jbf1

Hi. In mid Aug 08, we leave England to drive to Cannes for 4 nights.Then we were planning to spend the next week in Italy, first in Rome(visiting Pisa and Florence) on the way,then to Venice. This was the plan. But a couple of close friends related incidents...while they were walking by the Pantheon (car with guys inside stopped and extorted 50euros from them, another was walking near the underground in Rome in the afternoon and got mugged. Wallet and camera taken at knifepoint. All this has made me a bit wary.
We are me,40,hubby 42,and 2 sons aged 8 and 10. We are wondering about the best way to see these places in Italy without any untoward incidents.Any advice? For example, should we live outside the cities and drive in every morning? Should we take public transport,instead,which I heard is v.good in Rome?

bratsandbeer

Not sure of your plan - are you going by train from Cannes to Rome and then to Florence and Venice?

If you could have 3 nights in Rome, 2 nights in Florence with a day trip to Pisa, and 3 nights in Venice, it would work.

Have never been in Italy in August but heard it is not such a good month to visit there. We are going back for 12 days in October and it doesn't seem enough time.

We have had no problems in Italy but that doesn't mean we won't have this trip. You can have incidents wherever you go - just don't walk on the street side or carry your purse on the street side of the walkway.

We stay in a hotel about 20-30 minutes by bus to downtown and/or the Vatican. There is a supermarket 2 blocks away and a great pizza restaurant close by. The hotel is out of the touristy area. Hotel Villa del Parco

In Florence we like to stay at Hotel Porta Faenza. It is about 3 blocks from the train station and easy to get to.

SusanP

I'm not sure what bratsandbeer means by "downtown," but if he's talking about the historical center, I wouldn't want to stay a 30-minute bus ride away from there. The Piazza Navona/Campo de' Fiori/Pantheon area is a great place to stay.

What does your friend mean when he says they were extorted? Sounds like maybe he fell for scam. That is easily avoided by not talking to people who stop in a car and try to talk to you. Just ignore them and keep walking.

I have spent a lot of time in Rome by myself and have never had a problem. I have to honestly say that this is the first time I've heard of someone being held up at knife point. I'd be interested to know exactly where he was when this occurred. There are certainly areas of Rome to be avoided, but they are not where a tourist would usually be.

I highly recommend that you stay IN Rome, not outside it.

bratsandbeer

One of the main reasons we enjoy staying out of the historical center of Rome is you are less likely to have the problem of pickpockets on the bus that we take because it is locals and not tourists. You mentioned that you were hesitant because of incidents that happened to friends - that is why I suggest this, otherwise I would not have recommended it. The bus takes you right to the Vatican or you can get off anywhere between the hotel and the Vatican.
Also, we are in an area where we mingle with people of the neighborhood which we enjoy. The restaurants are small local neighborhood restaurants. Wonderful pizza!!! If you are there only to see the tourist spots, then Susan would be right, you would be happy in the area she suggested.
In Rome there is a Scavi Tour that is not to be missed. You can find the info online. It has to be booked now in advance because it is limited.
http://www.stpetersbasilica.org/Necr.../Scavi-map.htm The boys might find this tour interesting. You see the bones of St Peter in little glass boxes.

winetraveler

I, a 49 yr old woman travelled to Italy for the month of August last year with my 18 yr old daughter and friend. I booked B & B's on line from home, as well as a car. We flew (Ryan Air) from Venice to Rome and picked up the car at the Rome airport. Our accomodations in Rome were perfect and very close to the central tourist area. I was told at the time I booked when I enquired about car parking not to worry as all the Italians are on vacation and the normal traffic is not so bad. It was true, we parked walking distance from all major sites and easily found our car and travelled home each evening with no problems. In the evenings we walked to a popular street for dinner and gelato without any issues as well. We then drove from Rome to Florence and back to Venice without any probelms. The roads are great as are the people. My Italian relatives have homes and business's in Venice and in the evenings the girls were out to all hours and walked home without fear as well.

Jean

Do I understand it correctly that in 11 days you plan to drive from Calais to Cannes to Rome to Venice? If that's the case, then I'd drop Rome if only to eliminate the miles.