I'm off to Rome soon to watch Il Volo, but wanting to explore rome a bit in the 3 days that I'm there.

I'm wanting to go to the colloseum and the Vatican, but anything else there? I'm interested in all things geology & Jewish

Also I see there is a Rome card for tourists which includes public transport and entrance into 2 museums. Is it worth it?

Any other nice things to do? Wine bars? Pizza restaurants? Nice places to eat?

Many thanks

Google "Tripadviser Rome forum"
You'll find a wealth of useful information.

Don't wear decent shoes, you'll be forever stepping in dogsh!t as it's bloody everywhere. Expect loads of graffiti spoiling everything and beggars and pick-pockets galore around Termini station, and all the other attractions. Don't eat or drink anywhere near any of the "tourist-traps" (or worse still, sit outside) as you'll get royally ripped-off. Go one or two streets further away and look for the smaller places full of locals, better food and better value.

Can you tell I didn't enjoy Rome...?

I don't know about the Rome card for tourists - I went in 2013 and didn't use any public transport besides to/from the airport, but we were there for 7 days, so had the time to walk everywhere more. I wouldn't get one personally, but it sounds like it's not a bad deal!

The Roman forum of course along with the Colosseum, and I would recommend going to see some of the catacombs, they are incredibly interesting.

Also recommend Piazza Navona, which was possibly one of my favourite places in Rome (if I remember rightly, that was on the way towards the Vatican, but I'm not sure how far it is from it).

The Spanish Steps are often highly recommended, although it was incredibly crowded when we were there (but that was August, so likely to be slightly different maybe), and of course the Trevi fountain if you can get near it!

Oh, and really recommend the Borghese Park, which is really lovely!

I can't think of the names of any of the places we ate, but I can't actually think of a bad place we ate there anyway! I recommend having a wander around some of the piazzas basically, there are some lovely places, some of the trattorias are brilliant. There was an amazing restaurant pretty much besides/opposite the Colosseum, where you can eat upstairs with a view directly at the Colosseum, which is amazing, although it was awfully expensive. I also really recommend spaghetti carbonara in Rome, because it is just perfection.

Don't join the huge queues to buy a ticket at the Colosseum. Walk a few minutes down the road and buy your ticket at Palatine Hill instead (no queues and your ticket includes all 3 sites (Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum).

I got a lot of good information for my trip last year, including the tip above at this website: http://www.rometoolkit.com

As I was travelling on my own I also used some of Rick Steve's walking tours MP3s

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-rea...io-tours/italy

The trevi fountain is one I'd recommend.

One day sight seeing, one day shopping the nights for pubs, restaurants and time for trip to Naples which isn't that far.

I spent two days there and wish had booked three as could have done Naples day trip if stayed extra day but obviously depends on if Naples appeals to you or what feel like doing.

We were in Naples a few years ago and it was awful - dirty, rubbish all over and when walking a couple of side streets back from the main street, some irate chap told us to watch our backs when we declined to visit his mother's 'cafe'. We learned later that there was no cafe. Luckily we are seasoned travellers and do what we choose but we did feel slightly vulnerable.

Rome we visited a year or so before - it was very hot at the time but it also needed a good clean. Lots of cities/towns in UK have the same problem it must be said.

The Rome card is good, for quick access rather than transport, as we walked everywhere.

If you want to see the Basillca, I would suggest you book. I think you can get some combo tickets at the Vatican website.

You can walk to most places so I would not recommend the Rome pass

I did not have any problems with pick pockets or nor did I see lots of dog muck

I would also advise that you barter if you want to buy any souviners

I believe the Trevi fountain is covered over at the moment for restoration/cleaning although it may be completed by now.

Entry to St Peter's is free but for a few Euros you can take the lift up to the dome and from there climb up to the small cupola at the very top where you get a great view of the Square and over the city.

Naples is a sh*thole (IMHO) and I wouldn't make a trip to to see it. It's the only European city I've been to with a full blown shanty town right in the middle of the city (on the port wall). Also full of pickpockets which I was very lucky to escape unscathed from last summer.

Thanks for the advise guys! I will duly book tickets in advance and avoid the rome card.