Hi Eve
I agree, I was a bit surprised by the frequent use of the Metro on this trip.(I raised it on my feedback form so hopefully you may have different arrangements) I understand that Rome is a traffic nightmare which makes tour scheduling difficult but, like you, I've long been used to being picked up at the door on JY tours.
I didn't really mind using the Metro - I'm used to the Tube and am pretty safety concious, so it was a bit of fun, even in the packed rush hour. However, some of the more inexperienced and nervous travellers in our group were genuinely shocked and a bit frightened - especially when all 25 of us were in transit and our TM accidently told us to get on the wrong train and then shouted for us to get off again at the last minute before the train pulled out.
My main bugbear (only a small one because JY trips are usually very good value) was that the use of the Metro did not seem to have any impact on the cost of the excursions. For example, the Vatican trip was £49 - we got the Metro to the Vatican (Euro 1.60), (made our own way back because most wanted to stay in the city) and the entry ticket for the Museums was Euro 16. Even factoring in the guide, that is quite a mark up. 'Rome by Night' was very good value, despite the Metro, because the food, entertainment and return coach trip were so good. However, the English Cemetery cost £34 but we travelled by Metro both ways (Euro 3.20) and the Cemetery Guide was an unpaid volunteer. We were told that JY make a donation to the Cemetery for the tour but even so, it didn't seem very good value.
As I said, these are only very small grumbles - I go on holiday to treat myself and so factored all of the costs into that. I reiterate - it was a super trip and the group all got on like a house on fire. Sandra, our multi-lingual guide couldn't do enough for us. The Hotel, although quite a way outside the city, is very friendly, comfortable and clean and there is a very good family run pizza restaurant just round the corner in case you don't want to venture too far. The Cornalia Metro station is also only a 5 minute walk away (!!)
Have a great time
Mandy