Ciao Roma

I found a relatively easy and...

by XwrldtrvlrX

I found a relatively easy and inexpensive way to see the main attractions within Rome--ciao Roma Trolley tours. The trolley has specified timed stops so you can hop on and off at your leisure, moving on to the next location when you are ready. They have pre-recorded information about the sights in numerous languages. Price is 30,000 lira per person per day.

Ciao Roma!

by anne_h

For me all roads really do lead to Rome. I spent nine months there, from September 2001 (I arrived a week before the attack on the Trade Center) to April 2002.

"the old alongside the new"

Cars have to be small in Rome to fit through those narrow streets. I love these little minis!

"ruins everywhere"

These are some old temples near the church with the Bocca della Verita' (mouth of truth).

Ciao Roma!

by YoGazpacho

"What is in a Ciao?"

When I first came to Rome, I thought ciao only meant "goodbye." My friend and I sat down in an official Italian pizza restaurant, when a man at the table across from us was waving his hand and saying "Ciao, ciao, ciao!" I was really confused since we had just arrived. I wasn't ready to say goodbye.

Luckily ciao means hello and goodbye. Tricky. Now I don't mind saying "ciao" to Rome when it's time to leave. It's kind of like not leaving at all.

Ciao Roma

by OrlandoBR

For some reason, Rome is the city which leaves me most nostalgic when I think of my trips to Europe. I love it. Granted, it is the quintessential touristic city. We westerns are the product of the Roman Empire, and not much has changed after these 2 thousand years: our religion, legal institutions, language, architecture and customs all derive directly from that of Ancient Rome.

The city is big, quite noisy and chaotic. It is constantly disturbed by the sirens of ambulances - perhaps as a result of its annoying traffic and careless drivers. But still, it's one of the most beautiful cities in the world, certainly the most interesting, and one that everybody has the right and duty to visit.

All pictures are by myself (unless I appear on them).

It`s Rome, not the Vatican...

All right, that was a different country on my big picture above: so here's your Coliseum!

...but who doesn't love that Basilica?...

Ciao Roma

by unimatrix0

Of the places we visited last december-January, Rome was the least cold. When we were there the temperature was on average about 12 degrees during the day (not bad by European standards) and there were a couple of days where the maximum reached 17 degrees!! (not so unlike a Sydney winter day). I'm not sure if this was normal or freaky!!
During the day in Rome, I did not feel the need for a warm hat (until late afternoon/evening, when the temperature did drop a bit). Nevertheless, I am someone who really feels the cold and I took with me a full length down-filled jacket, which I wore on all except those warmest days. Keep in mind though, that indoors is always quite warm and you will need to shed your scarves and outer layers. I took warm underwear (thermals) but did not use them in Rome (because once they're on, you're stuck with them! )Wear outer layers you can take off, instead.
I bought another nice coat for myself in Rome - not from an expensive shop but from one of the many stret sellers. It may not be Versace, but it cost me 20 Euros and I think it's great. (it's the one I'm wearing at the Bocca Della verita).There are plenty of such places in Rome, so leave room in your suitcase! You can also buy real Italian leather shoes very cheaply from a multitude of street sellers and markets.
If I was going again, I think I'd choose to stay somewhere immediately close to Termini or around Piazza Repubblica. (which is more or less a stone's throw from Termini anyway. Mind you, they told us that our hotel was 'close to termini', but it was a good 15-20 minutes walk through some pretty dark and, by our standards somewhat unsavoury streets. We didn't actually have any trouble, but like I said, if I was going again, I'd definitely go a bit closer to Termini. Not only is it the place to hop on underground and bus services, but it's also a nice, busy area with some shops and quite a few little pizzarias/trattorias.
In Rome, you can pretty much walk to the main tourist sites, but at night, when you're tired, it's nice to have the option of a bus/train or subway. They are all very crowded though, which you will either hate or consider part of Rome's charm.