmospheric Campo de' Fiori, then walk to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps (see my recommended "Night Walk Across Rome," in Rick Steves' Rome). With a third day, add the Borghese Gallery (reservations required) and the National Museum of Rome

When traveling by train, you'll need to go up and down stairs to get to the train as well as lift your bags onto the train. While a large suitcase with wheels may seem like a good idea, wheels add a lot of weight and make accessing trains more difficult. Budget hotels often don't have lifts and you may be carrying those bags up a few flights of stairs, too.

Using the Internet in Italy
Last year Italy passed a law that everyone using public internet must present an identity document. So when you go to Italy, be prepared to show your passport before using the internet. They will make a photocopy of the passport or record your name and passport number. We were told that this is aimed at increasing security and preventing terrorism.