Rome - go or cancel?

[IReallyLikeYorkshire]

I've booked a weekend in February next year but for some reason I just can't get excited about it. It just doesn't fill me with excitement as it did before I started looking on street view. It looks... quite run down and just not what I expected. But then sometimes the best trips are the ones that surprise you.

Go or cancel? I'll not lose much £ if I cancel soon...

I loved Rome-I’ve never been to another city where you just have ancient buildings walking in the city centre. Book an underground tour of the Coliseum. Marvel at the Bernini statues in the Villa Borghese. Look for the wonderful Caravaggios in obscure churches. Buy some vintage jewellery. Rome will give you back so much.

If there is one city I always go back to it’s Rome. It’s a fabulous place.

The museums, churches, historical monuments, the food….. it’s incomparable.

Having said that, Florence and Venice, and many other places in Italy, are definitely worth visiting as well.

I agree about graffiti not having the same meaning in places like Rome. It's genuine street art not vandalism.

I went for work a couple of years ago and arrived at the main station at dusk and had to walk around a mile to my hotel alone.

Despite the graffiti and the internet telling me that I would be mugged the second I left the station all was fine and I felt perfectly safe. Like a lot of southern Europe there's quite a 'late night' culture so there were lots of people around and the bars and restaurants were full, even at 9-10 pm.

Definitely don't cancel, Rome is fabulous.

Rome run down?

Do you realise how old it is? 😂

It's no where near as dirty, rough, rundown and generally shit as London.

Which bit? Nowhere in the centre of London is rundown, not since the late 1990s anyway. It's expensive but absolutely not shit, it's one of the top five cities in the world.

Ooh a sweary flounce 🥴

Go. It’s incredible!

Exactly. Rome is one of the best cities in the world. And so is London. London is actually cleaner with less graffiti too. They’re both fantastic.

Cum subit illīus tristissima noctis imāgō,
quae mihi suprēmum tempus in Urbe fuit;
cum repetō noctem, quā tot mihi cāra relīquī,
lābitur ex oculīs nunc quŏque gutta meīs.

What a movie or tv show set in Rome, that might help get you excited. Emily in Paris is going to Rome - out in Dec but last two episodes already out she is in Rome I think already.

Whaaat!! The Vatican is wonderful. So beautiful. Do not miss it - religious or not. It's one of the major highlights.
We've rented small apartments twice in Rome. The best appartmant was in a less touristy area so the restaurants were mainly fratinised by local inhabitants. Didn't look the best, but the food was wonderful - and completely safe for coeliacs like me.

I’m sure there’s grotty areas of most touristy cities…….go and experience it for yourself, judge for yourself and don’t go back if your don’t like it.

Go! I mean it's got buildings that are hundreds and thousands of years old, but that doesn't mean it's "run down". In my view, it's the best city in the world, but it's a real place and not Disneyland (and all the better for that).

Rome is beautiful. You'd be hard pushed to find anywhere in the UK or US that doesn't have graffiti. I don't understand why graffiti would put you off a holiday.

Yes I love Rome too.

There is this pathetic concerted anti London mayor thing online everywhere just now saying how shit, dangerous etc London is at every opportunity when in reality it is absolutely brilliant, safe and thriving and people can't fucking stand that.

I've been to Rome at least 10 times, over 35 years. I'm sure there is some graffiti (every city has it), but I can't say I've ever noticed it. Why not concentrate on the history, culture food, people, art .....?!

OP, cancel Rome and go to somewhere nicer like Canary Islands or Egypt, or anywhere with a beach and sunny warm winter weather.

Honestly, city breaks are overrated. New York was a yawn fest.

🤷‍♀️ I’ve been to Rome a few times and could go many many more given the opportunity. The Vatican I’ve been to twice. Once in the day once at night. Definitely my least favourite bit of Rome. Does the catholic corruption / paedo slant put me off? Perhaps.

Never say no to Rome!

Haha don't go to Naples then! (which I absolutely love)

I did find the graffiti a bit surprising on the side of churches when I first went to Rome in 2002 - and it was just scrawls and name tags not artwork. The area around the station felt slightly run down and off. But it is such a wonderful city and we enjoyed our stay so much. We went back more recently with DDs and it had gone from strength to strength, and if anything, it felt tidier and safer. I'd go anytime!

He says it perfectly.

To be fair, there is a LOT of graffiti in Rome. The first time I went, I was actually quite shocked by how much there is. But after a while, you don't really notice it anymore, as you become overwhelmed by the absolute beauty of Rome. It's an amazing place, my favourite city that I have been to, and one that I will keep going back to. Just wandering around, finding something beautiful round each and every corner. I get weirdly emotional every time I visit, and I'm not usually a particularly emotional person.

Go. I went for my 40th and wasn’t hugely fussed but I absolutely LOVED it. I’d go back in a heartbeat

Rome is fabulous! So much to do and see.