rome, italy

headed to rome, italy for 7 days in a couple of weeks with the wife. we are staying at the westin excelsior. any suggestions of things to do besides the obvious…the collisium, vatican, etc.??

quote:
Originally posted by reel nauti

headed to rome, italy for 7 days in a couple of weeks with the wife. we are staying at the westin excelsior. any suggestions of things to do besides the obvious…the collisium, vatican, etc.??


Ask silvio where the happening places are.

“Endeavor to Persevere.
Give,Give… Never Take.”
EC

Sistine Chapel and vatican museum.
Get one of those acetate overlay books before you visit the Forum. It shows how it looks now and then the overlay shows how it originally looked.
Get out and explore. I’ve to Rome several times. The Spanish steps are cool The market
The Hostaria Constanza is where the original theater of Pompei was and is where Caesar got wacked. It is a great restaurant and going there knowing what happened there makes it super cool.
The Trajan Market across the street from the Colosseum is a must as is the Palantine and the residence of Augustus.
Have fun.

Hunting, fishing, and poker are my sports. Work when necessary.

Sistine Chapel and vatican museum.
Get one of those acetate overlay books before you visit the Forum. It shows how it looks now and then the overlay shows how it originally looked.
Get out and explore. I’ve to Rome several times. The Spanish steps are cool The market
The Hostaria Constanza is where the original theater of Pompei was and is where Caesar got wacked. It is a great restaurant and going there knowing what happened there makes it super cool.
The Trajan Market across the street from the Colosseum is a must as is the Palantine and the residence of Augustus.
Have fun.

Hunting, fishing, and poker are my sports. Work when necessary.

Sistine Chapel and vatican museum.
Get one of those acetate overlay books before you visit the Forum. It shows how it looks now and then the overlay shows how it originally looked.
Get out and explore. I’ve to Rome several times. The Spanish steps are cool The market
The Hostaria Constanza is where the original theater of Pompei was and is where Caesar got wacked. It is a great restaurant and going there knowing what happened there makes it super cool.
The Trajan Market across the street from the Colosseum is a must as is the Palantine and the residence of Augustus.
Have fun.

Hunting, fishing, and poker are my sports. Work when necessary.

Hit the Vatican, Vatican museum, Coliseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Forum and Trevi Fountain for sure. Get a good map, and just get out walking, you’ll be amazed by some of the stuff you just stumble upon.

If you go to the Vatican, keep in mind that they have a dress code for men and women. At one time they wouldn’t let you in if you were wearing shorts or a tshirt (or non-collared shirt), and I imagine it’s the same now.

The subway system is great, once you figure it out and plan where you’re going you can save a lot of time using it. Same with buses, it used to be that you had to buy bus tickets at a tobacco shop (tabacchi).

Be very aware of pickpockets. If you’re on a crowded subway car or if you’re in foot traffic that gets congested at “pinch points”, keep your hand on your valuables. Keep your wallet in your front pocket, and keep your hand on it. I haven’t been back to Italy since the early 90’s, but the subway exit at the Coliseum was loaded with gypsy kids. There’s a narrow area that you have to walk through to get outside, and the Coliseum is right in front of you. The gypsies run up waving newspapers, singing, and surround you…if that happens, shove them out of the way and get clear. They can take a razor and slice your pants pocket open, or slice the bottom of a purse without you knowing anything’s happening.

They also have a great train system, if you can hop a train to Naples and go to Vesuvius and Pompeii you’ll never forget it.

+1 for just exploring. I lived in Naples for years and always went to Rome to get away for a weekend. The john bull is a cool bar to hang out in with other “tourists”, and then there are the ususal touristy spots alreay mentioned. If you want to make a road trip I would suggest Sorrento and the Amalfi coast area, and Venice is not too far of a drive/train ride from Rome either.

— omnia causa fiunt —

turtle
I agree re Amalfi. I spent a week in Pasitano and they had to handcuff me to get me to leave.
I drank so much Lemoncello I turned yellow:smiley:
Pompei is spectacular. Florence is crowded but great and Venice is enchanting.
The cisterne restaurant is great.

Hunting, fishing, and poker are my sports. Work when necessary.

Went to the Vatican in high school in 1987. Got blessed by the pope and two days later was in Atlanta in the airport @ 3 AM with my classmates on the way back to Charleston and James Brown came walking down the tarmac with two body guards wearing a black polyester suit with a pink tie- told him how much I loved his music and he stopped and whispered “Bless you son” . Knocked me to my knees. Blessed by the Pope and James Brown in three days! Who can say that???

x3 on the day trip to the Amalfi coast…the catacombs outside of Rome are pretty cool…definitely the whole Vatican City tour…

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