To the top, again.

I thought this year's travelers to Rome would find Richard's post informative. <BR>Therefore, bringing it to the top again. <BR>

Richard, am only now reading this (a year after the fact), but thanks a million. Not only was it funny, but more importantly, very helpful. I'll be visiting Rome/Florence next month and was curious about the ATM PIN issue. Also, are sneakers really totally out of the question? Thanks.

The Italians love beautiful shoes and never wear sneakers (at least the adults don't), but if you're comfortable in them for walking hours and hours in Rome and Florence, then wear them. Honestly, nothing is more important than comfortable walking shoes for Italy--there is always something else to see and another charming little street to walk down.

I am bringing my old post to the top again for those traveling to Rome! <BR> <BR>Good news! I have started a websight on my travels and observations. The only gate open right now is to Rome but other cities will follow soon. <BR> <BR>Please visit and let me know what you think! <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab/ <BR> <BR>Follow the path; <BR> <BR>Enter&gt;Fly&gt;Europe&gt;Rome <BR> <BR>Have fun!

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Thanks for bouncing this to the top. I've just made reservation for a cruise that includes a 3 day stay in Rome the 2nd week of October. I'd like to hear from anybody who has been there in the past month or so about crowds. Is the city as packed as predicted because of the Jubillee? Any good less crowded activities or areas that you would recommend?

I surely hope no one misses the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel because of this person's opinion. I have never heard anyone say that! It was absolutely magnificent all thru it. Perhaps if you had a guidebook that showed you what Michaelangelo actually did with it, etc. and showed what each panel represented, etc. you would have understood and appreciated it more.

Joe, I recently returned from Rome/Florence (May 18) and can say that the crowds I encountered weren't as bad as I'd anticipated, with the exception of the Vatican. If you plan to tour that area of Rome, give yourself ample time (there's so much to see) and get there early (around 8am). I agree with Don, the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel were AMAZING. I can't say what you might expect as far as crowds for October, but hope this helps.

I hope I didn't offend anyone but I am really not a fan of waiting in line or crowds. By all means go to see the Sistine Chapel, but get there early to avoind long lines and a jam packed noisy room. I just thought St Peters was more interesting! <BR> <BR>Actually a good glass of wine and antipasti in an enoteca... <BR> <BR>NOW THATS INTERESTING! <BR> <BR>My path to Rome on my new travel websight is open! Check out my thoughts. <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab/

This is a good one so I am bringing it to the top!

A few years ago I stayed at a hotel near Termini that was wonderful. It was the Hotel Montreal. Great place. Us 2 women stayed there and felt fine. Only weirdness was very late at night, seeing people sell drugs on the steps down the street. <BR>Someone mentioned the bus from Termini to the Vatican so I feel compelled to share my funniest/most embarrassing travel story (incognito of course). My friend and I took that bus. We got on early so had 2 seats, window and aisle. She had the window, I had the aisle. The bus filled up and got incredibly packed, and people still kept getting on till it was so crowded, there were people almost sitting in my lap. All this time there was a man standing facing the window, pushed up against my shoulder. I was much more naive back then. After awhile, I realized that his 'parts' were shoved up against me. Oh well, I figured it wasn't his fault, the bus was packed and there really was nowhere for him to move. Then I started to feel it grow, if you get my drift. He seemed to be rubbing against my shoulder but silly me thought it was the bus shifting him around. We FINALLY got to the Vatican and I waited patiently for the bus to empty out and this man to get off my shoulder, all the while staring out the window to avoid looking at him. Finally I looked up and the bus was EMPTY and the man was still pressed against me! I shoved past him and we dashed off the bus. Ok, here's the funniest part. I told my friend what had happened and she whipped around to look at the bus and asked, "Did he get off?" I looked at my arm and said, "I certainly hope not!" <BR>True story. If it happened today, that guy would get an elbow in the crotch in a big way. Watch out on the buses!

I am sure you will never forget that....

Hi, what a post! I was laughing all morning! It really made my day! Oh, the thrill of travel! You seemed to have taken the whole incident with a sense of humor...way to go!

To the top for Nancy

I'm bringing this to the top again in case anyone cares.

Richard, you really helped me rule Rome out of the places I want to visit. What a bitter and sarcastic note!! How can you say you enjoyed the city! If I have to focus on avoiding being run over by a car, getting mugged, keeping fit, and worrying if Italians still have feelings about losing the 2nd World War (50 years ago), why bother???

Nikita, <BR> <BR>i hate to tell you that the italians are way over WW2, and that the war richard is referring to is the Kosovo issue that was in full force in Spring of 1999, which is when richard visited. <BR>i do differ with richard on two issues, first being that i was in rome at about the same time, (easter 99) and saw lots of anti american graffiti. apparently the italians don't differentiate between NATO and the USA, so they blamed us for meddling in the kosovo issue and causing all the refugees to attempt to get into their country. love italians, but they are pretty anti immigration. <BR>secondly, the way to enjoy the sistine chapel is to pay 8k lira and rent the discman that they have with descriptions of all the paintings. you put on your headset, listen and look to your hearts content, finding out all you want to know aobut the paintings and not bothering a soul. <BR>edie

Yes Edie, you were correct, I was talking about the war in Kosovo. As far as any anti Americanism in Italy I would say that it is non existant. We were always welcomed and treated politely with the highest levels of respect. In fact , I think Rome was the friendliest city in Europe that I have visited. <BR> <BR>I really don't want to get into a politcal debate here, because I really don't care about it. I have to say that in my travels most countries in Asia and Europe are anti-immigration. Of couse they don't mind if we come there and spend our money while on holiday, they just don't want us to stay forever. You know the old question, What do guests and fish have in common? They both start to stink after 3 days. Believe me, I hear enough comments (on a daily basis) about immigrations to the USA too. <BR> <BR>Nikita, Rome is one of the most amazing cities in Europe, but like any big city you have to be on your guard. Tourists are targets for pick pockets and scams all over the world. These type of precautions are necessary in most major cities in Europe. Don't fear! Unless you don't like big cities, Rome is a fun place. If the metro life isn't for you, go to Hawaii! <BR> <BR>As far as the Sistine Chapel, I should have kept my comments to myseld. I am just too honest. I am not really an art mesuenm fan and don't like crowds and waiting in line. As I said in my past postings, I am more of a cafe and shopping kinda guy. <BR> <BR on'y hate me Nikita <BR>

Oops typo, I meant ... <BR> <BR>Don't hate me Nikita! <BR> <BR>Sorry for the reality.....