zeppole

Lena,

Here is a website that describes all the quarters of Rome since you posted you didn't know much about them. (Scroll down a bit)

http://www.romanhomes.com/your_roman...ti-quarter.htm

You might find this web page interesting for more information on the piazza del Popolo neighborhood I mentioned above:

http://www.roninrome.com/shopping-dining/via-margutta

and if you are still not put off by the thought of Mont for a first time visitor like yourself:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/07/03...pagewanted=all

and here's a website that describes all the pedestrianzied streets of Monti (and describes the quarter as "central" -- not to tourists, I guess, but to Romans)

http://www.romanhomes.com/your_roman...er-streets.htm

zeppole

And this is sweet: "Rome Quarters Comparison: How to Choose the Right Apartment"

http://www.romanhomes.com/your_roman...comparison.htm

zeppole

annhg,

Can you explain this? This is a thread from last year where you and kybourbon talk about how wonderful Monti is for being a non-touristy place.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ayed-there.cfm

There is nothing wrong with you sharing with Leen that the first time you came to Rome you were totally confused, and I guess it's ok that you think that's going to happen to everybody, but to start suddenly denying what you yourself posted last year isn't fair to Leen.

Last year, you couldn't wait to tell everybody that the shops and restuarants in Monti catered to locals, not tourists. And now you are trying to pretend that never mattered to you.

I bet a 35 year old can make up their own mind if you simply give them accurate information. You may not be elderly, but nobody needs a second mommy to lead them around by the nose, and plenty of 35 year olds come to Rome and are not overwhelmed.

zeppole

Wow, how many more of these threads can I find with a google search?

here is another recent thread where kybourbon is chattering at length about how Monti has so many more regular shops and tourists shops, is pedestrianized, has lots of outdoor cafes, and how it is much closer in than other apartments. She's joined by Zerlina (whatever happened to Zerlina?) in thinking a Monti apartment is a good option location wise, yada yada

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ere-navona.cfm

What gives here, folks? I really doubt anybody has since been to Monti and changed their minds (or that they moved Monti). Why try to mislead Leen?

Leen, I really don't wnat to you to stay in Monti if you don't want to. I'm just really annoyed at these people. Please stay in the touristy areas if you would rather not walk some extra steps (but skip Trastevere).

Vttraveler

We rented an apartment in the Jewish Ghetto neighborhood and really enjoyed staying in that part of the city. Unfortunately the apartment we rented in March does not have A/C so I wouldn't recommend it in June. I would also consider the area of Trastevere across the river from the Ghetto, near the Isola Tiberina, although it isn't quite as centrally located.

annhig

annhg,

Can you explain this? This is a thread from last year where you and kybourbon talk about how wonderful Monti is for being a non-touristy place.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ayed-there.cfm

There is nothing wrong with you sharing with Leen that the first time you came to Rome you were totally confused, and I guess it's ok that you think that's going to happen to everybody, but to start suddenly denying what you yourself posted last year isn't fair to Leen.

Last year, you couldn't wait to tell everybody that the shops and restuarants in Monti catered to locals, not tourists. And now you are trying to pretend that never mattered to you.>>

yes Zeppole, I can explain it, and so could you if you had bothered to look at my first post on that thread:


<<hi leeley,

we stayed in Monti [actually in an apartment on the via serpenti] for our first week in Rome, and though I wouldn't recommend it for a first -time visitor, for someone like you, i should think that you'd love it. local shops and restaurants, lots of atmosphere, and easy access to the rest of Rome via the buses on the via nazionale, and the metro at via cavour. >>

leeley was a 6-7th time visitor to Rome, the OP is a first time visitor. I know, because I've been there as a first time visitor, that for all its advantages and charms, I would rather have stayed where we stayed the 2nd time as a first time visitor. that is MY experience, which in this respect is at least as valid as yours.

I think that I've probably contributed as much as I can to this thread which has degenerated into an unseemly spat between the two of us, rather than a friendly exchange of information, so i shall leave the field clear for you to carry on doing what you do best.

Leen

This was my first time posting and I cannot THANK YOU all enough for the helpful advice! I am going to take time and really digest it.

Zeppole I REALLY want to thank you all for the valuable information! You did read my post correctly. I am someone that likes to live like the locals as much as I can in a foreign country to really experience it.

Kwren, I laughed out loud at your 'white sneaker' comment. I know exactly what you mean! That was so funny!

kybourbon, I find your post to be a little judgmental. It seems to me that zeppole has clearly shown I can have both. On top of it, you end with a judgmental, pointless comment to stress me out by telling me 'You've waited late to book Rome for June'. By the way, I am not booking Rome, I am booking a room in a B&B located in Rome. I'll have my husband call up his boss and tell him next time he decides to send him to Paris for business kybourbon says you have waited too long. Sorry, that we want to take advantage of the opportunity and vacation in Rome afterwards. Next time you are volunteering 'helpful' advice I would leave the judgmental tone out of the comment. It's really not all that helpful.

daveesl

Wow, I cannot believe I missed out on this thread. Ky and Annhig, you did not tell me another Zeppole vs the World thread was going on.

Zeppole, you know I love you, we've been arguing for years.



dave

tedgale

Leen: I don't know Kybourbon but I did not find his/ her post judgmental. I read it as a simple set of assertions with some useful insights. It was intended helpfully, I think.

To be frank, it seems a little ungrateful for a first-time poster to criticize someone on such shaky evidence, when he or she did offer serious if unwelcome advice and opinions.

tuscanlifeedit

I have eaten a tartuffo at I tre Scalini, and it was worth every tourist in sight.

I have seen the Pope. Meh.

I ALWAYS toss a coin in the Trevi fountain.

Does this make me a bad visitor to Rome? Am I redeemed if I swear I've been to the Coppede quarter?

kybourbon

Hey dave! Loved your winter in Rome threads. Thanks for pointing out what is obvious to everyone else. Usually the World is bobthenavigator, st cirq and Stu Dudley, not me or annhig.

Leen - I don't see pointing out you've waited late to book Rome for June as judgmental. It's not a judgment, it's just stating a fact. Rome is not Paris and doesn't have the big hotels so the most desired places are booked very early.

As for valuable information, I would think the value would be first hand experience from people that have actually stayed in an area multiple times instead of someone Googling about it and then posting exaggerated versions of comments.

>>>The idea that Rione Monti isn't "central" in Rome is just nuts!<<<

Actual comment: "I would suggest somewhere more central for a first time visitor".

<<<is pedestrianized<<<

Nowhere did I say that and it isn't.

Actual comment in one of those threads: "It's safe with some areas pedestrian only"
And in this thread: "It's mostly open to traffic, unlike some other areas mentioned which are pedestrian only"

The people discussing where to stay on those threads were mostly repeat visitors to Rome (Zerlina has been many times and Leely states she's been there 6-7 times), not newbies. No one has changed their mind as annhig pointed out, nor are we trying to mislead anyone. We like Monti, but it's not great for first time visitors not familiar with Rome who want to be able to walk most places (it will be uphill from much of Monti to most places). The other areas mentioned are pretty much pedestrian only, Monti is more traffic than pedestrian only. Some of the streets in Monti have the heaviest traffic in Rome and there are areas in Monti I would simply not want to stay.

>>>yes it is convenient for the "antiquities" but most other sights will require a metro of bus trip, or very sore feet, <<<

They don't call it Roman foot for nothing. Like you, I am surprised to find out from this thread that I am elderly and affluent.

Leen

tedgale, In no way did I want to come off ungrateful. I am VERY appreciative with all the advice given as I previously stated. To tell someone 'You've waited late to book Rome for June' seems kind of unnecessary to me and in no way helpful. Thanks for weighing in just to argue but offering no advice yourself I really did not come on here to argue with people.

Leen

kybourbon, I appreciate your other advice. I guess your end comment made me feel stressed!

tedgale

Actually I did post advice -- and at some length -- early in the thread. Backed off when the fireworks started.

jamikins

The first time we went to Rome we stayed out of centre a bit and completely regretted it. I whole heartedly recommend staying in the central area, or if you want o get a bit out of the tourist centre, trastevere.

Ps - taking sides in the 'firewroks' is a sure way to not get a lot of input on this forum. I think most of us that post do so in good faith and tone is hard to decipher over text. Just something to keep in mind.

Leen

tedgale, I must have missed it. There's a lot going on in here. You are right jamikins. I did not intend for any drama.

tedgale

Well said, jamikins

daveesl

Ky and most others are absolutely correct in how they describe the Monti area. It isn't horrible, it can be okay, I've stayed there before and know of some great little spots to eat that are cheap and good. BUT, it really isn't central and it can be a hassle, like say standing at the Colosseo bus/metro stop for over 30 minutes in the rain in February waiting on the 87 which didn't come for 2 days.

Kybourbon is one of the most knowledgeable people around on Rome. I know it really well, better than my own home town in the States and a heck of a lot better than most, but Ky knows things, places and info that I have no clue about. And it is almost always correct.

Now, can we all just get along.

(see how nice I am being, no snarkies here)

dave

zeppole

Leen,

You're welcome.

Dave,

It's not me vs. the World. Just the worldview of Fodor's about travel, especially travel to Italy. And your experience with Rome buses in a snowstorm is hardly relevant

To other folks,

You really are misleading people if you tell them Rome is not "in the center". You may believe it is not in the historic or touristic center, but it is. While I have got no problem with people making a touristic map of Rome in their heads that gives the Vatican a lot of weight, the reality of touring Rome for most people is that they will visit the Vatican/ St Peter's once, for only one day of their visit at most, usually less. Most of them will wish they had realized beforehand just how far out of the center the entrance to the Vatican museums is, and not tried to book a hotel that leaned toward St. Peter's out of the belief that was more "central" to their sightseeing, since of course they are going to be going to the Colosseo and Forum as well.

Only Leen knows what his or her top target sights for touring are, but please bear in mind that for a great many people, the Vatican and St Peter'sl are not the biggest attraction of Rome. It is a one-day wonder (or less). And that therefore, being within walking distance of the Vatican (which actually isn't even in Rome, but we'll let that pass) isn't "central" for them. They may have a plan to visit famous sights of antiquity, and not just the Colosseo and the Forum, but the baths of Caracalla or via Appia.

But moreover, when they say they would rather be a step away from the areas of Rome most heavily impacted by tourism, even if though they already know they are a first time visitor, please respect their request and not tell them the less tourist-impacted parts of town are without attractions or they don't exist or that when it snows you can't get a bus.

zeppole

Oh, damn. I forgot: In a world where most people don't have a job, live on pennies a day, etc -- Fodor's folks are affluent by any definition of the word. And they are certainly older than 35 by quite a measure.