We Survived Rome Without A Money Belt! Our Week in Rome.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 05:31 PM
#61
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I forgot to mention that we bought our 2 Roma Passes at the north end of Piazza Navona, just outside the piazza over the the right. They are 20 euro each. We used ours to get into the Palantine/Colosseum and the Musei Capitolini at no cost and at Castel San Angelo for 50% off. We could have gotten more value from the pass if we had used buses and the metro. As it was, I think we saved 1 euro per person by using the passes.
Next...Final thoughts, memories, impressions.
Next...Final thoughts, memories, impressions.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 05:38 PM
#62
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Thank you, precious one, that price list was so detailed, I'm sure it took a bit of time and I am sure I speak for all when I say how we appreciate the info - your report does seem to just take us all along with you, very nicely written. Thanks again, love.
Leslie
Leslie
Apr 23rd, 2007, 05:55 PM
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Ditto what Leslie said. Thanks to all of you, really. I love having a place to come for real answers to my questions.
We will be making our first European trip en famille, and with four children in tow, I need to know the lay of the land long before we arrive. The information you have shared is printing out now to become a part of my planning packet. I look forward to eating our way through Rome and taking your advice on where to go. We'll be staying near the Pantheon and Piazza Navonna and it sounds as though that will be a good place to adventure out from.
I would still welcome more advice for the currency dilemna. Can we just use our regular old VISA card? How are the exchange rates on those? Are there fees? I know, I know. I should call my credit card company. How do others do money? I understand travelers checks are a bit dated and less accepted. Is it better to exchange dollars to euros in the US or after we arrive in Europe?
We will be making our first European trip en famille, and with four children in tow, I need to know the lay of the land long before we arrive. The information you have shared is printing out now to become a part of my planning packet. I look forward to eating our way through Rome and taking your advice on where to go. We'll be staying near the Pantheon and Piazza Navonna and it sounds as though that will be a good place to adventure out from.
I would still welcome more advice for the currency dilemna. Can we just use our regular old VISA card? How are the exchange rates on those? Are there fees? I know, I know. I should call my credit card company. How do others do money? I understand travelers checks are a bit dated and less accepted. Is it better to exchange dollars to euros in the US or after we arrive in Europe?
Apr 23rd, 2007, 06:13 PM
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Great report, Bill. I know you did lots of research here for your trip. Glad you enjoyed La Tartaruga (I might have been one of those who recommended it). Isn't the food delicious? I had the most devine Carpaccio of Swordfish w/red onion & fennel there. I'm definitely going back there in July! I do want to get to Checchino. However, even though I'll try almost anything and like to sample the local fare, I've added to my notes that I should avoid Zampino! 
Apr 23rd, 2007, 06:14 PM
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murpha2,
You might want to start a seperate thread to ask your question as you will probably get more feedback from a thread dedicated solely to answering your question.
One thing I would plan to do sometime during your stay is to set aside a whole day or a large chunk of one or more days to wander the streets. Depending upon where you are staying or where you start, you could visit the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, the Ghetto and end up in Trastevere for dinner maybe or any combination thereof. Look in some guidebooks for their suggested walks and combine a couple to cover the area you want. We walked leisurely and explored and ending up covering a lot more ground that I thought.
If your budget can take the hit, check out the itineraries offered by Context Rome, particlularly the Antica Roma and the Arte Vaticana tours. You get a lot of bang for your buck and it might be a good way to optimize the use of your time.
THOUGHTS, MEMORIES, IMPRESSIONS
I am frequent visitor to the Hawaiian Islands and one of the things that happens to me everytime I visit is that once I walk off that plane and I am hit with that first blast of warm, moist, plumeria scented air I get this euphoria and anticipation that is second to none. I had a very similar experience on this trip when we entered Camp dei Fiori for the first time on the morning of our arrival. It was a sensory experience whose effect was not unlike the Hawaii thing, but instead of warm, mosit air, it was a visual and auditory "whammo". The buildings, the vendors, the activity, the people, the food. It was amazing...and it just kept on coming all week long! This trip was a real treat.
Okay. One thing that started bugging me almost immediately was this. There are all of these gorgeous marble sculptures of male bodies everywhere you look and 90% of them had the penises lopped off! Now, I know how all that happened, but I just couldn't get over it. It became a bit of a joke with me. Sometimes when we happened across one with an intact penis one of us would stand by him and we'd get a picture. Then I started wondering. "Why did some not get the axe? Was it a size thing? Were only the real big ones removed?" What a shame if that were true. Silly, I know.
Bravo to Martin, my navigator surpreme! Negotiating the streets of Rome was a real experience and I swear I'd still be there walking around in circles if it weren't for him. My sense of direction was set on its ear in Rome. I thought we were going this way when we were going that way. Everything was backwards and it never got any better. After a day or two Martin didn't even need the map anymore to get us from our apartment to wherever we needed to go. It was quite impressive.
Sunday mornings in Rome are a feast for your ears...that is if you like the sound of bells ringing. It was so neat. We set out at around 10:30 or so for a walk with the goal of getting to Giggetto for lunch at 12:30. It was warm, sunny, relatively quiet and as we walked we'd hear one set of bells start and then another. It added to the atmosphere and gave me goose bumps. I never notice church bells ringing at home.
I think that is going to be it for me. If you have any more questions, please ask. I know I forgot some things and I will come back to add them later. Ciao.
Bill
You might want to start a seperate thread to ask your question as you will probably get more feedback from a thread dedicated solely to answering your question.
One thing I would plan to do sometime during your stay is to set aside a whole day or a large chunk of one or more days to wander the streets. Depending upon where you are staying or where you start, you could visit the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, the Ghetto and end up in Trastevere for dinner maybe or any combination thereof. Look in some guidebooks for their suggested walks and combine a couple to cover the area you want. We walked leisurely and explored and ending up covering a lot more ground that I thought.
If your budget can take the hit, check out the itineraries offered by Context Rome, particlularly the Antica Roma and the Arte Vaticana tours. You get a lot of bang for your buck and it might be a good way to optimize the use of your time.
THOUGHTS, MEMORIES, IMPRESSIONS
I am frequent visitor to the Hawaiian Islands and one of the things that happens to me everytime I visit is that once I walk off that plane and I am hit with that first blast of warm, moist, plumeria scented air I get this euphoria and anticipation that is second to none. I had a very similar experience on this trip when we entered Camp dei Fiori for the first time on the morning of our arrival. It was a sensory experience whose effect was not unlike the Hawaii thing, but instead of warm, mosit air, it was a visual and auditory "whammo". The buildings, the vendors, the activity, the people, the food. It was amazing...and it just kept on coming all week long! This trip was a real treat.
Okay. One thing that started bugging me almost immediately was this. There are all of these gorgeous marble sculptures of male bodies everywhere you look and 90% of them had the penises lopped off! Now, I know how all that happened, but I just couldn't get over it. It became a bit of a joke with me. Sometimes when we happened across one with an intact penis one of us would stand by him and we'd get a picture. Then I started wondering. "Why did some not get the axe? Was it a size thing? Were only the real big ones removed?" What a shame if that were true. Silly, I know.
Bravo to Martin, my navigator surpreme! Negotiating the streets of Rome was a real experience and I swear I'd still be there walking around in circles if it weren't for him. My sense of direction was set on its ear in Rome. I thought we were going this way when we were going that way. Everything was backwards and it never got any better. After a day or two Martin didn't even need the map anymore to get us from our apartment to wherever we needed to go. It was quite impressive.
Sunday mornings in Rome are a feast for your ears...that is if you like the sound of bells ringing. It was so neat. We set out at around 10:30 or so for a walk with the goal of getting to Giggetto for lunch at 12:30. It was warm, sunny, relatively quiet and as we walked we'd hear one set of bells start and then another. It added to the atmosphere and gave me goose bumps. I never notice church bells ringing at home.
I think that is going to be it for me. If you have any more questions, please ask. I know I forgot some things and I will come back to add them later. Ciao.
Bill
Apr 23rd, 2007, 08:22 PM
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Bill, thanks so much for the report. I grew up with an Eastern European family who ate oxtails and pigs feet, etc., but never developed a taste for them. (I think I do well with keilbasa and saurkraut!)
I have two requests, though one I might have to start a diff string.
1) Where can I find the street addresses for the restaurants you listed here?
2) I'm not as adventurous and actually get sick from clams. (The only seafood I enjoy is tuna, red snapper, shrimp and scallops. Please no squid or such for me!) I love the "American" version of antipasti- peppers/olives/salamis/cheeses. Can you recommend any restaurants that offer these more "basic" antipasti (and meals?)
Thanks again. Great report!
I have two requests, though one I might have to start a diff string.
1) Where can I find the street addresses for the restaurants you listed here?
2) I'm not as adventurous and actually get sick from clams. (The only seafood I enjoy is tuna, red snapper, shrimp and scallops. Please no squid or such for me!) I love the "American" version of antipasti- peppers/olives/salamis/cheeses. Can you recommend any restaurants that offer these more "basic" antipasti (and meals?)
Thanks again. Great report!
Apr 24th, 2007, 05:31 AM
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Hi Susan, yes, I think it was you who suggested La Tartaruga. Thanks! It's not traditional Roman food, but it is excellent.
Sarge,
I googled the restaurant's name and got the addresses that way, then I used google to map it and tucked it away for future reference.
I don't think you are going to have any trouble finding restuarants with antipasti they way you like it. All of them do. The fresh mozarella is amazing.
Bill
Sarge,
I googled the restaurant's name and got the addresses that way, then I used google to map it and tucked it away for future reference.
I don't think you are going to have any trouble finding restuarants with antipasti they way you like it. All of them do. The fresh mozarella is amazing.
Bill
Apr 24th, 2007, 10:16 AM
#69
hi, Bill,
thanks for mentioning the unmentionable.
did you go to the vatican museums? - if so there is a whole room dedicated to male genitalia and not much else! - which may the the answer to your question.
regards, ann
thanks for mentioning the unmentionable.
did you go to the vatican museums? - if so there is a whole room dedicated to male genitalia and not much else! - which may the the answer to your question.
regards, ann
quot;> Whew!
Apr 25th, 2007, 09:35 AM
#78
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The Vatican collects male genitalia???
No wonder I was afraid Woody would be abducted at the Vatican!!!
A fabulous report filled with foods and info I never would have thought would land in a trip report that wasn't from that crazy guy Boudin? on TV.
No wonder I was afraid Woody would be abducted at the Vatican!!!
A fabulous report filled with foods and info I never would have thought would land in a trip report that wasn't from that crazy guy Boudin? on TV.
