Greatsights

Hey guys

This has reached a ridiculous level!!

Each of us is SUPPOSED to be able to give ideas, reports, and questions of our own.

If you haven't had difficulties in your trip, then you're either very, very lucky OR you really don't travel too much.

Just leave all that freaking criticism in another mailbox and stop being so critical!!

elaine

I read the original posting with interest, since the Borghese is one of my favorite museums.
I read this at the end of the first post:

"But, lovely as the sculptures were, we left the place having had an extremely negative experience. And, if I were asked for a recommendation, I would never take their guided tour. Opt for the headset which will allow you to wander at will while listening, or just go with a good guidebook."

Then I read several of the many replies.

I think the description of the original incident and the recommendation are completely reasonable. This is no
BOYCOTT THE BORGHESE thread. This is one traveler describing an unpleasant experience and recommending against taking the guided tour, at least under certain conditions.

I actually thought that the OP was going to say that the guide spoke incomprehensible English, which happened to me twice in Rome, with a Vatican official guide, and a Domus Aurea guide. While in Rome I will rely either on English audioguides, or on expert English-speaking guides such as from Context Rome. That recommendation is based on my own personal experiences. Ditto that I didn't at all like the Uffizi museum visitors' experience in Florence, the masterpieces aside. To me, the Uffizi was headache-making.

It seems most of us agree that the Borghese houses gorgeous art, it's the visiting experience that doesn't always work out well. Hardly anything works out well all the time, which is good to keep in mind while traveling.

RM67

OP - I think the way you were herded out of the Borghese was awful and am not suprised you are angry about that - you are more than justified. However, I don't think your expectations about the guided tour were realistic - common sense should tell you that if you want to wander round making your own choices on what to view you DON'T pick an organised tour! Also your comments about postcard prices and 'snarky Europeans' do make me think you are perhaps someone who goes out of your way to look for problems. The postcard wasn't exactly astronomical in price and the comment about Europeans, whilst no doubt true in some instances, is a colossal generalisation.

I think posts about bad experiences/poor service are just as useful as rave reviews, but I can understand why some people might be skeptical about the opinions offered if some of the gripes seem fairly petty - it does dilute the effect of the report.

BTW, Thought your pretend trip report was very funny. 8-)

tcreath

RM67, I don't think that julies made the comment about "snarky Europeans"...cimbrone did.

Tracy

Cimbrone

Yes, but I quickly recanted and said "rigid" or "formal" would have been better choices. GENERALLY speaking, I do think Europeans are more formal than we US folks are.

Doesn't everyone think it's time for this thread to sink to the nether regions? Basta already!

RM67

Apologies, OP - Tracy is quite right.

Still think it's an unfair generalisation though, Cimbrone, and 'rigid' is nearly as bad.....