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Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:54 pm**

So yesterday my dad just called me out of the blue asking if I wanted to go to Rome this holiday. I said sure and today we booked our flights and hotel and we're going Wednesday.

So of course we're gonna see all the good stuff (Colosseum, Vatican, Sixteenth Chapel etc), but I was wondering if any one had any recommendations off the 'tourist' track, or maybe just some tips for Rome in general.
Anyone here been to Rome before? Was it nice?
I was kinda bummed I had to go to Berlin on my school trip (would've preferred Barcelona or Rome by far) so now I'm going to see Rome any way

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:10 pm**

CATALONIA IS NOT A PART OF SPAIN!

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:14 pm**

Well. As you can see, I'm italian, although not from Rome. ^^
My brother studies there, so I went to Rome several times. It is a really nice city, but I don't really know a lot about it since I don't like being a tourist and we usually go out in the evening with his friend wherever we happen to be :p
Usually people visit Vatican City, the Colosseum, the City Centre and such (cba to translate all those places to English in that I'm not really able to). Also if I'm not wrong, there's a Darwin exhibition going on till May; I visited it and I kinda liked it cuz I had just finished with Darwin at school.
P.S.: I see you're going there for next Wednesday - my 17th bday xD - and if you're gonna stay there for more than 2 or 3 days, I'd suggest you to go to the concert - Piazza San Giovanni, ask for it - May 1st. I'm also leaving for Rome next Thursday to be there.

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:20 pm**

dom wrote:CATALONIA IS NOT A PART OF SPAIN!

wut?

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:22 pm**

lol

Well Rome + hot summer = bad smell. You see most of the old/tourirsty part of Rome
stinks when its hot due to old medieval sewer system.

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:27 pm**

woutR wrote:
dom wrote:CATALONIA IS NOT A PART OF SPAIN!

wut?

Written everywhere (graffiti on walls) when I went to Barcelona.

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:31 pm**

Ive been to rome once, and the whole city is awesome simply because rome was so awesome during the roman empire but the coloseum was a lot smaller than I had imagined

as always make sure to watch your stuff (and tell your girlfriend or whatever to watch her purse) because there are pickpocketers all over the place even though france is the worst for that

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:33 pm**

woutR wrote:

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:02 pm**

I went there last year for a week.

Saw everything and I'll tell you you'll love it

My fav is the sixteenth chapel.
And the dome (the round church thing with golden statues of god).

1 thing i liked: A scooter parked between EVERY SINGLE CAR. Huuuuge parking spaces filled to the neck with scooters lol.
1 thing i disliked: Dont buy a single consumption from the street unless you want to go bankrupt

Its like €5 for a tiny can of pringles, or €4 for a little bottle of water. Get water from the hotel lol. We travelled by foot most of the days and it was quite expensive..

Enjoy ur trip

Oh and, if the pope is having a speech, dont be as unlucky as me and my dad and end up TWO METRES in front of the entrance (huge line waiting for entrance) and having to buy tickets!!! We got right in front of the entrance gate yet again after we got tickets and than they closed

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:13 pm**

dom wrote:
woutR wrote:
dom wrote:CATALONIA IS NOT A PART OF SPAIN!

wut?

Written everywhere (graffiti on walls) when I went to Barcelona.

Because historically that provenice of Catalonia has always seen itself as
an independent state.

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:10 pm**

Have fun on the trip! @woutR

Mr.Ganji wrote:

OMFG, he looks so evil......

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:58 pm**

satman83 wrote:Because historically that provenice of Catalonia has always seen itself as
an independent state.[/color]

Thanks for the clarification.

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:00 pm**

Niceee

Going to Rome the 22nd of July, looking forward to it

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:01 pm**

I'm jealous. I'd love to go too Rome.

Anyways, defiantly go see Vatican City. It sounds awesome :love:

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:05 pm**

I've been to Rome. It's an amazing city. Would go back in a heartbeat.

First, isn't it called the Sistine Chapel? The one with the fresco Michelangelo painted.

Anywho, I'd suggest:-

Trevi Fountain
Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
Colosseum
The Vatican (I did a tour, was well worth it - lasted about 2 to 3 hours but it showed you the wealth there is in that religion. Quite amazing)
Sistine Chapel
Pantheon
Circus Maximus (Now is covered in grass)
Piazza Navona
Galleria Borghese
Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)

Though to be honest, just walking around Rome; you can't help but stumble upon Ancient Ruins. It really is quite amazing.

Tips: Don't walk too close to the road, or you'll get hit over the head by the mirrors on the buses. Italian people are some of the nicest people you can ever meet, if you DO find one which speaks English they would generally more than happily help you.

Location: As far as accommodation, Rome is a city which can be walked depending on how fit you are. I walked around Rome, except for the limo which came for the Airport (which was a longgg way away). I stayed in the street Governo Vecchio; it was the street which the Governors of Italy and Rome used to live.

Food: It isn't hard to come across some great Pizzerias. Most Pizzerias also sell Spaghetti, Lasagna etc.

Good luck, have fun and take care. If you have any other questions PM me

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:10 pm**

i went there too
its so much fun especialy the capel
Hav phun

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:13 pm**

*BlackFox wrote:Have fun on the trip! @woutR
Mr.Ganji wrote:
OMFG, he looks so evil......

OT:Have a nice trip!:P

Posted: **Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:15 pm**

Snoopy wrote:
First, isn't it called the Sistine Chapel? The one with the fresco Michelangelo painted.

Yea was kinda wondering that myself cause in Holland we don't call it the 'sixteenth' chapel, but when I just typed it in google it auto completed as sixteenth. Which, as I should have known, was wrong, but w/e.

Thanks for your suggestions. Kinda last minute trip so it's most appreciated, will check them all out.

Posted: **Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:00 am**

dom wrote:CATALONIA IS NOT A PART OF SPAIN!

Bullshit

Posted: **Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:34 am**

woutR wrote:
Snoopy wrote:
First, isn't it called the Sistine Chapel? The one with the fresco Michelangelo painted.

Yea was kinda wondering that myself cause in Holland we don't call it the 'sixteenth' chapel, but when I just typed it in google it auto completed as sixteenth. Which, as I should have known, was wrong, but w/e.

Thanks for your suggestions. Kinda last minute trip so it's most appreciated, will check them all out.

Not a problem. Also note, a lot of what I suggested can be done in one day and is within walking distance of eachother. I will find a map for you.

Spoiler!

If you were to put your finger, smack bang in the middle of that map. You'd end up with it near the Pantheon. That's right about where I stayed.

Castle St. Angelo, Colosseum, The Vatican are all within walking distance. Any further than that, you may like to get a taxi.

Posted: **Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:47 am**

I'll give you practical advice here, because any travel guide you buy will tell you what the nice things are to go see. I bold things I think are super important.

Definitely learn to use the bus system the minute you get there. The metro there is ok, but it doesn't go a whole lot of places. Taxis may rip you off. Bring a water bottle to fill up. There are tons of free water fountains that dispense water from the aquifers. They are not your typical water fountains.

My recommendation, Capitoline Museums:
A lot of the cool statues you associate with Rome are housed here. It was my favorite of all the museums we visited.

Vatican:
Check the Vatican schedule ahead of time. If the Pope is doing something outside, like giving a speech or mass or whatever, that's a good time to go visit the museum (cuz everyone wants to see the pope not the museum). Otherwise it's packed. Get ready for a long wait or get there super early in the morning. See the sisteen chapel, be quiet inside, bring a camera you can take pictures without flash.

St. Peter's Basilica:
If you go upstairs to visit the top of St. Peter's, pay to take the elevator for the love of all things holy. Go upstairs though, you don't fully comprehend the size or grandeur of it until you're on top.

Trevi Fountain:
Avoid the peddlers. Have the gelato. Return for more gelato.

Roman Forum (Foro Romano):
Bring sunscreen and water, there's not a lot of shade and it's hot in Rome in the summer.

Colosseum:
Avoid the picture takers and the pick pockets who inevitably linger here.

Circus Maximus:
I was honestly disappointed. It's a big grass field now, nothing was going on there when we were there.

Galleria Borghese:
Call ahead and make reservations the minute you get there or now. They book in advance and only a limited number of guests per day get in. Walk around the grounds afterward. I spent a full day in the surrounding grounds, there are some great people watching places. There are also some great photo ops on the hills overlooking the city. Bring a football

Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna):
Crowded. Avoid the peddlers. There's an amazing vegetarian restaurant somewhere downstairs to the right if you're coming down the steps, forget the name. It's in a side street. Food was to die for. Shops around the steps are expensive.

Drink espresso. Eat a lot. Have wine with everything.

Posted: **Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:01 am**

I don't know what a peddler. I did Google Define and it came up with illegal sellers of drugs or expensive items.

However it reminded me somewhat of pick pockets. When in crowded places, i.e. the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the Colosseum, keep your at the front of your person and keep it in sight. A lot of the Gypsy's and homeless people in Rome have perfected the art of pick pocketing.

It's also fun to sit down at the bridge near Castle St. Angelo and watch the people with their "stalls" run when the police come

Posted: **Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:20 am**

Posted: **Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:05 pm**

Snoopy wrote:I don't know what a peddler. I did Google Define and it came up with illegal sellers of drugs or expensive items.

However it reminded me somewhat of pick pockets. When in crowded places, i.e. the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the Colosseum, keep your at the front of your person and keep it in sight. A lot of the Gypsy's and homeless people in Rome have perfected the art of pick pocketing.

It's also fun to sit down at the bridge near Castle St. Angelo and watch the people with their "stalls" run when the police come

The guys I'm referring to were all over the tourist spots, but especially at Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. They appeared to be Pakistani or Bangladeshi immigrants "giving out free roses" which they then demand exorbidant money for after you're holding them. They can get really pushy. My husband handed one of them his empty gelato container when he wouldn't stop trying to hand me a rose and we almost had to fight the guy. He was pretty skinny, I could have taken him

It was the other 20-30 or so of them watching that scared me. Anyway, I don't recommend insulting them, just be prepared to get hassled.

Also, the city is rife with scam artists who troll heavily populated tourist areas. Be wary of any sob stories you hear or anyone asking for money. If you want to be charitable, make a donation when you get home.

You bring up an excellent point though. When in Rome, carry your wallet in your front pocket.. I shit you not, standing in the crowd watching the Pope talk someone stole a bunch of receipts out of my husband's back pocket. No respect for the holy presence these days. Bunch of heathens lol

Posted: **Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:10 pm**

If you're going to St. Peter's Basilica make sure you wear a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, otherwise they will refuse you entry.

Posted: **Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:42 pm**

lavapockets wrote:He was pretty skinny, I could have taken him It was the other 20-30 or so of them watching that scared me. Anyway, I don't recommend insulting them, just be prepared to get hassled.

+1 for anybody who wants to tour crowded places in france or italy (I been to germany and swizterland once and its not so bad there but paris especially)

my friend was walking through this big open space with pigeons and these guys were feeding them. Suddenly one of them grabbed my friend's hand and poured seeds into tit and all the birds started to land on his arm..was pretty cool until the guy started asking for 10 euro for the "service". And then he started to follow us until we had to tell him off so yeah

Posted: **Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:21 am**

Jstar1 wrote:
lavapockets wrote:He was pretty skinny, I could have taken him It was the other 20-30 or so of them watching that scared me. Anyway, I don't recommend insulting them, just be prepared to get hassled.

+1 for anybody who wants to tour crowded places in france or italy (I been to germany and swizterland once and its not so bad there but paris especially)

my friend was walking through this big open space with pigeons and these guys were feeding them. Suddenly one of them grabbed my friend's hand and poured seeds into tit and all the birds started to land on his arm..was pretty cool until the guy started asking for 10 euro for the "service". And then he started to follow us until we had to tell him off so yeah

Lol. In Paris it's reallly really bad. Near the Arc de Triomphe there's many of them gypsy girls. They come up with their post cards which they have written in just about every possible language. When you're reading it, a bunch of them will flock to you and they start walking around you really suspiciously and sharing cigarettes.

It's fun to sit back and watch them at work though.

Posted: **Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:27 pm**

Snoopy wrote:
Jstar1 wrote:
lavapockets wrote:He was pretty skinny, I could have taken him It was the other 20-30 or so of them watching that scared me. Anyway, I don't recommend insulting them, just be prepared to get hassled.

+1 for anybody who wants to tour crowded places in france or italy (I been to germany and swizterland once and its not so bad there but paris especially)

my friend was walking through this big open space with pigeons and these guys were feeding them. Suddenly one of them grabbed my friend's hand and poured seeds into tit and all the birds started to land on his arm..was pretty cool until the guy started asking for 10 euro for the "service". And then he started to follow us until we had to tell him off so yeah

Lol. In Paris it's reallly really bad. Near the Arc de Triomphe there's many of them gypsy girls. They come up with their post cards which they have written in just about every possible language. When you're reading it, a bunch of them will flock to you and they start walking around you really suspiciously and sharing cigarettes.

It's fun to sit back and watch them at work though.

I watched a group of Roma kids robbing people outside of the colleseum. We were sitting on a wall near the side where the forum is just watching these kids weave in and out of the crowds of people. Anyways, this one kid picked the wrong mark and tried to rob this italian businessman. Took the watch right off his arm. The dude grabbed him by the wrist, started cursing him out and beat the crap out of him with his breifcase. There were even cops hanging around and none of them did anything the entire time. It was a good show, but I kind of felt bad for the kids. They looked like they were only about 10-11. Growing up in the conditions they do doesn't give them a lot of opportunities.

Yea..the guys in Paris are freakin scary. Ran into a group of them in monmartre, they are extremely pushy and if you don't buy anything they will actually yell at you. I'm usually pretty pleasant to people, but I refused to smile when they were around and never even looked at them because if you give them an in they're all over you. It's pretty ridiculous.

Posted: **Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:24 pm**

Mr.Ganji wrote:

"I love children. Aren't they sweet?"

Posted: **Sun May 03, 2009 5:33 pm**

Ok so I'm back

I saw all the highlights, saw everything on Snoopy's list and it was nice.
I didn't really dig Trevi Fountain/Spanish steps. It was overcrowded, too touristy and just swamped with pakistani's trying to sell roses and Eastern European teenagers robbing everything there was to be robbed.

I went to see Via Appia Antica, which I'm surprised none of you mentioned cause it was the most enjoyable of my entire visit. We rented a bike and saw the entire road. It was beautiful weather, beautiful scenery and I just liked riding a bike in the sun (Dutch habit I guess).
The road was pretty broken so there small dirt paths on the side. Was pretty funny to see people on expensive mountain bikes with perfect gear and all and still see them fail at conquering the road.
My dad and I just had some crappy 10 year old bikes but managed perfectly. I guess that's the experience of a lifetime biking in Holland (probably have over 20,000 miles of biking experience under my belt).

Our apartment was literally only 100 meter away from the St Peter/Vatican Museum which was totally awesome. We had no queue at all for St Peter and about a 45 minute queue for the museum cause we could come real early. I have pictures of an empty sky terrace of the St Peter which is usually swamped. (I'll get my dad to send the pics)
The queue for both was around 3-5 hours after 12 PM (or AM? I still don't know which one it is). There were so many people for the vatican museum the queue actually went around the vatican up to the St Peter where both queues collided. It must've taken more than 5 hours to complete that queue and I respect someone who has the patience to do it. (A lot of people jumped the queue, damn bastards.)

Anyways, I had a great time and thanks for all the helpful advice.

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