Something different in Rome
Aug 15th, 2006, 07:03 PM
#21
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We spent a delightful day in Ostia Antica, a ruin located about a 45minute train ride outside the city. It is said to be "second to Pompeii". So very quiet and peaceful. My husband was in builder's heaven as he imagined the town in its finest. It was amazing to see the indentations left in the road from wheels of vehicles dating back to BC. We took a guide who was an archeologist. I wouldn't have appreciated it nearly the same without her.
Aug 16th, 2006, 08:20 AM
#22
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aug 17th, 2006, 12:33 PM
#23
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree - always something to see, even for the experienced traveller.
Last May I had the same thoughts/concerns and booked a walking tour of Testaccio and the market with Maureen Fant, an American writer who has made Rome her home for many years. The reservation was made through Context Rome and it was a wonderful experience. Lunch at the renowned and highly acclaimed restaurant Checchino (sp?)was included.
I highly recommend this tour as well as others offered by Context Rome. And Maureen's cookbook Rome, part of the Williams Sonoma series, too.
Last May I had the same thoughts/concerns and booked a walking tour of Testaccio and the market with Maureen Fant, an American writer who has made Rome her home for many years. The reservation was made through Context Rome and it was a wonderful experience. Lunch at the renowned and highly acclaimed restaurant Checchino (sp?)was included.
I highly recommend this tour as well as others offered by Context Rome. And Maureen's cookbook Rome, part of the Williams Sonoma series, too.
Aug 18th, 2006, 03:49 PM
#26
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One of the most memorable travel experiences I've had anywhere was to visit the NECROPOLIS below St. Peter's at The Vatican in Rome. Note: this is NOT the same as the crypt. You have to make reservations in advance--which you can probably do on-line these days--with the UFFICIO SCAVI (Office of Excavations). (If going in person, it's to the left of the entrance of the church, past the Swiss Guards.)
They offer a small number of tours in English each week, limited to about a dozen people. They will take you through excavated streets (from the pre-Christian days) below the church and you'll also learn fascinating history about the early Christians and the search for St. Peter's bones.
You might also take a train from Rome to HADRIAN'S VILLA in TIVOLI for a lovely day trip. It has fascinating ruins and gardens to visit. Buon Viaggio!
They offer a small number of tours in English each week, limited to about a dozen people. They will take you through excavated streets (from the pre-Christian days) below the church and you'll also learn fascinating history about the early Christians and the search for St. Peter's bones.
You might also take a train from Rome to HADRIAN'S VILLA in TIVOLI for a lovely day trip. It has fascinating ruins and gardens to visit. Buon Viaggio!
Aug 19th, 2006, 01:26 AM
#27
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last year we did a cruise in Italy with the Brilliance of the Seas. We used www.DriverinRome.com in Rome and had a terrific experience. Daniele was our driver/tour guide and he was just perfect. Lots of info and history, but not overwhelming or too chatty. His English is perfect - hardly even a trace of an accent - which made a nice contrast to the tour guide we'd had on a RCCI trip in Dubrovnik.
We started at the Vatican Museum where we beat the tour buses and got in without a wait. Next we went to St. Peter's - also little waiting. After that we headed to a hilltop park with a great view of the City (and landmarks pointed out by Daniele). Then it was off to the Colliseum where he took us to an alternate ticket location which eliminated the wait there. After that we stopped at the Pantheon where a couple of our group left the tour to walk to the Spainish Steps and meet us there later. Daniele drove the rest of us to the Trevi Fountain where we also elected to walk to the Spanish Steps. (We wanted to walk some to get the flavor of the city "from the ground"
. He was waiting right where he said he'd be when he said he'd be. All in all a great day.This was a typical tour but i am sure he can accomodate any itinerary!!!
Have a wonderful trip!
Ann
We started at the Vatican Museum where we beat the tour buses and got in without a wait. Next we went to St. Peter's - also little waiting. After that we headed to a hilltop park with a great view of the City (and landmarks pointed out by Daniele). Then it was off to the Colliseum where he took us to an alternate ticket location which eliminated the wait there. After that we stopped at the Pantheon where a couple of our group left the tour to walk to the Spainish Steps and meet us there later. Daniele drove the rest of us to the Trevi Fountain where we also elected to walk to the Spanish Steps. (We wanted to walk some to get the flavor of the city "from the ground"
. He was waiting right where he said he'd be when he said he'd be. All in all a great day.This was a typical tour but i am sure he can accomodate any itinerary!!!Have a wonderful trip!
Ann
Aug 20th, 2006, 05:58 PM
#31
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seriously, I think one should be on one's toes in Rome. We have traveled there frequently in the past 6 or 7 years. I've had hands in my purse and in my pocket, been short changed, and also cheated by a taxi driver.
Keep your valuables where the pick pockets can't get at them.
Keep your valuables where the pick pockets can't get at them.
Aug 22nd, 2006, 04:23 PM
#32
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Once my husband and I were walking near the Spanish Steps, when a bunch of very young boys (urchins), came running up to us. One of them held a piece of cardboard...
I had read about this trick: You hold up the cardboard, and while the tourist tries to read it, you reach underneath to his wallet, or a friend goes after the purse.
Sure enough, my husband was all, "Gee! What's the cardboard say?' But I knew what was coming, and the lucky part of this story is, I have <b>no dignity at all</b>: I ran at the kids full-tilt, shouting, "Go away! Va via! Va via!! Leave us alone!"
The little boys looked at me as if I'd lost my <b>mind</b>, and my husband looked at me as if I'd lost my <b>mind</b>, but the kids left, and my husband kept his wallet. Happy ending.
(I don't know whether "Va via!" was correct, but it worked!)
I had read about this trick: You hold up the cardboard, and while the tourist tries to read it, you reach underneath to his wallet, or a friend goes after the purse.
Sure enough, my husband was all, "Gee! What's the cardboard say?' But I knew what was coming, and the lucky part of this story is, I have <b>no dignity at all</b>: I ran at the kids full-tilt, shouting, "Go away! Va via! Va via!! Leave us alone!"
The little boys looked at me as if I'd lost my <b>mind</b>, and my husband looked at me as if I'd lost my <b>mind</b>, but the kids left, and my husband kept his wallet. Happy ending.
(I don't know whether "Va via!" was correct, but it worked!)
