Visiting Rome.Come tell me everything...

[NotExactlyHappyToHelp]

Off to Rome on Friday for two nights (two adults). We’ve never been before. We’re definitely going to do the Colosseum and the Vatican City and pootle about the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the Piazza Navona.

Staying in a hotel very close to Termini station.

Has anyone got any recommendations for things we must do, things we should avoid, general tips and tricks?

It’d be much appreciated. I sound a bit of a baby saying this but it’s the first holiday I’ve organised myself and I’m slightly apprehensive I’ll cock it up somehow.

We just been.
We booked a free walking tour (you just pay a tip at the end). It was so good. They took us to the Spanish steps, trevi fountain and coliseum (not inside though) and a few other places and told us lots of stories and facts about the places that we wouldn’t have known otherwise.
Buy Vatican tickets directly from the Vatican website.
That’s probably a good use of your time over two days. Spend the rest of the time just eating

I went last February, also stayed near Termini station, didn't get pickpocketed!

Yes wear comfy shoes! The vast majority of the 'touristy' things are within walking distance. Coliseum is a must, we prebooked a guided walk, very informative. Its amazing to think of all the history that happened there.

We spent the day at Pompeii, got the train there and back (that was an adventure in itself!) It was amazing, seeing all the things I'd seen in books as a child!

Trevii fountain is very busy!

Yes get the ice-cream - ice cream shops everywhere.

I was disappointed with the food, but I think we just made bad choices with which restaurants we went in - my spag bol is much nicer!

Spanish steps - it's just a load of steps! I'd done that much walking i was in physical pain and couldn't make it to the top!

EVERYONE speaks very good English.

Have a great time, I'd definitely go again.

Many museums in Rome are free on the first Sunday of the month.

I’m here now staying right next to termini station . Beggars are rife here. Sometimes I haven’t felt safe. I went to the Vatican today and it was really busy . We paid for a tour but wish we didn’t as we spent about an hour faffing around and we couldn’t understand her English . It’s cold too . We saw a woman begging with a young baby outside the Vatican . Quite upsetting.

From your list, I would lose the Vatican and add pantheon and forum. Love Rome - enjoy.

Totally agree with this posters - the Forum was the best. The Vatican is HUGE museum of bewildering size and layout. Too much to see. It becomes like an endurance test to get through it.

We went last half term. Highly recommend an ice cream place called frigidarium (I think!) best chocolate fondant ice cream. If you like cats there is a cat rescue based in some ruins and my dd liked that. What I didn't like was all the street sellers. They were adaptable though - sunny days they were selling selfie sticks rainy days umbrella!

The tours trying to sell you tours were really bad round the coliseum.

Hated it. Filthy grafitti ridden hell hole.

"It becomes like an endurance test to get through it."

I'm glad you said that because I thought the same.

I know everyone is saying eat the ice cream, but am I the only one who never fancies ice cream in winter? (unless it is a scoop of vanilla ice cream with some hot apple crumble )

I went in October & got some wonderful tips from here.

We had 4 days though, & didn’t have enough time, so from all of what we do did I would say definitely try to visit the amazing Capitoline Museums!

We did a pre-paid Vatican tour, but found it very frustrating, because nobody can stop & look at anything & there was some fascinating stuff in side rooms

We visited the Colosseum but again it was too rammed to see much so maybe better just to see the outside (also the Forum)

Walking through the Borghese gardens, then down past Spanish steps to Trevi fountain & Piazza Navona was good

I went to this cat sanctuary (DH buggered off because he’s not bothered about cats. Philistine.)

It was a lovely place to visit

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187791-d4416917-Reviews-Torre_Argentina_Cat_Sanctuary-Rome_Lazio.html

Weather is pretty foul right now so pack rain gear. (Remember statistically Rome is more rainy than London)
Don't use a backpack. You might as well carry a sign saying "gullible tourist come and rob me". Pickpockets are more likely to be small groups of teenage girls. Italian TV is currently doing warnings about just how rife it is around the Colosseum, Piazza di Spagna etc.
The area around Termini is not brilliant (kind of like Kings Cross or any major railway station in a major city)
I found St Peter's and the Vatican itself much more interesting than the Colosseum. One big amphitheatre being pretty much like any other. The Pantheon can be done quite quickly.

We went in December. The Coliseum wasn't too busy first thing. I wish we'd allowed more time for the Forum and the Palantine hill.

If you can get them, book tickets for the archeological dig of Nero's Golden Palace. The archaeologists do the tours. It's amazing.

The Via Appia Antica was very special too. We spent a whole day gazing at random ancient ruins as we walked.

I bloody loved Rome. Have fun!

Go to the Trevi fountain very late at night for the best experience. We went to Rome for my 21st and wandering round Rome at night is magical, we had the fountain lit up and totally to ourselves.

We loved climbing to the top of St Peter's but the wait was stressful - lots of people trying to cut in, including some Germans who tried to blend in with a Korean tour and got walloped by the guide.

Avoid taxis if possible as lots of scams.

Ah brilliant thank you all so much this is really helpful.

I think we might scout about Friday evening when we get there, see the Trevi Fountain lit up and the Spanish steps etc and figure out what we fancy from there. I’d rather wander round and see what appeals than have a firm plan but I don’t want to waste an experience.

I know two days is really not long enough but it was the best we could do. Hopefully if I throw a coin in the fountain I’ll get to return sometime.

Comfy footwear and being very alert of my belongings is duly noted. I’ll bring my brolly too.

Will definitely wander down side streets for food but will have a glass of wine overlooking the Pantheon.

DP is not arsed about cats either which is a damn shame. That cat sanctuary looks fab.

You’re all absolute babes for the advice and tips. Thank you vipers .

The Capuchin Crypt will blow your minds

Our guide told us the beggars, in particular the ones at the Vatican queues, are professional. They live in the best area of the city, get collected every evening in the best cars and any disfigurements or disabilities are fake.

Top tip (my daughter lived in Rome for a year)...

You don't have to pay on the buses, well technically you do but no-one does.

You're supposed to have a ticket before you get on as the driver doesn't issue them so most people just jump on without one!

Glad we've been but I definitely wouldn't go again. Should have gone 20 years ago. Most MNetters love it so perhaps it's just me!

The bad : Filthy, rubbish piled up everywhere; graffiti everywhere; public areas being let go; far, far too many people and that was in November, I dread to think what it's like in season; the shite weather.

Good things: the amazing churches including the St Peter's Basillica are all free; the Rotunda in the Pantheon is actually amazing in the rain; Ice cream at the Fridgidarium - the best 3 euros you'll spend in Rome! The view into the Forum from the back of Capitoline museum is a quick easy way to see it without queuing. The cheap, efficient metro.
Top tip: take a brolly

Hope the weather is kind and you have a great time.

We got up before sunrise and went to the Colosseum, walked around it and took it all in with no-one else around, and we were first in. It made me cry, in a good way .... well sort of, it totally blew my mind.
As were were leaving it was getting busy and all the naff, fake centurions were arriving!

Rio18 - great tip. The buses are really good value but not sure why you think it is acceptable to not pay. Any other tips on breaking the law you want to share?

Oh get down off your high horse..take it up with the Romans not me.

I'm an Italian tax payer so it does affect me actually. Bet you wouldn't be so blasé about people doing this in the UK.

The view from the top of the Vittorio Emmanuel is well worth it. Especially when all the bells start ringing.

I must have gone to a different Rome to some of you as I don’t remember litter and graffiti.