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ROME BOUND!!

chicago_mike

chicago_mike

Oct 9, 2007
2,819
146
Chicago - LA - Rome - Dallas
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist : Genz Benz
#1
So...Even though I've been to Civitavecchia, Naples and Livorno...From playing cruise ship gigs..I never went out to rome on the Civi port days.

Soo...I need to know what to do. I got two weeks.:hyper:

Off topic...Ask me anything about cruise ship gigs! they....well...they are what they are...:hmm:
 
#2
Well, my only experience is a one-day tour (from a cruise ship docked at Civitavecchia!) but I could have spent days there. So much to see.

The Pantheon was a fascinating building - those Romans knew how to do architecture. The Trevi fountain was a nice spot. The Vatican was amazing. I'm no Catholic but the artistry there is jaw-dropping (whatever your beliefs).

I haven't even touched on all the sights we only drove past (e.g. the Coliseum) and I'm sure there are a million and one things to do that are off the tourist trail.

A couple of things to be aware of: when we were there, our Roman guide was often loudly pointing out the beggars who were potential pickpockets. Keep your money close - which goes for any major city, and particularly for tourists. And it's not cheap. We didn't pay for anything much but a friend who stayed there for a week recently was bemoaning the high price of eating and drinking out. If it's expensive to someone from the UK, it'll seem doubly so to an American!

But overall, enjoy. And take your time - I could've spent days investigating the Vatican alone.
 
#7
Oh god the interwebz sucks on cruise ships. Dude on the ship I was playing on it was 5.00 for 55 minutes and it was slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww................................(deep breath)....wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww....
Thanks guys for the advice on where to go..
 
#8
I was there recently. AMAZING. One thing that shocked me was how small Rome is, and the ease of getting around. You can easily walk the entire city.

The food... amazing. No need to spend big money either.

I would HIGHLY recommend investing in the 'Eye Witness' travel guide to Rome. That particular line of travel books is amazing. Walking tours, tons of history, color pictures of everything, including detailed maps of the massive number of churches with amazing art and history. Best money you can spend. Great history summary, etc. Available at Amazon. It will greatly enhance your visit.

So much to see that it would take a book to suggest everything. I guess I would just say, see all the classic stuff, but then dig into the amazing art hidden in the hundreds of churches. Of course, plan to spend at least a full day in Vatican City.

A day trip to the Roman harbor ruins just outside of Rome is worth it also.

Have fun.
 
#11
GO to the Borghese Gallery, its the best museum EVER! You need to book a time slot and they only give you two hours, they get booked fast so dont sleep.

The Vatican is incredible and will take up an entire day easily.

There are only two subway lines and they are actually pretty good and you wont get lost.
 
#13
chicago_mike said:
My girls unc' is a cardinal in the vat.....so lets just say I am going to be on the absolute up and up...

I can't wait to get out there!
Click to expand...

There is a 'magic' spot in Rome (can't remember the streets, but it is the intersection of the main road the leads to the Forum, Colosseum, etc., right in front of the 'Italian Independence Monument' (which is one of the biggest monuments in Rome... kind of awful actually). So, standing on that intersection, you can see the Colosseum and Forum, representing ancient Rome, the Independence Monument, representing 'modern Rome', the plaza and staircase that Michelangelo designed over the old Roman senate (Renaissance Rome), and the small second story 'porch' where Mussolini gave his fascist speeches (WW II Rome).

This is all STANDING IN ONE LOCATION. Simply amazing.

The Pantheon (kind of in the same area as the Spanish Steps) is also awe-inspiring. It is REALLY old, and sitting right in the middle of the city.
 
#14
Hopefully going to go there at the end of the summer as a 5th anniversary present to ourselves. We'll probably do a short eastern Mediterranean cruise as well, so this thread is timely.

I was looking at a map the other day and it struck me as being quite compact compared to comparably populated North American cities.

Anyone have any insights on hotels and such?
 
#15
Mark Reccord said:
Hopefully going to go there at the end of the summer as a 5th anniversary present to ourselves. We'll probably do a short eastern Mediterranean cruise as well, so this thread is timely.

I was looking at a map the other day and it struck me as being quite compact compared to comparably populated North American cities.

Anyone have any insights on hotels and such?
Click to expand...

We rented a small 'walk up' apartment right next to the Piaza Del Popolo. Nice central location that allowed us to walk to all the major sites easily. There are many travel websites that advertise the availability of rental apartments. It was great, and quite reasonable. Really gave you a 'local feel'.

We never had to take a cab or public transportation to see anything the entire time we were in Rome (about 10 days). Walk, walk, and more walking!
 

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