Rome - Help - Any advice,reviews and info?

[byf]

I have just sorted out some contract work leading up to Crimbo in firstly Rome then onto Swizerland.

I'm going to be in Rome for a couple of weeks, if anyone has ever been would you be able to give me some advice on do's and dont's or any relevant infomation,reviews etc..

Many thanks guys.

 

[byf]

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Zip pockets.

 

[Dave the OAP]

Rome is a beautiful City. It can be "done" in about 3 days.

Must See:

Forum - and the Villa area to the left when you walk in.
Colluseum
Vatican City ( St Peter's)
Sistine Chapel, although the Vatican rooms you work your way through are very interesting, especially the first maps of the world...truly wonderful.
To eat, go to the Trasteverde region ( hotels around there are great too!)
Get a boat trip on the Tiber, especially at night.

Get a copy of Angels and Demons by the Da Vinci Code bloke and read it...then follow his map of Rome....great fun and you get to see the sights.

get up at 5 in the morning and see St Peters with the sun rising above it.....you will not be dissapointed.


Finally, visit the French nationla Church, by the Pantheon, San Luigi Dei Francesi -

The church's most famous item is however the cycle of paintings in the Contarelli Chapel, painted by the Baroque master Caravaggio in 1599-1600 about the life of St. Matthew. This include the three world-renowned canvases of The Calling of St Matthew, The Inspiration of Saint Matthew, The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew.

If you see these you will not fail to be inspired.

Have a great time

 

[AIT76]

Be careful if you're going to be taking a taxi.

Firstly, only use a white licenced one - get in an unlicenced one and you'll be ripped off, beaten up or both.

Secondly, there are two tarrifs that apply, one for inside the GRA and a more expensive one for outside the GRA (the GRA is the ring road around the city). If you are on a journey that crosses or goes near the GRA they either 'forget' to switch the meter to the cheaper rate or switch to the expensive one too early.

 

[tedebear]

I've been but I can't remember much about it - hope that helps

 

[Icy Gull]

1st series was the best

 

[Gwylan]

...
To eat, go to the Trasteverde region ( hotels around there are great too!)

I'll endorse that - although it's Trastevere (literally across the Tiber) - there are some great restaurants there.

Dave's mentioned all the tourist highpoints, although I liked the Protestant cemetary too. We went to see Keats and Shelley's graves and found it amazingly peaceful - once we'd negotiated the army of feral cats.

Beware the drivers though. I believe that one of the features of the Italian driving test is that you have to prove that you're certifiably insane: I think Italian pedestrians must say a couple of "Hail Marys" before they cross the road.

 

[byf]

I definately want to see a few of the main tourist things, i.e Collosuim,near the vatican,sisteen chapel......but mainly will be spendng the evenings chilling out in a nice bar...aslong as it's not stupidly expensive.

I'm in Rome for 2 weeks....but working 9-6 most days....so the evenings is when i'll get chance to explore....

Is there any no go area's? Just in-case I go for a stroll..at night

 

[Mendoza]

When in Rome.................

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Zip pockets.

When in Rome, carry a spare wallet, packed with useless bits of worthless paper. I'd recommend stuff like West Ham tickets, or an Albion Blue Membership card.

The crowded number 24 bus to the Vatican is the route to choose if you want your pockets picked.

The police post at the main railway station is the place to report any real losses. They have a desk that deals with nothing but thefts from tourists. They know that you need the documentation for insurance purposes - and they are very efficient at getting the paperwork done.

 

[Dave the OAP]

I definately want to see a few of the main tourist things, i.e Collosuim,near the vatican,sisteen chapel......but mainly will be spendng the evenings chilling out in a nice bar...aslong as it's not stupidly expensive.

I'm in Rome for 2 weeks....but working 9-6 most days....so the evenings is when i'll get chance to explore....

Is there any no go area's? Just in-case I go for a stroll..at night

the bar we tended to frequent was by Piazza in Piscinula, just by the Island Isola Tiberna

http://www.fonisol.com/rome/images/map_rome2.gif

Bottom right of this map.

Really nice place, good food and decent atmosphere full of young people......from there its a 5 minute walk south to the restaurants.

enjoy

 

[byf]

When in Rome, carry a spare wallet, packed with useless bits of worthless paper. I'd recommend stuff like West Ham tickets, or an Albion Blue Membership card.

The crowded number 24 bus to the Vatican is the route to choose if you want your pockets picked.

The police post at the main railway station is the place to report any real losses. They have a desk that deals with nothing but thefts from tourists. They know that you need the documentation for insurance purposes - and they are very efficient at getting the paperwork done.

So what you trying to say?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Be warned of Hurliman's in Switzerland, too much of it can make you do exactly what it says on the tin or get tear gased...

 

[Beach Hut]

Best restaurant in Rome is to the left at the bottom of Spanish steps but cash only

 

[Basil Fawlty]

Yeah I have one tip, don't say Roma infront of a Lazio fan.

 

[Zesh Rehman]

Florence