Did anyone else find Rome a horror?
Oct 6th, 2004, 06:42 PM
#141
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Have to apologize for the spelling in that last post - sorry!
That one poster got me, so I can't resist... While I live on the outskirts of a small NY city - not in some bigtime fashionable one - I'm not the surburban queen that one terrible poster described me as(63 acres of farm fields behind my house), and I certainly don't willingly eat at the Olive Garden!
Sigh, to stoop to that level...
That one poster got me, so I can't resist... While I live on the outskirts of a small NY city - not in some bigtime fashionable one - I'm not the surburban queen that one terrible poster described me as(63 acres of farm fields behind my house), and I certainly don't willingly eat at the Olive Garden!
Sigh, to stoop to that level...
Oct 7th, 2004, 02:18 PM
#142
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I love Rome, even more than Venica and Florence. But I enjoy Milan and Naples too so perhaps what I enjoy is not the same as other travelers.
I do have one real strong thought.
It has been my experience that people that do not like Rome do not like it because; they do not like big chaotic cities, they are there for too short of a time, usually with jet lag. They try to do too much in to short of a time.
They go to Rome when it is hot and humid and full of tourist.
Had a family member that waited all his life to go to Rome. He loves big cities so that was not a problem. But he and family (6 of them) went in August. They had 3 weeks vacation and first did London, than Paris, that Turin, than Venice, than Florence (by this time Florence was hot and humid, teenagers were complaining about everything, entire family exhausted from trying to see to many places in to short of a time). Soooo, the last stop was Rome. Think they were there 3 to 4 days. Air so bad could hardly breath.
Italians that could had fled the city (as the always do), tourist everywhere.
So for them Rome was "awful". They now, a few years later, realize that it was not Rome. It was their situation. They will try to return in cooler climate, give themselves more time etc.
Anyway, their situation has seem to me the reason most travellers do not like Rome.
I do have one real strong thought.
It has been my experience that people that do not like Rome do not like it because; they do not like big chaotic cities, they are there for too short of a time, usually with jet lag. They try to do too much in to short of a time.
They go to Rome when it is hot and humid and full of tourist.
Had a family member that waited all his life to go to Rome. He loves big cities so that was not a problem. But he and family (6 of them) went in August. They had 3 weeks vacation and first did London, than Paris, that Turin, than Venice, than Florence (by this time Florence was hot and humid, teenagers were complaining about everything, entire family exhausted from trying to see to many places in to short of a time). Soooo, the last stop was Rome. Think they were there 3 to 4 days. Air so bad could hardly breath.
Italians that could had fled the city (as the always do), tourist everywhere.
So for them Rome was "awful". They now, a few years later, realize that it was not Rome. It was their situation. They will try to return in cooler climate, give themselves more time etc.
Anyway, their situation has seem to me the reason most travellers do not like Rome.
Oct 8th, 2004, 04:55 AM
#143
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My husband and I went to Rome a few years back in July. Due to the time of year it was hot and smelly - but I cannot hold that against the city.
I loved the architecture, I loved to contrast of the ancient and the new, I loved the Vatican, the Forum etc.
But all that said when we left I said, ok done Rome, never have to come back.
But now we are looking to take our kids to italy for the first time. I feel that we cannot take them to Italy without taking them to Rome, so Rome here we come again.
This time we will be going in the spring not the summer so hopefully cooler weather. And my younger son is so looking forward to the ancient sites that I cannot wait to see it again through his eyes.
But for me - since we left venice last time I could not wait to get back there, and that is the first stop on our next trip and I am SO EXCITED to go baack to Venice!
As my trip gets closer I will have many many questions to ask, but for now I am taking notes from others.
Donna
I loved the architecture, I loved to contrast of the ancient and the new, I loved the Vatican, the Forum etc.
But all that said when we left I said, ok done Rome, never have to come back.
But now we are looking to take our kids to italy for the first time. I feel that we cannot take them to Italy without taking them to Rome, so Rome here we come again.
This time we will be going in the spring not the summer so hopefully cooler weather. And my younger son is so looking forward to the ancient sites that I cannot wait to see it again through his eyes.
But for me - since we left venice last time I could not wait to get back there, and that is the first stop on our next trip and I am SO EXCITED to go baack to Venice!
As my trip gets closer I will have many many questions to ask, but for now I am taking notes from others.
Donna
Oct 8th, 2004, 05:02 AM
#144
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How about some suggested guidelines for those of us taking someone to Rome who'll be seeing it for the first time. For example: the trick might be to keep to certain of the prettier areas, to limit the amount of time in the more congested areas, etc. Which un-intimidating or quietly romantic neighborhoods would you recommend for lodging, restaurants? Which of the major tourist sites will be most certainly overwhelming (e.g., sounds like we should be prepared to find the Coliseum hectic)?
Oct 8th, 2004, 07:11 AM
#146
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(addressing the original post...)
I LOVE that the Colosseo is in the middle of a main traffic route !
Could such amazing history be any more integrated with the people that live there now ?!!?!?
One of my best memories is being on the back of my boyfriends motorino after Roma won a match against Hamburg.... we were on the Colosseo road and the traffic came to a complete standstill in utter chaos, horns blasting, people hanging out of cars, waving flags, chanting and carrying on ! Very hard not to get caught up in the passion of the moment. A glimpse of the past perhaps !
I think Rome is a city you have to live in, even for a little while, to really appreciate how incredible it is and how unique and wonderful the people are. Che bella Roma !
I LOVE that the Colosseo is in the middle of a main traffic route !
Could such amazing history be any more integrated with the people that live there now ?!!?!?
One of my best memories is being on the back of my boyfriends motorino after Roma won a match against Hamburg.... we were on the Colosseo road and the traffic came to a complete standstill in utter chaos, horns blasting, people hanging out of cars, waving flags, chanting and carrying on ! Very hard not to get caught up in the passion of the moment. A glimpse of the past perhaps !
I think Rome is a city you have to live in, even for a little while, to really appreciate how incredible it is and how unique and wonderful the people are. Che bella Roma !
Oct 8th, 2004, 11:06 AM
#147
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I visited Rome 28 years ago and am returning with a friend in November to visit the Tuscany area and will end up in Rome for a few days. I loved everything about Rome then and am curious to see my reaction to it all these years later. I have such great memories of that first trip - I'm looking forward to experiencing the grandeur of Rome again!
Oct 8th, 2004, 11:12 AM
#148
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To the poster who was wondering about quiet/calm places to see in Rome: great idea.
I have never been to Rome in July/August, have never stayed on a busy street (always renting apartments in Trastevere or by Campo di Fiori, one hotel experience at del Senato). And I have always, always loved Rome.
I suspect I would love it anyway, as I have been interested in art history and history (Roman in particular, but also the history of Catholicism and Protestantism) all my adult life. And I don't mind cities! I'll take a little grit or grafitti in a quiet courtyard over a perfectly painted street with four lanes of trafffic any day.
I like the area around Piazza Farnese, the furniture/artisan shops and streets between Piazza Navona and Campo di Fiori (I have poor memory for directions: is this correct), the tiny Jewish Ghetto, some areas of Trastevere, some residential areas by the Vatican.
I try to avoid Via Veneto, the Spanish Steps, busy streets by Termini. Basically I never stay on a thoroughfare. Though if I did, I'd simply make an attempt to seek out a nearby cafe/bar/restaurant/piazza with a more tranquil "vibe" to hang out in.
I think it's likely, though, that I'm missing lots of other quiet/calm areas that are still central to the sights. Would love to hear suggestions for more.
I have never been to Rome in July/August, have never stayed on a busy street (always renting apartments in Trastevere or by Campo di Fiori, one hotel experience at del Senato). And I have always, always loved Rome.
I suspect I would love it anyway, as I have been interested in art history and history (Roman in particular, but also the history of Catholicism and Protestantism) all my adult life. And I don't mind cities! I'll take a little grit or grafitti in a quiet courtyard over a perfectly painted street with four lanes of trafffic any day.
I like the area around Piazza Farnese, the furniture/artisan shops and streets between Piazza Navona and Campo di Fiori (I have poor memory for directions: is this correct), the tiny Jewish Ghetto, some areas of Trastevere, some residential areas by the Vatican.
I try to avoid Via Veneto, the Spanish Steps, busy streets by Termini. Basically I never stay on a thoroughfare. Though if I did, I'd simply make an attempt to seek out a nearby cafe/bar/restaurant/piazza with a more tranquil "vibe" to hang out in.
I think it's likely, though, that I'm missing lots of other quiet/calm areas that are still central to the sights. Would love to hear suggestions for more.
Oct 8th, 2004, 11:53 AM
#150
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Love the hurly-burly myself to a degree and big lover of antiquities, but let's just say we're going with people who are light sleepers, easily put off by a degree of urban grundge, will willingly trudge around sights by day but their sense of adventure goes down with the sun. ;-)
Oct 8th, 2004, 12:10 PM
#151
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Maybe you can start feeding these people wine in the early evening until they pass out?
Never stayed there, but perhaps someone has a suggestion somewhere near the Vatican for hotel?
I like wandering around the Forum and Palatine Hill for peace and quiet over the Coloseum. (Though I wouldn't miss the Coloseum. Maybe do that briefly first, then relax in Forum and later...another day? Palatine.)
Borghese Gardens (and the Galleria). Have only been there on a sunny winter's day: very relaxing.
Never stayed there, but perhaps someone has a suggestion somewhere near the Vatican for hotel?
I like wandering around the Forum and Palatine Hill for peace and quiet over the Coloseum. (Though I wouldn't miss the Coloseum. Maybe do that briefly first, then relax in Forum and later...another day? Palatine.)
Borghese Gardens (and the Galleria). Have only been there on a sunny winter's day: very relaxing.
Oct 9th, 2004, 10:52 PM
#152
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Help!!! I am now more confused than ever!!! After reading this thread, I now do not know if I should be spending an entire week in Rome. I am leaving for Italy next week, and I am planning to stay one week in Florence, and one week in Rome. From the messages posted here, I think that one week is too much time for me in Rome. I have been to Venice, Cortina d'ampezzo and Sardegna, and I like the feel of a somewhat "smaller" city. Does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe I should tour the Tuscan countryside instead of doing Rome for 7 days? Any HELP would be greatly appreciated!!!!!
Oct 10th, 2004, 04:04 AM
#153
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lawyer630 - don't panic - my wife and I recently had two very enjoyable weeks in Rome and felt very much at home in doing so. However, if Tuscany calls, we also had a lovely week staying in an apartment just outside San Gimiginano. In fact, we wouldn't have missed either, so much did we enjoy them. My view is: if you really want to see Rome, go for it. if you're luke-warm, don't risk it! How's that for sitting-on-the-fence-advice?
Oct 10th, 2004, 04:21 AM
#154
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Hi Lawyer,
Rome is not near the top of my must see list, however, I would venture that there are more posts from people who have loved a week in Rome than not.
Mid Oct is not the best time to visit Tuscany, but you could revisit Venice for 4 days and spend the other 3 in Siena and vicinity.
What are your airline arrangements?
Rome is not near the top of my must see list, however, I would venture that there are more posts from people who have loved a week in Rome than not.
Mid Oct is not the best time to visit Tuscany, but you could revisit Venice for 4 days and spend the other 3 in Siena and vicinity.
What are your airline arrangements?
Oct 10th, 2004, 05:09 AM
#156
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Lawyer630: It seems to me that one thing that has emerged quite consistently from the postings in this thread is that it was those who spent three days or so in Rome who felt most overwhelmed and that it was those who gave Rome more time who were more able to adapt to the rhythm of the city and to enjoy what it had to offer.
My suggestion would be either to skip Rome entirely (if you genuinely dislike large cities) or to give it the week you had planned. Stay in the historic centre (Piazza Navona / Pantheon / Campo de Fiori area), from where you can walk to almost any point of interest -- with the possible exception of the Vatican in one direction and the Forum /at one end and the Forum at the other -- you enjoy
My suggestion would be either to skip Rome entirely (if you genuinely dislike large cities) or to give it the week you had planned. Stay in the historic centre (Piazza Navona / Pantheon / Campo de Fiori area), from where you can walk to almost any point of interest -- with the possible exception of the Vatican in one direction and the Forum /at one end and the Forum at the other -- you enjoy
Oct 10th, 2004, 05:18 AM
#157
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Sorry -- hit the wrong key...!
To continue: the Vatican in one direction and the Forum / Colosseum in the other -- and where you can return to enjoy the narrow streets full of rose and amber-coloured buildings, the small trattorias, the cafés.
If you don't have to rush, rush, rush to see and do whatever things might be on your list, you will not find the pace of Rome as relentless, you will be able to sit back and enjoy "dolce far niente," as someone has already said ("the sweetness of doing nothing"
, and you will come away impressed by the richness of Rome rather than overwhelmed by it.
To continue: the Vatican in one direction and the Forum / Colosseum in the other -- and where you can return to enjoy the narrow streets full of rose and amber-coloured buildings, the small trattorias, the cafés.
If you don't have to rush, rush, rush to see and do whatever things might be on your list, you will not find the pace of Rome as relentless, you will be able to sit back and enjoy "dolce far niente," as someone has already said ("the sweetness of doing nothing"
, and you will come away impressed by the richness of Rome rather than overwhelmed by it.
Oct 10th, 2004, 05:42 AM
#158
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First I would like to thank all who replied so quickly to me message. I guess I am a little panic striken.
IRA, I knew that you would come through for me!!! As for Tuscany in October, why not? I do not think that it is their rainy season just yet....is it? As for my airline tickets, I am also flying out of Florence, but I can change it at any time with no penalty. Should I just stay in Florence and take day trips? I also have some friends in Rome. MAybe I should tell them to come visit me in Florence instead of me going to Rome. Ira, as you can tell I am in panic mode...I am leaving next Thursday...Help!!!! Also, do you suggest a taxi or a limo or the train from Florence airport to my hotel in downtown Florence, The Hotel Continentale?
IRA, I knew that you would come through for me!!! As for Tuscany in October, why not? I do not think that it is their rainy season just yet....is it? As for my airline tickets, I am also flying out of Florence, but I can change it at any time with no penalty. Should I just stay in Florence and take day trips? I also have some friends in Rome. MAybe I should tell them to come visit me in Florence instead of me going to Rome. Ira, as you can tell I am in panic mode...I am leaving next Thursday...Help!!!! Also, do you suggest a taxi or a limo or the train from Florence airport to my hotel in downtown Florence, The Hotel Continentale?
Oct 10th, 2004, 06:15 AM
#159
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I hate to *ever* disagree with Eloise (who I consider my Rome expert!), but we stayed one block from Campo Fiori and we thought it was an easy walk to the Vatican and a moderate walk even to the Forum.
The area Eloise suggests is the PERFECT location to stay in Rome. We followed her advice and were delighted with the location!
The area Eloise suggests is the PERFECT location to stay in Rome. We followed her advice and were delighted with the location!
Oct 10th, 2004, 09:05 AM
#160
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Hi lawyer,
First: breathe deeply: sit down and have a glass of wine. You are going to the land of "il dolce far niente".
>As for Tuscany in October, why not? I do not think that it is their rainy season just yet....is it?<
It's not so much that it is the start of the rainy season, but that Tuscany will be brown, not green.
Check the forecast for Florence and Siena at www.weather.com.
> As for my airline tickets, I am also flying out of Florence, but I can change it at any time with no penalty.<
>Should I just stay in Florence and take day trips? I also have some friends in Rome. MAybe I should tell them to come visit me in Florence instead of me going to Rome.
I would stick with a week in Rome and a week in Florence, especially since you have friends in Rome.
If you find the city getting to be too much for you, take the train to Ostia Antica and visit the ruins and go on to Lido di Ostia and look at the Tyhrrenian Sea.
You can also take the train to Orvieto for a day.
>...do you suggest a taxi or a limo or the train from Florence airport to my hotel in downtown Florence, The Hotel Continentale? <
A cab will be 10-15E.
Enjoy your visit, and remember that in Florence only tourists eat gelato from a cone. The natives use a cup.
First: breathe deeply: sit down and have a glass of wine. You are going to the land of "il dolce far niente".
>As for Tuscany in October, why not? I do not think that it is their rainy season just yet....is it?<
It's not so much that it is the start of the rainy season, but that Tuscany will be brown, not green.
Check the forecast for Florence and Siena at www.weather.com.
> As for my airline tickets, I am also flying out of Florence, but I can change it at any time with no penalty.<
>Should I just stay in Florence and take day trips? I also have some friends in Rome. MAybe I should tell them to come visit me in Florence instead of me going to Rome.
I would stick with a week in Rome and a week in Florence, especially since you have friends in Rome.
If you find the city getting to be too much for you, take the train to Ostia Antica and visit the ruins and go on to Lido di Ostia and look at the Tyhrrenian Sea.
You can also take the train to Orvieto for a day.
>...do you suggest a taxi or a limo or the train from Florence airport to my hotel in downtown Florence, The Hotel Continentale? <
A cab will be 10-15E.
Enjoy your visit, and remember that in Florence only tourists eat gelato from a cone. The natives use a cup.
