uh-oh, I have booked three days in Rome but now...

[moulesfrites]

have just worked out from the news that it is some european cup final with Man ubited in on the Wednesday evening that we leave. Have I made a huge mistake. Apparently Man U fans are being advised to avoid the main tourists hotspots in case of violent gangs! Should we stick to quieter places then, or just go for it. I mean, we have no interest in football but the violent gangs might not realise that. Any advice?

Tough call tbh.
There will almost certainly be trouble...remember, the English clubs involved in the CL tried to get the venue changed when they realised that it was likely that at least one English club would be involved...Hooliganism is rife here in Italy, far more so than in the UK where it is more or less "under control" and the ones in Rome are particularly ferocious. (always annoys the bejaysus out of me that they still talk about football hooligans as an English phenomenon when here on a weekly basis there are riots, stabbings, racist banners and chants....(dp who is Italian couldn't believe how civilised UK football is when he came over)
When are you actually coming? If I understand correctly you're leaving on the Wednesday evening? I'd guess the Man U fans will be arriving on the Wednesday and leaving on the Thursday...If you're coming Mon-Wed I'd still come, but avoid the main touristy areas in the day, and after the match.
Could be worse, it could be an Italian club they're playing, in which case I'd definitely not go anywhere near Rome.
I'm in the south, so tbh, wouldn't know where to advise you to go, but on the Little Italy thread here you might find someone actually in Rome who can perhaps advise you better having more of a finger on the pulse IYSWIM?

Hi moules, been directed here from Little Italy by Bucharest. I live in Rome and have been here for the last few Roma Man U clashes. The main place to avoid is anywhere near the Olympic stadium (Ponte Milvio area always seems to get trouble) and Campo dei Fiori-one of the main piazzas in the centre where it always seems to kick off. Think you should be ok during the day, it tends to be in the evening after the drink has been flowing all day when the problems start. I think there is a danger the "Ultra" fans from Roma may look for Utd fans to settle old scores but I think they will more likely be around the stadium (or around the Campo). You should be fine-maybe just do all the main touristy things before Weds? Have a great time anyway and bring your sunscreen-it's hot at the moment

Isn't it just.....I've pulled all my shutters down and am lying on sofa bemoaning the heat....

my shutters are closed as well-quick hijack Bucharest-can you recommend any camp sites with bungalows in Puglia? Am on a mission to book summer holiday-anywhere-need something to motivate me to work

I'll ask dp tonight- he used to work on the Gargano so I'm sure he'll know plenty up there...

great thanks!

Thanks for your advice, feeling reassured now. :-)