What's a good way to delve into the Italian culture in Rome?

Question

I'm going to be in Rome in March of 2007. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

get a good map and guidebook - so many of Rome's great sites are easily walkable.  The Colloseum, Baths of Caracalla, Hadrian's Market and Palatine Hill can all be visited with one ticket - buy it at the entrance to the Palatine, just up from the Forum.  There is NEVER a line to get to the Palatine, and you'll be able to walk right past the hordes lined up at the Colloseum.

Its really worthwhile to read up and research it ahead of time, there is so very much to see, and unless you know what you want to find, you can walk right past it without realizing.

The Vatican Museum is unquestionably one of the finest collections in the world, absolutely worth it.  The entrance is NOT near the entrance to St Peter's.  In March it closes pretty early, so you will want to get there and get in line 30-45 minutes before opening.  There will be a long line.  The Sistine Chapel is virtually at the end of the museum, but don't rush to it, you'll miss lots of great stuff.

Answer 2

Find a local trattoria and do as the "Romans do". I know it sounds trite,but that's what I did when I was there and you really get a good sense of things.

Answer 3

When in Rome, do as the Romans/Italians.

Answer 4

Quite simply, take a walk.

As for the poster who said Italians are friendly - my long experience with Italy has always proven time after time that they are NOT.

I am an Irishman living in Italy (my wife is Italian, from Naples), and, after traveling the world (44 countries, in fact), I can honestly say that there are no people on earth as rude, aloof and self-obsessed as Italians. Pity because, for a holiday (not to live), it is a very pretty country.

Answer 5

The best way is just to find the best location and live.  The more it is among Romans the better. This is not that easy to do here is why:

1.most tourists choose to stay in a hotel in the main train station. This is the most “non roman” place.  It is cheep but most resident there are “new Italians” meaning foreign workers mostly from developing countries. The place is great but there is much less roman about it.

2. if you chose a hotel as a place to live and explore Rome, you will live like in a hotel… meaning you’ll be treated as a tourist and most people around you will not be roman.

3.also if you chose to live at some places in the center like the shopping street of via del corso, which is a great place by itself, you will never have a chance to mingle really among Romans.  

So here are my suggestions: first read this article: http://tinyurl.com/ykwuju

Then chose your place to stay. The best is if you’ll find a roman family that will host you or with which you might exchange language lessons (English for hospitality for instance).

Another way is to find an apartment and not a hotel. This should also be done not through an agency but directly from the owner, this way you’ll able to speak to him before you come and see if it suites you, then he might be your roman referent.

Also the flat or room you’ll choose should be at the centre, as Rome is best done by foot as some guys above me suggested.

Here are a couple of Roman flats at the center and where the number is directly to the Roman owner:

This one at the historic jewish ghetto (very characteristic) : http://tinyurl.com/yn4jj2

This two are near the Roman forum and the coliseum, still you can mingle with romans though…:

http://tinyurl.com/yljsr4   and    http://tinyurl.com/ykkyj7  

another good and important way is just to take a few italian lessons before you come and during your stay. Many romans do not speak English and in any way it is the best way to understand ones culture.

There are a few privet teachers that just take you to their “typical” roman home and for as low as 3 Euros can give you a lesson. (I don’t have the URL right now though)

Have a nice trip

Answer 6

italians are very friendly they will help you a lot