Rome

Jimmy Iovine

Hi,

I'm heading to Rome with my girlfriend in a few weeks. We have a hotel sorted in the centre of the city. We're looking for suggestions for things to do while there. We'll be there all day on Monday up until early on Friday morning.

At the moment our plan is to go to the Vatican for the Pope's mass on the Wednesday morning. We're going to visit the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon another day.

I think it's best to go to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine on the Monday to avoid the crowds after the mass. Although, I suspect the crowds won't be lessened in any way.

I think a trip out to the Borghese Gallery and the gardens will be in order.

My girlfriend has mentioned that she might like to take a day trip out to Tivoli Gardens. Is that doable? I see the train is quick and cheap. Is it worth it?

Also, we have planned to stumble upon the Trevi and the Steps at some point on our trip.

Is there anything else that is unmissable or are we trying to fit in too much as it is?

My girlfriend is very interested in art and has been looking up some places that she'd like to visit. Are there any 'hidden gems'?

Are there any other tips or recommendations you would have for it?

I'm sorry about all of the questions. I've searched the web but all I can get is a huge mish-mash of information. I trust the people on here to point me in the right direction.

jt_dublin

Here is a good restaurant recommendation when you are down at the Spanish Stpes in Piazza di Spanga. It is called Alla Rampa. I've been a few times, the food is great & not expensive.

To find it, when you are standing in the square facing the steps, walk to the right and take the first street / laneway on your left.

http://www.allarampa.it/home.php?language=English

Enjoy Rome.

Jimmy Iovine

I think I read one of your posts a few days ago because I clicked on a link that brought me to that same restaurant.

I will have to check it out. When you say not expensive, what do you mean? I can't find any prices on their site. Does it need to be booked or can we rock up on that day/night?

jt_dublin

Hi Jimmy,
One reason that I recommend this place is that Rome has a lot of touristy restaurants serving average quality & overpriced food. Alla Rampa is not expensive and the dishes are good quality. I think that you will pay 5 to 10 quid for starters & 10 to 20 quid for mains. It is a few years since I was last there but they did not take reservations. One time for lunch we got a table straight away. Another time for dinner it was busy and they had formed a queue up the stairs inside, but we got a table in about 10 minutes.

phog

You can get the Roma Pass, I think it's valid for 3 days and allowed you access to your first 2 tourist attractions and use of the metro. Plan your sites to get best value. You can buy in the tourist shops over there and can date it once you start to use it. You also get a fairly decent map with it.

I'd recommend the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel - closed when I was there , Trevi Fountain (day time and night time), Pantheon, Victor Emmanuel Monument (day & night time).

There's a small church there with crypts made entirely from bones - Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini - I thought it was worth a walk through.

As you walk along the streets visit the churches all bigger and more beautiful then the rest.

Enjoy.

Edit to add - Long story short - I got the bus from the airport to termini, when I arrived there I jumped into a white car thinking it was a taxi, it wasn't. Be careful, taxis will be white but will have a sign on the side of the cars.
Also the buses are cheap and handy to get around but riddled with pick pockets, again be careful.

8mv

We were there last year and I enjoyed the Vatican museums more than I ever thought I would. Give yourselves plenty of time for them, including the Sistine. Allow yourselves time to climb the Dome as well.
All the ancient Roman sites are well worth visiting, but if you want to avoid crowds take a half-day to visit Ostia Antiqa - a huge ancient site with hardly anyone around. About an hour from the city centre by Metro / Urban train..

Jimmy Iovine

jt_dublin wrote: »

Hi Jimmy,
One reason that I recommend this place is that Rome has a lot of touristy restaurants serving average quality & overpriced food. Alla Rampa is not expensive and the dishes are good quality. I think that you will pay 5 to 10 quid for starters & 10 to 20 quid for mains. It is a few years since I was last there but they did not take reservations. One time for lunch we got a table straight away. Another time for dinner it was busy and they had formed a queue up the stairs inside, but we got a table in about 10 minutes.

That's not too bad. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to check it out.

phog wrote: »

You can get the Roma Pass, I think it's valid for 3 days and allowed you access to your first 2 tourist attractions and use of the metro. Plan your sites to get best value. You can buy in the tourist shops over there and can date it once you start to use it. You also get a fairly decent map with it.

I'd recommend the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel - closed when I was there , Trevi Fountain (day time and night time), Pantheon, Victor Emmanuel Monument (day & night time).

There's a small church there with crypts made entirely from bones - Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini - I thought it was worth a walk through.

As you walk along the streets visit the churches all bigger and more beautiful then the rest.

Enjoy.

Edit to add - Long story short - I got the bus from the airport to termini, when I arrived there I jumped into a white car thinking it was a taxi, it wasn't. Be careful, taxis will be white but will have a sign on the side of the cars.
Also the buses are cheap and handy to get around but riddled with pick pockets, again be careful.

I've had a look at the Roma Pass. I'm not sure if we'll get it yet. I'll have another think about it.

I haven't heard of the Victor Emmanuel Monument. Thanks for that. It looks stunning in the pictures.

I am looking forward to wandering into random churches and just gazing at the architecture.

We are staying a few minutes from the station so I don't think we'll really need to use a taxi and I want to avoid public transport as much as I can. I'll have to tell my girlfriend to bring a good pair of shoes :P.

8mv wrote: »

We were there last year and I enjoyed the Vatican museums more than I ever thought I would. Give yourselves plenty of time for them, including the Sistine. Allow yourselves time to climb the Dome as well.
All the ancient Roman sites are well worth visiting, but if you want to avoid crowds take a half-day to visit Ostia Antiqa - a huge ancient site with hardly anyone around. About an hour from the city centre by Metro / Urban train..

I will definitely be giving a lot of time to the Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

I'm going to avoid the Dome though. I can't do heights at all. I only made it to the first floor of the Eiffel Tower and I nearly didn't want to come back down.

_________________________________________________________________

What will the weather be like at the start of April?

I'm not expecting to get a tan, but a little bit of sun/heat would be nice.

phog

You can go right to the top of the Victor Emmanuel monument and walk around the top. You can have a panoramic view of Rome.

We were there over St Patrick's Weekend last year, weather was mixed but mild, one very wet day.

Spice Girl

We did a tour in the Vatican museum with a lady who knew all about art history. It was so worth it. Rather than just wandering through the Vatican she was able to provide so much background information (e.g. the artist didn't like a bishop so he painted his face as the devil etc). She also knew the ins and outs of the queue system and kinda fast tracked us.
We also did the same at the Coliseum - was with one of the guys dressed up as a gladiator outside. He showed us things like the penis shapes etched in the walls pointing up to the brothels on the hills.
Must be over 5 years since I was there but the tours really made me feel like I knew Rome.
The train service in Italy is really good and reasonably priced.

Mini

hi,

Rome is absolutely fabulous. I'm so jealous, it is one place I would go back to again and again.

I went peak season last year in July - and I am not sure if it would be same in a few weeks time. But I would recommend booking the Vatican, Cistine Chapel etc online before you go. When we were there the queue for entry was at least a mile long (not joking) Having booked online before hand we by passed the whole queue and got straight in.

Talking to a guy at the airport on the way back, and he said that he spent most of his time queuing for entrance to the sites. Admittedly it was peak season, so hopefully you won't have those waits at the attractions.

The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are also a must while you are there. Also depending on where you are staying the train will take you straight from the airport in to the main termini (bus station)

enjoy your time there.

Aglomerado

8mv wrote: »

We were there last year and I enjoyed the Vatican museums more than I ever thought I would. Give yourselves plenty of time for them, including the Sistine. Allow yourselves time to climb the Dome as well.
All the ancient Roman sites are well worth visiting, but if you want to avoid crowds take a half-day to visit Ostia Antiqa - a huge ancient site with hardly anyone around. About an hour from the city centre by Metro / Urban train..

+1 for Ostia Antica. I found it lovely and quiet but still full of really interesting things - loads of old Roman mosaics and there is an amphitheatre also. The Baths of Caracalla are another nice place to visit if you like the ancient stuff.

I also enjoyed just wandering into random churches. Piazza del Popolo (near Borghese gardens) is a lovely wide open space to just sit and watch the world go by.

phog

Aglomerado wrote: »

+1 for Ostia Antica. I found it lovely and quiet but still full of really interesting things - loads of old Roman mosaics and there is an amphitheatre also. The Baths of Caracalla are another nice place to visit if you like the ancient stuff.

I also enjoyed just wandering into random churches. Piazza del Popolo (near Borghese gardens) is a lovely wide open space to just sit and watch the world go by.

I went to these and was a bit disappointed, I suppose I was expecting baths like in Bath. I wouldn't cross it off my list but was perhaps expecting more than I got.

Johnfkm

I'm also heading to Rome in two weeks with my wife but I can't decide about the Roma pass.

We will be there for two full days and a half day when we arrive.
We are staying near the Spanish Steps.

We plan on visiting all the major attractions but are not sure if we should purchase the Roma pass

anyone got any feedback?

smurfjed

Was there for the last two weekends, one planned trip one business. Its an amazing city for walking around, every corner hides something unique. As for the Coliseum, the offer you the chance to skip the line and take a guided tour, its an extra 5 euro each and well worth it to avoid the queue.

phog

Johnfkm wrote: »

I'm also heading to Rome in two weeks with my wife but I can't decide about the Roma pass.

We will be there for two full days and a half day when we arrive.
We are staying near the Spanish Steps.

We plan on visiting all the major attractions but are not sure if we should purchase the Roma pass

anyone got any feedback?

I'd recommend it, have a read of the link I posted above about the Pass and decide if you think it's worthwhile. Because your stay is so short it may not be the best value for you.

Johnfkm

Thanks Phog - I think it won't be great value given we hope to walk everywhere

Is it recommended to book tickets for the major attractions in advance ?

phog

Johnfkm wrote: »

Thanks Phog - I think it won't be great value given we hope to walk everywhere

Is it recommended to book tickets for the major attractions in advance ?

Book the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel.

From the metro, you can walk across the road from the Coliseum to the Roman Forum and get a ticket that covers both and jump the queue at the Coliseum.

The queue at St Peter's Basilica seems to moved reasonably fast so I think no need to book in advance.

Near the Coliseum & Vatican Museum there will be "guides" selling you cheap tours, these are usually scams.

Shivers26

I would recommend a guided tour of the Vatican museums. There is a lot to take in so it helps being with someone who knows what they are on about

I would highly recommend taking a trip to Trastavere and eat in any of the restaurants there. Don't be put off by the outside appearances. Much better value and food quality.

Castel Sant'Angelo is also lovely to visit. Other than that, I think all the other major sights have been mentioned. It is a great city to visit.

Drink some prosecco and people watch at the Spanish Steps

phog

A few restbnts that I liked

Rossopomodoro

Ristorante del Giglio


We stayed here, lovely hotel and near metro and bus stops outside hotel.

Dr Nic

Were going there in June. Myself and the gf. Gonna Do 4 days in Rome a day in Pompeii and 4 days amalfi coast. Any recommendations for anything? Thanks!!

Micky Dolenz

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

What will the weather be like at the start of April?

I'm not expecting to get a tan, but a little bit of sun/heat would be nice.

Currently a bit thundery with rain. But a couple of days ago we needed sun cream. Lots of heat and sun forecast over the next week.

The weather forecast is very reliable here. Enjoy your stay, you are going to see more than I have in 6 months . Must address that.

Johnfkm

Just back from a three day trip, thanks for all the great tips.
Definitely buy your coliseum ticket at the forum and skip the queue. This worked a treat. We also pre booked our Vatican museum tickets online and we were able to skip the queue here too.
Another tip, when you get to the sistine Chapel at the end of the Vatican museums there are two doors. One is the exit back through the museum. The other is for group tours only. Take this door and it will bring you to St Peters Church. This will mean you won't have to walk around from the museums and go through security again.
We stayed at the inn spagna near the Spanish steps. It was small but lovely and clean. Exactly what you need when your out all day.

phog

Dr Nic wrote: »

Were going there in June. Myself and the gf. Gonna Do 4 days in Rome a day in Pompeii and 4 days amalfi coast. Any recommendations for anything? Thanks!!

There's a lot of tips/recommendations for Rome already in this thread. If you have a particular query/interest you might be better off asking and someone might have an answer.

Enjoiy your trip, sounds great.

Jimmy Iovine

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Currently a bit thundery with rain. But a couple of days ago we needed sun cream. Lots of heat and sun forecast over the next week.

The weather forecast is very reliable here. Enjoy your stay, you are going to see more than I have in 6 months . Must address that.

Excellent. I may need to get a pair of shorts after all then.

Micky Dolenz

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

Excellent. I may need to get a pair of shorts after all then.

Defo, bring the shorts.

newmug

You have to book your tickets for the Vatican museum/ sistene chapel online, otherwise you'll waste half a day queuing.

Jimmy Iovine

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Defo, bring the shorts.

Ive borrowed some of my brother's. I want splashing out on shorts that I won't wear for another 4 months after this week.

newmug wrote: »

You have to book your tickets for the Vatican museum/ sistene chapel online, otherwise you'll waste half a day queuing.

I decided to spend my money on a ticket for this instead.

Gatica

Johnfkm wrote: »

Just back from a three day trip, thanks for all the great tips.
Definitely buy your coliseum ticket at the forum and skip the queue. This worked a treat. We also pre booked our Vatican museum tickets online and we were able to skip the queue here too.
Another tip, when you get to the sistine Chapel at the end of the Vatican museums there are two doors. One is the exit back through the museum. The other is for group tours only. Take this door and it will bring you to St Peters Church. This will mean you won't have to walk around from the museums and go through security again.
We stayed at the inn spagna near the Spanish steps. It was small but lovely and clean. Exactly what you need when your out all day.

Does this apply if you have a Roma pass? Or do you still need to get tickets if you've already used your free admission?

Larianne

Gatica wrote: »

Does this apply if you have a Roma pass? Or do you still need to get tickets if you've already used your free admission?

You can still get free admission if you have a Roma pass but you have to ring up beforehand and let them know you are reserving the tickets and using your Roma pass.

I'm just back from Rome and I'd advise to book your tickets for all the major sites in advance. It does mean you have a more rigid schedule but it is definitely worth it to skip the queue. It was incredible to see the queue outside the Vatican for a 2 hour wait to get tickets. If these people just went on their smart phones and booked tickets, they'd have to queue for less than 5 minutes to get through security. I'd advise getting a guided tour for the Colosseum and The Vatican. Also for Villa Borghese (mornings only) as I used the audio guide twice (in the Roman Forum and Villa Borghese) and felt a tour guide definitely keeps you more engaged.

I walked everywhere in Rome but in hindsight, I would suggest doing a Hop on hop off tour bus. You can walk everywhere but there is just so much walking to do and the information you're taking in itself tires you out, I think if I had used the bus it wouldn't have been as tiring.

I booked all the tours through the offical websites. The guide at the Vatican was the best and my favourite part of the trip. I used the tip of exiting the Cistine Chapel via the right door (our tour guide gave us this tip just as Jimmy Ivoine had stated). Very handy as the queue for the Basilica was about an hour long!!

When getting your bus from the airport, don't bother buying tickets inside the terminal building. Go outside to where the buses pull up and just queue for the next available bus. Could save you a wait.

Just to note, they are currently renovating the Trevi fountain and from reading online, won't be completed until well into 2015. The fountain is drained of all water, but there is a gangway over the fountain so you get up close to the sculptures.

Near the Spanish steps is a street, Via Condotti, which has high end designer shops (Louis Vuitton, Bally, Max Mara etc). Myself and my boyfriend liked looking at the window displays (amazing!) and tried to guess the prices of the items on show (unreal prices!!! :eek: )

Daisy 55

Dr Nic wrote: »

Were going there in June. Myself and the gf. Gonna Do 4 days in Rome a day in Pompeii and 4 days amalfi coast. Any recommendations for anything? Thanks!!

My Vesuvius is worthwhile, when you are in Pompeii.

Daisy 55

Mt Vesuvius even!