JeanT

My husband and I are traveling to Rome this mid-March for a week and I'm looking forward to it since I have never been to Roma! We are staying at the Hotel Portoghesi, happily conveniently located but in the older part of Rome where I have heard there's less traffic. We have been to other parts of Italy, are both academic-ish and love art and sculpture, and I am also a writer and thus, an avid people watcher.

My husband has bad feet but loves museums so we may take cabs more than buses to save his walking for the sights, but are buses easy to get to and not as dangerous as all the guidebooks make out?(Rick Steves could send one screaming for the hills.) Is a cab stand easy to find?

I've been through the whole money conversion question and am bringing enough euros for a couple days but will be counting on getting to a bank machine by day 3. Are there accessible and working bank machines nearby? One of my friends told me she had bad luck getting euros that way (broken machines). I'm hoping that was a fluke.

I read this online for the Borghese: "It is compulsory to deposit every kind of bag, purse, camera, video camera, umbrella." You have to check a PURSE? I guess just bring money in a pouch and check the purse without credit cards and anything valuable? Sounds very weird, no purses...Is that true any where else?

What about the Roma Pass? Doesn't really seem worth it to me unless you KNOW you're going to be on public transportation, since 36 euros for 3 days would be more than the cost of two museums and the pass gives you 2 free entrance fees.

I know I am a bit of a nervous Nellie, but I want to get all my anxiety out of the way so I can relax and enjoy the trip. So any details I have forgotten that would be good to deal with ahead of time, bring em on! I'm pretty OK with weather/clothes/shoes/food/ but that doesn't mean you won't have tricks of the trade.

Thanks so much ahead of time. Or let me say Grazie.

sandralist

Here's a trick of the trade:

You will need a strategy for getting a taxi when you need one. Your hotel can call one for you, obviously, but other times you will be away from the hotel and want to return or go elsewhere.

If you don't speak Italiank, the simplest thing to do is to ask an Italian to call one for you. Most italians are quite willing to do this, because they all have cell phones. This is especially true at a bar or restaurant, but it is courteous if you carry with you the telephone number of a taxi company. The simplest way to obtain one is, the first time you take a taxi, ask the driver for a business card. It's called a "biglietto" (beel-yettoh should make it plain what you want). Un biglietto per favor? Il numero telefono?

If you are at a museum and want a taxi, the information desk might be willing to call one for you but they might also direct you to the nearest taxi rank. If you get there and discover there are no taxis (can happen), walking to the nearest bar and aksing for help getting a taxi will usually do the trick.

Buses are great if you have a bus map and understand the system. It is not hard to learn. Your hotel desk can help you out. Buses are not dangerous in the slightest if you remember that your purse stays in front of you, arms crossed over your purse, and your husband does not keep things in his pockets, period, other than his handkerchief and breath mints.

Leely2

1. Once I went to Rome with my mom and she caught a pretty bad cold. We relied on taxis so she could save her energy and still go out and see things. Taxis are easy. There is a rather large taxi stand at the end of via dei Coronari toward your hotel. There is probably another closer as well.

2. I've never had problems getting money out of an ATM in Rome. If you hit a dud, just walk to another.

3. Borghese: I was there this summer and checked my purse, just held onto my wallet and wore my glasses.

4. Never have bought a pass in Rome, so I'll have to pass on this question.

Have a wonderful time! Rome is incredible, my very favorite city.

sandralist

Sorry -- the computer misspelled the italian automatically!

To converse with a Roman taxi driver to get his or her business card if he or she doesn't speak English:

"Un biglietto per favore?" Or "Il numero telefono?"

For "telefono," the pronunciation is more like "tell-EFF-oh-no" (not TELL-eff-ono).

ellenem

Taxis stands are not everywhere. If you search online you can find a few maps of where to find the major ones. Here's the official list. Note that most of the center of Rome is in municipi I, II, III, and XVII.

http://www.comune.roma.it/PCR/resour...i_taxi_new.pdf

There are many ATMs (Bancomat) in Rome. I always use one attached to a bank during the hours the bank is open and choose one of the set amounts offered to be sure that I don't have a problem by trying to withdraw too much at one time.

You must deposit your purse at the Borghese. I recall walking around the galleries holding my wallet because I did not want to leave it in the baggage deposit.

jent103

They really do make you check everything at the Borghese - my bag included my dSLR camera. I was allowed to carry my guidebook which had some information about the sculptures. It seemed as safe as checking anything in any other museum. It's a very different museum experience than, say, the Vatican Museums - much less crowded because they do so much crowd control beforehand. Made for a much more pleasant experience!

annhig

I've put my whole handbag [purse to you] into the cloakroom loads of times, and it never occurred to me to remove my purse [wallet].

The advantage of the pass is that it means you can bypass the queues, primarily at the colosseum. There are other ways to do this of course - buy your ticket at the entrance to the Palatine Hill [on the same ticket] or book on line in advance of your trip.

if you aren't intending to go to the Colosseum or to spend much time on the buses, then as you say, there's probably not much point n having it. After al you have to pock in advance for the Borghese so it won't help with any queues there.

buses are great in Rome, [you get a terrific view] and I've never had any problems getting on or off you might try one early in the trip and see how you get on. if you don't like it, it's only cost you the price of a couple of tickets!

Re the Via Coronari, it and the area to the west up to the Corso Vittorio Emanuale are very interesting and well worth a stroll if your DH's feet are up to it. And if you need a sit down, just wander into any adjacent church and see what there is to look at - there's always something!

Sassafrass

The Borghese is so wonderful! You will love it! Yes, you do check your purse.
I use a little, flat, fabric passport bag on a string, the kind that slips around your neck, under your top, to hold money and credit cards without being too heavy and without you having to carry it in your hands and possibly drop it.

As we get older, we use taxis more too, especially in Rome. Definitely use a taxi for the Borghese.

Get to the Borghese a little early for your time slot. There are always standbys waiting for tickets and they do not hold them after the time.

greg

For ATM, there are MANY reasons for not being able to get cash out of ATM beside the machine functionality itself. It can be out of cash, your home bank is running maintenance at off hours, their time, but prime time in Italy, etc.

Time is your friend. As soon as you arrive in Rome (or any Euro currency country for that matter that you have told you bank you would be using) try getting Euro out BEFORE you run out of Euro cash. It can be a timing issue: does not work that time, but might work next morning. If you have time, you can wait and try again later. If you hit the ATM after you have run out cash, you problem gets more urgent.

If you visit bank off hours, some machines are in the locked part of the bank between the street and the locked counter area. You need to swipe your debit card to get in. While this sort of shields you from people walking behind you, sometimes I worry when I start using the machine and someone else also enters the locked area.

Brenkjtravel

The Subway/underground train is a great way to get around Rome. Although someone ( a pregnant woman) tried to pickpocket my husband on the train, so whenever you are traveling in close quarters keep and eye on you belongings and pockets!! She slid her hand right into his pocket and he slapped her hand and got after her.

Don't get too worried though we walked all over and even at night I never felt unsafe.

We used the Roma Pass and felt it was worth it especially because you can skip the long lines.

Blueeyedcod

I've stayed at the Portoghesi on my last three visits to Rome.

- It's a great location but not near any bus stops as the surrounding streets are tiny. You'd have to walk up to Via del Corso to get one of the bigger buses and I haven't seen the little electric buses on Via della Scrofa (the nearest cross street).

- Yes you have to check purses at the Borghese so get there in time to do this as once your timeslot visit opens, any purse checking counts in your allocated time. The line for purse checking can be long so allow time.

- You won't need the Romapass if you're staying at the Portoghesi. There is simply no need as everything is walking distance. The hotel can call you a cab if you need one but the nearest taxi rank is about 2-3 minutes walk away on Piazza di Tor Sanguigna (the northern end of Piazza Navona).

- There are numerous Bancomats (ATMs) near the hotel. From memory there is one around the corner on Via della Scrofa as you head toward Piazza del Popolo on the intersection with Vicolo della Campana. Otherwise the staff at the Portoghesi will advise but I've never had an issue with a bancomat.

There is a gorgeous restaurant just around the corner from you called Old Bear. It's one of my favourites and is off the tourist trail - as is this part of the historic centre mostly. Also call into 'Papa's Cafe' which is just to your right as you exit the hotel and about 200m away. Lovely family run place with great beer and a nice calm spot for a bit of people watching.

bvlenci

You could ask at your hotel reception desk when you arrive about the location of the nearest taxi stand.

For buses, Google Maps is now the best resource there is. They have all the public transportation databases of Rome, and they indicate the best bus from point A (which could be where you're standing, or an address) to point B, including how to walk to the bus stop, and what direction the bus should be going in.

I've also left my wallet in my handbag when visiting the Borghese Gallery. If you don't want to do that, you either have to use a money pouch or hold the wallet. The Borghese Gallery is by no means my favorite museum in Rome, but that's a matter of taste. There are tons of other museums, with great art spanning over 2000 years.

sandralist

Since you are traveling in mid-March, you and/or your husband might find it useful to wear a lightweight vest or jacket with pockets where you can put your wallet and guidebook, etc while you tour the Borghese. I did this when I visited Munich, which has the same policy about NO-BAGS OR BACKPACKS inside musems and palaces. I wore a very light jacket that has has huge hip pockets. I put my wallet, guidebook, keys, cell phone, in the pockets and checked my purse.

I don't think you need a taxi stand near your hotel. Your hotel will call a taxi for you. You need to know how to find a taxi when you want one to get back to your hotel. As mentioned by someone else, there are not a lot of taxi stands around Rome in obvious places, and they are often empty. Most Romans call a taxi when they need one. You can ask for their help, but it is a nice thing to have the number of a taxi company with you. Your hotel can also give you a number to use.

sandralist

I meant to add that when I used the buses in Rome I used a bus map. I did not carry a device around with me that enabled me to access Google.

I didn't have any trouble reading the bus map or figuring it out. I bought my bus map at the bookstore in Termini station, but I beleive it is possible to buy them at just about any magazine stand.

JeanT

Thank you all so much! Everyone who answered increased my Rome understanding about something, and in fact this was even more helpful than I imagined when I asked my questions. I'm going to read all your answers to DH tomorrow.

One thing more --is the "no purse" issue also at other museums or is it just no backpacks? I haven't investigated this yet but if anyone knows off the top, fire away.

And thanks for the restaurant suggestions Blueeyedcod.

tuscanlifeedit

The very nearest bus stops to your hotel are on via Giuseppe Zanardelli, really just steps from the hotel (a favorite of mine, in my favorite part of Rome).

I have much better luck finding taxi ranks in Rome than some others seem to. But taking the phone number with you seems like a fine idea.

I can't speak for every museum, but I think that the Galleria Borghese is singular in allowing no purses.

A favorite restaurant nearby is La Campana. They do a very nice carciofi alla giudia, and a pasta with coda vaccinara sauce. I think they are famous for their Monte Bianco, and have seen people reserve their portions when seated. I haven't tried it myself.

tuscanlifeedit

I forgot to mention that Palazzo Altemps, also steps from your hotel, is a very good museum.

Blueeyedcod

If the hotel calls you a cab, the meter starts as soon as the cab gets the call and heads for the hotel - not when you get inside and start your journey so be aware that this will add to the cost.

At the present time the Colosseum has implemented a 'no backpack' rule but purses are fine. Nowhere else have I come across a no purse rule (except for a gallery in Naples and the Leaning Tower of Pisa).

Three cab ranks that spring to mind (apart from the one I mentioned in my previous post) are at the Pantheon on Via della Rotunda, in Piazza Venezia opposite Palazzo Venezia and near the Arch of Constantine (Colosseum) on Via San Gregorio and at St. Peters on Piazza Papa Pio XI (right in front of St. Peter's Square). These are all close to major sights. If you find your husband's stamina is lagging, I've found there is always somewhere nearby to stop and rest, have a coffee or a drink and recharge. On that note, just make sure you always see a menu and know prices as there are some establishments that seriously take tourists for a ride - mind you they are few and far between (Cafe Vaticano outside the Vatican Museums is one to avoid at all costs) - but just always look for that menu.

kleeblatt

Book your colosseum on inline for advance tickets. You can be flexible with the dates of your visit and you'll avoid any lines.

kybourbon

>>>You'd have to walk up to Via del Corso to get one of the bigger buses and I haven't seen the little electric buses on Via della Scrofa (the nearest cross street).<<<

You can catch the electric bus 116 (goes to Borghese) closer than Via del Corso. Google maps says it's a 3 minute walk from your hotel to Via Giuseppe Zanardelli. You can also catch it on Via Monte Brianzo (a 2 minute walk from your hotel). It will be going in the direction of the Vatican at these stops though. Often you can just stay on and ride the route back to the other end (Borghese). Sometimes there will be a driver change or something at the ends or change to another 116 heading back. I think riding the electric buses 116 and 117 on their entire routes (and back) gives you a good overview of Rome. Here's the bus map for them.

http://atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9

Do know that you can't trust Google maps to be accurate for buses because they don't keep up with changes (in fact they are wrong on the 116). ATAC is the transport website for Rome. If you look at ATAC's routes for a certain bus #, you may see just a normale route or also a temporanea. In the case of 116, the temporanea appears to be the one is use. You can tell this by clicking both routes on Atac and then clicking one of the stops listed on the route. If it's not the route being used you will get something about service suspended instead of stop times for that stop. The 116 temporanea route is the one currently in use (reflected on the map link I gave).

http://viaggiacon.atac.roma.it/?serv...ercorso=116AT#

Here's the bus map for central Rome. You will probably have to zoom in a bit. You can see there are atleast a dozen buses on Via Zanardelli, Via Monte Brianzo and Lgt. Marzio, all within a 3 minute walk of your hotel.

http://atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=3

To get the value of the Roma Pass, it depends on which museums you want to visit and if you are using much transport. You would need to visit the more expensive sites as your first two visits (it counts the first two enter as the free ones). The Borghese (16€) is one of the more expensive as is the Colosseum (12€) and the Capitoline (15€). You still must make a reservation for the Borghese even if you have pass (reservations are mandatory). If you used the 3 day Roma Pass (36€) for the Borghese and Colosseum (which also includes the Forum and counts as one visit which you don't have to do the same day), you would need to use public transport 6 times to break even (3 round trips) or visit another site (you get discounted entry with the pass after your free visits). I can't see breaking even on the 2 day pass very easily.

Entry prices.
http://www.romapass.it/doc/sitiAdere...lietti_eng.pdf

The Borghese gave plastic bags to put your wallet in last time I visited. Cameras weren't allowed then, but I read somewhere that changed.