Tips for first time visit to Rome & Vatican City?

before you go do some reading about where you are going and what you want to see. The books are free in any book store and if you find one you like buy it. You can find more information this way then asking on here. Plus you have plenty of time before you leave in October.

I have flown Alitalia before. It was a very pleasant flight. They served wine a couple of times during the flight. :-) It is true that you can't wear short shorts or short skirts inside the basilica. You also have to have your shoulders covered. Foods you should try? Well, everybody was excited to try gelato but my favorite sweet was a cannoli. Also, make sure you have some real Italian pizza. Real Italian pizza is so much better because/even though it doesn't have as much cheese. Pizza Hut will never be the same after you have real Italian pizza. Pompei is cool. Make sure you take some water with you. A certain number of people come down with dehydration every year. There is a fountain inside that you can use but a lot of people think it's gross. Do you blush easily? LOL What's your itinerary? Pompei takes about half a day and you can go there on the way to Sorrento. You can catch a ferry from Sorrento to Capri but you have to go early in the day because you have to catch the main attraction by like 9AM. You can go to Pisa on the way to Florence. There isn't much in Pisa besides the tower.