I will be going to Rome, Italy either in the summer of 07 or 08. Read inside for more!?

Question

I will be staying in Rome no more than 2 weeks about how much should i set aside for this trip. I have expensive taste but i don't think that i will be doing very much shopping on my trip just sightseeing. Can you please give me some packing tips and places to visit while i'm there.

Answer 1

Hi! Rome is a wonderful place.....very beautiful, historic, interesting.....just fantastic! I have only been once before but am going again in the summer of 2007 to stay for a year.

OK, first off I'll suggest some sites that are very helpful....this first one is a little out dated but its still really good: http://www.romebuddy.com/guidetorome.htm...

This will teach as much about Italian culture as you can learn with out actually going there.

The next site is if you wish to not look like a tourist and blend in a bit....this will also make you less of a target for pick pockets: http://www.virtualitalia.com/travel/dres...

Always keep in mind though that if you do wear shorts or sleevless tops you will not be permitted into some churches...including the Vatican which is a MUST see.

If you have an expensive taste I would say around $4000 (its not as much in euros), but you could get along well with less. I'm assuming that you wouldn't want to stay in a hostel (which is very cheap, and there are plenty of youth hostels if you are interested) so I found a site with some inexpensive and expensive hotels in Rome: http://www.hotels-rome-hotels.net/

Ok, now....where are you coming from? America? If so I would suggest this site to find the cheapest plane tickets: http://supersearch.travelzoo.com/?catid=...

I have used this site before and it is very useful. But if you are from an European country I am not for sure which would be the cheapest...maybe the train?

Anyways, when you get there the best way to get around is walking! Well, for a sight seer anyways....but for long distances I would suggest the bus, it doesn't cost that much.

Don't think you won't be able to shop....when I went there last there was merchants everywhere and you can haggle with them....and get a cheaper price for things.

Some Initial Packing Tips

Rule Number One: Don't pack more than you can carry! Really, it's okay to wear the same outfit more than once. You can plan on the same type of clothing that you would want for a summer in New York, bearing in mind the following:

-Even though it is quite warm, shorts are not that popular in Italy. Certainly short shorts will be the cause of much attention - unwanted attention.

-You will be visiting churches, and churches are houses of worship. Occasionally, the officials crack down and refuse to admit people in abbreviated costumes.

-Bring comfortable, low-heeled shoes; you will be walking a lot.

-It is important that you bring a pair of slippers or flip-flops; Incase you get a hotel where there is a communal bathroom or want to take a shower at a train stop or something.....you DO NOT want to walk around barefooted in any public place.

-Remember your sunglasses.

-Please do not bring valuable jewelry with you.

-You can buy American brands of cosmetics in Italy, but expect to pay more for them. So I suggest bringing all your feminine products with you and not buying them there.

-Although towels are provided, the ones you find in Italy tend to be rather small, so I also recommend that you take a bath towel.  

-Voltage in Italy is 220, as opposed to 110 in the U.S., and the outlets are shaped differently. For any electrical appliances you will need both an adapter (for the size of the plug) and a transformer (to convert the voltage). If you plan to take an electrical appliance, purchase the adapter and transformer for it here.

-If you take a clock make sure it's either a wind-up or quartz-run. Even with a transformer, electric clocks will lose 10 minutes every hour. (Trust us.)

-A guide book can be useful up to a point, but this is completely optional.

-Don't forget your phone card. You can call home collect, but that is very expensive. Most major telephone companies have an overseas option which allows you to dial an access code and get connected immediately to a U.S. (and therefore English speaking) operator who will complete your call for you. This service is typically much cheaper than calling collect. Check with your long-distance carrier.

Here is another site I found and it has some more packing tips: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/6522...

Places to see.....just look around, they are everywhere! But here is a list of some must see's (if you have time for them all) and in the () is the area of Rome they are located:

Colosseum (Colosseum)

Roman Forum (Colosseum)

Palatino (Colosseum)

St.Peter in Chains (Colosseum)

St.Clemente (Colosseum)

Capitol Museums (Campo dè Fiori)

St. Maria Aracoeli (Campo dè Fiori)

Campo dè Fiori (Campo dè Fiori)

Piazza Navona (Navona)

Pantheon (Pantheon)

St. Maria sopra Minerva (Pantheon)

Doria Pamphili Gallery (Pantheon)

Trevi Fountain (Trevi fountain)

Piazza di Spagna & Spanish Steps (Spanish Steps)

St. Maria del Popolo (Spanish Steps)

Ara Pacis (Spanish Steps)

Triton Fountain (Via Veneto)

Palazzo Barberini – National Gallery (Via Veneto)

Quirinale Presidential Palace (Quirinale)

Opera Theatre (Quirinale)

Repubblica Square (Termini Station)

St. Mary Major Basilica (Esquilino)

St. Peter Basilica (St.Peter - Vatican)

Vatican Museums (St.Peter - Vatican)

Sistine Chapel (St.Peter - Vatican)

Olympic Stadium (Prati)

Borghese Gallery (Villa Borghese)

Villa Giulia – Etruscan Museum (Villa Borghese)

Auditorium (Auditorium)

St. Agnese Catacombs (Salario)

University La Sapienza (University)

St. John Lateran Basilica (Laterano)

Mouth of Truth (Aventino)

Circus Maximus (Aventino)

Appia Antica (Aventino)

St. Sebastian Gate (Aventino)

St. Maria in Trastevere (Trastevere)

Janiculum (Trastevere)

Tiber island (Trastevere)

Villa Pamphili Park (Aurelio)

And a nice site I found on things to do/see:http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresul...

Ok, lets see if I remember some particulars....in most places with art work you are not suppose to take pictures (most people do anyways) because the flash fades the paintings. Vehicles are not allowed in the city center so you must walk there if you wish to see it (which you do, trust me!)....Italians drivers have a bad rep but they earned it, lol, I was almost hit twice while there so be VERY careful. Pick pockets and gypsies are a problem there but while I was visiting I had (and neither did anybody with me) no problems with theft.

The best advice I can give you is to just stop and take it all in once you get there. Pay attention and be observant. And if you want to know anything about Italy just start a conversation with an Italian...most are so very friendly (as long as you are friendly with them) and will love to tell you all about Italy and Italian culture.

hmmm....I can't really think of much more right now but if I do I'll get back to you....Oh, remember one thing always; you are a guest in some body else's country so be respectful and do not act like the "owe" you something and give them a reason to say "ugly American" or "ugly Brit" and so forth.

Answer 2

I travel to Rome about twice a year - first of all I think staying there for 2 weeks is too long! One week is more than enough!!

You should visit the Vatican, the Pantheon, Villa Borghese, Castel St. Angelo, Pizza di Spagna, Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, The Soldier's Monument, San Giovanni (check out the market there on a Sunday),The colosseum, the old Roman market, Via del Corso. The Guggenheim Museum is really nice and the Contemporary Art Museum.

You could use Rome as a base camp for reaching other cities such as Florence or Naples (Naples for Pizza only, it is a very dirty place and not too pretty, Florence is beautiful and the ice cream parlours around the Ponte vecchio are fantastic!!).

I am not sure how much you pay for accommodation but:

One day travel card on metro costs 4 Euros

Rome has water fountains at every corner, the water is very clean so don't waste your money on bottled water

A little bit of advice: If you feel like having a coffe, don't sit outside in a cafe, order your coffee or drink directly inside at the bar, drink it the Italian style (i.e. while standing) - you will save 3 Euros that way and that means 3Euros more for shopping!

Haggle haggle haggle, do not accept the prices they give you. Also, learn a few basic words - that will impress and you will get a discount for sure!

Food: Eat in a Pizzeria - it is cheap and as Italians go there it is the best food you will find in Rome. The restaurants look inviting but the food is usually mediocre and the prices high - take the metro furhter out of the town centre if you are looking for a good place to eat with locals.

Wear comfortable shoes, no fancy sandals. There are cobbled streets especially around the colosseum and you will break an ankle if you wear high heels. Don't take too many pairs of trousers with you - skirts and shorts are the best. No tops with sleeves either. You won't need any jumpers, just a few cardigans or long sleeved tops.

Mhh, I think that are the most important points. I am sure you will love it there - have a glass of red wine in the area "Trastevere" one night, the atmosphere there is great! Enjoy your trip!!!!

Answer 3

5.7 millon dollars per week then give mme half of it then enjoy your trip

Answer 4

One week enough for Rome? Naples is not nice??? Well I lived in both, so here is my 0.02 Eurocents: I have been 5 years in Rome and could not even scratch its surface for how many interesting things are there: churches, museums with artefacts from the Etruschi (who populated Italy BEFORE the Romans!!!) up to modern times, catacombe, monuments, you name it. And the surroundings, like Tivoli and its villas, or Ostia Antica, or even Pompei if you stay at least a couple of days in Naples too.

Naples, Capri, Sorrento, Positano and Pompei are just breathtaking, maybe summer is hot and busy though. In May or September they're among the nicest places on earth with Bali and Thailand, and just 2 hours from Rome by train plus a nice train, ferry or hydrofoil trip.

Florence is also close thanks to a very fast new train: less than 2 hours for 300 km.

About dressing, I'll leave it to the ladies, very informed. And yes walk a lot, especially in Rome, lose yourself in the historical center. Bring a guide or you will just appreciate the beauty but won't know the history and that would be a pity, because it is often extremely strange, convolute and interesting. I happen to be in Rome 4 or 5 times a year so I can prepare a good restaurant list if you are interested in it. Have fun!