Would you believe we are blowing off Rome?
Sep 22nd, 2010, 10:16 AM
#21
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Dukey1 on Sep 22, 10 at 9:47am
Would you believe there are travelers who actually BLOW OFF the Italian countryside and small towns? Amazing isn't it?"
Yup. I have no interest in hanging around Tuscany (or Provence).
Love big cities, although every time I have visited Rome I did find it hard to get around regardless of the the hotel location. The buses are slow and crowded, the Metro inadequate.
Dukey1 on Sep 22, 10 at 9:47am
Would you believe there are travelers who actually BLOW OFF the Italian countryside and small towns? Amazing isn't it?"
Yup. I have no interest in hanging around Tuscany (or Provence).
Love big cities, although every time I have visited Rome I did find it hard to get around regardless of the the hotel location. The buses are slow and crowded, the Metro inadequate.
Sep 22nd, 2010, 10:27 AM
#22
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My favorite kind of trip, one that has flexibility built in.
We just got back from 4 days near Siena with the only things planned was arrival and departure. And the leaving part had to be changed when we found a festival to attend 30 minutes from our room, on the way back north.
We just got back from 4 days near Siena with the only things planned was arrival and departure. And the leaving part had to be changed when we found a festival to attend 30 minutes from our room, on the way back north.
Sep 23rd, 2010, 12:40 AM
#23
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Well, we cannot stay in our villa in Torre Alfina but we Re moving to a castello!
http://www.castellodiproceno.it/index-ing.htm Our current host knows the owner and highly recommends it.
http://www.castellodiproceno.it/index-ing.htm Our current host knows the owner and highly recommends it.
Sep 23rd, 2010, 09:05 AM
#24
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Charnees--I'm taking notes because a very dear friend of mine says I have not seen Italy until I have seen the area around Bologna. Oh, she didn't say that as a "know at all"--she's so wonderfully open to everything--but instead wanted me to share her wonderful experience.
So I'm going to send her your post and expect a delighted reaction.
Continue to have fun, which I suspect just might be better than the "forced march" travel trap we can all fall privy to.
So I'm going to send her your post and expect a delighted reaction.
Continue to have fun, which I suspect just might be better than the "forced march" travel trap we can all fall privy to.
Sep 23rd, 2010, 11:52 AM
#26
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If you are interested in the villa, go to rentvillas.com and search for Villa del Castello. The web site looks lovely, and the actual experience is better than that! It was just the coolest thing! The villa is gorgeous, and beautifully decorated and comfortable. Enormous bedrooms and bathrooms. Complimentary wine from the cellar, a full garden with apples and figs and herbs and vegetables to use, a really fully equipped kitchen with lots and lots of grocery staples already there. A big wood-fired barbecue oven. The owners are great people. I can't say enough good things about it. So even though it is expensive, when you think of all the freebies included, and you divide it up among 8 people, it's really doable. I can't wait to go another time!
Sep 23rd, 2010, 11:57 AM
#28
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Rome is so CHAOTIC, DIRTY, HARSH, DREADFULLY POLLUTED and PAINFULLY NOISY....I have tried to enjoy Rome during my past 3 visits and each time we absolutely couldn't stand Rome after a couple of days! We begged the airline to fly us out of Rome early every single time. We should have thought of going to a nearby sane place like where you are, but I suppose we were so miserable that all we could think of was getting out of Rome ASAP! You're so blessed to find your comfortable place, enjoy!
Sep 23rd, 2010, 07:33 PM
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Because I thought we must have missed the best parts of Rome and I wanted to enjoy it to its fullest potential, the way it deserves to be enjoyed, but Rome just didn't do it. We also had bad weather in the spring twice, hot muggy and then rain. We packed our bags after our kids threw coins in the fountain backward and told me that they wish to never come back to Rome.
We're still going to try Rome again next year with friends who can't get enough of Rome.
I must find out which parts of Rome make it bewitching sexy and classy or charming for you. Hopefully something beyond the designer shops.
We're still going to try Rome again next year with friends who can't get enough of Rome.
I must find out which parts of Rome make it bewitching sexy and classy or charming for you. Hopefully something beyond the designer shops.
Sep 27th, 2010, 12:11 PM
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First time on Via Condotti, second time on Via Veneto, and the last time we stayed at the Grand Minerve by the Pantheon. We're just not into the roman history or museums like most people who love Rome. Our highlight was by far the Vatican but it faded the second time we visited. We're going to try Rome again perhaps doing a lot more research on things that we like and can do in Rome.
Sep 28th, 2010, 09:15 AM
#33
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By Pantheon should have been better, DAX, so I'm thinking that Rome isn't your thing. I love Rome, but I surely don't think YOU or your family have to love Rome. Just so you know, I never expected to like Rome and was quite surprised when I did.
Instead of forcing yourself to, for a want of a better analogy, drink this "cod liver oil" of a trip, could you share the places you/your family have been that made your heart throb?
Instead of forcing yourself to, for a want of a better analogy, drink this "cod liver oil" of a trip, could you share the places you/your family have been that made your heart throb?
Sep 28th, 2010, 11:59 AM
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"First time on Via Condotti, second time on Via Veneto, and the last time we stayed at the Grand Minerve by the Pantheon"
you have stayed in some very nice spots in Rome.
If you found it " CHAOTIC, DIRTY, HARSH, DREADFULLY POLLUTED and PAINFULLY NOISY" forget about it!
The world is full of lovely places ( to point out the obvious).
I like Rome, but it is not my favorite city. So?
you have stayed in some very nice spots in Rome.
If you found it " CHAOTIC, DIRTY, HARSH, DREADFULLY POLLUTED and PAINFULLY NOISY" forget about it!
The world is full of lovely places ( to point out the obvious).
I like Rome, but it is not my favorite city. So?
Sep 28th, 2010, 12:03 PM
#36
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DAX,
If I had been to Rome 3 different times and couldn't wait to leave, I don't think I would waste time going back. I really don't understand. Italy is such a wonderful country with so much of everything and so much variety in absolutely everything!! Why not go to a different region and do different things? What does your family enjoy? Obviously, not what's in Rome, but there are plenty of options.
If I had been to Rome 3 different times and couldn't wait to leave, I don't think I would waste time going back. I really don't understand. Italy is such a wonderful country with so much of everything and so much variety in absolutely everything!! Why not go to a different region and do different things? What does your family enjoy? Obviously, not what's in Rome, but there are plenty of options.
Sep 28th, 2010, 12:28 PM
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I'm repeating my question, DAX, since we're several posts down:
What places have you enjoyed in your travels? With that knowledge, I'm sure all of us can suggest other places in Italy or elsewhere which would be more to your liking.
Rome is awfully expensive, and it seems such a shame to spend your money and even more important, your time, in a place that's just not "you."
What places have you enjoyed in your travels? With that knowledge, I'm sure all of us can suggest other places in Italy or elsewhere which would be more to your liking.
Rome is awfully expensive, and it seems such a shame to spend your money and even more important, your time, in a place that's just not "you."
Sep 30th, 2010, 05:16 AM
#38
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We're now in a hotel in Fiumicino, just waiting for 3:30 am to come tomorrow. that's when we start our trip home -- 3 hours in the airport here, then to Amsterdam, then to SFO.
We ended our sojourn with a long day's meandering through northern Lazio, in Etruscan country, to the sea, and then down the coast to Fiumicino. It is a bit sad to have that idyll end, but unfortunately, real life will intrude. While I am on the place I plan to write up our stay and post it. Meanwhile, I did post a review of the villa on Slowtrav.com, and also on the rentvillas web site.
We ended our sojourn with a long day's meandering through northern Lazio, in Etruscan country, to the sea, and then down the coast to Fiumicino. It is a bit sad to have that idyll end, but unfortunately, real life will intrude. While I am on the place I plan to write up our stay and post it. Meanwhile, I did post a review of the villa on Slowtrav.com, and also on the rentvillas web site.
Sep 30th, 2010, 10:29 PM
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Sorry I was away for a few days. Thanks for all your input and sorry for hijacking this thread charnees but this is about Rome which is probably your favorite as well.
Alessandra: my favorite major cities are Paris, Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Vienna (in that order).
I rely on the big cities to keep me(us) entertained for several days with local interests beyond museums and monuments. I like finding out where the locals go for fun on weekends or day to day simple enjoyment. We search for good restaurants/winebars and shop for local media and food to take home when we travel.
In our effort to discover the Rome that we can enjoy, we are actually planning a last minute visit to Rome in October, so I am starting a new thread for "must eat" restaurants/ enotecas in Rome. I hope you will help me find memorable or just plain comfort food in Rome if you have any special tip. Thanks.
Alessandra: my favorite major cities are Paris, Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Vienna (in that order).
I rely on the big cities to keep me(us) entertained for several days with local interests beyond museums and monuments. I like finding out where the locals go for fun on weekends or day to day simple enjoyment. We search for good restaurants/winebars and shop for local media and food to take home when we travel.
In our effort to discover the Rome that we can enjoy, we are actually planning a last minute visit to Rome in October, so I am starting a new thread for "must eat" restaurants/ enotecas in Rome. I hope you will help me find memorable or just plain comfort food in Rome if you have any special tip. Thanks.
Sep 30th, 2010, 10:53 PM
#40
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Alessandra: I should add that I have studied enough Italian ( a couple of years plus refresher courses) for basic daily communication and watching RAI that's why I'm so determine to enjoy Rome one way or another. I go to Italy for the food & language and I always enjoy the energy in big cities, so I really want to be able to enjoy Rome.
