Walter, thank you for posting! The amount of detail that went into that report was amazing. It didn't take much thought at all on my part to "see" everything as it happened. I really think you brought it alive for me.

I will check out that file on St. Peter's tomb. After taking the Scavi tour and having a guide who was so excited about what she was telling us, I kinda believe too! ;-)

bmk

amyb, I have been very busy lately so not enough Fodor's time, However, I have still been finding time in the wee hours to read the great reports, especially for Rome. A Rome addict can't stop reading these, can she?

Thank you for your excellent report and photos! I really need to get back to Rome soon--sola sounds just fine to me.

Thanks again.

Amyb, another Romaphile here.

I returned just 3 weeks ago from my first trip. We were only in Rome 2-1/2 days, but unlike you and tomas, the minute I walked out of the Termini station, I fell in love with this city!

I, too, am already planning a return trip. Though I will probably go alone this time. (It was wonderful to share the first trip with my DD, but she had much difficulty leaving her 3 and 1 yr old daugthers. Next time she travels to Italy, she wants it to be with her husband!)

I think one <i>can</i> get a good feeling for a city in only a short time, as I did for Venice and Rome. I didn't dislike Florence or Paris, indeed I found them both lovely and had a wonderful time in each city. But Rome and Venice both stole my heart.

Thanks so much for posting! Especially about the restaurant on Borgo Pio, as that is the street we were headed to when I had my unfortunate &quot;face, meet cobblestones&quot; experience. (see post: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35086933

But, NEXT time, I will make it all the way and will look for Ristorante Arlu!woohoo!!!

Great report. We are thinking seriously about cancelling our two week trip in May due to the 1.46 exchange rate. Any tips on how to cope with it ?

REW, I think it's a personal decision. It didn't phase me terribly since I didn't shop much (or at least as much as I usually do). I would have breakfast at the hotel which was included with the room, and only one &quot;large&quot; meal a day. As tempting as it was to sit down and eat out a nice big meal with all that food, I would pick up a pressed sandwich, a slice of pizza or something small and fast for one meal, and then have one substantial meal a day. I didn't think any place I ate was exorbitantly expensive, even with the conversion rate.

A lot of what I saw on my own was free, particularly the artwork in churches. My guided tours were pricy, but you can get admittance on your own much cheaper.

You have plenty of time to start saving for it, so if you really want to go and feel hardpressed, give up Starbucks or some other pricy vice at home for the next 6 months and see if that helps defray the cost!

Amy,

Great report.

Jack

amyb,

Loved Your Trip Report!

I am also an amyb. Based on your trip report, I believe my friend Angie and I were on the same Scavi Tour. Was yours Nov 6th at 9:15? If it is you, always good to put a face with a name.

We were unable to make it to the Galleria Borghese later that afternoon due to time constraints. Another reason to return to Rome! We did manage to wander around Trastevere instead which is a great neighborhood.

I agree with you that there is so much to see in the churches alone. They all have their own uniqueness. So much to see for free and all you need is a good pair of walking shoes and if those fail, 1 Euro for a Metro ride.

Ciao for now,

Amy

Yes, amyb, I was on that tour! I think we spoke while we were waiting to be taken inside, maybe? It is a shame not to have made it to the Borghese, but I agree, it's just another (of many!) reasons to return! Small world that you read this forum too!

Even as time passes, I am still overwhelmed by how much there is to see and how beautiful it all was, from the ruins to the art to the architecture and of course the people. Receiving CN Traveler in the mail this month didn't help cure my travel-sickness, with the Pantheon on the cover!

amyb - thanks for your report - it comes at a good time for me, as I am contemplating a solo trip to Italy in the VERY near future. May I ask you a personal question, and please feel free to NOT answer: I am curious as to your age bracket, and if this was your first solo trip. I am in my early 50's.

cynstalker, not a problem! I'm in my late 30s and I've traveled solo 5 times now (Prague/Vienna, Tuscany, Paris/Venice, Spain and Rome). I hope this helps! I really encourage you to try traveling solo, it really is a wonderful experience.

Hi Amyb,

I really enjoyed your trip report. I liked the format in which you wrote it. Like you I am pleased I threw that coin in the Trevi because I will return in January, this time with my DH.

My first trip was seven years ago. And while I loved Rome, I fell <i>in love</i> with Florence. I think this time will be a very different experience for me. First trip we stayed outside the city, this time will be near P. Navona. I am excited to see how my impressions may change.

I really appreciate the time you took to provide us this informative report. Thank you very much.

Tiff, oh I hear you! I am SO in love with Florence, I was quite surprised I stayed in Rome without sneaking in a visit there as well. But I think we have enough love to go around. I wish you a great trip with your DH. And toss another coin in the Trevi Fountain, just for good measure! ;-)

Amy, very well written and entertaining report! You should seriously consider travel writing (or writing in general).

I'm going to print this out to re-read at home. (and pick up the Saylot book).

tagging for weekend reading

That was one of the most thorough and delightful reports on Rome that I have ever read. I felt as if I were seeing it again.

Was Cecilia by any chance an older woman? We had a wonderful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide for the Sistine Chapel, during regular hours and I thought that was her name, but I don't remember for sure.

- Andrys
--
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/italy

Andrys, thank you for the compliment. I think my joy from this trip must have come through!

Cecelia is pictured on the Context Rome site on its Docent page. I am an awful judge of age, so I can't even guess. She was a wonderful guide though, so it wouldn't surprise me if it was her you had as well.

I looked up Context Rome's tours and docents. What a great idea that is.

Cecelia is another docent, much younger and with fantastic credentials, I see.

Thanks again, for a great report!

- Andrys

Hi amyb- I missed your TR when it came out last year. Glad I found it now. Not that I'm planning to go to Rome anytime soon, but I really enjoy reading your TRs b/c of your interest in art (and good eats)!

Are there other TRs you've done in the last couple of years that are focused on art? I have read your recent one on Vienna.

yk -- last year in Amsterdam was very Vermeer/Van Gogh/Rembrandt-centric. I'm fortunate in that my sister is working toward becoming a docent so it's like traveling with my own museum guide! I'm not sure my TRs before that were that heavy into the art because she wasn't with me!