sandycarlsbad

We just back from 3 weeks in Italy, starting with 6 days in Rome. I was prepared for pickpockets and horror stories based on things I had read, but found Rome to be delightful n every way. Yes, it is intense, but if you pace yourself and plan things well, it is wonderful. We did two very good things. We booked semi-private tours of Ancient Rome and the Vatican with Scala Reale. There were only 6 people on each of these tours and they had planned it so that we didn't have to wait in line for anything. We began the Ancient Rome tour from the entrance to the Palatine hill and we walked right into the Coliseum because we already had our tickets. At the Vatican, we started our tour at 2:30 and there were no lines. Yes it was crowded in the Sistine Chapel, but not overwhelming except for the beauty. We did take taxis more often than we had planned, but it was only to be able to see more things quickly. We took the metro and bus to Villa d'Este and loved being in the Country for a morning. We found a great new hotel 20 meters from Piazza Navona that we loved. We opened our window every morning to a view of the dome of St. Agnes of Agone church. I am glad that we visited Rome first because we were then ready for a little down time along the Amalfi Coast. Our last night in Rome we went to Travestere to a quaint little Roman restaurant called Da Lucia and wandered into a piazza where there was a live theater performance. It was beautiful, magical, and truly a wonderful way to end our trip to Rome. I will definitely go back again. Six days were not nearly enough! Then on to Florence afterwards which was also fabulous but very intense. Then to Lucca and Sienna and finishing in Venice. I am still dreaming of Italy! I am already planning my next trip.

ira

Hi Sandy,

>We found a great new hotel 20 meters from Piazza Navona that we loved. <

Mind sharing the name?

lawyer630

Hey Ira,

First and foremost, thank you, thank you thank you!!!!

I will stick to your advice, and drink a glass of wine (or two, or three)...
As for Florence v. Rome, I will take your advice and do the split. I will also make sure to eat gelato from a cup. On a more serious note, I read your train posting a while ago, but I do not recall that when I do buy a train ticket from Florence to Rome, do I need to specify a time, or just the day? Which train do you suggest from Florence to Rome? Ira, thank you once again for all of your help. I wait for your reply.....

ira

Hi Lawyer,

If you are sure of when you will be taking the train from Florence to Rome, you can buy your ticket at www.trenitalia.com/en.

Use the ticketless option and bring your email confirmation with you. The ES* train is all reserved seating, so that confirmation is your ticket.

You can also buy your ticket in Florence at the train station or from any TA (small fee from a TA).

If you opt for a less expensive ticket on the IC, you have an open ticket, good for any train, any day. However, it would be a good idea to purchase a seat reservation a few days before you want to travel.

crefloors

I think our like or dislike for any particular city is just felt on an emotional level...like falling in love..well you ARE falling in love..or not..with the place you are visiting. Rome is just fascinating and the way the ruins are integrated into everyday life is amazing. You're walking down the street in a modern city and all of a sudden you are walking under a 2,000 year old aquaduct or right there before your eyes looms the colosseum...it's just a big "wow"!!!! I really wish I had more time to spend there...only had three days...but having said that...at the same time Rome just didn't "grab" me. I felt really drawn to London, Paris, and Venice..don't always know why..that's just the way it was. I think that if anyone has the opportunity to spend some time in Rome and chooses NOT to go there, is nuts. Go, and you'll be glad you did, and who knows, a whole new "love affair" might begin for you.

Leely

I have found it's so very easy to simply walk into a travel agency in Rome and buy your train tickets.

For some reason I've always found the trenitalia web site a little confusing. I like just going into an office and dealing with someone face to face. On the other hand, I've always been a little flexible with my schedule (not with dates, but time of day).

nicegirl512

I did not expect to like Rome a great deal, and certainly not as much as Florence. Well, it turned out to be the opposite for me! My first impression of Rome was that it was completely overwhelming. I couldn't figure out where I was on a map because there were no street signs (I quickly learned that street names are on plaques on corner buildings). I was ready to throw in the towel and hole up in the hotel for two days until I left for Florence. But once I reached peace with the fact that there is NO WAY to pretend you're not a tourist because you have to be absolutely glued to a map as the streets change name every block and are tiny and narrow, I *loved* it. I'm a city girl, so maybe that has something to do with it. Love the bustle and the tons of people on the streets. Loved the triumph of figuring out how to use the buses. I loved seeing the juxtaposition of ancient and modern, and that you can't walk a few blocks without stumbling on a church you can pop into for some amazing art. Visiting the ruins of the Forum was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

On the other hand, I didn't really love Florence as I had expected to. I think the fact that the city center is so compact (v. Rome) makes it much more touristy and less like a real working city.

travelphile

Lawyer, I wouldn't skip it, don't leave yourself always wondering if you are a lover of Rome!

My greatest piece of advice, and the one I will follow for my 2005 trip, is location, location, location. We stayed at Hotel Oxford, billed as 'near' the Spanish Steps. I would not define it as near any of the sights you aim to see on a short trip to Rome. Some have mentioned they liked being out that far bc it felt more tranquil. For us having 3 days, it felt like a hassle to be out so far the entire time. Next trip we'll go with Eloise's suggestion and stay in the 'historic' center. I think that could greatly alter my view. And ppl here are right, we're not big city people, so all aspects of being a tourist in one are a bit more bothersome to me than to some others.

I think crefloors nailed it for me though, you just have an emotional feel for a city, and Rome just wasn't it for me. Venice however... ahhhh.

Happy Travels to Lawyer, who I believe leaves in 2 days!

Jackie_in_Italy

While I agree with crefloors about the whole love affair thing, I think Rome is a little bit different. It is such a large city, and has so many layers, that it can strike you from one part (for example, the ancient history aspects) and not on another level at all (for example, the religious level). I think it is amazing for this fact: that you can fall in love with your own favorite aspects of Rome and almost be unaware of others. Florence, for one, isn't like this nearly as much, and Venice almost not at all.

In Italy, Rome is the center of everything--history, art, religion, politics. It took me a while to realize this--that even if one layer doesn't interest me, another might. You can fall in love with the different levels of Rome, one, or two, or all of them. It doesn't just have different neighborhoods with different feelings, but it is actually a mix of completely different cities. It has been so many places! I think that is why it appeals to me--the levels and layers just keep growing. It really is a unique city.

Paci

Lawyer630:

While I have never disagreed with Ira before, I have to say that I do not think you would want to visit Venice in mid-October. We just got back from there and they already have the platforms out (they were not out when we arrived but were out three days into our stay anticipating the rising water and the rains have now set in a bit. Also, my friends have been discouraged from visiting there at this time of year by their respective travel agents. We were in Tuscany, too, and do think that you would be fine visiting at least the area around San Gimignano, Siena (like Ira said) and the Chianti region. Our friends are also going to the Amalfi Coast, which I know nothing about, so you might want to check that out but I have heard that it can at times be foggy. If you do not want to spend a full seven days in Rome, you can do some day trips out - like Orvieto. Anyway, I just got back from Rome and upon first reflection, felt like OK - glad I saw it but now I'm done. We loved the city, the feeling of excitement, the architecture but... the people were so indifferent and at times, rude. This happened from concierges to waiters to sales people in stores, etc. The only consistent nice Romans we encountered were the taxi drivers. Now I am sure everyone has their own personal experiences, and these just happen to be ours, but I am not sorry I went and actually feel that someday I would like to return but maybe for another 3-4 days, not seven. Whatever, you decide, enjoy!

zeechick

HI,

I AM GOING TO ROME FOR TWO DAYS.

PLEASE ADVISE ME ON HOW MUCH TO TAKE.

I JUST WANT TO SIGHT SEE.

Wildfire

During a 4 night trip to Rome a few weeks ago i did not find Rome a horror. I was not nearly as charmed/enchanted by Rome as many others are. (Like a few others I didnt much care for Venice.)

I would like to go back and perhaps then i will put rome at the beginning of my trip rather than the very end. I would especially love to go back and basically spend a day at the Vatican Museum by itself.

the sights of Rome were outstanding. i loved the history and the great art museums. would have loved to have had time to explore the catacombs and pompeii. I must say that a museum card would certainly have been a very nice thing.

I must say, however, that by the time i left Rome i found myself craving order...there was just too much chaos for my taste. Paris remains my favorite city

kfusto

I have been to Rome a dozen times and enjoyed each and every visit.

Rome is a big, busy city and therefore somewhat chaotic. It is also exciting, romantic and amazing. I find the architecture beautiful and the remnants of the Roman empire and what came after, combined with the modern city conveniences, to be a wonderful blend of the old and new.

So, for me, Rome holds pleasure, not horror.

PLMN

Perceptions are a funny thing.

Loved Rome, not thrilled with Florence. Perhaps I didn't spend enough time in Florence though, just a few hours.

I found Rome to be light years ahead of NYC as far as cleanliness. On the other hand, Florence to me was almost as dirty.

I view the Coliseum as a let down, but everything else in Rome exceeded my EXPECTATIONS.

How long were you in Rome for?

ssachida

I have to echo PLMN's sentiments. The coliseum was great for me but other than that, I agree word for word.

I loved, loved, loved Rome more than Venice or Florence or Siena or Sorrento or even London.

platzman

Yes, absolutely. Rome is just dreadful. Piazza San Pietro? Its an old dump. Foro Romano? Nothing but a bunch of old stones strewn about.
The espresso? Oh, phooey!
I guess I haven't learned any lessons after a dozen visits. Nor will I learn any for the next dozen.

LoveItaly

Oh Platzman, LOL!!! Well just keep taking dozens of trips to Rome and maybe you can find something horrible?

In the meantime, what fun you will have.

LoveItaly

Point of interest. Today I had a grandson visit me. He was an exchange student when he was a Sr. in HS for one year in Italy. His only experience of Rome was in the summer when his parents arrived and they traveled for three weeks in August. I tried to tell them, Rome in Italy is not good, but it was the only time they could go.

So at the end of the three weeks, for three days they were in Rome. Plus their stupid TA had them take a train all the way to London to fly home (his parents had flown from westcoast of US to London to start their trip). So during this hot, humid, tourist overloaded three days in Rome part the whole family was exhausted, hot, miserable and dreading the train ride back to London and than the flight back to USA.
And grandson did NOT like Rome. But loved Italy and also spoke fluent Italian.

A couple of years has passed since than. And today he asked me if he and I could go together in 2006, possibly Feb. to Italy together on an open jaw flight. Fly into Rome and home from Venice.

He realizes now that Rome is beautiful, fantastic, earthy, sophisticated and beyond all description. He said it was just the circumstances of this three miserable days there that made him feel at the time he found Rome horrible (his word not mine). I smiled to myself remembering this thread.

So sure some will never like or love Rome. But IMHO for those that have been there and were not happy may I suggest that you try Rome again, in a better situation.

lawyer630

Hello everyone!!! I want to thank all of you for the input on Rome, I just got back 3 weeks ago from Italy. I flew into Florence, and fell in love with the city!!!! However, I had to go to Rome to visit friends, and I was planning on spliting up my trip, half Florence half Rome. Well, as soon as I stepped onto the train platform in Rome, I wanted to turn around and go back to Florence!!! Rome is exremely overwhelming, and I was determined that it would be my first and last trip to the city!!! I saw absolutely everything in two days, and went back to Florence to finish my vacation. For anyone traveling to Florence, there are so many things to do in the city, and also take as many day trips as you can. I am planning on going back in March 2005!!! Any questions, feel free to post them!!!!

LoveItaly

Well as a Priest I knew use to say "thank goodness we all don't like the same place or that place would sure be overcroweded". As Florence is!

Hummmm, you stepped out onto the train station platform in Rome and got your first impression of Rome.

And you saw absolutely everything in Rome in two days!!!!

I have nothing more to add.