alex

As this forum has been so useful in planning trips to the USA and more recently, Rome, I thought it would be helpful if anyone had any questions for me. I guess a lot can be answered by searching from old posts but hope this is helpful! NB We visited for five days at the beginning of June. <BR> <BR>- Stayed at the Hotel Internazionale on Via Sistina at the top of the Spanish Steps: it seemed highly recommended here. Was quite expensive - 335,000LL of £115 per room - but the location made up for the slightly small rooms and not very powerful air-con. Breakfast was a select few but good items. Apparently the fourth floor rooms with terraces are much in demand and we missed out on them. <BR> <BR>- Don't forget that if you're tired or lazy there is a lift on the right hand entrance to the Metro at Spagna which can take you up the Spanish Steps! <BR> <BR>- Walk everywhere: the distances aren't so great as they look on the map. Keep in the shade and side streets but even the traffic isn't as bad as they say, compared to my hometown, London. Also taxis seemed a lot cheaper than expected - about £3-5 ($5-7) for a mile and a half or anywhere in the historic centre. <BR> <BR>- We only saw a few gypsies and certainly not the hoards of pickpockets that there have been dire warnings of. At least be aware - I carried my rucksack on the front but you might as well carry a map and camera (across your chest) as everyone can spot the tourists anyway. Keep the bulk of your money, tickets and passport in a money belt or neck pouch under your clothes, or better still, in your hotel safe. I also used a safety pin over my pocket where my wallet to make things a bit difficult if there were problems. London is a lot worst for beggars and drunks. <BR> <BR>- The scaffolding isn't that bad: only a bit of the Colosseum but quite a few sights in the Forum. Also the front of St Peter's is covered, but the square and interior are as magnificent as ever. Also the 320 steps to the dome (8000LL) is wonderful. <BR> <BR>- Personal highlights were the earthly Campo De' Fiori market, theatrical Piazza Navonna and offbeat Santa Maria de Concepzione church with its gruesome bones of 4000 monks off Via Veneto. The Pincio Gardens and Forum and Trastevere (by day, but night is probably completely different) were not that great. <BR> <BR>- The Forum is now free and the Palantine 12,000LL. Everyone says go to the Vatican very early before 8.45am. At 10am the queue almost stretched the quarter mile back to St Peter's in the hot sun. We went back at 2pm with no queue, a bit of a rush but OK if you only want to see the "highlights", even though it's a injustice to the place. Always check restaurant times and opening times for museums and galleries - churches are generally closed between 12 or 1 to 3 or 4pm. <BR> <BR>Hope this is useful (and doesn't put anyone off visiting London)! <BR> <BR>ALEX

julie

Sounds like it might have been hot? Humid too? We're leaving in 2 weeks and am curious about the weather. <BR>How did you get from airport to the hotel?

alex

Julie <BR> <BR>Yes it was pretty hot - between 80-85'F, and likely to get hotter by the time you go. Some days were quite humid, but there was a nice breeze on others. Sunny all the time - check out the CNN site for five day forecasts. Believe it or not - churches are the best place to cool down! <BR> <BR>We actually went to the Ciampino airport rather than Leonardo da Vinci - there are I understand, buses that go direct to the centre: check the recent postings. You should be able to get a fixed fare of 80,000LL or lower for a taxi to the city centre - this is how we travelled as there were four of us. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip!

Richard

I agree Rome can be really hotduring the day so dress comfortably. While i was there it seemed like the hotter it got, the worse the a/c worked. My suggestion for a cheaper way to get central Rome from the airport is to use the train to the Termini, then take a taxi to your final destination. Just folllow the signs as you exit customs to the train and buy your ticket in the ticket room nearthe paltform, or in one of the self serve machines if you have lire and can figure out how to use them. When you get to the Termini, exit it and get to a cab (follow signs) without looking too much like a target or as if you are lost. The Termini Station and the area around is not the best area of Rome. Only take a marked cab from the designated taxi stand a nd dont accept aride from anyone else. Yes, this is not as fast as a taxi from the airport, but this should save you some money which can used on food or shopping!! Actualy is also kind of fun to arrive into Rome this way too! <BR> <BR>By the way I never went to the Trastervere during the day, but at night it is interesting to wander the streets and see how the Romans live. There are also alot of great restaurants there too! <BR> <BR>For more info see my posting, "ALL ABOUT ROME" and "MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN ROME"

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Pam

Hi Alex, <BR> I leave for 2 weeks in Rome next weekend.While I have seen this subject addressed in posts last year and in the spring, I'd like your opinion since you were there so recently. <BR> I am an American woman (age 36) traveling alone. Did you see other women tourists alone? Is it safe at night? I've heard the trains are not a good place for a woman to travel alone on at night for a woman. <BR> Obviously, you're not a woman, but I'd appreciate any insight you have. <BR> Thanks! <BR> Pam

Richard

Pam, hold your head high and dont worry about what you hear. I think Rome is perfectly safe for a single gal your age. At night, most streest are well lit and the Piazzas are bustling with people. I doubt you will have any problems. But always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Hey, a goodplace to go eat as a single person is the Enoteca Antica (near the Spanish Steps). I went there one night when my travel buddly was unavailable. There were lots of single people (including females) sitting at the bar of this wine bar eating and chatting. See my post 'MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN ROME' for the address and more info....

alex

Pam <BR> <BR>Yes - there were quite a few woman travelling and sightseeing alone. I don't think there's any particular worries other than those you'd exercise in any usual city. <BR> <BR>I didn't actually visit the station area, but you'd hardly be wandering round there at night would you? The metro seemed safe and if in any doubt take taxis which may be expensive by US standards but aren't compared to London. <BR>Walking though is a joy in Rome, just as long as you don't get run over by a moped! <BR> <BR>I'd agree that most streets seemed safe at night - just make sure you don't get lost, but everyone we approached was very helpful. Also tourists (mostly Americans!) outnumbered the locals at all the main sights. <BR> <BR>Still do take time to explore the less obvious areas around Campo De Fiori and Trastevere which might look scruffy but are pretty safe. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip. <BR> <BR>PS. Richard - thanks for your posts, your tips ALL ABOUT ROME were really helpful. I'd add "Gelateria de Palma" on Via de Madellena (2 minutes walk north of the Pantheon)as the best ice cream: it beat Giolitti easily!

Richard

I think I saw the "Gelateria de Palma" on Via de Madellena while walking to Gioletti. Didnt it have bright neon sign with a palm tree or something tropical in it? I think we didnt get anything here because they did not list the flavors and they were always packed with people. I figured it was too annoying of me to ask what flavors were available. <BR> <BR>We did go to a few other gelaterias but I really thought they were inferior to Gioletti.

Richard

I think I saw the "Gelateria de Palma" on Via de Madellena while walking to Gioletti. Didnt it have bright neon sign with a palm tree or something tropical in it? I think we didnt get anything here because they did not list the flavors and they were always packed with people. I figured it was too annoying of me to ask what flavors were available. <BR> <BR>We did go to a few other gelaterias but I really thought they were inferior to Gioletti.

pam

To the other Pam: <BR>My suggestion on your traveling alone is to do it, have fun, be cautious, wear dark, conservative clothing. A friend of ours who flew over with us (see my other '15 days' post) has traveled to Rome each summer since 1961 (she's an Etruscan-history scholar), and dresses only in navy blues and browns. She thought my khaki/black combinations to be quite native looking. I noticed that the natives carry more leather or microfiber bags than the coarser nylon (Eagle-Creek) type bags the tourists had. I also thought that the streets in Rome were quite well lit, even tiny side streets--much better than in Florence. Hope this helps.

The other Pam

Thanks everyone for your advice on traveling alone. Thanks to Fodors, I have bought a travel wardrobe that is all in blacks and beiges and is very conservative and classic. I don't know how well I'll "Blend" with a camera and blonde hair, but at least I won't be so afraid to venture out alone at night, <BR> Thank you! <BR> Pam

The other other Pam

Pam: I, too, am blond--and was pleasantly surprised to be asked directions by Italian-speakers who looked very native to me. I kept my camera in my shoulder bag (strap worn diagonally) except when taking photos--I felt a little less conspicuous.

Beth

oh, now you guys are confusing me... how many Pams are there? and are there more Cheryl's or Richard's than Pam's???? Maybe we should have number designations... Pam #1 and Pam #2 and so on... <BR> <BR>

alex

This is getting confusing! <BR> <BR>Anyway, it's a great idea disguishing yourself but doesn't work so well when you've got lots of camera equipment. Padlocking your backpack is necessary and then its really inconvenient when you want to capture that special moment. I gave up and ended up carrying guidebook, camera and map when walking about - not very advisable though only did this in "touristy" areas. <BR> <BR>Back to the ice cream - Gelateria de Palma is on the way to Giolitti north of the Pantheon - with a palm tree sign outside. It doesn't have the flavours listed - apparently there are 130 - but this is OK if you can't read Italian. Instead, the particular fruit/chocolate etc is displayed on top of the tub. Its a lot more spacious than Giolitti where (in keeping with other posts) we did actually have to push and fight our way to the front of the queue and were then under lots of pressure to order quickly. May be we were just unlucky that day. Nevertheless, everyone should at least try both of these suggestions! <BR> <BR>ALEX

cheryl

Beth- <BR> <BR>I'm sure I'm biased, but it seems that there are more Cheryls than anything else. Sometimes even I don't know which ones I've written! It's especially strange since I don't know that many Cheryls (or Pams or Richards)in "real" life.

Richard

Concerning the gelati, I didnt see any names on the tubs at de Plama but maybe I was tired or something. But I do knoww that place is good. I loved the process of pushing your way to the front and waving your arms to get to the front of the line. Italians are notorious for not waiting in any type of line. When we were in the airport an Italian lady simply walked to the front of line where we were checking in and assumed her postion and stuck to it. I love Italy because is so un-american and there are no rules, ordinances or regulations. Its suvival of the fittest! <BR> <BR>Pam, don't worry about your blondness, there are lots of blondes in Roma. As far as looking like a tourist, in the touristy areas it doesnt matter in the central city, i would recommend planning your journey on the map before leaving your hotel. I alos pick up a few of those city maps that you get in the hotel brochure rack. I would rip out the section of the city I was visiting and carry it in my pocket. That way you only are seen with a small piece of paper in your hand. Another trick I use is to photocopy the neighborhoods I am planning to see, mark the sights, restaurants and other place of interest and again carry this in my front packet. It doesnt look quite as 'mappy'. I wore big American style cargopant so I had plenty of pockets for my camera, maps, wallet, change, etc, etc, etc! The only problem with the cargopants was that whilemine were big an baggy (American style), all the Romans were wearing their very tight and fitted!. Everybody in Rome wears their clothes tight and they look great! Italy is about 1 year ahead of the fashion in the rest of Europe maybe 18 months ahead of the US, SO TAKE NOTE!! <BR> <BR>I didnt bother carrying my passport with me there really isnt a need to. Lock it in the hotel saf. Oh dont make the mistake we did... We nearly left the hotel and forgot that we had our 'so called' valuable in the safe! that would have been a crisis! <BR> <BR

maria

It's true what Richard said. A lot of women in Rome wear their pants very tight. One thing I noticed was that women, mostly young but I saw some older ones, wear platform shoes, sneakers, sandals--everything was very high. Not only that but they walk very fast and I don't know how they do it on cobblestone, uneven streets.

Maria

I also want to add that it was not only in Rome but all over Italy that tight pants and high platforms were all over the place. Also couldn't help noticing the young couples. I'm not a prude (I'm 32) but they were all over each other!

Richard

Italians are very touchy, feely. We noticed that two guys would walk down the street 'arm in arm' or with their arms around each other, this was not because they were gay. It just seemed that when two people were good friends they touched to let the other person know. Oh, you may have noticed, but I think the guys in Rome spent more time getting ready than the girls. Nobody seemes to go out in shorts, sweats or sneakers, everybody had a fashion statement to make.