Did anyone else find Rome a horror?
#81
We were in Rome 20 years ago and did not really enjoy it. Since we stayed just on the other side of the train station we found we were always going to sights and never got a good feel for it.<BR><BR>This past May we decided to stay for a few days (the real focus was Sorrento area) not expecting to like it.<BR><BR>We stayed near the Fountain of Trevi and the Pantheon. We really enjoyed the visit and would definitely spend a few days there again. By staying in the middle of things we found that walking Rome appeared easier. It felt as though Rome had gotten smaller.<BR><BR>We spend most of our time is spent outdoors walking around seeing the sights. We don't spend much time in museums (Vatican was the only one). Maybe that's why we definitely didn't find it too intense.<BR><BR>Had a great time. <BR>
#82
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Like I said before, I found Rome to be the dirtiest city in Europe. What really bummed me out was all the grafitti - as bad as NYC or Chicago. I used to think the Europeans were above that. I still found the city extremely interesting, but it's not in my Top Ten places I want to return to. That being said, I can't wait to return to see the countryside of Italy again - THAT exceeded my expectations.
#83
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Quote: "the recent appearance of those Gladiators.... all decked out at the Colloseum waiting to have their pictures taken - ...kind of made me sick, like the "maids" in Alsatian dress at the fountains in the villages along the wine routes in Alsace. We all know that most people appear in Europe without a terribly deep appreciation of the history of the place they're visiting, and that's a kind of sad fact in and of itself, but to play upon that and assume that all that the visitor wants is a Disney-type photo or moment is really grotesque and insulting - to Americans in particular." <BR><BR>St. Cirq, surely the entertainment provided by the original gladiators was what really qualified as grotesque!! Were the audiences who went to see people fight each other, sometimes to the death, more sophisticated than those who merely want a "Disney-style moment"? <BR><BR>Come, let us rejoice that the modern day gladiators have beaten their swords into ploughshares, or should that be cameras..... : - ) And not take Europe seriously ALL the time....
#84
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I have read through this thread with interest. I was going to reply until I came to St. Cirq's first posting. St. Cirq, you summed up my feelings exactly and more eloquently, especially about the Vatican, which simultaneously repels and fascinates me. <BR><BR>KAMG, I don't think you should feel guilty about your opinion. The mark of an a traveler is the ability to discern. I have been to Rome many times, and I continue ambivalent and conflicting opinions about it.<BR><BR>As St. Cirq said, it's not for sissies.
#85
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I just had a flashback from 1979. I remember that street in front of the coliseum. Everybody wanted to run me over!<BR><BR>Last year I went to Dublin thinking its a quint wee town. Holy cow. Those people must get bonus points for running over people!
#86
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I loved Rome & never felt like it was a let down. In fact, I felt it was a bit Americanized, compared to Sicily & the Amalfi Coast. The only let down for me was that most people spoke english, the prices went way up & were comparable to the US, & the people were not as friendly as in Southern Italy. Other than that, I found Rome absolutely beautiful (including all the tourist places)& I want to go back to see the things i missed.
#87
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I was in Rome many years ago, so probably can not compare it to today, but I absoultly fell in love with it. We did spend 10 days there and took a few day trips. I would love to go back and some day I will, but in the meantime there are so many places that I have not been to yet. But to each their own. I don't care for Paris although I've been there several times. <BR>Rome is one of my favorite cities in Europe, but it is large and noisy.<BR>
#89
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Roma is the capital of Italy, and as a capital city, it should be expected to be a large, bustling metropolis. I know, you would like to think that the ancient ruins have been left in an idyllic tranquil state, but that is not the case and the city has just about swallowed them all up. But despite the hustle and bustle, traffice, scooters, and noise, I really enjoyed Roma ( as do many others). Each city has a different feel and the same measure can't be used for all of them (Firenze is remarkably different and far more "intimate" in feel) but that is what makes each place unique. Perhaps you could return during the Spring or Fall when the crowds aren't there in droves. You might have a better experience then.
#90
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SantaChiara, I share your feelings, and those of StCirq, about the Vatican. It repels and fascinates me too and, while visiting it, I found myself wondering what Jesus would think about the vast riches in the Vatican. <BR><BR>Also, as I recall reading, the cost of building st. Peter's -- as gorgeous and impressive at it is -- was at least partly responsible for sparking the Reformation.
#91
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As a former Catholic school girl, I am probably the least likely person on this board to defend the Vatican, but I'm going to leap in. Much of the artwork in the Vatican was actually in private homes or gardens. Sometimes (not always) the Vatican acquired privately-owned artwork by means that were less than moral & ethical. Having said that, the collection now owned by the Vatican actually offers greater access to the public to see works of art that would otherwise be privately-owned masterpieces. I have some friends who are affluent and have exquisite taste in art, but none of them own anything done by Michaelangelo or Raphael or Bottacelli.<BR><BR>BC
#92
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We just came back yesterday from an 8 day trip to Rome, Florence and Venice.<BR>I loved every minute of it. In Rome my concern was the pickpocketing everyone mentions, and walking everywhere. We loved it, we had our 2 year old daugther with us and we walked and pushed the stroller and manage the traffic, to make a story short we survived Rome and all the beautifull things it has to offer, if you look pass the traffic and the crossing of the streets you will love it too. My only dissapointment: couldn't the tall dark and handsome boys everyone talks about... but that's another story....
#93
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I was right about what I had recalled reading, about the building of St. Peter's being at least partly -- or indirectly -- responsible for sparking the Reformation.<BR><BR>The website below, "St. Peter's Basilica", says: "[Donato] Bramante's work was so expensive that he continually asked the cardinals for money. The cardinals, in turn, sold indulgences, which eventually led to the Protestant Reformation, and a boatload of religious dissidents who settled America."<BR><BR>http://www.letsgo.com/ROMA/04-Sights-344
#94
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Our trip to Italy (Rome, Positano & Naples) last summer was my very first taste of Europe. Maybe because I'm a native newyorker I didn't really mind all the traffic and hustle bustle, but I absolutely adore Rome and I can't wait to go back. I loved how the old and new came together to create such a marvelous city. A coworker that was there 6 mos. before I was told me it was ugly, dirty and full of pick-pocketers. Sure the streets weren't presteen, but I think that adds to the charm of the place; also everyone we encountered was very friendly (even the 80 yr. old man who sold us their incredible fruit each morning and put up with my bad italian). Rome isn't a shrine, and we need to love it for what it is not for what we want it to be.
#96
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Rome---- sigh.<BR>After living in Europe for the past three years and doing intense travelling, I can say in all honesty that Rome was my favorite. It's not so much the sights, but the entire Rome experience. The best parts were strolling down the sidewalk with the sun on your back, eating a gelato, just having seen something fascinating.<BR><BR>I went towards the end of October, and it was perfect in every way. 70 degrees and not too hot. <BR><BR>Some feel they have not truly lived until they have seen Rome, and I for one totally agree.
#97
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The only horror I experienced anywhere near Rome was driving on the GRA (Grande Raccordo Autostrada) at rush hour in the morning. I was returning to Rome with a rental car from 4 nights in Tuscany. Drove into Rome on the A1 and turned onto the GRA with plans to take it all the way around Rome to the airport. Mind you I had the car for four full days driving all over Tuscany, including Pisa, Florence, Siena, Assisi, etc. Nothing anybody could tell me could prepare me for the nightmare that is the GRA. It is like a 100,000 car parking lot emptying out all at the same time into a single exit. I made it all the way to Fiumicino with out a scratch!<BR><BR>My wife and I actually cried at the airport not wanting our trip to end, especially the 5 glorious, problem-free days we spent in Rome.
#98
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I completely loved Rome (and the rest of Italy I saw). Rome is intense but I don't think it seemed as intense to us because we spent the first part of our trip in Naples. We loved Naples and Rome was actually a calmer atmosphere compared to Naples. <BR><BR>I did feel Rome was a harder city to orient myself to as far as directions and getting around but once we conquered that we loved it.<BR><BR>Maybe give it another try now that you know what to expect. You will probably love it and if not, the rest of Italy awaits just a short train ride away.
#99
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My wife and I were also in Rome the last week of June. We loved it. we arrived at the Termini and found out that the cabs were on strike that day. We took subway to our area and walked around til we found our place. Not much of a hassle. We walked all over the city. Felt safe as could be. Went to St. Peter's on June 29th for an outdoor Papal Mass in honor of St Peter. We enjoyed every minute of our stay in Rome.
#100
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Dear KAMG,<BR>We went to Italy for our 20th anniversary last May. We spent two days in Rome on our arrival and two days before our departure. Thanks to this site, I did extensive planning about where to stay and what to see, etc...I don't think we had too high expectations of Rome. As someone put it, we tried to take her on her own terms. It turned out that we loved Rome. The noise, the smell, the LIFE, the food. We went to restaurants recommended to us by the concierges of our hotels(Hotel Due Torre, and Del Senato)and were not disappointed. I don't know if May is very crowded. There were crowds, of course, it's a big city, but we were prepared for bigger ones. There's a certain feel to Rome that appealed to us. We live in a fairly small town, but have lived in Philadelphia and Honolulu, so the traffic and crowds didn't daunt me the way I thought they would. I hope you have an opportunity to see Rome again. <BR>We were glad to go back for the two days and wished we had more time. Maybe one day, but I hope I don't have to wait for another 20 years!