Tips for Rome

[ThePenIsBlue]

Husband and I are going to Rome in a few weeks for our 20th wedding anniversary - sans les enfants. Neither of us have been to Italy before. I’m keen for any tips people have for Rome . We’re going to do the standard touristy sites, but looking for good restaurants/ cafes, things not to be missed, things worth missing etc. We love excellent food, (real foodies) nice coffee, people watching etc etc. looking forward to a slower pace for a few days! Thank you 🙏🏻

I’ve been to Rome twice. Lots of great stuff to see (Forum and Colosseum immediately spring to mind) but:

First time there, husband and I were “attacked” by gang of street kids trying to distract us to steal out bags. Husband had to forcibly push them off.

Second time I took my mum (to visit Anzio). I’d warned her to wear cross body bag. We got on the subway and I had my hand over the bag the whole time. A few hours later I discovered someone had tried to slice through the bottom of the bag, but luckily hadn’t got through the outer layers. Since my hand was there, I’m just glad they didn’t slice through that.

Enjoy, but be careful.

Look out for 'Aperitivo' in the bars in early evening. It's a bit like happy hour, you buy a drink and can then help yourself to a bar snack buffet.

Oooh yes good call. Last time we were there we stayed in an amazing loft above a place called Salotto 42 and their aperativo was incredible ... granted we had a few cocktails at €15ish euros each but to be honest the amount of food they kept bringing to us - and we got to the point we were begging them to stop 😁 - we had pretty much had a 3 course meal! Bonus was it was very welcoming to DD who was 11 and obviously on soft drinks ... they served her same size portions as us.

Also it was opposite Il Tempio di Adriano, a beautiful temple often used for small outdoor concerts.

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz my son's lovely gf is from Rome, they studied near Como and as poor students, fed themselves on Aperitivo! I think it helped she was Italian and they took pity on them.

We walked everywhere, we absolutely loved Rome, we had such a fantastic time!
The catacombs & bone chapel are a must! Google it.

Now that's doing student living in style

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz aye, we were back here on beans on toast and Morrison's 3 for £10 wine!

Walked at night around the coliseum just breath taking. Walk as much as you can.

You'll be charged Coperto at most places (a table charge) so don't be shocked when you stop for two £5 drinks and the bill is £16.

Don't put your bag on the back of your chair.

If you want a cheap breakfast simply order 'toast' at a cafe - it's a ham and cheese toastie for about €3.

RampantIvy · 20/09/2022 10:53
How on earth can they knick a watch? That is a completely different level of thieving Shock“

no idea. Have to admit though that as well as feeling sad and angry, a little bit of grudging admiration for such a skill crept in.
could make a fortune as a magician!

Am impressed they bother to learn the skill.

In Florence, which was packed with school parties, it seemed more 'Find gullible teen, flirt half-heartedly, make them pose with a cheap and nasty necklace then insist they bought it and the price is £££££'

The shite jewellery sellers were everywhere. We spend a long time in a queue behind an American school party and the teachers were moaning to each other about how much time they had to spend stopping (and failing) their charges getting fleeced.

One of them tried it on me but gave up after a stern look of 'seriously, I'm in my 40s, do you think I am falling for this shit?'

We stayed in trastervera (so) and eat there as well - it’s a better price

we got the train from the airport - make sure you punch your ticket

Romans were very friendly and kind I found so help with this

we waited till the ships had gone near the end of the day to visit the colessium as then skip the queue was longer than the queue

enzo was an amazing place for lunch and fill of Romans