Rome

[ck1]

I'm spending a weekend in Rome with my wife and kids in March, is it a good idea to get a guided tour or can everything be seen / found independently?

[boxtops]

When we go to a new place, we usually book a tour - the guides are experienced and make sure you don't miss anything! We've found these city tours in different cities very good, and you can hop off and get back on the next bus if you want to stop and see something in particular. http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/italy/rome.htm

[quizbag]

Driving in Rome looks to be a nightmare. We found it quite compact and easy to get around on foot. I agree with boxtops the city tours are excellent.

[patrickstar]

As said the roads are a nightmare but if you are flying in to Rome and based centrally there is no real need for a tour. Everything is easy to reach and not too much walking involved, just get a basic guide book. This way you go at your own pace and don't get shepherded to the tourist stalls and gimmicks. Rome is my favourite European City and through work I have been lucky to visit a couple of times. Enjoy!

[Mosaic]

Watch your valuables and watch out for scammers, often dressed as Roman soldiers, who encourage you to take a snap with them then harangue you for money.
I agree that the city tour bus will be a good way to get around and see the sights. There is a decent transport system but the plum route -up to the Vatican - is known as the pickpocket express. Gangs work together, bottle in tourists as if it's a crowd and go through pockets.
So as you don't want your break spoiled, stick with the tour bus!
If you are with kids, places like the Vatican Museum and the Capitoline Museum are going to be very off-putting.
You can get a combined ticket for the forum and the colosseum. Again, beware scammers as you approach the colosseum who will tell you that it's about to close so come with them to beat the queue, or that they are official guides.
You can actually make sense of the colosseum for yourself without a guide - or just stand near some of the groups! Much of what I have overheard being told to groups is utter nonsense.
Hope you have a brilliant time!

[spudqueen]

My tip would be to buy a Roma Pass http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2

It was worth it's weight in gold when we went. You get free public transport (not from the airport, but with the fixed fares in place you're probably best getting a taxi) and then free entry into 2 museums/archaeological sites and then reduced admission to others. We used it to get into the Colosseum through a special turnstile just for Roma Pass holders which must have saved us at least 40 minutes queuing time, and even better, the Colosseum and the Forum are classed as one site. We also used it to get free entry into the Capitoline Museum. It doesn't get you into the Vatican, but you can book a timed entry online for that. Do also make sure that you prioritise what you want to see as you are not going to get round Rome in a weekend! Have a wonderful time!