Trip Coach: April 10, 2007

Omaha, NE: I have 2 full days to spend in Rome. How do I fit in all of the most important sights.

Christopher Winner: I'll stress this many times: Don't try to fit everything in. So many people come to Rome with a laundry list and then rue what they don't see. Just pick the things YOU find most interesting and see them. ENJOY THE CITY. Sights don't necessarily define a trip. Traveling is best, I think, when you leave a place satisfied that you've plumbed its mood. Of course, go to the Vatican and walk by the Forum, but otherwise I fall back on my old suggestion: Take the map out, pick a point near the center (the Trevi fountain, say), and walk. Or go to the popular piazza Campo de' Fiori and take a trip down Via del Governo Vecchio, which has a slew of artisan stores. The center, in Italian, is centro storico, or historic center. A promenade through the narrow streets of the center can yield as much satisfaction as the bigger sights. I remember 30 years ago when I first arrived being exhausted in the Forum, and then meandering up to the mayor's office on the Capitoline hill (next door) for a break. There, I found my favorite balcony in a tiny piazza that overlooks the full sprawl of the Forum. The view from that spot (also the mayor's view from his windows) was worth the day. That's how Rome is: one place, even obscure, that's worth your day.

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Fort Worth, Texas: My husband and I are planning to spend Christmas 2007 in Rome, Italy. We've secured airline tickets, but not a hotel. We would like to stay near popular sights, but somewhere quiet where we can get enough rest to overcome our busy days. What do you suggest? Also, any special do-not-miss Christmas activities in Rome? Finally, how do we get tickets to Christmas mass at the Vatican?

Kind regards,
Christine

Christopher Winner: Dear Christine: Quickly on this one: Christmas Mass at the Vatican is first-come, first-in. Tickets are only to the religious and dignitaries. I'll get to hotel suggestions later;

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Lansing, MI: I'm planning my first trip to the Amalfi coast/Positano in September or October of this year and plan to travel alone. How can I maximize my experience and not pay an arm and a leg for accommodations and excursions?

Christopher Winner: Get to Naples. Find an inexpensive pensione there; get your bearings. Then, board the bus bound Amalfi way. It'll take you to Positano and Sorrento and other points south. Each of these towns has pensiones that are usually available in October, which is the first of the slower months. If you were traveling in summer, I'd say book ahead. Do so if you wish, but I think October travel is far "friendlier". You should have no problem, particularly if you pause in Naples to take stock.

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Newtown, PA: I will be traveling to Sicily with my aunt to tour and travel to the hometown of my grandfather, VillaRosa. We are thinking of staying in Toarmina and wondering if this is the best location for us. Thanks.

Christopher Winner: Taormina is stunning, and stunningly overpriced. Make it a day-trip. Or, find one of the B&Bs or small hotels (Pensione Svizzera and Villa Schuler, I remember; $120-150), but make sure to book early.