Weekend in Rome

just got back from rome on the 11th of august, if arriving at campinio airport would advise getting on one of the budget airline buses to the termini train station, got ripped of by taxi. Rome is a fantastic city though you should be very wary of pickpockets and rose sellers. Guided tour of the colloseum well worth it, but felt tour of vatican,although informative,was rushed,3 hours in all whereas you could spend most of the day there, only draw back of going on your own can be the long wait,up to 3 hours.The roman forum is well worth a visit,you really get a feel for the old rome here.Go of the beaten track and go into any church and you will be amazed at the decoration. There is a suprisingly good zoo in rome that is not very well advertised,it is called the bioparc, best stop on the metro is spaga.Buy some water and then top up the bottle at the numerous drinking fountains,if you buy at the little kiosks you can expect to pay up to 3 pounds a bottle and take it from me,on a hot day you will go through a few bottles. Hope this information helps you get the most out a memeroble city.

Have just got back from a day in Rome shopping and one or two things occur to me.
Avoid August - September if you like looking in specialist shops they're all closed because the staff very simply take their holidays at this time - it's a tradition.
Get a one-day all-modes travel ticket and with yr map you'll save a lot of leg work, the tickets are very cheap.
Don't be too put off by the tales of pick-pockets etc. just be very sensible and if you are jostled getting on or off buses etc, keep your hand on your minimal contents wallet despite being poked and if you you know you are being got at SHOUT thieves hate attention and will fade away.
Yup I did notice far too many smelly bits of Rome today, I think the drains are drying out we have not had any rain for about 3 months. I will write a stern letter to the paper!
More and more of the museums are getting air-con oh bliss!

thank -you for the tips but how is rome for someone in a wheelchair like me?

Just got back from Rome. It's probably not too bad for someone in a Wheelchair - if you can cope with cobbles and some potholes. The Vatican is well set up for wheelchair users, and there is a lift in the collsseum and the Vittorino, but many of the Roman sites (such as the Pantheon or the Palatine Hill) have steps. That having been said Rome is well worth visiting for the Piazza's and fountains alone, which anyone can access and are entirely free. I would warn you that crossing the road involves taking your life into your hands though!

The one thing not mentioned that I thought was the best part of our time in Rome was Ostia Antica. Really easy to get to (your metro ticket covers you on the local train out towards Ostia Lido - just get off at Ostia Antica and walk over the bridge), cheap to get in, virtually deserted and a massive preserved town to explore at your own pace. By the time we went we'd already spent 3 days in Rome and it was really refreshing to get away from all the crowds. It's like Pompeii only with gorgeous shade from all the trees and so big that you often felt as if you we're the only visitors in a ghost town.

Hi

Thanks for your tips it was very interesting to know that everything is so close and within walking distance.
I am very pleased with your comments.
One day i hope to visit, it's such a romantic place.
Thank you very much.

I have been to Rome twice and going this coming September for a third time. I guess it must be the result of tossing the coins in the Trevi Fountain!. Rome is a marvellous city, such much history one can learn just by walking from one street to the other. As you have mention the main atractions, I can add that in the subject of food, there is a street (Via Tiburtina, southeast of Termini Station) where you find lots of restaurants with a variety on prices and menus but all affordable and of great taste. I will mentioned three that we found good: a cheapie, family restaurant called "Trattoria de Emilia" and next to it, "Pizzeria L´Economica" (closed on sundays); both restaurants are in front of the Park "Piaza Parco Caduci". Very close to the Via Tiburtina, behind Hotel Felice, there is "Da Franco ar Vicoletto" (Via dei Falisci 3. Closed on mondays) specialized in marine dishes, well worth the money you spend there. Via Tiburtina is well accesed by bus and tram. If you are spending a week or so, is a good idea to invest in a combined map and metro-bus timetable from any newspaper agents.

We went to Rome in November 06. And did almost the same walking tour of the city. Rome is beautiful. The food is fantastic, Try the Venezia, on Venezia street , off the main Piazza, near the central train station.

Went to Rome in November and got engaged at the Trevi Fountain, what a wonderful City. Our hotel was in Porta Pia, basic but staff really friendly. Nice eaterie just down road, The Palladium, cheap and good. Found eateries and pubs round that area very good. Wiil definitely be going back to same area, everything is within walking distance of main attractions. No where that we went seemed really expensive, maybe the Scots blood in me LOL

Ian, why didn't you walk just an inch away from tourism central? Rome's terrifc and cheap- best coffee 40p etc ... Food very reasonable in Trastevere. It's not what you saw but what missed ...