I'm visiting Rome in a few days with my family is there anywhere i should and shouldn't go?

Question

I'm visiting Rome in a few days with my family is there anywhere i should and shouldn't go?

Answer 1

I went to Rome last spring and really loved it.  Of course you should see the Vatican, Colessium (not sure on spelling), and Trevi Fountain.  When you are at the fountain, belief is that you throw 3 coins over your shoulder into it and it will bring you good luck.  But if you are going to take pictures at night, be ready to use your flash a lot.  It is very dark there (not much street lighting).  While in the Sistine Chapel they say NO PHOTOS, but if you wanted you can easily take one...they will just tell you to stop.  You won't get in trouble.  I'm not Catholic but that stuff was truly amazing to see.  Just enjoy it! Oh, I don't know if you have been to Europe before but be prepared to stay in small sized beds and hotels, everything over there seems to be on the small size.  Have FUN!!!

Answer 2

Should go? Well, I'm sure you have enough good ideas - the Coliseum, Vatican City (including St. Peter's), the Forum, the Spanish Steps, Castel Sant Angelo. The Trevi Fountain was absoulutely *beautiful* in the evening.

Shouldn't go? Well, I read that tourists should avoid Termini (the big train station) as pickpockets target tourists there, but I never went there myself so never got had experience of that place...

I haven't included everything I saw/learnt on my trip to Rome, so feel free to email me if you have any questions!

P.S. Wednesday is the day for Papal audiences/blessings.

Answer 3

Do not hang out or stay near the Termini station.  This area is know for crime, drugs and theft.  

The highlights of rome are the Vatican/St. Peters, the Roman Forum/Palatine hill/ Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the area of Trastevere and the ancient road Appia Antica that leads to the catacombs.  Enjoy, it's a great city!

I almost forgot.... Basilica of San Clemente Church of San Clemente and its Mithraeum it is difficult to compare this basilica to other Roman churches,  however beautiful and artistically important they may be. Inside, the visitor takes a real trip through time visiting two basilicas: a lower and upper with four different structural levels dating from the 1rst to the 12th century A.D. On the lowest level of the lower Basilica there is the Mithraeum, a temple dedicated to Mirtra, an ancient Persian religion that was a rival with Christianity. In addition, inside the  upper church there are the splendid mosaics depicting the stories from the life of St. Catherine of Alexandria , frescoed by Masolino

San Giovanni in Laterano and the church of the Scala Santa-- holy stairs--- (a flight of 28 marble steps (now clad with wood) which is believed to be a staircase from Pilate's palace in Jerusalem, brought to Rome in the fourth century by St. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine.

Answer 4

Before going to Rome you should go to that guide of Rome:

http://www.niceflatinrome.com/guide.htm

(or any other)

It has some good tips and a couple of important articles that describe exactly what you can and should see, eat and do in the time frame you have to spend there.

Hope it helps.

Have a nice travel.

Answer 5

Plenty of places to go - too many to list here.  

Termini Station itself is not that bad - use good judgment and be very careful with your belongings (pick pockets abound!)  The neighborhood to the east of Termini is considered the worst part of Rome.  However, it's a newer part of the city, very ugly, and there's no reason for any tourist to go there anyways because there's nothing to see there.  The parts of Rome that tourists visit are very safe - just use good judgment.  Watch your belongings, don't walk around at night by yourself, and be very careful about getting drunk in public.

Answer 6

When you go to St. Peters Basilica, go early.  I believe that they keep the early morning open for "groups" before they open it up to the regular public.  Sign yourself up as a group and instead of making the regular loop, head directly for the Sistine Chapel.  You might get lucky enough to get it to yourself for a brief moment.  Also, when you buy rosary beads from vendors, sometimes they offer to get it blessed by the Pope.  Appearently there is a mass blessing during a certain day of the week for it.  It you do, can you send me one that was blessed by the Pope?

Thanks!

Answer 7

Go to the vatican (doesnt matter if you are not religious) for art and admiration of centuries of greed!

- go see the forum and all that...

Coloseum is a bit boring but u have to do it anyway