Need help on where to stay in Rome
Mar 21st, 2012, 06:10 PM
#61
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"The question was from somebody who never wants to go there.----------------------But this thread is for mostly first-time travelers who DO!
"I think I am an expert in the kind of travel that seeks to avoid touristy spots, and in avoiding places altered by mass tourism." ------------Zepp, you just reminded me of my first husband. He was stationed in England for quite a few years. On my first visit to London, I expressed my desire to see Westminster Abbey. He poo-pooed it and said that St. Paul's was much more significant. I was fortunate enough to return years later and saw that most touristy Abbey and other spots that he felt weren't significant enough.
And who said anything about Rick Steves in this thread?
Leen, if you are still around, again, please let us know all about your trip and enjoy it very much. Zepp gives good advice but doesn't allow for the also valid opinions of others.
"I think I am an expert in the kind of travel that seeks to avoid touristy spots, and in avoiding places altered by mass tourism." ------------Zepp, you just reminded me of my first husband. He was stationed in England for quite a few years. On my first visit to London, I expressed my desire to see Westminster Abbey. He poo-pooed it and said that St. Paul's was much more significant. I was fortunate enough to return years later and saw that most touristy Abbey and other spots that he felt weren't significant enough.
And who said anything about Rick Steves in this thread?
Leen, if you are still around, again, please let us know all about your trip and enjoy it very much. Zepp gives good advice but doesn't allow for the also valid opinions of others.
Mar 21st, 2012, 09:59 PM
#62
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TDudette,
Do you know the term "straw man"? That is what you are doing here. You are changing the subject and ceating a straw man to argue with.
Even the OP stated I understood her request. Leen said right up front they wanted to visit the tourist sights in Rome BUT they didn't want to lodge in area that was tourist-dominated. I never once suggest she not see the sights she wants to see. I suggested two areas where she would have great access to major famous sights but not be in a touristy area. I did NOT "sneer" once at the desire to see the famous sights of ROme.
What happened was predictable. Fodorites came into this thread to sneer at the idea that you can escape tourist zones when you travel and telling Leen there was no benefit in traveling to Rome that way. They told her not to listen to advice like that but to stay near the piazza Navona or the Spanish Steps telling her that's what she wanted despite what she just said.
I think worse than have little respoct for someone else's opinion is having no respect for another person's travels values and telling them to quit listening to people who do.
LucieV , as for whether I am an expert in avoiding tourists, on Fodor's the one-eyed-man in this regard gets to be a king. Only on Fodor's would somebody post that "By definition, there simply is no way that a traveler can experience "actual" any city in that first visit." -- and not get a chorus of laughter in return.
Is Tdudette serious? She can't walk into a city and tell the difference between the tourists areas and the non tourist areas? She can't see what is the actual everyday life of the city apart from what has been developed to attract tourist dollars?
Nope, she can't, and neither can most people posting on Fodor's because that isn't what they want to see when they travel. They want the tourist experience. They can't advise somebody who wants more than that because they don't know what it is. I do.
Do you know the term "straw man"? That is what you are doing here. You are changing the subject and ceating a straw man to argue with.
Even the OP stated I understood her request. Leen said right up front they wanted to visit the tourist sights in Rome BUT they didn't want to lodge in area that was tourist-dominated. I never once suggest she not see the sights she wants to see. I suggested two areas where she would have great access to major famous sights but not be in a touristy area. I did NOT "sneer" once at the desire to see the famous sights of ROme.
What happened was predictable. Fodorites came into this thread to sneer at the idea that you can escape tourist zones when you travel and telling Leen there was no benefit in traveling to Rome that way. They told her not to listen to advice like that but to stay near the piazza Navona or the Spanish Steps telling her that's what she wanted despite what she just said.
I think worse than have little respoct for someone else's opinion is having no respect for another person's travels values and telling them to quit listening to people who do.
LucieV , as for whether I am an expert in avoiding tourists, on Fodor's the one-eyed-man in this regard gets to be a king. Only on Fodor's would somebody post that "By definition, there simply is no way that a traveler can experience "actual" any city in that first visit." -- and not get a chorus of laughter in return.
Is Tdudette serious? She can't walk into a city and tell the difference between the tourists areas and the non tourist areas? She can't see what is the actual everyday life of the city apart from what has been developed to attract tourist dollars?
Nope, she can't, and neither can most people posting on Fodor's because that isn't what they want to see when they travel. They want the tourist experience. They can't advise somebody who wants more than that because they don't know what it is. I do.
Mar 21st, 2012, 11:53 PM
#64
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Zep - I think by definition you are a Fodorite as much as the rest of us.
You say people sneered at the OP (I didnt) but you sneered at all of us. And do on any occasion you disagree. You can get your point across and provide your great advice without insulting people and putting people down. Your advice would add so much more if it didnt come with the sarcasm and putdowns of people just trying to provide their own valid opinions.
Everyone's experience is a valid one, whether you see it as Fodors Rome or not. I certainly dont think my trip to Rome was - hey, we barely stepped foot in a museum or church! But I wouldnt encourage everyone to skip the magnificence of the museums or churches in Rome. I also know as a first timer to Rome we stayed in a neighbourhood out of centre and greatly regretted it as we werent comfortable taking the metro at night, we generally couldnt afford taxis and wished we had been closer in so that we could have walked around to see the lights at night and have a late night drink in a piazza all lit up and felt comfortable getting home. This is something we hadnt thought of - so my sharing it isnt sneering at the OP, its just providing my experience and giving them something to think about that they might not have.
Cant we all just give our own opinions and disagree without all the nastiness?
You say people sneered at the OP (I didnt) but you sneered at all of us. And do on any occasion you disagree. You can get your point across and provide your great advice without insulting people and putting people down. Your advice would add so much more if it didnt come with the sarcasm and putdowns of people just trying to provide their own valid opinions.
Everyone's experience is a valid one, whether you see it as Fodors Rome or not. I certainly dont think my trip to Rome was - hey, we barely stepped foot in a museum or church! But I wouldnt encourage everyone to skip the magnificence of the museums or churches in Rome. I also know as a first timer to Rome we stayed in a neighbourhood out of centre and greatly regretted it as we werent comfortable taking the metro at night, we generally couldnt afford taxis and wished we had been closer in so that we could have walked around to see the lights at night and have a late night drink in a piazza all lit up and felt comfortable getting home. This is something we hadnt thought of - so my sharing it isnt sneering at the OP, its just providing my experience and giving them something to think about that they might not have.
Cant we all just give our own opinions and disagree without all the nastiness?
Mar 22nd, 2012, 07:01 AM
#66
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Last year we stayed in an awesome apartment (and will be returning there again in September) located in the far south end of Trastevere. We were able to get public transportation less than a block away and getting to the city center and everywhere else was quite easy. A cab stand was just a few blocks away as well. We loved the area and did plenty of walking around at night. The apartment has a spectacular outdoor space too. Drop me an email if you would like the contact info. We did write a trip report also. Happy Travels....wish I was in Rome right now! 166 days and counting down.
Mar 22nd, 2012, 06:31 PM
#67
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David and I rented a three bedroom/two bathroom penthouse apartment (with elevator) last spring in the Monte Verde area just beyond Trastevere. We absolutely loved the apartment and the price (I think it was €100 a night), but being out of the pandemonium of central Rome was the best part. The tram, that whisked us into the center in about ten minutes, was literally right outside our front door so we easily saw all the sites we'd come to see.
But we loved starting the day at the huge, hundred-or-so-stalls-market next door to our apartment where we sampled foods we otherwise would not have tried, and ending the day by getting take-out lasagne from Frontoni's across the street. Toni's, with some of the best gelato in the city was a few doors away.
We originally worried that we'd miss all the action by not being in the heart of the city, but we were delighted with our choice. After a day being crowded off the city sidewalks, it was a pleasure to return to our little neighborhood for true Italian hospitality.
Here's the link to our apartment http://www.vrbo.com/282276 More information about our trip, the apartment, and apartment photos are at Tightwad Travel.
But we loved starting the day at the huge, hundred-or-so-stalls-market next door to our apartment where we sampled foods we otherwise would not have tried, and ending the day by getting take-out lasagne from Frontoni's across the street. Toni's, with some of the best gelato in the city was a few doors away.
We originally worried that we'd miss all the action by not being in the heart of the city, but we were delighted with our choice. After a day being crowded off the city sidewalks, it was a pleasure to return to our little neighborhood for true Italian hospitality.
Here's the link to our apartment http://www.vrbo.com/282276 More information about our trip, the apartment, and apartment photos are at Tightwad Travel.
Mar 26th, 2012, 01:50 PM
#69
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Buongiorno Leen. Don't sweat the traveler arguments. Everybody is a star, their shine is just different from mine. Many good recommendations between the other stuff here. I'm not an expert, been to Rome twice. I love the Corso/Spagna area, but had two loud lodging experiences. I think north of Piazza del Popolo would be a great location. Easy to walk anywhere or jump on the metro. Trastevere is cute, but stay away from the party bar street (use Google Map and you can find these). Piazza Navona itself is very touristy, but between there and the river is really really nice, though probably pricey, is my guess. There are so many awesome (honestly) churches right around Navona I would love to stay around there if I could find a quiet apartment. (Read up on Bernini and Borromini, seriously.) Monti, I'm not familiar with. Check out Eleonora's "Roma Every Day" photo blog for some views of different areas. Wear good walking shoes and walk walk walk. Get lost in the streets (though I'm addicted to Streetwise maps). Above all: have fun!
Jun 24th, 2013, 03:39 PM
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Centro and the area near the Colosseum and Roman Forum would be the best option for sightseeing. However, if you want to experience the local character of Rome I would highly recommend the Trastevere area.
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