Rome 1st Time - Wish you'd known, tips, unexpected surprises
Nov 11th, 2015, 05:53 AM
#81
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4 day itinerary that worked for us. (Adults no children)
Day 1 arrived in Rome via train, white taxi to hotel, check in, and hop on and off. Ended up getting off the bus, too much traffic, walked and visted the Trevi Fountain (under repair) and then walked the local area to get feeling of Rome. Winding street. Stayed at Hotel Nazionale, set back from street and secure with Federale building behind you. Gelato at the store around the corner, line out the door and down the street. Back to hotel to recoup & refresh and walked to dinner (9PM) Plenty of local restaurants with price fix menus (reasonable) with wine.
Day 2. Skipped the bus and walked the sites after a big breakfast, Pantheon (got tix for tenor show at church later on) Piazza Novena, Campo, down to Travestre, walked along the Tiber to Castle Angelis, Had skip the line for the Vatican museum at 12:00. Lunch before small pizza parlor near the Vatican/ St Peters entrance (you can see St Petes from this main street).
FOREWARNING: the Vatican museum is several blocks AWAY from the Vatican, a good walk as the museum lets out near St. Petes. Some people take a cab, we walked it. Toured Museum on our own, got us in quickly, so we had more time to visit the museum rooms and St. Petes. Walked back to the hotel, had an early dinner and taxi to the Church outside the wall for the tenor concert (magnificent), taxi back to hotel after show, late night gelato down the street. (they are open til 2AM, line still out the door.)
Day 3 Almafi trip. What a day. early pickup, Small van with 7 people up and over the scenic coastline cliffs. visit Amalafi, Postiano, lunch in Postiano, winding road up the coastline- simly beautiful, photo ops here.
stop for Lemoncello, Historic Pompei small group tour, return back to Rome. Late dinner 9:30 PM (which is average for Rome)
Day 4. remainder of walking in Rome. Spanish steps, other piazzas. Head to afternoon tour of Coliseum. Amazing to see just in the middle to the city. stopped at Roman Forum. Grab lunch at the street vendors (sandwiches are very good) cart truck near Roman Forum. Did small group underground tour with RomeTours, Palatine Hill, after tour, walked down to the Tiber River,and over to the Jewish quarter had gelato, walked the side streets, shops, drinks and tapas at the quiet area of Jewish Ghetto. Cobblestone streets, local musicians playing. Walked over to Travestre. Walked the street, shopped the artists (picked up some nice paintings). Street musicians playing. Locals out for some shade relief as it is cool and shady in the ghetto. Headed back to hotel to refresh and eat dinner at 9PM, Last gelato trip at 11:00.
Day 5 left Rome.
TIPS:
Rome is very hot, even in May.
Skip the hop on and off. too much traffic and you will have to walk abit when to get off at the sites. One trip may be enough to get you comfortable with the surrounding, but you sit in a lot of traffic.
Keep coins for toilets, and peddlers. Avoid eye contact with beggers/peddlers.
Be prepared to get lost, you will at least once. Get a good map.
Dinner is late, shop price fix or eat pasta, pizza bread is their table bread (bread charge at all restaurants regardless if you have bread or not) Meats dinners,are not the best.
Gelato, gelato, gelato, you will never get enough.
Be courteous, use Graci as much as you can.
Dress like a European, long pants for the men, no Tshirts, no hats in restaurants. Long pants are a must for men visiting the cathedrals (otherwise they give you a sheet to wrap around you). Same for ladies, nothing above the knee or tank tops (you will be required to cover up before entering the cathedrals in any part of Italy). Respect their culture.
Day 1 arrived in Rome via train, white taxi to hotel, check in, and hop on and off. Ended up getting off the bus, too much traffic, walked and visted the Trevi Fountain (under repair) and then walked the local area to get feeling of Rome. Winding street. Stayed at Hotel Nazionale, set back from street and secure with Federale building behind you. Gelato at the store around the corner, line out the door and down the street. Back to hotel to recoup & refresh and walked to dinner (9PM) Plenty of local restaurants with price fix menus (reasonable) with wine.
Day 2. Skipped the bus and walked the sites after a big breakfast, Pantheon (got tix for tenor show at church later on) Piazza Novena, Campo, down to Travestre, walked along the Tiber to Castle Angelis, Had skip the line for the Vatican museum at 12:00. Lunch before small pizza parlor near the Vatican/ St Peters entrance (you can see St Petes from this main street).
FOREWARNING: the Vatican museum is several blocks AWAY from the Vatican, a good walk as the museum lets out near St. Petes. Some people take a cab, we walked it. Toured Museum on our own, got us in quickly, so we had more time to visit the museum rooms and St. Petes. Walked back to the hotel, had an early dinner and taxi to the Church outside the wall for the tenor concert (magnificent), taxi back to hotel after show, late night gelato down the street. (they are open til 2AM, line still out the door.)
Day 3 Almafi trip. What a day. early pickup, Small van with 7 people up and over the scenic coastline cliffs. visit Amalafi, Postiano, lunch in Postiano, winding road up the coastline- simly beautiful, photo ops here.
stop for Lemoncello, Historic Pompei small group tour, return back to Rome. Late dinner 9:30 PM (which is average for Rome)
Day 4. remainder of walking in Rome. Spanish steps, other piazzas. Head to afternoon tour of Coliseum. Amazing to see just in the middle to the city. stopped at Roman Forum. Grab lunch at the street vendors (sandwiches are very good) cart truck near Roman Forum. Did small group underground tour with RomeTours, Palatine Hill, after tour, walked down to the Tiber River,and over to the Jewish quarter had gelato, walked the side streets, shops, drinks and tapas at the quiet area of Jewish Ghetto. Cobblestone streets, local musicians playing. Walked over to Travestre. Walked the street, shopped the artists (picked up some nice paintings). Street musicians playing. Locals out for some shade relief as it is cool and shady in the ghetto. Headed back to hotel to refresh and eat dinner at 9PM, Last gelato trip at 11:00.
Day 5 left Rome.
TIPS:
Rome is very hot, even in May.
Skip the hop on and off. too much traffic and you will have to walk abit when to get off at the sites. One trip may be enough to get you comfortable with the surrounding, but you sit in a lot of traffic.
Keep coins for toilets, and peddlers. Avoid eye contact with beggers/peddlers.
Be prepared to get lost, you will at least once. Get a good map.
Dinner is late, shop price fix or eat pasta, pizza bread is their table bread (bread charge at all restaurants regardless if you have bread or not) Meats dinners,are not the best.
Gelato, gelato, gelato, you will never get enough.
Be courteous, use Graci as much as you can.
Dress like a European, long pants for the men, no Tshirts, no hats in restaurants. Long pants are a must for men visiting the cathedrals (otherwise they give you a sheet to wrap around you). Same for ladies, nothing above the knee or tank tops (you will be required to cover up before entering the cathedrals in any part of Italy). Respect their culture.
Nov 11th, 2015, 08:46 AM
#83
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Annhig, my husband and I tried to visits the Quirinale on a Sunday when it was supposed to be open. At the last minute they closed it to visitors for reasons of state. Now it has greatly expanded hours.
Rome is not always hot in May.
Rome is not always hot in May.
Nov 11th, 2015, 08:47 AM
#84
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The Palazzo Colonna is well worth visiting and again not too many people. I think they're open only on Saturday mornings. There are two tickets one for the public rooms and one for the private apartments - rather pricey IMHO. Having seen it I'm surprised it's not discussed more, but I think it's the fact that theres so much more to see in Rome and the open hours are so restricted.
Nov 11th, 2015, 01:18 PM
#85
Annhig, my husband and I tried to visits the Quirinale on a Sunday when it was supposed to be open. At the last minute they closed it to visitors for reasons of state. Now it has greatly expanded hours.`..
bvl, when I looked it up, it seemed that you now need to book your visit because of security measures; that should help avoid the problem you raise:
http://palazzo.quirinale.it/visitapa...renota_en.html
bvl, when I looked it up, it seemed that you now need to book your visit because of security measures; that should help avoid the problem you raise:
http://palazzo.quirinale.it/visitapa...renota_en.html
Nov 11th, 2015, 02:02 PM
#87
bravo, pariswat [though I think I see a little spanish creeping in there!]
We're off to Bulgaria this weekend so I am hoping to add yet another language in which I can say "2 beers please" to the already long list.
We're off to Bulgaria this weekend so I am hoping to add yet another language in which I can say "2 beers please" to the already long list.
Nov 12th, 2015, 01:13 AM
#89
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<(bread charge at all restaurants regardless if you have bread or not) >
Not true. You won't be charged for bread if you refuse it and wave it away (say 'no grazie').
If they put it at your table and you don't touch it you will be charged. If you wave it away you won't be charged. Simple.
Not true. You won't be charged for bread if you refuse it and wave it away (say 'no grazie').
If they put it at your table and you don't touch it you will be charged. If you wave it away you won't be charged. Simple.
Nov 17th, 2015, 12:07 PM
#91
Have fun in Bulgaria Ann, it's somewhere that's is on our list and I'll be interested in your impressions...>>
despite the tragic happenings in Paris, we had a wonderful time, wtb. The weather helped of course - we were blessed with three days of lovely warm sunshine which is set to continue for at least another week if anyone fancies hopping over to Sofia. There is plenty to do, the food and wine are good and cheap, and the people friendly, particularly if you try a few words of Bulgarian, which is notoriously difficult. I got the waitresses in our hotel to teach me a few new ones every day and then practiced them at every opportunity I got - by the time we left I could manage to say about a dozen words altogether, though reading it is another matter entirely due to the cyrillic script which completely defeated me.
All of our party were talking about going back and I'd certainly like to see more of the country. The Insight eyewitness guide has what look like some very good ideas for tours lasting between 5- 7 days and by linking up a couple of those you could see quite a lot of it. I don't think that it would be for the faint-hearted - you would have to be pretty independent and be able to cope without being able to understand everything and everyone, but I reckon it would be worth it.
despite the tragic happenings in Paris, we had a wonderful time, wtb. The weather helped of course - we were blessed with three days of lovely warm sunshine which is set to continue for at least another week if anyone fancies hopping over to Sofia. There is plenty to do, the food and wine are good and cheap, and the people friendly, particularly if you try a few words of Bulgarian, which is notoriously difficult. I got the waitresses in our hotel to teach me a few new ones every day and then practiced them at every opportunity I got - by the time we left I could manage to say about a dozen words altogether, though reading it is another matter entirely due to the cyrillic script which completely defeated me.
All of our party were talking about going back and I'd certainly like to see more of the country. The Insight eyewitness guide has what look like some very good ideas for tours lasting between 5- 7 days and by linking up a couple of those you could see quite a lot of it. I don't think that it would be for the faint-hearted - you would have to be pretty independent and be able to cope without being able to understand everything and everyone, but I reckon it would be worth it.
Oct 27th, 2016, 11:10 PM
#92
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I am the the original poster. I would like to thank everyone for all the helpful info.
FYI, I love Rome. In fact, I will go back there. My amazing experience was the exact opposite of a poster "Streamliner" who even discouraged me from visiting Rome due to his bad experiences there.
My observations as an American who is well traveled in Europe, yet a Rome first-timer:
1. If you've been to other cities like Paris, London, Madrid, etc, you'll be fine in Rome.
2. As has been said here, take the same precautions as you would in other cities.
3. Rome Crime/criminals/thievery - Never had an encounter with any.
4. Purse or Handbag - My oldish daily-use designer shoulder bag that cost a bit over $1,000 when I bought it 4-5 years ago. I did not find it necessary to use those theft-deterrent nylon purses.
5. No moneybelt for me.
6. Credit cards, all no FX fee: Chase Sap Preferred, Amex SPG, Marriot Premier Visa
7. No Fee Debit card: Charles Schwab
8. Colosseum Lines: Non-existent in the afternoon. But I pre-bought the tickets at the official website. Coopculture.
9. Vatican City - the early pre-opening 8 am tour is a must. Bought tickets online the night before departure from USA to Rome. Walks of Italy.
10. Where to Stay: definitely city center. Piazza Navona is perfect. Or within a few blocks of it.
11: Pantheon: I find the whole Plaza dark and over-crowded compared to the good vibes at Piazza Navona.
12: Food: No bad meal due to research. All the restaurants are in the apps of Parla and E Minchilli.
13. Traffic: account for Rome traffic. I almost missed my train to from Rome to Naples due to the slow crawl from Navona/Pantheon area to Roma termini.
14. My 4 1/2 days was a good intro to Rome. But I planned and thoroughly research.
15. Weather in May. I had some rainy days. But had planned on spending it indoors in museums.
FYI, I love Rome. In fact, I will go back there. My amazing experience was the exact opposite of a poster "Streamliner" who even discouraged me from visiting Rome due to his bad experiences there.
My observations as an American who is well traveled in Europe, yet a Rome first-timer:
1. If you've been to other cities like Paris, London, Madrid, etc, you'll be fine in Rome.
2. As has been said here, take the same precautions as you would in other cities.
3. Rome Crime/criminals/thievery - Never had an encounter with any.
4. Purse or Handbag - My oldish daily-use designer shoulder bag that cost a bit over $1,000 when I bought it 4-5 years ago. I did not find it necessary to use those theft-deterrent nylon purses.
5. No moneybelt for me.
6. Credit cards, all no FX fee: Chase Sap Preferred, Amex SPG, Marriot Premier Visa
7. No Fee Debit card: Charles Schwab
8. Colosseum Lines: Non-existent in the afternoon. But I pre-bought the tickets at the official website. Coopculture.
9. Vatican City - the early pre-opening 8 am tour is a must. Bought tickets online the night before departure from USA to Rome. Walks of Italy.
10. Where to Stay: definitely city center. Piazza Navona is perfect. Or within a few blocks of it.
11: Pantheon: I find the whole Plaza dark and over-crowded compared to the good vibes at Piazza Navona.
12: Food: No bad meal due to research. All the restaurants are in the apps of Parla and E Minchilli.
13. Traffic: account for Rome traffic. I almost missed my train to from Rome to Naples due to the slow crawl from Navona/Pantheon area to Roma termini.
14. My 4 1/2 days was a good intro to Rome. But I planned and thoroughly research.
15. Weather in May. I had some rainy days. But had planned on spending it indoors in museums.
Nov 4th, 2016, 11:05 AM
#94
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I second the tip in the middle of the thread about water. The water from fountains /faucets found all over the city at the corners, streets etc... is not only drinkable but delicious.
Check and recheck your bills at all restaurants. When we were in Rome, we found at least two bills with "serious" errors.
Love Rome and I hope you will too.
Check and recheck your bills at all restaurants. When we were in Rome, we found at least two bills with "serious" errors.
Love Rome and I hope you will too.
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