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Post by chronocross on Dec 21, 2017 16:15:29 GMT -5
Looking to go to Rome early next year and wanted to know of any recommendations to see, I'm definitely heading to the Collosseum but would like to hear from others who have gone there. Thanks in advance.
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SmashTV
Dennis Stamp
Big Money, Big Prizes, I Love It!
The Excellence of Allocation
Posts: 4,470
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Post by SmashTV on Dec 21, 2017 16:32:35 GMT -5
I was there in September; it's absolutely incredible. Next to the Colossuem is the Roman forum, essentially a Roman town ruin that's been preserved. There's also the Vatican, which is very impressive.
Both involve a lot of walking, though - I'm used to lots of walking, but even I was tired after the Vatican. I'd recommend getting a city tour ticket if you've not done so already. This entitles you to jumping on and off buses, a city tour and skipping the line at some attractions. We used this and it was a Godsend, especially at the Vatican.
To be o, aside from the main attractions there's culture on every corner and some great bars and restaurants, so there's always something to do. Good luck with your planning and enjoy!
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Post by Hit Girl on Dec 21, 2017 18:23:23 GMT -5
Do as they do.
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Post by OldDirtyBernie on Dec 21, 2017 19:31:30 GMT -5
Personally, I hated it. When we went to visit all the historic sights like the Ancient Ruins and going to The Vatican were great, but I hate large cities in the US and Rome was even worse. Granted, we happened to be there just after a large football match between the two districts of Rome and our hotel was in the district that won and the celebration literally didn't stop for one second before we left, so I'm sure that exacerbated the situation.
The Vatican is great to visit, just be sure to know the rules before entering and have everything prepared, including if you plan to take photos as, unless something has changed, they don't allow flash photography and a lot of my photos came out blurry(with a point and shoot film camera...we were there before digital cameras existed for the most part.)
Also, be extremely careful. When we went over we traveled with a tour agency and a person from the 2nd group that was with us was mugged as she walked out of the hotel door. Some street vendors will also try different things to get your money - while in Florence, there were vendors making bracelets that would just walk up to people randomly and tie the bracelets on their arms and demand payment, supposedly going to the police if you refused and telling them you stole from them as the agency advised us. This actually happened to me and, while I normally just would have given them the $5, I had just had my bank card revoked at an ATM(It was my first, I made a mistake with the PIN,) and had only traveled with my card and traveler's checks. Also, I was kind of freaking out at the time, so I probably overreacted toward them when it happened.
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Post by 'Foretold' Joker on Dec 22, 2017 5:28:23 GMT -5
Coliseum, Vatican & Trevi Fountain are the big ones to see. Be prepared for numerous selfie stick sellers and enjoy some good pizza, pasta & ice cream.
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Post by dirtyoldman on Dec 22, 2017 5:55:09 GMT -5
We went to Rome back in October 2007. Great place. Get your fill of pizza and ice cream.
One thing I recommend is a day tour to Pompei. Its a longish coach trip but it does take you round naples for a bit and then onto pompei.
We also did a Rome at night tour which was fantastic.
Get in early for the queue for the Sinsiten chapel by the way. Unfortuanlty when goign through it you dont get much time to look at all the paintings cause they keep you moving until you reach the big one.
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H-Virus
Hank Scorpio
A Real Contagious Experience
Posts: 5,959
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Post by H-Virus on Dec 22, 2017 6:44:17 GMT -5
Beware the ides of March.
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Post by Sparvid on Dec 22, 2017 8:30:02 GMT -5
Vatican and the Forum/Colosseum were very interesting (although the weather wasn't the best when I was there, and the Trevi Fountain area was undergoing maintenance), and lots of great food.
Things I didn't like were the traffic (felt like I as a pedestrian could be hit by a car at pretty much any time, unless there was a light nearby that had been red for at least five seconds) and that I don't think I ever saw a wall of any kind that didn't have at least some kind of grafitti on it.
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Post by YAKMAN is ICHIBAN on Dec 22, 2017 10:08:18 GMT -5
Brush up on your latin
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Dragonfly
Samurai Cop
...is no Barry Windham.
Posts: 2,478
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Post by Dragonfly on Dec 22, 2017 12:04:05 GMT -5
Beware the ides of March. Agreed. Otherwise you'll have this stuck in your head for a week. Sorry. Couldn't resist.
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Post by dirtyoldman on Dec 22, 2017 14:29:57 GMT -5
I want to double highlight what's been previously mentioned is crossing the road in Rome. Its bloody dangerous. The best bit of advice I was told was if your going to go, then go. Hesitating and running back will get you killed. There was even points were both the traffic and pedestrians lights were green.
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msc
Dennis Stamp
Posts: 4,352
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Post by msc on Dec 22, 2017 17:01:29 GMT -5
Triple highlight the roads. The drivers are insane.
Another point - trip will involve a lot of walking. Because Rome is wide open in large parts, the sun can be unbearable. So, always carry water or juice or something, or you'll wind up like me, fainting into the arms of a guard at the Sistine Chapel.
Can't mind the cool pizza place just round the corner from there, but don't go to the Gelataria/Bar at the corner of Borgo Vittorio, because everyone goes there so busy, and overpriced tourist trap and not very good food.
Best way to deal with overeager vendors is a firm but polite "no thanks". Though I did have the benefit that on Day 1, there a light drizzle. Out on the streets were the vendors. "Get your umbrellas. Umbrellas sir?" Me - "No thanks." Him - "Sure?" Me - "I'm from Glasgow..." Him - "oh..." (walked away sadly...)
2 mins later, typical Roman sun came out. Dude was clearly a born salesman, as mid-vending, arms full of umbrellas, he started yelling: "Sun shades. Get your sun shades here!"
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Post by Zaq "That Guy" Buzzkill on Dec 22, 2017 18:41:23 GMT -5
Ask the locals what they have done for you.
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The Sam
El Dandy
The Brainiest Sam of all
Posts: 8,423
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Post by The Sam on Dec 22, 2017 18:58:12 GMT -5
Get one of those delicious Chicago style deep dish pizza pies!!
It's the water!
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wankah
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,335
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Post by wankah on Dec 22, 2017 20:05:12 GMT -5
Tell the locals that the pizza in Naples is shit compared to theirs and you'll be sorted. Also try to learn the coffee etiquette, they'll be like it'd all gone pete tong if you're having espresso at the wrong time.
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