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?