Public Bath Rooms and places to sit down in Rome
May 14th, 2004, 05:23 PM
#21
I am a person who likes to know where the bathroom is! Since site seeing is tiring, I make frequent cafe or restaurant stops where I sit down for a bit, buy something inexpensive (a pastry, sandwich, or beverage) and use the restroom. Sure many places you might sneak in and use their facilities, but if you think about it these restaurants are a business not a free service for tourists. To me it seems more graceful to participate appropriately.
May 14th, 2004, 05:53 PM
#22
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Just got back from Rome, a few weeks after having surgery on both knees. I am in my mid-thirties, and normally very active, so I did notice things like restrooms and seating on this trip. I found the Vatican Museums difficult, mostly because of the way guests are herded through. As a result, unless it is possible to make other arrangements, you will be forced to go up and down a series of staircases and hallways as you inevitably head toward the Sistine Chapel, which is near the exit -- I think they are trying to control the flow of people going there. Not far from the entry into the SC, there is a restroom (sans toilet seat). Facing St. Peter's, to your left there is also a public restroom, near the information office. They are located down a set of stairs, but there is a handicapped restroom (with a guard) at street level.
Just FYI, it is a longish walk from St. Peter's (if that's where you're coming from), and there is (I believe)a set of stairs or an incline to enter the museum. You will also have to go through a scanner/metal detector, which can add some time.
It's great if you have your own chair, because there weren't a ton of places to sit down (IMO, compared to other major and minor museums in Europe, and compared to Europe in general).
BTW, we were visiting friends who live in Rome, and they just use restrooms in bars/cafes. That was really no problem.
We went to Paris next, where I have family and have spent a great deal of time, and noticed that there was much more public seating, as well as easy access to public restrooms. I never really paid much attention on past visits! Also, the Louvre seemed to have a fairly spotless public restroom around nearly every corner.
Rome is really a wonderful city. I hope you have a great trip.
Just FYI, it is a longish walk from St. Peter's (if that's where you're coming from), and there is (I believe)a set of stairs or an incline to enter the museum. You will also have to go through a scanner/metal detector, which can add some time.
It's great if you have your own chair, because there weren't a ton of places to sit down (IMO, compared to other major and minor museums in Europe, and compared to Europe in general).
BTW, we were visiting friends who live in Rome, and they just use restrooms in bars/cafes. That was really no problem.
We went to Paris next, where I have family and have spent a great deal of time, and noticed that there was much more public seating, as well as easy access to public restrooms. I never really paid much attention on past visits! Also, the Louvre seemed to have a fairly spotless public restroom around nearly every corner.
Rome is really a wonderful city. I hope you have a great trip.
