Anyone else just NOT "fall in love" with Rome?
 

In planning my trip to Italy, I've decided not to go to Rome this time. Even after reading trip reports, I'm not sure I will really enjoy it as much as other places. I rarely enjoy big cities as much as the countryside.

I just read a non-report that made me think there are others out there like me. I know Rome is wonderful, magical, amazing, etc... but I just think I'd enjoy time spent elsewhere more. Anyone who has visited Rome that would agree?

Me. It is a stress-inducing place. I've visited a lot of large cities (though none in Asia) and I've never seen traffic like that.

I think that if I ever went back, I'd take two days and hire a driver to take me to all of the churches I didn't get to the first time. On the third day I'd shop for clothes. Then I'd leave.

All right, we'll let you off this time.

You have to tailor the trip to fit you. I find it difficult to go to Italy and NOT visit Rome, but many disagree.

You might consider a day trip to see a highlight or two in Rome, if you're staying somewhere with good train connections like Orvieto.

I think Rome is a tough nut to crack. There are things about it I just love and things that make me want to hold it at arms length. It's taken me three visits now to start to have a serious affection for it. I think eventually I will love it.

Well, I've been a bunch of times and it still doesn't appeal to me. I'm flying into Rome on July 1 this year and leaving immediately for Umbria, with plans only to spend my last night in Rome before flying out again.

Don't get me wrong, Rome is a treasure trove of history and architecture, which I very much appreciate. I just don't like the "feel" of the city.

Remember that thread called "Did Anyone Else Find Rome a Horror?" That had some great views on Rome.

It is funny, but I was not expecting to love Rome and I did!! We are leaving for Northern Italy tomorrow and there is a piece of me that can't believe I will be so close and not go to Rome. I can't wait to go back.

But, not everyone cares for the same things. And, it is YOUR trip so you should do what you want and enjoy it! There is no one "right" way to travel...you don't have to go anywhere. :-)

Happy travels!

I meant to say....."you don't have to go to any particular place - just choose what feels right to you." I didn't mean it to sound like you shouldn't go somewhere. ;-)

:-) Well, I really DO want to go kayaking in the San Juans, fun...but not really to Roma!

After this last trip, where I had a couple of unpleasant experiences at night, I'm not caring to go back anytime soon. I've said I do not think Rome is the same place as it was twenty or thirty years ago. It's a lot tougher and nastier. Much of "la dolce vita" has been lost I think, and I do believe, with one of the most stagnant economies in Europe, that it isn't going to get better there any time soon; the country's economic problems seem to be magnified in "la capitale."

When we were in Rome recently, we were appalled at the mobs at the Trevi Fountain, and not at all sad that we missed the Spanish Steps. On the other hand, Sunday evening wandering through the Forum and down the Via Imperiale with lots, but not mobs, of people made a wonderful memory.

My husband and I always have this struggle in planning. I love cities. He hates them, even though there are good moments like coming around the corner and seeing the Pantheon. That's the way it goes.

Rome has some amazing things to recommend it - like the way the Roman Empire "crashes" up against the Renaissance right before your eyes and of course the food.

But often it is just too darn hot, crowded, confusing and exhausting.

And all those Italian men can really wear on you with their "flirting".

Once may be enough...but you must go at least once.

My first visit to Rome was in July - it was hotter than the hinges of hades and crammed with tourists to boot. I left after one day, returned to Tuscany. Second time was in October, more pleasant weather and fewer (though still many) tourists. I was hoping to succumb to the Roman charm I had heard so much about but, while it was great to see such history it just never grabbed me the way that Paris, Prague, Istanbul or Hong Kong did.

Just out of curiosity when did all of you go to Rome? In the sumnmer with all the heat and crowds? Easter?

I have a trip planned for next April 18th - 23rd. 10 days after Easter. Now I feel so discouraged by your posts. Kind of took the wind out of my sails.

Madison-that's okay, remember, these are individual OPINIONS. There are still few sights as awe-inspiring as watching a sunset in Rome, and the colors of the Forii Imperiali change to that lovely rosy hue in the twilight. (there is that better?)

I was there last August, when the traffic was quite light, and weather absolutely delightful-high 80's. I highly recommend the end of August if you are going to Rome, as it's a lot easier to handle then.

Oh, Madison,

Don't be dissuaded by a few negative remarks about Rome. Different strokes for different folks.

Sometimes, it's all in your attitude, so plan your trip and enjoy.

Roma, non basta una vita!

Madison, not to let the post get hi-jacked but I think your timing sounds perfect. Plan some day trips or a second city to visit.

Madison, do not be discouraged by the anti-Rome folks on this thread. The title of the thread would attract more from that side of the fence. I'd say that there are a heck of lot more pro-Rome than anti-Rome folks who contribute to the forum.....and I'm one of them. Sure, it's crowded; sure, the drivers are insane....but Rome is so very much more than that!
(Hey, starrsville, I guess this is the second subject we don't agree on!)

Hey, I don't want to bash Rome at all. That is not my intent.

I didn't say anything until I read another post and wondered if there were others who felt the same way. Paris and NYC are the only cities I've "fallen in love" with. Otherwise, I'd prefer the countryside. I am so excited about a week in Tuscany and am trying to decide what cities to "add-on" if any. I've pretty much decided that it's not going to be Rome on this trip.

starrsville, don't feel like to have to go somewhere that doesn't appeal to you. Maybe some day it will lure you through its historical sites, this is what happened to me. To be able to walk where Julius Caesar walked is thrilling.

I have never been attracted to Greece, yet I saw a movie the other day and something just clicked and now I really want to book a trip.

I never wanted to visit Florence and when I went the first time I hated it, I went back again a few years later and loved it.

You never know, never say never and in the meantime go where you want, it is a vacation after all.

:-) Howard. (I have remained silent on Sweeney Todd. The little I saw on the Tonys did NOT make me think I would enjoy it as much as you do!)

Interesting. I have been to Rome three times now. I never expected to like it. I like cities but grew up in a countryside. I had found Florence to be noisy and busy (although I feasted on both the gelato and the art with a capital "A" there) and I just assumed Rome would never suit me.

It still amazes me. I loved it. I cried the day I left.

Two things were certainly a factor, though, in my affection. First, I luckily decided upon the Pantheon area for my very first stay. Second, I visited in spring, not summer.

I have been in Rome at Easter, though. Wall-to-wall people, yes; not in-your-face heat.

So to Starrville, I am extremely empathetic about your trepidation. Do what you feel you need to do. But just know that should you want to put your foot in the water, the water just may feel wonderful.

Wishing you the very best in your trip planning,

Josephina

"Now I feel so discouraged by your posts. Kind of took the wind out of my sails."

You see, that's the danger -- one of the world's great cities is criticized by a few anonymous critics on the internet and newcomers get turned off.

Trust the wisdom of the ages. If you think there is something in Rome that you'd enjoy -- go and see. The city is crowded, moderately expensive (moderate compared to say, London) and in some ways hidden in plain sight. Beautiful courtyards lie behind forbidding facades, but you will find them.

Don't forget that for every one of the critics here, there are millions who believe it to be the most beautiful city in the world. That is not to say that you will find it so, but I would hate to see your budding interest cut off with a few short comments.

Madison - you just have to put Rome in the search box and get some rave reviews to get you back on course. Don't expect everyone to like every thing and every place (besides it is already crowded enuf).

<i>&quot;hotter than the hinges of hades&quot;</i> :-)) Great expression. That does make a huge difference, doesn't it?

Everyone has their own tastes. My daughter refuses to ever return to Paris although most people love it. Rome is my favorite. Theresa10's Rome trip report might make you see a different side of it;
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34720147

I took my cousin to Rome a few years ago and he just loves NYC. His comment &quot;NYC but really cool and old&quot;. He loved it.

kybourbon, bring pictures to the GTG :-)

Now I feel better. After Rome my trip continues on to Florence, Venice and Paris. Thank you for the kind words ;0

I adore Rome. I adored it on my first visit, about 30 years ago, and I adored it on my most recent visit, last month. I'd have to say that in all my visits there, I've spent a combined total of less than an hour at the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. There's so much more to Rome than those particular unpleasant mob scenes. Rome has wonderful surprises around almost every corner.

But, as much as I love it, I wouldn't say that you &quot;must&quot; see it. There are an uncountable number of places to go in the world. Go where you want to go. (There, you have my permission.)

starrsville, if you can fit Rome into your schedule you should go. You might find it's a good fit for you. Do your research, as I expect is your intent.

Visit the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, and maybe the souvenir hawkers won't bother you as much they did us.

Go to the restaurants and maybe hawkers coming to your table interrupting your conversations won't bother you as much as it did us

Then again, everywhere you turn there is a ruin that you know is over two centuries old.

Every block has a church or sometimes two with sculptures, architecture and religious history that overwhelms you.

A visit to the Vatican for the first time cannot be truly described but has to be experienced. It's impossible to go to the Vatican and ignore Rome ;;)

I'd love to read your impressions after your first visit to Rome.

Safe travels, Deborah

I wasn't that smitten about Rome either...
I'd love to go back though...maybe I'd fall in love with it the second time around.
I much prefer Tuscany and Venice.

Thank you, KT :-)

Any time, Starrsville. May I have permission not to go to Paris again?

Oh, noooo! That is so hard to believe.


Yes, if you are sure. I'll take your place! :-)

well,Starrsville-I've visited Rome five times and still adore it,and seen Sweeney Todd five times(two different productions) and still love that,too.I guess if they mount a production of ST in Rome,I won't bump into you there!

Deal. Boy, didn't that work out handily?

But, I do love massages! Does that count for something?

Rome---love its past, can't stand its present. I enjoyed the history of Rome but it is absolutely <i>filthy</i>. The subway cars (not all, but most) and stations were disgusting.

well,now you're just trying to get on my good side!Yes,I always appreciate a massage connisseur.

I have been to Rome twice before and really enjoyed both trips...loved the city. The two previous times I traveled it was in the fall so I'm not sure if that has any bearing on my past experiences.

Our recent trip to Tuscany and Umbria was wonderful and we thought how lucky we were to get to Rome again even if only for a day. It was a very hot day and I was sweating in places that I did not think was possible. There were mobs of people....mobs and mobs. You could not get near the Pantheon, Trevi or the Spanish steps. I noticed many of the sights had scaffolding. I reflected that how disappointing it would be if this had been my first visit to Rome.

Thank god we had plans to go to the Borghese Gallery which was the highlight of our day. The park was nice and cool and the gallery is lovely.

Don't get me wrong...I loved the quality time I had spent in Rome on my previous travels but you can have a bad day where you really don't enjoy the aspects of a large city such as heat retention and overcrowded tourist spots. The charm can wear away pretty quickly when you are hot and tired.

I've been to Rome, I think 4 times now and it was love at first sight. I will go back again and again. It is an amazing city with an awesome energy and did I mention the Forum?