SalB

I wouldn't describe it as a horror by any means, but we both decided we liked Paris better than Rome. Rome seemed noisier to us. It seemed more crowded and dirtier. We ran into more (sorry) urine and doggy do than I've ever seen anyplace.

The churches in Rome are beautiful to some tastes but they didn't appeal to us. We love the light airy gothic churches with the gorgeous stained glass that we are used to in Paris.

We missed the Impressionist art although we were impressed (no pun intended) by much of the art we saw in Rome.

Major disappointment to me was the Roman "piazzas." I was expecting green areas and trees to go with the fountains. I was horrified to discover many of the piazzas were basically parking lots during the day . . . with a lovely fountain at one or both ends. It never occurred to me that a piazza would be paved and not have greenery AND be a parking lot.

The food was all right. Certainly the pasta was excellent. It seemed more expensive than Paris and there didn't seem to be the choice we've come to expect.

On the bright side, we found ourselves wandering into some churches not on the beaten tourist track and thinking them lovely. We took a day trip out the Appian Way and were enchanted. One has to be thrilled by the Roman ruins, and the people were very friendly, although certainly no more friendly than in Paris.

We will go back, I'm sure, but I suspect we'll always prefer Paris. We like the architecture and art better in Paris, but had to admit Rome was more compact and we walked every place. We planned to take public transportation but didn't find it necessary. Rome is a great walking city . . . but I'd rather walk in Paris.

To each his own. We're all different and we all like different things. I know many here prefer Rome and I appreciate that and can even see why, but it really wasn't my cup of tea.

tcreath

Hi!

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience in Rome. I had the exact opposite experience. We just got back from a trip to Vienna, Munich, Florence and Rome and I honestly was expecting the least from Rome. I was happily shocked to find that I liked Rome the best! My husband and I love visiting ancient sites, and for that you can't beat Rome. I liked Rome so much more than Florence, which I thought was cramped and conjested. Maybe its because I visited Rome during off-peak season, but I thought the city was charming and we are already planning a trip back!

travel04

I went to Rome last May - end of May actually and it was perfect in terms of crowds and weather. We had only 3 days and walked so much everywhere that I was exhausted but Rome holds a special place for all the reasons mentioned in the other posts - esp the old next to the new, the night life....the history. I've always been fascinated with roman history and to see some of the monuments and imagine life as it must have been is thrilling. Also having watched a Roman Holiday and then actually going to Rome stirred something in me again....3 days was too less. My parents are going in a month for only 2.5 days and I hope they manage to like it!!!!

MarcieLynn

I find this question very interesting because I think this type of thing really depends on the person and what they like and dislike.

We almost didn't go to Rome during our trip a year ago because my husband had been there (25 years ago) and didn't like it at all. I told him we HAD to go because I had to see Rome whether he thought I was going to like it or not.

Well, turns out my husband must have been in a bad mood way back when (or, his hair was a little too long then ) because this time, he and I both loved it and can't wait to go back.

We didn't think Rome was hectic at all. Busy yes, hectic no. But, you must consider that we vacation often in southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Bangkok, etc. which are very loud and colorful places where life is moving at a crazy clip. So to us, Rome didn't have a frenetic feel.

This is certainly one of those very individual preferences to which there is not one right answer. There is only the right answer for YOU.

daria

No. I LOVE Rome.

CafeBatavia

I found Rome to be wonderful the first time, and the second time and the third time ..... .

cmt

I think JeanneB may be looking for a discussion like this with the very different subjective reactions people have to Rome.

cigalechanta

Kathy. one of my favorite quote is:
"To every Bird his nest is beautiful."
You know what it is!
Everyone should find the city, village that gives them pleasure or stimulation or peace. What is great for you is true but not for another. So we must find our own way and that is really what travel is.

dln

I'm sorry you didn't like Rome, but you know what they say about one man's trash being another man's treasure. We all have our favorites, and Rome just wasn't one of yours. There's nothing wrong in that, though I do know how disappointing it is to go somewhere that you expect to like, and it doesn't measure up. Especially when everyone else loves it.

I happen to have loved Rome, but was of a neutral feeling about Sorrento (equal good/bad there for me) and I downright disliked Orvieto. So there you go. You're not the only one to go against the flow opinion-wise!

cervantes

"At least downtown Florence and BLQ were cute, but Rome is just a big city with the Vatican, St. Peter's and a few cute sections around Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, and a bunch of rocks around the Forum."

What a humorous posting. May I suggest the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas for your next trip? It is clean and the "gondolieri" are cute and well behaved.

The only "problem" with Rome is the crush of tourists. Other than that, it is a magnificent city, BUT, not a place for "sissies" as someone said.

cigalechanta

This thread intrigues me because, I love France and other posters will say avoid, Gordes, Les Baux, Roussillon. Shoot, they are beautiful places not to be missed, and we are all tourists. So never let any place in Italy be not overlooked,, never regret where you were, and had the chance to see.

twoflower

"Never regret where you are". I agree. Looking back on places after the event, there are some I feel less enthusiastic about than others. But I never failed to enjoy a place when i was there.

However, having said that, our preconceptions can mislead us. I can relate to KAMG's sentiments because a similar thing happened on my first trip to Paris. We had only a day there, and we trained in from Chartres. Crammed a lot into the day, but was disappointed at the general look and mood of the place. Not the chic, romantic city we had expected.

On two subsequent visits we had 4 days there one time and 3 days the next. We had time to relax in the Latin Quater, explore less touristy bits and even some outlying bits around the edges. Now I can't get enough of the place. I'd go back again any time. I guess there's a message in there somewhere.

jmb67

I absolutely love Rome. Although, it was hard to absorb my first day there being jet-lagged. I will be returning there for six weeks in early 2005. Venice, I could take or leave.

WillTravel

I was just reading this trip report and it sounds like a lot of the somewhat disappointed travelers here:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/justinlocke/rome.htm

I'm glad to read all of these reports, because it sets more realistic expectations for my upcoming trip to Rome.

tcreath

WillTravel, try not to get too discouraged about your upcoming trip! To each their own I guess...I absolutely loved Rome! We were there in March and are already going back in December. I found the city to be fascinating. On the other hand, I didn't really care for Florence, which seems to be a favorite of most Italian visitors. To me, Florence felt much more congested than Rome.

I'm not sure when the person who wrote that trip report went to Rome, but it shouldn't be as crowded if you are going soon. Crowds can certainly put a damper on things. I think the reason we may have liked it so much was because there were very few tourists there in early March so it wasn't too crowded at all. I have a feeling that I may have felt a bit different about Rome had we visited it in July or August instead.

I hope you have a wonderful trip, and I hope you write a trip report when you return!

Tracy

tcreath

Sorry, that was supposed to be "most Italy visitors".

WillTravel

Tracy, thanks for the encouragement. I'll be there January 4-9. Based on hotel sites, it is high season from Christmas to January 6, so maybe I'll see both high and low seasons on my trip.

Eloise

I too would urge you not to allow the reactions of others to influence your experience of Rome.

I do not deny that there are two very different schools of thought: those who love Florence and those who love Rome. (There may be a few who love both, but they will not love them equally.)

Personally, I belong to the "school of Rome." Rome is vital, vibrant, full of things to do and see. Florence is also full of things to do and see, but I find it more congested, more provincial and -- except for the Renaissance art, if you are "madly, truly, deeply" in love with it -- more boring.

Jackie_in_Italy

This is an interesting post based on similar reactions I had the first time I went to Rome, but I do hope that you are able to take a second trip there. My second trip in Rome, I fell in love with it, after being pretty disappointed the first time.

WillTravel, be open to the idea that Rome is a big city, that it is going to have traffic and crowds and is going to already be "discovered." But there are so many ways to get off-the-beaten-path in Rome, and in January it was. at least for me, a warm spot in the middle of a chilly country.

Rome brings on all sorts of different reactions--hatred of the big city, the crowds, the noise, but at the same time a love of those little alleyways near the Pantheon, the neighborhood vibe of Trastevere, Campo dei Fiori in the early evening. Just walking along the Angel Bridge at night, with St. Peter's cupola in the distance all lit up is breathtaking.

Consider reading this book: H.V. Morton's A Traveler in Rome.

Definitely go back, KAMG. It will surprise you the second time--you will notice that there are small streets steering you away from the Colosseum up to a panoramic lookout of the whole city. You'll discover Trastevere, you'll learn a little bit more about the history every time. It's a layer upon layer city. The fact that there is a modern six lane traffic circle winding around that ancient colosseum is part of Rome's beauty. Where else has time continued with such a fervor?

Eloise: Your comments about Florence vs. Rome are interesting. I actually fell in love first with Florence, then with Rome. But it is a different kind of love--very different aspects of Italy. Rome seems more real--like life actually continues.

travelphile

This is fun - cause KAMG is me! I haven't been on the board in a long time (basically since Dublin planning in late 04) and I start planning an 05 trip to Italy and see this post! I have checked it a few times in the last year and a half, but was overjoyed to see it on the recent list tonight!

You see, DH and I are taking my grandparents (not old biddies, early 60's, fun, and in energetic, will be wonderful travel partners!) to Italy next year and are deciding whether to skip Rome or not. I feel like it would be a disservice to them to skip it, on what may be there only chance to go to Italy. BUT they are not city people, so while there are many wonderful things to see in Rome, our travels may be better suited to a place 'less intense' (while I'm not such a regular on the board, I love Rex's wit, and he nailed it on this one, as did Capo)

While I want to go back someday, we are doing Tuscay & Venice and could happily fill the rest of the time in the Lakes. With perhaps a coastal trip for 2 days (San Remini? Did CT last time, and loved it)

After reading my posts, and all the responses, I'm struggling! I want to give Rome another chance, and can fly into there and out of Venice, but don't want to do it on just a brief 3 days again.

We were hot, exhausted, and overwhelmed there, but what I remember NOW, looking back, is that Rome at night is marvelous! One of my most talked about memories from our honeymoon was having way too much wine, and then almost crying over a horse I wanted to feed an apple to in P. Navona (sounds ridiculous to me too, I grew up w/ horses and was sad for that one to be a city horse, lol)

We bought two wonderful paintings that night (before all the wine), had a great dinner, and just had a great night. Another night near Trevi fountain also wonderful, and can't remember the third night.

So I'm torn. Don't want to arrive there jetlagged and have only 3 days, but I am not willing to give it more time on a 12 day trip. I also won't give up Venice as my last stop, and Rome doesnt' fit anywhere but at the beginning. So... My thought is to let flight prices decide when they are published at the end of this month. If we can fit Rome in cheaper, we go, if not, we stay more Northern. Convince me otherwise if you have the best 3 day itinerary and convenient location to stay in!

I'll keep you all posted. Please know that my feelings from this post still stand, that I'm willing to give it another try, but am cautious about that try as well! KAMG