I'm going to Rome for 7 days in June, any tips please?

Show all answers

Paul

A gentle correction for one of your previous answers.

Whilst it is quite true that the Parthenon is very interesting, the reason why you, too, will probably miss it on your visit to Rome is because it is actually in Athens.

I think what the answerer meant was the Pantheon, which is in Rome and is, as he says, fascinating, free and often missed.

That said, the entire city of Rome is utterly crammed with ancient sites. Many of the chuches are built on ancient foundations and even if one is not particularly church-minded, the churches are fascinating works of art in theselves. Many contain works by world-class artists - for example near Termini station on the Piazza dei Repubblica you will find, next to the Baths of Diocletian, the church of Santa Maria et dei Angeli, built into an ancient building and largely remodelled and decorated by Michaelangelo.

Just across the road from that church (and indeed from the Termini station) is the National Archaeological Museum, which is utterly fascinating, and a close look at your guidebook will show a number of other museums and sites within a few minutes' walk of the square.

Outside the station you can buy tickets for the tourist bus that does a circuit of many of the city's places of interest in just under an hour. It's a good way to see a lot in a short time, and it is not expensive. You can go around as many times as you like on the same day, and you can get off and on again if you want to visit any of the places you passed earlier.

If you are staying near the station you will almost certainly be given a flyer for Mama Angela's restaurant in the Via Palestro. If you value your health, avoid it. We went there and the staff were not pleased when we pointed out that the food they had served was actually going rancid.

For a very pleasant meal, try the Salsamentaria Verdiana on the Via Cernaia (www.salsamenteriaverdiana.it), just a few minutes' walk from the station. Whilst not cheap, it is not expensive either. It's very friendly, the atmosphere is romantic and the restaurant is on a quiet back street. The food is very good and the wine is served in traditional small white pottery bowls, not glasses, which adds to the ambiance.

The best things to take with you? As much money as you can; a keen sense of curiosity; and an open mind. Oh, and a sensible degree of caution - the Roman traffic zooms along, heavy and chaotic, and you have to keep your wits about you to get across any of the busier roads.

Have a lovely time.

Cheeky Monkey

Well you better take plenty money with you because Rome is outrageously expensive. But if you are young and in love, and are willing to go away from the touristy parts you could live pretty cheaply I reckon.

Good location, near the station. You can walk everywhere. The train station is also a main subway station so you can get around really easily. The subway is crawling with thieves and pickpockets though. If fact the whole of Rome is. It's a thieve's paradise.

If you visit the colloseum, take a guided tour other wise you won't know what you are looking at. It'll just look like a pile of old bricks, You need someone to explain it.

The parthenon is very interesting, free and most tourists miss it out but it is staggering.

Finally, you will hear a load of rubbish talked about the "spanish steps". Thats all it is- some steps. A complete waste of time, don't go there. It is literally, just some stupid steps.

Murzy

watch your personal possessions. there are lots of pick-pockets especially at the various fountains and tourist places. also "gypsy" kids (6-13 yr old) will gather around you and rip you off.

cab drivers are often thieves, too and will try to rip you off with their fares.

brownhairgreeneyes82

How many negative answers.
True there are a lot of pick pockets but doesn't nescaceraly mean you will be robbed.
Don't wear a lot of jewellery for a start or wear anything that stands out. Wear a money belt a s someone says with maybe cash and cards and in yourbag just keep the minimum amount of moey you will need for the day. Dont wear a bag on your shoulder as it could be cut off. Also tell your boyfriend not to kee his wallet in his back pocket. Always keep your bag in front of you especially when on the metro. Remmember it will be a little more daunting being out in the evening. Find out what time the last metro is or make sure there is a bus which will take you to near your hotel. I'm sure the hotel will be able to give you any info.

You are in a great position being by the train station. that way you cn get the train if you want to take a day trip out. (maybe Florence or Sorrento) or you can get the train out to Ostia where you can go to the beach. The metro station is also in the train station so you can use that to get about, or the open top day buses leave from there as well. Taxi's will be very expensive and they will pry on you if you cant speak the language. If you arrive at Fiumicino there is a train which will take you to termini (the leonardo express) If you arrive at Ciampino there is the bus which takes you to Termini (Terravision bus service) So you will have no problems arriving at Termini. Its graet as well because you will find a lot of buses that go there.

To eat cheaply you could pick up a panini at lunch time or a slice of pizza, it will be warm enough for you to sit outside. If not why not have your main meal at lunch time (you can find a lot of small restaurants which have tourists menus for a fixed price and its usually a 3 course meal.) Then in the evening you could by something to eat and make some snacks in your hotel. Remember that most restaurants have a cover charge and if you sit down in a cafe or bar you will be charged extra rather than if you stand at the bar. There are a lot of venders around the tourist spots.

I would start looking at maps to see where you would like to go.
A week is a quite a lot so i would definately look into visiting somwehere mid week to break up the trip. Or even a couple of day trips. Buy a map and you can plan out your days and walking routes etc.

This site may help, it has a lot of info:
http://www.gorome.it/en/?source=-guida+roma

Ireally couldn't tell you how much money but say give yourself at least 50 euros per person per day, and that all depends on what you are doing. After your first couple of days you will see roughly how much you need. Take into consideration that day trips out or visit to museums etc will be more. If you want to visit the Vatican museum or various other places, have a look to buy tickets online. It will be starting to get busy in june and will save you having to queue.

Enjoy yourself, don't listen to the negative things.

Martagiulia P

food is expensive for us too! A good way to save money is going to the supermarket for food, there's the SMA closed to the station, sometimes they also make pasta, rice salad.... In Rome( but not in the whole Italy) you can also drink water from the fountains, in order not to spend lots of money in bottle of water!

Jennifer

Hi ,

There is a great site for searching all the latest hotel deals and finding what is best for you. They search amongst loads of different hotel sites and find the best deal for your needs.

Take a look at the link below.

Hope i have helped!

http://www.hotelscombined.com/?label=YahooAnswers&a_aid=12492

Samantha L

http://www.hotelfelice.com

Sam C

Great place to go and as long as you are near a train station you wont get lost! have a great trip!

The World Traveler

Umm...I recommend hiring a guide. Rome is loaded with pickpocketers, beggers and gipsies. Some children might dress as old ladies begging for money (they wear a whole bunch of rags and you cant see their face coz they're always looking down and they shake a cup), young men (muggers) on buses and subways also you might get surrounded by groups of women (Indian in my case) and they try to distract you to pickpocket you. Just walk fast. The sites are awesome but you just gotta be careful with valuables. If you're carrying a backpack for example carry it infront of you not on your back. Wear a money belt under your clothes too. Oh yeah, if you're going to see the coloseum get the tickets at the Roman Forum. Its much quicker. If you get the tickets at the coloseum itself you'll be in a huge line. But if you have the tickets already you can skip that line. Have fun and be safe!

Ava_Adore

You WILL get mugged/picket pocketed.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: