Roma
"si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more; si fueris alibi, vivito sicut ibi"
"If you are in Rome, live in the Roman way; if you are elsewhere, live as they do there"
Aww, Roma, a bustling city, where modern and ancient meet! There is so much to see and depending on how long you’ll be there, its best not to try to jam pack your days. The city is most enjoyable when you’re able to take your time and absorb the reality of your visit, being that you are in a city that’s over two thousand years old! Of course, there’s no way of seeing every historical site, every museum, and shop, so it’s best to decide what kind of experience you want to have before hand. I love museums, but in Rome the whole city is a museum. There are endless historical opportunities outside the confines of a building. (My personal opinionJ)
Rome has some great shopping! That said. Rome is most famous for its high end retail stores. You’ll also find souvenir vendors everywhere, don’t forget to bargain with street vendors. I have a little tradition that I started my first trip to Italy, instead of buying a bunch of souvenirs I probably won’t have in a year, I treat myself to a pair of Gucci sunglasses. If you can, make a small investment in something Italian! Whether it is a belt, sunglasses, or a pair of Italian shoes, fashion in Italy is crazy and whatever you purchase won’t be in stores in the US for a few years if at all!!
Most of Rome is safe, but always be cautious, especially at night. Watch the wallet, there are a lot of pickpockets, especially on the metro (subway). There are Roma (gypsy like) women (carrying children) that can be a little aggressive if a male doesn’t give up his seat for them, they can get a little loud and pushy. (These aren’t Italian women, they are eastern European) The subway is the best form of transportation, other than by foot. If it’s late and your legs have had enough, a taxi is reasonable. Let the cab driver know where you’re going and settle a price before you get in. (best thing to do no matter what city you’re in) The metro is easy to figure out, make sure you get a metro map from the tourist office at the airport. Speaking of airport, Roma Fiumicino Airport is the main airport in Rome. The tourist office there is very helpful in providing city and metro maps. You can also buy bus tickets for transport into the city. From what I can remember, the airport is about 30-40 min outside the city.
Romans have been called rude and loud; remember you’re experiencing a different culture. Italians in general speak loudly with a lot of hand movement and emotion. Romans especially have this sense of pride, how can you blame them, they have such a rich history. Keep an open mind and embrace the cultural exchange. I find this aspect of travel the most fascinating. Don’t be shy, spark up a conversation, ask for directions, or pay that beautiful girl a compliment by saying “belle donne” How awesome would it be if you made a friend while on your travels? Italians love interaction, socializing is a huge part of their life.
Hotels: Such a myriad of choices! It all depends on budget but a good rule of thumb is to stay away from the train station. Like any city, anywhere around the train station is a little on the seedy side.
Here’s a list of a few:
• Hotel Campo De’Fiori
• Hotel Santa Maria
• Residenza Ave Hotel
The best bet in finding a hotel, is going to a website like Trip Advisor or Expedia and read reviews and look at pics. I personally only stay at expensive hotels when they are running a sale, which you can find during off season. Otherwise, I can deal with a room that’s decent but without lavish amenities. You won’t be in your room much, so all you need is comfort and a good location.
Sightseeing: An overabundance of options!!
Here’s a short list of must see:
• Vatican City
• Colosseum (A night trip is mysterious and wonderfully romantic! Loved sharing that moment with Triniti!)
• Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) (gets really crowded, but worth it! Also a night attraction)
• Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
• Pantheon
• Piazza Navona
• Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) Shopping surrounds this area, beautiful cobblestone streets. Take a drink from the Barcaccia Fountain at the foot of the steps. The water in Rome is safe to drink and there are fountains you can drink out of everywhere. It’s naturally cold and tastes great! (Do I sound like a commercial?)
There is so much more than this, your guide book will give you insight into what else to see. Fromers and Lonely Planet have great guide books! Although most cities offer free city maps, I LOVE Streetwise City Maps, they are laminated and easy to read. I highlight or circle the places I visited for future reference.
Food: Wow!! So many choices! Go to Tripadvisor website, they have a ton of reviews.
Finally, learn a little Italian before you leave. Simple things like hello and goodbye go a long way and the attempt is really appreciated by Italians or any culture for that matter.
Arriverdeci
