[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Bucket List: Rome (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 10/12/2014 8:14:52 PM EDT
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Alright, for the past couple of years I've been reading about Rome, it's history, starting from Aeneas, to the Seven Kings of Rome, and when Publius Valerius Publicano (Who was mentioned by our founding fathers), Lucious Junius Brutus, Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus and Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus overthrew the Tarquinans from power and formed the Republic. One of our great cities was named after a great Roman named Cincinnatus, to the 2nd founder of Rome; Marcus Furious Cammilus, and so on and so on.
Basically I'm getting ready to start saving some major cash and head off to Rome. I'm curious to hear from the people who have visited. I want to see things like flavian amphitheater and Marcus Agrippa's Pantheon. I wouldn't mind seeing Pompeii among some other sites as well. Seeing where the battle of Cannae took place I believe would be magnificent. I've done a lot of research on Ancient Italia but not a lot on the current Italy. I'm going to start off with this post, and work my way up. Anyone have any recommended travel agents, or sites that are reliable and trustworthy? What time of the season is the best time to go? What's a decent time table to stay there. Any type of advice from people who have been would be greatly appreciated. I figure money wise it could range anywhere from 5K to 10K. I know my wife won't stay at a hostel so that's out of the question. I've googled a few places, but sometimes there are better routes that can show you more sites, or even maybe cheaper. Thanks for any help! |
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I'm tagging as I'm planning on going someday.
Was going to use a tour company since it's my first time there, and it'd give me a sampling of several major cities. Really want to see Venice as well. Someone actually did a google street view recording of many of the tiny side streets and canals in Venice. |
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I've never been, but want to as well. I DO know based on a lot of other people's experiences that pickpockets are everywhere and you should expect to be robbed at least once.
ETA: Also when you do get robbed, don't expect the police to do a damn thing about it except laugh at you. |
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It's worth a visit, but you will find it very crowded. The coliseum is pretty obvious, but surrounded by lunatic Italian drivers. St. Peter's is worth a visit, even if you are not Catholic. There are lots of historic sites outside Rome which are also worth visiting, and are less crowded and less dirty.
Not trying to put you off, just set realistic expectations. |
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I've never been, but want to as well. I DO know based on a lot of other people's experiences that pickpockets are everywhere and you should expect to be robbed at least once. ETA: Also when you do get robbed, don't expect the police to do a damn thing about it except laugh at you. Ymmv. I've been to the so-called most crime-ridden cities in western Europe (rome, naples, barcelona, paris, london and others) with absolutely no issues or even attempts. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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I hostel'd it in my late teens. Was lucky enough to see an Easter Service in St. Peter's as well. I recommend the Vatican, Coliseum, Pantheon, and some of the old catacombs/churches. Remember history there is in centuries plus. The artwork was only afforded by the church or royalty. The Spanish Steps of to finger bang your girlfriend and shop.
Pompeii is really cool (house of the vettii  ) and from there Capri.
Never did northern Italy so can't comment. Food - hole in the wall mom & pop all the way. And whatever wine they recommend is FINE - trust me. If you get a travel agent make sure you have plenty of time to escape and wander. It is better that way and agents will tourist trap you to death. If you can get a local family friend etc it is best. Have fun. It's a blast. |
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The Vatican is a must see while you're there. Even if you're not religious, it is almost awe inspiring. Note...it takes for than a drunken 4 day weekend to see Rome.  I'm disappointed that I've been to Rome twice and have yet to see inside the Vatican. It was under renovation the first time and closed early the second. The size of St. Peters will blow you away. The Colosseum is pretty cool. Get out and about while you're there. Pompeii isn't too far of a train ride. |
| You get what you pay for. I stayed in the Rose Garden Hotel near the U.S Embassy, no problems walking the street at night. The closer you get to the Termini train station, the shittier it gets. I have a good knowledge base about the Gypsies AKA Roma and they are around the train station and Spanish steps at night, you will recognize them, trust me. One of the best times Wife and I had was getting wine and cheese and hanging out on the Spanish steps at night. My advice is to do your research beforehand and buy any tickets you can for major attractions before you go online if possible. Lines suck. Rome is awesome, so is Florence. Venice is a crumbling tourist trap. JMHO |
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I'm tagging as I'm planning on going someday. Was going to use a tour company since it's my first time there, and it'd give me a sampling of several major cities. Really want to see Venice as well. Someone actually did a google street view recording of many of the tiny side streets and canals in Venice. My wife and I are planning on going someday. There's a slight chance I'm Italian, or German. Or both. |
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This from a guy who really did not have any interest in going. Ended up going twice and I'd go again if the opportunity arises.
It is very interesting. The history surrounding you really hits you. Went to Pompeii both times and feel it is worth it. Stayed at hotel Amleto and it was very acceptable. In Rome we stayed in Bettoja hotels and also found them good. Vatican and museum is cool even for non Catholics. You can easily spend a full day in the museum alone. |
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Go during the off tourist season if you want to avoid the crowds. I can now do Rome without a map, my wife is Italian, and I've been there for work. Never had an issue with crime, use common sense, and don't get drunk in seedy areas. The last time I was there, I stayed in Vatican City, it was 100 euros a night.
If you go to Pompeii, do yourself a favor, and don't use a tour company. Just skip Naples, it's not worth it. |
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Liked Rome, loved Tuscany and Amalfi coast. I only spent a handful of days there but it definitely has a different soulful vibe than other major Italian cities I visited. I was a punk traveling out of a backpack so I can't help you with food and hotel recommendations. The Vatican was the highlight for me. I'd recommend getting a tour guide, or at the very least an audio accompaniment guide when doing the Musei Vaticani. St. Peters is just crazy. |
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Drive a car on the Appian way.
Thermal baths in Tivoli. Ostia. Take a trip to Firenze. Quoted:
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Down the Appian way a bit you will find the catacombs. It's worth a visit. Drive a car on the Appian way.
Thermal baths in Tivoli. Ostia. Take a trip to Firenze. I got shithead, hammered, destroyed drunk there once. |
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You can pretty much walk anywhere in Rome and that's what we've done every time. Spent several months there over the years, most recently a few weeks, and we never took a cab once.
Go in the spring or fall, never summer as it's HOT and most of the city is off anyway. Wander around the first day from plaza to plaza and just take in the flavor. Piazza Navonna near the pantheon is a great place to just enjoy a coffee or gelato or wine. If you want to see the Coliseum they say you should get in a cab as soon as you arrive in Rome and go straight there, otherwise you will head off walking there and get distracted by so many sights you'll never make it there. Fairly true, but if you're there a week you'll wander by it I'm sure. There's a few districts to be more careful walking in, but mostly it's safe where the crowds are as long as you have common sense. Castle d StAngelo is a must see also. It's near the Vatican, and often overlooked but it probably one of the more interesting sights. You can even grab a ice cold limoncello up on the top with a fantastic view of the city. Avoid using the street ATMs under any circumstance for cash withdrawal as many are rigged to steal your card number. bring m/c, visa as Amex isn't taken everywhere. If you want a authentic fantastic but very inexpensive meal, eat at La Lampanda, in the Via Venneto district. Salvatore the proprietor always takes great care of us every year when we go, and will remember you years later, even though he speaks no English, just wine. Yea, you pretty much will have to drink a bottle of wine there whether you want to or not. But you'll get an entire bottle of wine for 8€ in Rome instead of 20€ for a 4 ounce glass in Paris. |
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The Vatican (ALL of it) - Will take a full day.
The Coloseum The Forum The Baths of Caracala The Catacombs of San Calisto The church of San Pietro en Vincoli (Michaelangelo's Moses) The Pantheon The Piazza Navona The Spanish Steps The Fontana Di Trevi You can see all of that in three days, but it'll wipe you out. I know from experience. Twice. |
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If you want to see a lot of places in Italy for reasonable prices, then book a cruise with Norwegian; it departs from Barcelona and usually hits Sicily, Naples (Pompeii), Rome, Florence, Pisa, Tuscany and Monaco. You will see a surprising amount of stuff in one week, especially if you book a tour at each location.
You won't get an in depth view of any city, of course, because the time just simply does not allow for it. But in Rome, we did see the Vatican Museum, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Coloseum, and had a nice lunch... Gypsies are indeed everywhere, and very brazen. Don't drive around with open car windows; they will ride by on scooters in heavy traffic and reach in and snatch shit & get away easily. Pickpockets abound; be smart. |
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Go in september. Still warm and past the european "holiday" season.
There are ALWAYS tourists there, no way around it. But, after the summer euro break there are fewer and you still get good weather and warm evenings to dine outside and enjoy the city. Easy city get around and very walkable. Metro is like 8 euros for an all day ticket. I was there a couple weeks ago No travel agent needed. You know most of the sites already if you study ancient Rome. See them then travel the side streets and alleys. Its beautiful. 
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Both time I went I stayed close too the Villa Borghese gardens and walked to the Vatican then the Forums. It was about a 10 mile hump but worth it with a camera. I got a map that showed where most of the monuments and fountains were located and made sure the trek passed the ones I wanted. The Trevi fountain is fantastic but currently under renovation. |
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There is so much history there that you walk in the city amongst historic buildings that don't even rank having a sign to describe what they are. When you get to sites like the forum hire a tour guide that can speak English or at least join a group. I tried one of those handheld guides and they are hard to follow.
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We did two weeks in Italy earlier this year, covering north and south. I'd been there before, but it was my GF's first time. I was able to give her a guided tour of Rome. Yes, it was heavy with tourists, but it must be seen. Even if you're an atheist, the Vatican Museum is fantastic. I even picked up this magnet at the Vatican gift shop.
We didn't see Naples, but as far as I'm concerned the only thing to see there is the museum (I saw it on my own.) It's kind of a rough town. As far as that post on expecting to be robbed, you can get robbed anywhere. I've been to dozens of countries and never had that problem. If you don't act stupid you should be fine. Situational Awareness is the key. We use body safes for the CC's, passport copies, and large amounts of cash. Small amounts of cash in a cargo pocket. If you leave a purse or a case sitting on a table or unattended you deserve to be ripped off. Use the team approach at ATM's. One withdraws, the other acts as backup. If the situation doesn't seem right, leave. One you get out of the cities, it's very drivable. I've driven in Rome and Naples and it is a trip. If you drive the Amalfi Coast it's breathtaking. I've been to Italy twice, she's been once, and we'd go back again. Hell, if the USA finally goes to crap I'd move to Italy without a second thought. |
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Alright, for the past couple of years I've been reading about Rome, it's history, starting from Aeneas, to the Seven Kings of Rome, and when Publius Valerius Publicano (Who was mentioned by our founding fathers), Lucious Junius Brutus, Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus and Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus overthrew the Tarquinans from power and formed the Republic. One of our great cities was named after a great Roman named Cincinnatus, to the 2nd founder of Rome; Marcus Furious Cammilus, and so on and so on. Basically I'm getting ready to start saving some major cash and head off to Rome. I'm curious to hear from the people who have visited. I want to see things like flavian amphitheater and Marcus Agrippa's Pantheon. I wouldn't mind seeing Pompeii among some other sites as well. Seeing where the battle of Cannae took place I believe would be magnificent. I've done a lot of research on Ancient Italia but not a lot on the current Italy. I'm going to start off with this post, and work my way up. Anyone have any recommended travel agents, or sites that are reliable and trustworthy? What time of the season is the best time to go? What's a decent time table to stay there. Any type of advice from people who have been would be greatly appreciated. I figure money wise it could range anywhere from 5K to 10K. I know my wife won't stay at a hostel so that's out of the question. I've googled a few places, but sometimes there are better routes that can show you more sites, or even maybe cheaper. Thanks for any help! If you are just doing Rome, stay at the Hilton next to the Rome Airport use the bus to go into and out of the city. You can also rent a car at the airport on days you want to travel to other areas. Make reservations for anything you can make reservation for, travel in March/April if you can, these in my opinion are the best months to see Rome and Italy. I lived in Italy for 4 years and have visited many times. I spent two weeks there this past June, have fun. Leave the shorts, graphic t-shirts and bright tennis shoes behind. |
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It was ~2007 when I was there so things may have changed but.....
Go to St. Peter's right when it opens (I think it was 7am when I was there)..... you'll be the only person there. It's a much better experience than when it's packed with tourists later in the day. Get a reservation for the vatican museum; doing so will allow you to skip the 3-hour long line. Look into the "Roma Pass". You can but it at the airport or train station and will allow you to skip the line at the Coliseum. (spelling) Get the Rick Steves guidebook for Rome; it's a great resource. "Streetwise" is a line of small fold-out high-quality maps. Get the rome one. Get a traveler's money belt for your passport/creditcard/cash; there are a lot of pickpockets but using a money belt will make you pretty-much invulnerable. Get a PIN from your credit card company so you can withdraw money from the ATMs. Remember to call and notify your credit card company of your travels before you leave so they don't think your card has been stolen and cut you off. Get or borrow a decent camera, read the instructions, and practice with it before you go. Don't forget to get a plug adapter; their electrical outlets are different there. (most (ok, virtually all) modern electronics can handle European phase/voltage, thus you'll just need the plug adapter; NOT a voltage/phase converter) Take something to entertain yourself on the flight. A book is good, laptop with a few movies loaded is better. Noise canceling headphones (the $60 kind, not $300) are worth it IF you plan on doing more traveling in the future. I use Xanax to zonk myself out (I just slept most of the way to Thailand a couple weeks ago; it was great) but you MIGHT not want to do that; being an inexperienced traveler you'll want to have your whits about you when you land. Plan to visit some other places; I was done with Rome after 2 days. Maybe hit Amsterdam for some pot and hookers. Florence is nice and near-by. Vernazza is like something from a fairytale. |
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Bring comfy shoes and walk everywhere. You can't swing a cat in Rome without hitting some 2000 year old this or 1000 year old that. Might as well not miss it.
It was many moons since I went, but I saved a ton of money buying bread, salami, and cheese, rather than eating every meal in a restaurant. And the breads, salamis, and cheeses in Rome will make you not want to leave. ETA: Don't go in the summer. Balls will be sweat off. |
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Sounds like you will have a leg up on most of the people there when it comes to understanding what all the ruins are and what they represented. And the pantheon wasn't built by Agrippa it was built by Hadrian! The original pantheon was built by Agrippa, when it was destroyed and rebuilt Hadrian put Agrippas name back on it. There was a reason why but I forget. Rome is probably the most important city, culturally, in the western world. |
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Wonderful place! I was there twice for a month each time. As others have said St. Peter's is a must. Pompeii is awesome! On the way down we stopped at Anzio and visited the museum there as well as the American war cemetery. I wouldn't go for less than two weeks. So much to see.
The funniest thing that happened while I was in Rome: I was out with about 50-60 college students on a pub crawl one night. I was near the front of the group as we were moving from one place to another. I reached into my pocket to take a dip and when I opened the can I heard a voice way back in the crowd about a block back calling "Skooal! I smell Skooal! Waaait!". I stopped and waited and this guy from Texas came running up to me with a panicked look on his face. He told me he had run out of dip two days before and was going crazy. I of course helped him out and we had a really good laugh that he had smelled it so far back in the crowd amidst all the other smells of the city. My Italian friends told me that the only place they knew to buy American snus was at the Vatican commissary. |
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I've visited Rome several times, starting in 1978. It's magical - but fast becoming less and less "Italian" in the stereotypical sense. In 1978, a cup of coffee cost thousands of Lira, everyone you met was Italian, all the cars were Italian, coffee shops required standing in up to three lines, there was no small change so they gave you candy instead, museums closed randomly, Communists were marching on every corner (or so it seemed) and the Prime Minister had just been kidnapped by the Red Brigade. So, a little less Northern European and organized than it now feels.
As others have said, you don't need a tour group. Tours actively make travel worse because they stop you from interacting with the locals and they halt all spontaneity. It's fun sometimes to just stumble on something. You can spend an infinite amount of time in Rome and never see it all. It's a good idea to triage things down to what really interests you. It's also easy to miss stuff because there is so much to see. Last time I went for example, I didn't realize it is possible to get tickets to enter what is believed to be part of the Emperor Augustus' house. Or that there are a couple of sections of surviving insula. Italy is easy to get around by train but it is a long thin country so trips up and down take longer than you might think. If you go to the Bay of Naples area it will take half a day of your itinerary each way even if you take the fast train (which you definitely should). If you want to visit the Amalfi coast, that's another half day. The last part of the trip is by bus. It's gorgeous though (but also very expensive). Naples is contrary to what others have said, worth a quick visit for a couple of reasons. First, it is an excellent and cheap base for the Circumvesuviana train that takes you to places like Pompeii. Second, the Archaeology museum is a must see if you are interested in Roman history, third, the back streets are really quite picturesque - but guard your wallet and camera - and fourth, it's the birthplace of Pizza!! Economically though, it is a bit like Detroit. If you don't have long in the Bay of Naples, skip Pompeii and go to Herculaneum instead. You will thank me. Pompeii is huge but Herculaneum is more manageable and better preserved. If you have time, do both of course. In Naples I stayed at the Una, which is right across the street from the station. It's a great hotel in a crappy (but logistically convenient) area. The hotel is modern but built in a historic building and you can see the old brickwork through glass walls in the corridors. Very cool. In Rome I stayed in a place that Rick Steves recommended (and by the way, I agree his guide book is the best). Hotels in Rome are very expensive but the Nerva is quite reasonable and the location right across the street from the forum and the Colosseum the cannot be beat. It's also tiny with the smallest showers I have ever seen (because already small rooms had them retrofitted). So not a luxury option. There is a restaurant a couple of doors up the street that is excellent. I'd disagree with staying at the Hilton at the airport as recommended above. The airport is very far from the city and all its sights. I stayed at the Hilton because I had an early flight out and didn't want the trek out in the wee hours. But otherwise the Hilton is utterly without character and overpriced. A bad imitation of an American hotel. By the way, if you haven't been to Italy before bear in mind that you should mentally deduct at least one star from any hotel's rating as compared to a US hotel. |
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The original pantheon was built by Agrippa, when it was destroyed and rebuilt Hadrian put Agrippas name back on it. There was a reason why but I forget. Rome is probably the most important city, culturally, in the western world. Quoted:
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Sounds like you will have a leg up on most of the people there when it comes to understanding what all the ruins are and what they represented. And the pantheon wasn't built by Agrippa it was built by Hadrian! The original pantheon was built by Agrippa, when it was destroyed and rebuilt Hadrian put Agrippas name back on it. There was a reason why but I forget. Rome is probably the most important city, culturally, in the western world. True about Agrippa building the first Pantheon! Hadrian wanted to pay Agrippa hommage who he held in high esteem along with Augustus. Hadrians mausoleum was built after Augustus's, just on a much bigger scale. To the OP go spend at least a week in Rome and try to take it all in. I doubt you will!  I didnt! Its an awesome awesome place with something new to see around every corner!
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True about Agrippa building the first Pantheon! Hadrian wanted to pay Agrippa hommage who he held in high esteem along with Augustus. Hadrians mausoleum was built after Augustus's, just on a much bigger scale. To the OP go spend at least a week in Rome and try to take it all in. I doubt you will! I didnt! Its an awesome awesome place with something new to see around every corner!
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Sounds like you will have a leg up on most of the people there when it comes to understanding what all the ruins are and what they represented. And the pantheon wasn't built by Agrippa it was built by Hadrian! The original pantheon was built by Agrippa, when it was destroyed and rebuilt Hadrian put Agrippas name back on it. There was a reason why but I forget. Rome is probably the most important city, culturally, in the western world. True about Agrippa building the first Pantheon! Hadrian wanted to pay Agrippa hommage who he held in high esteem along with Augustus. Hadrians mausoleum was built after Augustus's, just on a much bigger scale. To the OP go spend at least a week in Rome and try to take it all in. I doubt you will! I didnt! Its an awesome awesome place with something new to see around every corner!
My brother in law is a tour guide in Rome. milesandmiles.net |
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Went there for Christmas one year. No need to drive. Walked everywhere. Parking didn't seem very plentyful, like most of Europe.
Naples, just went to Pompeii. The train to get there from Naples is a bit confusing, even if an experienced traveler. Like everywhere in Europe, the costs are up to you.... Stay at hostels/low cost hotels where the bathroom is down the hall, and eat at bakeries, or you can get the international hotel and eat all your food in a restaurant with english menus. |
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Great advice on here. Took my sons last year and we stayed 2 weeks and still didnt see it all. Like you, it was on my bucket list and I too studied extensively before going.
I agree to go in early Sept. and stay somewhere central where you can walk to everything. If you do your research you will see that Piazza del Rotundo (the square where the Pantheon is) is as central as you could hope for. So we stayed there at this hotel: http://www.albergodelsenato.it/ and it was not cheap, but it was worth every penny! We loved walking around from Piazza to Piazza every night while we were there, staying out til 2am most evenings. The hotel location made it possible. View from our room 
As into history as you are, you won't have a chance to do it all so pick the things you have to see, and make a 2nd list of things you might have to save for next time. For example, I wish I would have had 2 days at the Vatican, time to see Pompeii and the Borghese Gardens. Follow basic travel guidelines and stay away from the train station and I doubt you will have to deal with pickpockets. However, YMMV if you are a retard when you travel. 
Spend at least 1 evening checking out the sites and eating on the square of Piazza Navona. Cafe Bernini was a great place with excellent wine, food, free wifi, and great service with alfresco dining on the square. We ate there at least 5 of the nights we were there. ETA: added pic |