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...

the Italians (Romans?) invented graffiti - its everywhere. Even Venice is full of graffiti.

It you take a day trip to Pompeii from Rome, you can see some proper ancient graffiti - unsurprisingly its mostly dick pics.

Parts of it are quite run down but the centre is great and the Colosseum is amazing.

I would go but would have booked a bit later in the year for better weather.

oh just go and enjoy it.
i know near the time to travel it seems a lot of work - packing and stuff but really the chance to go to Rome is great
get away and have some sun
you will feel better

I’d also struggle to be excited about a trip I’m not going on for nearly half a year. I can’t think of many cities that don’t have some graffiti. Just go!

Rome is one of the Grand European cities. It’s steeped in history and culture, but is a lively, charismatic, working, place. It much closer in scale to somewhere like Dublin than London so it’s walkable and there’s always something to see, buy, eat, or drink. We went in February the first time and it was great - no queues and not too cold. We got a ticket for one of hop on hop off sightseeing buses and spent a day visiting all the main attractions. I can really recommend it.

Rome literally took my breath away when I first saw it, it really is so beautiful, I have been three times.

Went with the kids this summer and it was amazing. The Vatican and streets around it are amazing and full of great bars/restaurants. The metro is clean, fast and easy to use. I’d go again tomorrow.

Cancel and go in a few years. You never know, maybe they'll knock down all those scruffy old buildings and build some nice, shiny new ones. 🙄

Yes that old coliseum has got to go.

😂

It looks... quite run down and just not what I expected.

Rome is a major capital city, with a metro area home to over 4 million people. It's not a museum, although it is blessed with some of the world's finest.

Parts of it are indeed run down and shabby, much as in any major city. However, it's also also one of the most fascinating cities on earth. Which is why I'm currently planning another trip there, having been 3 times already. Roma non basta una vita, as they say in Italian. For Rome, one life is not enough.

However, if a bit of graffiti puts you off it's maybe best you stay at home.

Absolutely not the point of the thread but I've booked to go in February and looking forward to it even more now everyone is saying how amazing it is!

We did a Vespa tour and all 4 of us loved it! And generally yes - go to Rome! It was amazing and we would go back in a heartbeat

I was going to say something similar. I’ve been to Rome twice and love it! Were you on the fence about going when you booked it, or has something happened since booking that made you change your mind about going?

I'm going to Rome for the first time in November. This thread has got me quite excited for it.
I was already looking forward to it, but even more so now

I would just reframe it and call it street art.

Seriously OP, if you’re going to be put off by graffiti you’ll never go anywhere! Rome is one of those cities that has you walking down an ordinary looking street, then you turn the corner and something takes your breath away. You would be totally ridiculous to cancel it.

I loved Rome

Don’t let a bit of graffiti put you off going to Rome Op.

Yes - it can have its gritty parts but overall it’s beautiful. It’s a must see.

Try to see through the negatives and you’ll be rewarded with so many positives.

Not my experience at all and we weren’t staying in an expensive area. I thought it one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Did all the sites in Rome, didn’t feel any local character at all. Enjoyed the Vatican…not so much the Sistine chapel but the stolen treasure chests room sized marble were incredible. St Peter’s square. Regret not booking the Vatican gardens tour. Recommended food …wasn’t special. The cafe of the training priests was interesting …just expected it to have a vibe, a specific character…didn’t feel it did. The only cool thing is that all you’ll see will pop up in films etc..and you’ll know how it fits together. Lots of ruins within the city, Spanish steps etc..

I’m not remotely religious yet i love walking round churches etc … the architecture, art etc in the vatican was great to see imo.

Rome is literally stunning.

When you come back from your trip OP, you will remember this thread and laugh at yourself.

There's also lots of graffiti in Rome that has survived from Roman times. Most of it is quite rude if you can read Latin!

But the art! And the maps! And the art!

OP, if you don't find things to love in Rome then something has gone wrong. It's one of the most incredible cities with history, architecture, art, and food to die for. Great markets, bloody weird Capuchin crypts, catacombs, gardens... Just watch Roman Holiday and get all Audrey Hepburn about it.

Now the little churches down every back street, popping up out of nowhere, I love

Cancel and start again is my opinion. Don’t waste your time and money if you’re going to stress yourself over it. There’s so many other places x