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.

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

Neither do I. We went in October 2015. It was pleasantly warm - 21 degrees, which I thought was ideal for sightseeing. The main drawback was that it got dark so early. Our hotel was next to the French embassy, and opposite a brilliant restaurant.

Well the people of Rome are up in arms about the lack of rubbish collections, resulting in piles of rubbish in the street and the lack of street cleaning and maintenance so it's real enough unfortunately. I only went in November 2018 and it wasn't good.

Things must have changed in the last three years. Such a shame.

Another thing I remember about Rome was suddenly coming across old bits of Roman walls among more modern buildings. I thought it added charm to the place.

We were there in October last year and there was a lot of graffiti. In fact when I watched Angels and Demons recently I noticed a graffiti in the background that I’d not noticed before I went there.
A lot of the more touristy areas didn’t have loads of litter lying about but travelling on buses and waking about you could see the rubbish problem that Rome has. The rubbish piling up has attracted wild boar to the city as well.

We must have been there at the same time Lonicera!

We stayed in a beautiful apartment on the banks of the Tiber looking across to St Peter’s. And just round the corner from Alfredo’s.

this restaurant is lovely.

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!

But if an inspector gets on you’re in big trouble. We saw that happen to a tourist. They hauled her off the bus, despite her excuse of having only just arrived (& as she was with a resident friend with a monthly pass I didn’t blame them. Passes are cheap enough!)

And the inspectors travel in groups so no chance of popping off before they catch you. They cover the doors.

Oh don’t worry I’d look so bloody guilty if I didn’t have a ticket they’d cop me straight away.

I’m taking all the suggestions and advice on board thanks guys .

When visiting St peters Basilica, dont forget to seek out the crypt,,very interesting and the entrance is tucked away and often missed by visitors. Ask if you cant find it. Watch out for shysters in the streets. They come in all guises. Also the idiots who wave a pen and clipboard at you saying,sign against drugs or something similar,,just keep walking. If your feeling adventurous train travel in Italy is very good and seriously cheap. Rome Termini has lots of connections. Again watch out for shysters offering to help you buy tickets,carry luggage etc etc.

Rome has a treasure on every corner you turn,,,churches full of bling,art,riches etc..

Since you’re near termini, there’s a nearby restaurant (about 2 mins from Santa Maria Maggiore) called la Veccia Conca which is excellent.

If you can get tickets, the scavi tour of the necropolis under St Peters, is well worth doing.

Don't bother with the Vatican museum. It takes so long to get the the Sistine chapel that you are knackered. Wasn't really worth it tbh.

I love Rome, it's my favourite city.

It's very easy to walk everywhere. From Termini it's about 10/15 mins downhill to The Colisseum, and then it's very easy to walk to Trevi, the Spanish steps and Narvona etc. Beware in the immediate area of Termini, it's the worst bit for pick pockets and fraudsters. If you keep your wits about you it's not a problem, but don't stand with your nose in a map not watching your bag..

We went in March, the queues weren't bad. Buy your tickets for the Roman attractions at the Palentine Hill/forum kiosks, the queues are always shorter than at the coliseum. Even if there looks to be no queue at the coliseum there will be once you get inside. You can spend all day seeing the Roman bits, and can't come out and go back in (apart from going between the coliseum and the rest), so take drinks/snacks in with you.

I was SO underwhelmed with the Sistine chapel. I preferred the actual Vatican, which is free. You can pay to go up to the roof, which is worth it, the view is fantastic.

Enjoy yourselves. (And any attempt to speak Italian is adored by the locals, even if it's not a good attempt!)