- Join for free
- Sign In
Latest Rome hotel reviews
Helpfulness
Faked gladiators are everywhere: by the Pantheon, by the Colosseum, you name it! They are inviting tourists to take pictures with them. Once you take the picture, they ask for money: anywhere between 20 Euros to 50 Euros. I am not sure what happens if you do not want to pay for the picture, though, but I noticed how tourists were ignoring and avoiding them :)
Unique Suggestions: agree on the price before taking the picture...
Fun Alternatives: take a picture of the faked gladiators from the distance and move on
Written Feb 12, 2009
Helpfulness
Thinking of Rome crowd the mind of images derived from postcards, films, author, known for songs or phrases to use dialect. Numerous citations that contribute to food ideas, ideas, feelings with which each of us gives shape to the Eternal City. Who has not already seen Rome? But the amazement and wonder, which captures every visitor, they become a normal condition of mind when you see those images through their eyes and almost touch each hand.
Monumental, magnificent, and always different, so it seems Rome as the immense stage of a theater where the scenery changes constantly, at different times by dragging the viewer. Among the intricate medieval alleyways, the redundant baroque squares, the majestic monuments, or the heights of its hills, on the banks of the Tiber and parks is renewed archaeological wonder in the eyes and hearts of the viewer. So immersed in this new condition, the negative aspects, which exist, are reduced to mere noises off stage.
An open-air museum where the masterpieces are on display for thousands of architects, sculptors, painters, whose genius has found space and motivation to express themselves: by Apollodorus of Damascus to Michelangelo, from Bernini and Caravaggio, Raphael Canova up to Renzo Piano, who signed the New Auditorium gave the city yet another work of art.
A charm that seems inexhaustible, to Rome, because very varied and that in forms, expressions and different colors nell'anima discover the true Roma People, which is characterized by the characters and humorous dissacratori, faithfully rievocati moods in the famous sonnets of Joseph Gioacchino Belli, Roman poet of the nineteenth century. That same spirit that we find in the Roman novels of Pier Paolo Pasolini or poems Trilussa.
Un coté full of spontaneity and genuineness that is exalted still in Roman cuisine, as well as in folkloric traditions, traits that are more than any other district in Trastevere. Far from the clamor of the city of popes and emperors, this corner of Rome, which extends beyond the Tiber, for that fascinates matrix that still retains the popular, made of energy, simplicity, creativity, reasons that make it attractive especially in the eyes of young people and artists.
from www.turistaonline.net
Written Jan 11, 2009
Helpfulness
I note another reader is irked by the cost of a Coke from the vans, but the real trap is to overlook the delightful small museum in the grounds of Villa Borghese. If you like art even a teeny bit, it is a tragedy to go to Rome and miss the Galleria Borghese. I know this section is about tourist traps but sometimes the trap is to overlook a gem.
The Galleria Borghese within the Villa Borghese grounds is one of the world's finest experiences. A booking is needed as it is divided into sessions and numbers are limited. The Galleria is exquisitely decorated and the magnificent art works are an epiphany of splendor. It was the most gorgeous museum I have ever seen. It is one of the world's great small museums. I rather liked the Courtauld Museum in London at Somerset House, but this is much better again.
Unique Suggestions: Tickets are collected 30 mins before your session (via the basement ticket office, cafe and bookshop) and you need to check your cameras etc in to the cloak room. I suggest you get there 60 minutes before rather than 30 if you can, to avoid queues and have a coffee or snack at the cafe, or a little walk in the lovely grounds.
Make sure you get an audio guide.
Fun Alternatives: If you think it's too much trouble to make a booking, you probably wouldn't appreciate it enough to be worth your while
Written Jan 2, 2009
Helpfulness
The Spanish Steps is way overrated - it's just a stairway with zillions of tourists sitting all over them. After seeing lovely photos of these "flower-covered" steps, which lead up to a church, and wracking my brains out to get there, I was quite disappointed.
True, I was there in December, on a day that was overcast after many days of pouring rain, but somehow, after all the hype, I was expecting more. There was not a flower in sight and there was some kind of pseudo-ancient brown shack sitting on the landing, probably in preparation for a Christmas performance or creche scene.
According to the guidebooks, counting the steps is considered a "fun" thing to do, because everyone comes up with a different number. I don't know about it being fun, but I certainly came up with a different number. There are supposed to be over a hundred, but I only counted 50 or so. Maybe it's because I didn't go up to the top. The landing with the brown barn on it was enough for me.
And, of course, the steps aren't Spanish at all. They were built in the 1720s to link the lower street with the French church of Trinita dei Monti , which sits up on top. The pope had a fit when the French tried to install a statue of Louis XIV up there, so the plan was scrapped. Instead, a rather plain looking fountain, Fontana della Barcaccia, was built at the foot of the steps, designed by Pietro Bernini (father of the famous Bernini).
Unique Suggestions: As you walk along the lane leading up to these so-called Spanish steps (after the Spanish Embassy, Palazzo di Spagna), peer into the windows of the fancy designer stores (Gucci, etc.) that line the road, and ladies - snap photos of the gorgeous, smartly dressed Italian men for your very own Rome pin-up calendar. Oh, and make sure none of those costumed gladiators strutting around the street get into the picture, or they will demand payment.
Updated Dec 25, 2008
Helpfulness
When it's time to eat and you've been taking in the main attractions of Rome, do yourself a favor and take a short walk to a small family run trattoria/cafe. When we were visiting the Vatican Museum for hours and we were getting hungry we ate at the first place we came to upon our exit. We broke my decree "Do Not Eat At The Tourist Traps". It wasn't bad food, but you can tell by my picture they were ready for the horde of tourists. It was expensive and we felt like we were in a cattle call.
Fun Alternatives: Take a few minutes to look around, you will find a nice small family run cafe close by in Rome.
Written Dec 3, 2008
Helpfulness
If the waiter asks if you would like water, be aware that it will most likely be a whole bottle of mineral water and it will come up on your bill for 3 euro or so. Also, I was charged separately for bread with a meal and a "service charge". I was never certain whether the "service charge" constituted a tip for the server so I tipped anyway.... if the service warranted and I found it always did.
Written Oct 20, 2008
Helpfulness
Beware when you sit down at an outside table at a bar for a nice beer or glass of wine. The prices are different if you sit inside (less expensive) or outside where you can see and be seen. My husband and I actually paid 6 euros apiece for a beer because we chose to sit at an outside table.
Unique Suggestions: Look for the prezzo listo which is supposed to be prominently displayed, only sometimes the list will be inside while you're outside!
Written Oct 4, 2008
Helpfulness
Around the Colosseum there are plenty of vendors selling everything from the usual tourist stuff to water, gelato and things to drink. I actually saw a woman pay 2 euro for a CAN of soda and the same for a small bottle of water.
Unique Suggestions: Bring your own. The new thing now is to bring a backpack so that it's not cumbersome and stock it with bottled water, tissues and hand sanitizer. Believe me if you have to use a public toilet you'll thank me.
Fun Alternatives: Walk ten to 15 minutes away and buy what you need there. The prices will be much more reasonable or find a supermercati which is where the locals shop and their prices will be normal.
Written Oct 4, 2008
Helpfulness
The Trevi Fountain is something that you can't miss when visiting Rome! It's a wonderful sight, and well worth a look. Just beware when you're in the area that there are Asian guys wandering around with polaroid cameras round their necks asking people to take their photos. We were lucky that none of them approached us, however they were approaching others, who replied with a simple no. This seemed to do the trick, and they'd wander off trying to find someone else.
We did find the area incredibly busy, and quite crowded. This didn't spoil the atmosphere or anything, but just be aware of pickpockets in the area, like every city. The police presence in the area though was high, and I didn't feel unsafe at any time. Just be aware of your surroundings!
Written Oct 1, 2008
Helpfulness
All theese restaurants,coffee shops and stores around places like st.peters, colloseum, trevi etc. are ofcourse going to be more expencive, because they are there for the tourists, and you will not receive the same service as offered from the "regular" places, for the same reason. So simply stay away from them, because you will have so many options as Rome is just packed with reastaurant and coffee shops. I doubt you will be able to walk more then 100m without passing one.
Our hotel was placed about 1km south of Termini Station, we took a walk around the nearby blocks upon arrival and checked the local options before going out for dinner. And having read alot of theese reviews about the "service fee" and high prices, we were a bit worried and found it somewhat difficult to actually enjoy that first (excellent!) meal, and instead sat there thinking about how bad the bill was going to be.
However, after finnishing the meal with dessert and drinks, we quickly found out this was unfounded worries. The bill was about 25 euros, just as we had calculated from the menu and with an added 2€ for the services. Its actually cheaper then what we pay here in our local pub/pizzeria here in Sweden, yet to food was so much better.
So instead we ended up tipping them, oh the irony...
The following days we tryed a couple of places, and found one that we really liked, it had a mix of tourist and locals. They had both great food, service and prices. Dinner for 2 (gnocci wich meatsauce, lasagna, sallad, bottle of beer, bottle of wine, mineral water, gelatos, sitting outdoors in the evening with a serviceminded staff, was about 40€ including a 10% tip.
There was even a man playing accordion one of the nights, it was worth every cent! And more then i had hoped for. So please, do not read into theese warnings about getting scammed all over too much, bring your common sence, and just stay away from the tourist oriented places and you will enjoy it very much.
Average fees in the places we were at:
Pizzas: 6-9€
Pasta dishes : 7-10€
Meat dishes: 10-15€
Bottle of wine: 4-8€
Bottle of beer: 3-5€
Gelato: 4-5€
Services: 2-3€
Other things
At st.peters there will obviously be huge ques, so get there early. We decided not to go in just because of this, so that was a bit dissapointing. And ofcourse there were theese guides who approached us offering a 3 hour tour for 39€ allowing us to skip the line. But we decided not to hang around that long, being led like sheep. Walking among these monuments on your own is so much more enjoyable.
At the colloseum we were like many here asked if we wanted a picture with one of the legionaires, a simple polite "no thank you" was sufficent. However I found it strange that people seem to think they would dress up for free and pose in photos all day without charge, after all, they do make an effort so its not robbery like many claim. Again, use you common sence and arrange a price before agreeing to anything, really simple.
The tip i found here about getting the tickets at Palentine hills was a most usefull one, even if we were out there early in the morning (about 8am) before colloseum had opened we went straight to the palentine and got the tickets, and then walking around palentine and forum almost all by ourselfs for the first 1,5 hours. It was amazing, and I got some really nice photos. at 9.30 or so the first guided tours began to appear, and as we happened to be watching some of the things we were not familiar with, the answers came straight to us, without charge and in perfect english. ;)
I would say the Palentine and Forum were the most intersting things we saw in rome (if you are atleast somewhat instersted in ancient history like I am), so whatever you do, do not skip theese two.
After this, we went on the colloseum, and as we had the tickets we skipped the whole looong line of tourist wanting to get a ticket, and went straight in. The colloseum was ofcourse impressive in a way, but I had probably too high hopes from it, so it was a bit dissapointing. I had pictured me walking in around in the middle, and on the scene they have built, but all of that was closed of areas for some reason. However, I did get some decent photos from it aswell, but nothing like the ones from earlier.
At around 11.30-12:am there was really no point in trying to continue, its too hot, and to many people so you wont get any decent photos, and the lines are just too big everywhere. Better of head back to the hotel and rest / have lunch (again, NOT at the tourist areas :)
The stands outside colloseum sells T-Shirts and Mini souveniers, and the prices are not that bad as suggested by many, I wanted a T-Shirt and payed 5€ for one, hardly expencive, however the following day near st.Peters I saw the very same t-shirts were charged 16€ in the stores around the area. But if people pay that, i cant blame them for charging that.
The only negative thing we encountered was when visiting a coffee shop a few blocks from st.peters. It seemed to be a place where locals go so it seemed ok enough, and I had to find me a bathroom anyhow. The staff there was somewhat busy and we didnt feel all that welcome, so we took a few sips of our coffees and payed, then simply left. About 4€, so no big deal.
Following day we went up early again, and found ourselfs at the Trevi Fountain at about 8-8.30am. The souvenir stands were just being setup, and we took a few photos and talked to the man setting it all up, just chatting a bit. He was very polite and nice, probably wanting to sell us something ofcourse, but thats to be expected. However, we decided not to, but i was curious on how much he charged for hes largest Ceasar torso, it was 75€. But then he said as we were the first custumers of the day, half the price. We didnt however want to carry around a fragile 30cm statue all day, so we declined, and he offered us it for 30. I was really tempted now because i did really like it, but it was no option to carry around it all day (it was actually quite heavy).
So all in all, the warnings here are a bit extreeme. We came expecting the worst but found out Rome is a wonderful city, full of things to do and see, and you will not be spending fortunes on doing so if you dont want to.
Unique Suggestions: Keep only the money you need for entry fees etc. in your pocket, and the rest safe around your neck beneth cloth, or similar. We did not encounter any pickpockets, but they are surely there.
Avoid the sights when everyone else is there, go up early and be there before it gets crowded, and do not get into theese guided tours. Explore on your own instead, if theres anything specific you want to know, hang around and the answers will come to you.
Do not rent cars or vespas, the Romans drive like nuts, this is not a myth, but fact.
You will see hordes of vespas everywhere, when trying cross a street, let alone if you would be driving among them. And observe the cars, you will find that probably every 3-4th of the ones you see will have hit something. Its amazing, the paintshops and autorepair services must be making a fortune in this place.
Do not expect everyone to be good at english, many of them are not. But its not a problem to make yourself understood.
Take the Leornardo Express to Termini from the airport, the fee is 11€ per ticket (sept.2008)
Take the Metro instead of taxis, the fee for one day pass is 4€ (sept.2008)
Do not use the money exchange services at the airports etc. Do this before leaving so you can check you get a fair deal.
Bring a couple of bottles of water/drinks in a cooling bag when going sightseeing. Its humid and hot, you need to drink alot, and you can refill bottles at many places. The stands outside the attractions are not as expencive as we expected, but hardly cheap either. Just go to any super market and get your drinks.
Bring your own towels, the ones our hotel offered were not very good. I tried using it once, and it felt more like a tablecloth.
Write down the numbers you may be in need of if something does happen, like the number to block your credit card, the number to you embassy, hotel, insurance company etc.
Bring other means of identification other then your passport.
Bring your common sence and enjoy yourself!
Fun Alternatives: Visit the supermarkets and grocery stores and get your breakfast there instead of going out.
Theres so much good stuff to try out there, fresh baked bread with all kinds of salami/ham/cheese etc. Much much better then the breakfast offered at the hotels, also you will find the italian beer is quite nice, not to mention the wine (and no, im not recomending it as breakfast :)
I was truely amazed on how good wine you can get from a grocery store for about 1.5-2€. Im paying 5 times this in sweden, and its still not as good, go figure, but they do have decent wine for cheap.
Updated Sep 6, 2008
Sponsored Links
5 Reviews and 1085 Opinions The Pantheon is my favorite building in Rome and might be my favorite building in the world. The...
5 Reviews and 616 Opinions It has been completely renovated but still with a very traditional elegant decor. I am not sure if...
3 Reviews and 1760 Opinions Awesome hotel. Great service. Free breakfast was just enough to get you going each morning. We...
Reviews and photos of Rome attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Rome sightseeing.
All theese restaurants,coffee shops and stores around places like st.peters, colloseum, trevi etc. are ofcourse going to be more expencive, because they are...
1,061 members live in Rome
Q: 3 Friends and myself are visiting your lovely city for the first time in May, 2012. I am wondering if you would be so kind as to...
A: Safety in any large city is relative. Don't walk unfamiliar, dark streets, at night alone and even in a small group, be careful. I've always felt safe walking the...
Read 4 Replies
1
Coming to bella Roma? B R A V O !! A grand lady - she is. Overwhelming - she can be.......... Know a little about her and you will not SEE her - you will EXPERIENCE her - she will be yours. Open...
2
To the Sources of my Culture and History.
On each of my visits to Rome I have the same feeling of cultural, historical abundance and plenitude. The abundance of monuments is unequalled. The famous Guide Michelin proposes a visit program of...
3
Without a doubt, Rome is my favourite city in this world. There is little to dislike about Rome, and too much to love for a short introductory paragraph. Even listing random non-descriptive positives...
4
Rome is huge, beautiful, full of attraction by very very dirthy town! Yes, it is the very first thing one can noticed when strolling around. Is it so because of huge number of tourists or perhaps...
5
Rome : A Surpise Around Every Corner
I have had a fascination with the Eternal City since I was child. The history and the art and the spirituality speak out across the centuries to stir something deep within me. Within the last nine......
Build your own Rome page
see all Rome member meetings
Sponsored Links
