What do you think of rome??

Question

Hello!!

In may 2008 I am going to Rome. I am wondering what real people (not travel guides) think of it. Please be honest and tell me of your experience.

Thankyou in advance!

Answer 1

2008 will be a great travel year for you if it includes a trip to Rome--it's one of the most interesting cities I've ever visited.

The thing that I love most about Rome is how many identities the city has. When you walk through the Forum at dusk, or see the Colosseum still thronging with visitors after 2000 years, or catch a glimpse of someone putting flowers on the tomb of Julius Caesar, you get a sense of the antiquity of the city and its monumental place in the history of western civilization--while buildings like the Pantheon and Castel San Angelo are world-famous ancient monuments, more intimate glimpses of ancient Rome like seeing an ancient apartment building (insula) or a stretch of road still used to this day provides a sense of continuity with the distant past.

Then, there is the medieval and Renaissance city--so many palaces, churches, piazzas, and magnificent villas are in the city that the only thing that boggles the mind more is how many priceless treasures of world art are inside of them--you really get a sense of how opulent the place must have been in the days of Leonardo and Michelangelo. St. Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museums (including Sistine Chapel) are probably the most beautiful structures I have ever beheld--they capture the full scope and grandeur of the outdoors in an artificial, constructed space. Great too are Baroque masterpieces in the city, like the statuery and churches of Bernini.

And then, there's the modern city, thronging with people from around the world, full of great restaurants, clubs, and cafes, and suffused with the elegance of northern Italy but the sense of chaotic excitement of the south.

What's more to say? The Romans called their city caput mundi, the head of the world, and after a visit there, you'll start to understand why people build all roads to lead there. ;)

Answer 2

I'm Roman so, you know it's difficult to be objective.

But Rome has an extraordinary history, beginning seven century befor Christ,  almost every street is a open-air museum.

Come and you will see.

Have a nice trip

Answer 3

I have to say that Rome was my least favorite of the three cities I visited, also Venice and Florence.  It reminded me a lot of NYC just with older buildings.  Don't get me wrong Rome is full of history and culture, but I didn't find the people as inviting or nice.  I would highly suggest that you visit Testavere, it was by far my favorite part of Rome.  It was great.  It was just really touristy.  The food was the worst we had the whole time in Italy (11 days) and the most expensive.  There are a lot of street hustlers and gypsies begging or trying to con you out of your Euro.  If you can stay out of the tourist districts.  It's a lot nicer if you find a small hotel or B&B in a family neighborhood.  

I stayed near the termini while in Rome.  It was a nice hotel, I believe it was called Hotel Mariano, with new rooms.  The breakfast was the most limited we had, but it did have the best shower.  A good trade.  We heard a lot of bad things about staying near the termini, but we were safe.  Although our first day in Rome we were walking to the store and found a wallet with all types of information about driving records.  I guess that it's pretty difficult to get your license and maintain a car in Rome.  We ended up calling him on the phone, he was robbed by some kids.  I thought I may have earned a reward : ) but no.

Answer 4

i love rome, i have never actually been. but it is so culturally and historically rich. the colesseum is an amazing work of architecture! i mean they used to fill it up with water and have naval battles in it.!. i would definatley recomend visiting the colesseum!

Answer 5

Hello, I'm a real, honest traveler. Rome is gorgeous ! All I can add is : go and see !

Answer 6

I absolutely love Rome - I've been there several times and like it more each time I visit.  The people are great, the food's awesome and the history there is hard to fathom.  You'll love your visit - wish I was going!

Answer 7

i went there in 2005, with college we did all of the touristy things and ended up being in st peters square when the Pope was doing some sort of parade. Make sure you get a good hotel as we stayed in a hostel in a rough are and one of the guys in my group got attacked by a tranny.