 | Rome Warnings or Dangers | Tips 1 - 10 of 506 |  |
 | |  |  | The Wrath Of Summer | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
Depends on the year, summer in Rome varies from unpleasant to unbearable, and the level of humidity runs from muggy to suffocating. The average temperature in the summer is 33C (91F), but in recent years, there had been days and weeks when the mercury crept up to 43C (109F). When temperature soars to this high, there is not much one can do to stay comfortable when one is outside. Wearing the right kind of clothes, drinking a lot of water, splashing your face and body often with cold water, all are advisable but help little. The best thing to do in the high heat and high humidity is to wake up before dawn, get as much sightseeing done as possible before the sun starts to rage. First, visit the sights that are always open (Foro Romano, Fori Imperiali, fountains, monuments, and statues, etc.), then the places that are open early (most churches are open at 8 AM, most museums are open at 9 AM). When the temperature climbs, stop all activities, have an early lunch, then go back to your accommodation, take a shower and a long nap, and do not go out again until it’s cool down. You still can pack in a good seven or eight hours each day of sightseeing and picture taking if you divide them into two sections, the first half before 11 AM, and the second half after 5 PM. In between, allow your body to receive plenty of rest to combat against the brutal temperature. Leave a Comment
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| | | | No, We Are Not Hitchhikers! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Each time I am in Rome, I would find a few things that I have not seen before. Most of the finds are in the way of restaurants and fountains (yes, I still find more fountains, but you don’t want to read about my fountain tips anymore, do you?). Sometimes, a façade of a palazzo would appear after years of hiding behind scaffolding and it would stop me dead on my track. Other times, the mint leaves of spring would change the look of the city and I would be mesmerized for hours. Guess what I saw this time? A few ladies of the night. There is nothing new about prostitution, of course. It doesn’t get to be the oldest profession for its new-and-improve method of working. Women still stand on the streets; men still stop their cars to exchange greetings. The locations are still the same, concentrated around parks. However, the hours have moved up a bit because these women are now working from morning to evening. I guess they think it is safer to be out on the street in the daytime than at night. Either that or they are putting in long hours because they are a hard working group of people. The women in this picture were standing outside the entrance to Parco di Scuola Traffico, where parents take their young children for lessons in driving and riding. I wonder what they had in mind when they chose this location? Leave a Comment
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| | | | Pickpockets and Purse-Snatchers: The Modern Armor | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The most common advice against being pickpocketed is to be aware of your surroundings. When on vacation, however, it’s hard to be vigilant at all times; it’s more natural to let your guard down. Thus, you should be equipped with the most effective weapon against thieves: the security pouch. Security pouch is NOT fanny pack (bum bag). It’s common knowledge that anything with a zipper is an opportunity for pickpockets to refine their skill. As a security matter, fanny pack is the most vulnerable; an average thief can unzip it, empty out the contents, and zip it back without ever touching the person -- the location of the bag notwithstanding. As a fashion matter, fanny pack is loud attention-getter, the clearest and surest sign that tells everyone you’re a tourist and an easy target. Replace your fanny pack with a security pouch. Rather than being worn outside the clothing, security pouches rest underneath your clothes. The pouch is typically a very soft pocket attached on an adjustable cord. It’s suitable for men and women. The pouch is designed to be worn around your neck. For women, I would suggest wrapping the cord slightly below the waist, under the waistband of skirts or trousers. You can pull the adjustable knob to one side and let the pouch hug the side of your hip or thigh; this way there’s no bulk added to your tummy, no strings showing under your neckline, and you maintain discretion while still providing easy access. Keep everything (e.g., passport, credit cards, and serious money) in the pouch. In your pocket, keep € 10 or € 20, enough for gelato, postcards or coffee, but not enough to cause you grief if you lose it. For bulkier things like a camera, guidebook and map, get a bag that has a heavy-duty leather pull string with clasp inside, reinforced by a flap-over with sturdy snap on the outside. That way, it would take a thief twice the effort and both hands to open it. With a security pouch and a sturdy bag, you can be in any crowd and never have to worry about losing anything valuable. Leave a Comment Website: http://www.rei.com/product/47780042.htm?
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| | | | Beggars and Cons: Fake POLICE!!! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Step 1: A man approached us asking for directions to the "Colosseo". I didn't speak Italian and told him so. Step 2: A second man (well-dressed in a suit) appears about a minute later and shows us his POLICE ID, and asks for our passports. (What he doesn't know is that we'd been warned about this modus operandi...) Step 3: He's jabbering away in Italian to someone else who just turns out to be the first man who'd asked us for directions (thereby confirming we were tourists). Then we are interrogated as follows, "U speak English? Good! do you know this man? You were talking to him... was he trying to sell u drugs? This area is where deals take place, so I have to check your documents and money"... More jabbering in Italian, and the first guy shows the plainsclothed "cop" his documents and money which are promptly checked and returned to him. Step 4: The "cop" asks us for our documents and money so he can CHECK them!!! (When it's happening, it's so smooth and so fast, that my brother was actually going to hand over his things to the guy. I actually yelled at him not to and told the "cop", "We don;t have our passports with us, but we just shopped at the UPIM store (a large department store), so if you wish we will come there with you and you can check the cash we paid there." What freaked me out was how fast the guy's intimidating tone changed. He said it was ok and actually SHOOK HANDS WITH US before the two of them disappeared. We were left stunned and thanking our stars we'd bbeen warned that this could happen. In retrospect, it seems so easy to figure out that it's a con-game, but at that moment, u tend to think "Drugs? no way!! here, take and check my papers, money etc. It's all in order..." No prizes for guessing that the money wouldn't be returned... The sheer brazenness of these people scared me, esp. since it was in broad daylight with so many people around. Luckily for me, it was really my first day and I was 10 times as careful afterwards... Leave a Comment
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| | | | Beggars and Cons: Will Gypsies bother me? What should I do? | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Sometimes there are gypsies aggressively begging in or near the train station, on subways, etc. You need to pay attention if they are around, but don't worry obsessively. Most of the time, especially on my last few visits, I don't see them and am not bothered by them. However, it can happen. It is especially disturbing if a young woman carrying a baby accosts you. A good strategy is to say, "Vai via!", (vye VEE-ah!) It means simply "Go away" but they'll be surprised that you said it! Polizia! (poh-leet-TSEE-ah!) - which means "Police!" - is another good word. Also, it pays to be suspicious of anyone who offers to help you if you haven't asked for any help. This is especially true around train stations. Do NOT let anyone take your ticket to "help" you find your train. As my VT friend and Rome guru, Bill McCalpin, says, just put on your New York face and New York attitude. Italians in tourist towns see so many tourists, it is possible, but unlikely they will try to help you unsolicited. Often, only a con artist is there to "help." Leave a Comment
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| | | | Pickpockets and Purse-Snatchers: Wear Your Money Belt! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
While Rome is generally much safer than American cities, there are many skillful pickpockets about. Many people who will tell you that they didn't have a problem with pickpockets or other scam artists during their visit to Rome. I'm sure they didn't. But do 100 per cent of tourists have to be ripped off before you believe there's a threat? Obviously, you could ignore advice about keeping your money and credit cards in a safe place, and not have a problem. But..... On a recent trip to Rome, and our last morning there, we heard an American couple tell their tale of woe at breakfast. They took the crowded Metro, and before the husband knew what happened to him, pickpockets had taken his wallet out of his pants pocket, took the $400 in it, and put the wallet back in his pocket! Later, on the same train, two other con artists tried the same thing! Just that morning, the couple had discussed whether or not he should use the money belt. It's the same old story; you never think it could happen to you. So, bring your money belt and use it! Here's a photo of the one I use. It's very thin and comfortable (the part that touches your skin feels great even in hot sticky weather). I put most of my money, my credit cards and bank card in it, and it's virtually invisible under my clothes. If you carry a purse, best to shorten the strap and hold it UNDER your arm. (You'll see most Italian woman walking with their purse this way.) Keep all zippers closed and in front. Leave a Comment
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