Anyone ever Been to Italy?

Question

Especially Rome. How is it? What can you do/see? My family is thinking of travelling there.

Answer 1

I use to live there when i was younger. We lived in Naples. I was a navy brat! lol

Italy is amazing and I highly recommend it. Everything there is great. there is nothing not worth seeing.

Answer 2

I was just there a couple of weeks ago. Rome is so HOT! its in the 90s everyday so be ready. You can visit the colosseum, the pantheon, national monument, the Vatican, the forumatholice churches, just walking through the streets you will see beautiful fountains, and artwork. watch out for scooters. there is also a lot o shopping. If you go to Italy be sure to go to Florence. Venice is a tourist trap. Rome is amazing. visiting anything at night is beautiful because it is less crowded and everything is lit up. the food is excellent. If you go to Rome you will not run out of things to do

Answer 3

Here is some helpful information.

Rome information

http://www.impariamo.com/forum/viewtopic...

http://www.impariamo.com/forum/viewtopic...

Sightseeing Guide in Rome

http://www.enjoyrome.com/tourist/citygui...

http://www.romecity.it/

http://www.romasegreta.it/index.html...

Transportation in Rome

http://www.enjoyrome.com/tourist/citygui...

Sports Tips in Rome -- Where to run, bike etc.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/eur...

Walking and Biking Tours in Rome

http://www.viator.com/rome-tours/walking...

Entertaining Kids in Rome

http://www.inromenow.com/site%20template...

Dining in Rome on a budget

http://www.ehow.com/how_14346_eat-rome-c...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Dining in Rome

(At some places in Rome, it is possible to order a half portion of pasta (but not for half price) )

*** Always visit the bathrooms in the local restaurants before you leave. They are usually very clean and are free of charge. I always make this a point on my trips to use them.

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/rome/restau...

Here are some recommended places

Trotteria Monti

Via San Vito, 13A

[phone]

Pizzeria la Montecarlo

Vicolo Savelli, 13

[phone]

Gelateria Della Palma - Near the Trevi Fountain

Via della Maddelena

(If you are facing the Trevi Fountain, Della Palma is about two doors down Via della Maddelena which goes off to the right.)

La Botticella- Near Piazza Navona

Via di Tor Millina, 32

Campo dei Fiori Market

Campo dei Fiori

Just north of the Jewish ghetto along the east bank of the Tiber River

(For a cheap lunch just come by early, buy some tomatoes, vegetables, cheese, meats, and some bread and stuff them in your bag. Then go sit by the river, the Bernini fountain, The Fiountain of Trevi, or wherever your heart desires and enough your lunch. Don't forget to buy a drink , or a bottle of wine.)

Gelateria at Giolitti

Via Uffici del Vicario,40

It is the oldest gelateria in Rome

www.giolitti.it/

Gelateria di San Crispino--Near Trevi Fountain

City Centre -Fountain of Trevi

Via della Panetteria,42

www.ilgelatodisancrispino.com

Felice a Testaccio

Via Mastro Giorgio,29

[phone]

Tre Scalini

Piazza Navona, 28

[phone]

(In the middle of the north side of the piazza)

Serves the best authentic home made TARTUFO ice cream. One is enough for two.

Osteria Pucci--Trastevere

Piazzia Mastai,2

+ 39 06 5819870

Osteria della Stazione---Castelli/Marino

Via Scalinata della Stazione

[phone]

http://www.osteriadellastazione.com...

Osteria della Frezza---Centro Storico

Via della Frezza 16

[phone]

http://www.gusto.it

If you are looking for inexpensive restaurants, look for the term osteria, tavola calda, rosticceria, trattoria, pizzeria, or "self-service

Locating Rome hotels:

http://www.alimandi.org/

Guide to Rome

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/d...

Hotel delle Muse

Via Tommaso Salvini, 18

(Parioli District) 00197 Rome Italy

Tel. (+39) - 06.80.88.333

Fax (+39) - 06.80.85.749

E-mail: [e-mail]

[e-mail]

Hotel delle Muse is located in the elegant, quiet, residential area of Rome known as Parioli.

Price range between 65 Euros to 280 Euros a night

http://www.hoteldellemuse.com/

St. Moritz Hotel

51 Via Nazionale

Rome 00184 Italy

Tel.+ 39 06-48-68-90

Fax: [phone]

The Hotel St.Moritz is a 3-star accommodation located in the centre of Rome in a beautiful building dating back to the 19th century

Price range 65 Euros to 250 Euros all year around

How To Arrive at the hotel

By Plane: From the Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) airport there is a train every 30 minutes to the Railway Station " Termini ", or a taxi service.

By Train: From Termini railway station to the hotel you have less than 1 km, therefore you can reach the hotel on foot. If you prefer you can take a bus (number 64 or 170).

By Metro: The nearest Metro Station is "Repubblica", less than 300 metres far away from us.

http://www.hotelstmoritz.it/index.html

Hotel Italia

Via Venezia, 18

Roma, 00184

Tel.[phone]

Fax [phone]

http://www.hotelitaliaroma.com/

It is situated in the heart of historic Rome. Near the Spanish Steps, Fountain of Trevi, Termini station and the Colosseum. It located 3 blocks from Termini station.

Price Range 50 Euros to 200 Euros

I personally have stayed at the Hotel St. Moritz and Hotel Italia. I haven't stayed at the Hotel St. Moritz in many years. I like the location of the Hotel Italia and the staff is very friendly and helpful. I have stayed there several times. The hotel is not fancy, but I really enjoyed staying there.

***Some words of advice: Read reviews on the hotels, B&B's etc, where you are thinking of staying.

***The 110 Bus--This is a good way to get an overview of the city, but don't expect a full blown tour...the attractions are highlighted using a prerecorded message in several different languages (they provide headphones). I would only recommend this bus if you're nervous about getting around the city on your own. I would suggest using this tour on the first day you arrive so you can get an overview of the city and try to get your bearings. You can buy the tickets at Termini station. The cost is about 13 euros for a hop on/hop off tour or 8 euors for a non stop tour.

***It is well worth it. I rode the 110 Bus to get around the city when the distances to walk were too far. It is cheaper than a cab/taxi ride. You can get on and off all day.

Timetable

April-September: 9:00-20:00

October-March: 10:00-18:00

For info and booking: [phone]

Helpful link for moving around Rome

http://www.romeitalyholiday.com/moving_i...

http://www.rome.info/transportation/tick...

Robertina

Answer 4

I LOVE Rome! I'll be back to visit sometime in my life, that's for sure.

It's driving distance from Pompeii (one of the places I'd wanted to see since I was a little girl), Naples, Capri, etc. Of course there is so much to see in Roma alone that you could spend an entire vacation in just that city!

I HIGHLY recommend that you visit Italy. It is such a wonderful place. You won't be the least bit disappointed. :)

Answer 5

yes i love it!! i was born there

Answer 6

I live in Italy for 5 year and recently moved here, all i can tell you is it's great, you'll have a great time, their food is SOO much better than the american one

Answer 7

Robertina has given you a great response, as have many others, but I do have a little something to add.

(I've already written this for a few other questions, but I think the same applies for you too.)

Know that you are going to one of the major artistic centers of the world and take advantage being able to see some fantastic works of art in the country they were created.  

The Museums not to miss are;  

The Uffizi in Florence, The Brera in Milan and in Rome don't miss the Borghese Gallery (my favorite museum in the world, but you need a reservation (0039) 06 32810, press 2 for English.) and the Vatican Museum.  

If you are able to make it to Pompeii you should also make an effort to go to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Napoli.  That is where all the artifacts from Pompeii are housed.  It is worth the trip.  Also Pompeii is huge, and in the summer sun it can be exhausting, just to warn you.  You may want to bring a hat that shades your face.

"Rome by night" is also a nice way to experience this "Citta Eterna".  The main piazzas and streets are bustling and filled with street vendors and Romans out enjoying the cool evening, although some of the attractions, like churches etc... are closed, it is preferable to wander some of the main areas at night when it is cool.  You will be amazed how alive Roma is at 1:00 am.  And if you stay in the main tourist areas (Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo) the city is also very safe at that hour.  The summer is so hot that it understandable why so many Romans sleep during the day to avoid the heat and stay out late at night, just walking and enjoying a Gelato (do eat tons of gelato, it is great!).

some Pracitcal Tips for this city.  Forgive me if you already know this, but I think it's stuff that everyone should know.

1> Carry tissue with you everywhere.  It is possible that you won't find any when you visit the restrooms in restaurants etc...  Although Italy is amazing, it does have some of the worst public bathrooms I have ever experienced.  (The Italians think the rest of the world are barbarians because we do not use bidets, however, the state they keep their public bathrooms in can sometimes be appalling.)

1a> If you do need a bathroom and there are none to be found, go to any BAR, they always have a bathroom for customers.  Order something small, an espresso, or juice or tramezzino (little sandwich), or even just a glass of mineral water.  Usually the places where you get "pizza a taglio" (cut pizza, or "by the slice") do not have bathrooms for customers.  I don't know why.

2> Always keep a watchful eye on your purse and wallet when on the subway in Rome.  (and I can imagine this applies to public transportation in the rest of Italy too.)  Pick-pockets can always spot a tourist and often prey upon them, unfortunately.

3> You will eat VERY well in this country, however, it is advisable to avoid restaurants in some of the more touristy areas.  The food is overpriced and usually poor quality.  (Right next to the Vatican Museum and Piazza della Signorina in Florence are 2 places where I have had some of the worst food in Italy.)  Try to find smaller "hole in the wall" types that usually attract Italians, rather than tourists.  That said... Almost all of the restaurants in the Trastevere district of Rome are fantastic and it is well worth the price to get indulge in a drink at Cafe Florian in San Marco Square in Venice.

4> Often (but not always, so it is generally advisable to check ahead of time) churches, attractions and shops close from 1:00 to 4:00 Monday through Saturday.  Shops and Stores are almost always closed on Sundays, especially in some of the smaller towns.

5> Bring at least 2 pairs of _really_ comfortable shoes so you can switch off.  Switching shoes every day really helps your feet from getting too worn out.  You will be doing a _lot_ of walking.

6> Sunscreen is expensive here.  Bring some from home.

7> Pack light, it is way too easy to find loads of great fashions and shoes etc... here.

I hope you have a wonderful time in this beautiful country!

Answer 8

I just returned last week from a trip to the Mediterranean that included Rome.  We went with a tour organized by the Disney Cruise line.  We lucked out as I heard it was HOT the week before and it really HOT now.

The organized tours may be a good introduction...they got us the tickets ahead of time to all of the venues (Colleseum, Vatican) as well a Lunch.  It served as a good point to get tips on what to see later and when to see them.

I know a few couples went on their own and spent as much time looking for things as we did on the tour but since all our tickets were obtained ahead of time, we normally went to the front of the lines or maybe we just lucked out and getting in when lines were short (less than 5 minutes at the Vatican).

It was worth spending some time investing a tour book just to get an idea of what you want to see.  Like our tour guide told us, She's lived in Rome her whole life, and still feels she has seen on half of the treasured destinations that she escorts tourist now.

Plan ahead  and have fun!  

I hear it's hot in Rome now.

Answer 9

I was there in July 2005 on a Mission Trip with my church.  It was awesome!  SO many beautiful sights to see.  We saw Venice, Florence and Tuscany.  HIGHLY recommend!

Answer 10

Rome is a grand old city.... with all the chaos typical of a southern Mediterranean city. Traffic, open air markets, loud people, pick pockets, shopping (for all tastes and wallets).... ancient Greek & Roman ruins, museums, art gallaries, monuments. Bascially there is so much to see that it would be best for you to take the time go go though the answers you've received and make up you own itinerary.

Museums on rainy days or in the afternoons when it too hot to be out and about. Save the markets for the morinings when the air is fresh and the good "stuff" has yet to be sold. Mix your days with serious and fun stuff to do. After a  tour of the Collessium you should then head over to the Spanish steps for an ice cream and discover the city center.

Have a good time, don't leave the hotel with ALL OF YOUR MONEY and all of your credit cards - take just what you will need for the day. Leave your valuables in the hotel safe. Take loads of photos, play it safe and have the time of your life.

Answer 11

I returned from Italy in March.  I absolutely loved it.  I have to say though that Rome was my least favorite of the cities we visited.  Depending on the time of year and your lenghth of stay I would highly suggest Florence.  You are about half way between Venice and Rome so you can take day trips if you like.