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[Updated on: Wed, 21 May 2008 10:05]
Cycling is the one sport where a guy can shave his legs, wear spandex and bright colors, and be accepted.
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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I've never been either, but sound advice is to take very good air cushioned walking shoes, and to pick places to eat by wandering around and spotting one that looks good.
Italy is a slow moving country, but mostly without the siesta culture of Spain. Relax into the way the locals work and try to avoid tourists unless determined to be ripped off by tourist attractions.
When you get there look for city travel tickets that handle loads of modes of transport for a fixed price, and never take a cab when you can have an adventure on public transport. Opt for overground when possible unless the underground system (has it got one) is specially interesting.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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Been there, dont that... got the tee shirt... it shrunk...
The Cistine Chappel is good, if it is done with the restoration, otherwise there will be massive areas cordonned off due to the work.....
If you want to see Italy, go into the smaller neighborhoods. See and meet the people that actually live there...
Naturally, all the major tourist and historical sites should be attended to as well, the Colleseum, the Pantheon, The catecombs.... fountain of Trevvi (sp), and some of the older churches have a lot to offer as well.....
Eat out of the hotel, visit the street markets, cured meats, cheese, fruit and a locally produced wine makes a wonderful picnic lunch......
Don't let the romance of the city escape you....
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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Zambezi
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Toe is in the water |
Location: Various (!)
Registered: January 2004
Messages: 40
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I was last in Rome in March 1993 as a lad of 17. At the time I was in a fairly intense but platonic relationship with a half-Italian boy whose parents had been kind enough to informally foster me during a rough family situation. Although his family were from Cremona, they were able to offer a fascinating insight into Italy which was borne out when I went there on a school trip. Some of this may be a little dated, but...
The Sistine Chapel is just the climax of all that the Vatican has to offer. If you can be in St Peter's Square for Sunday Mass then that ranks up there. Also, try and find the spot in the middle of the square where it appears that there is only one row of columns fronting the Basilica.
For a day trip I would strongly recommend a trip to the gardens of the Villa Borghese. Getting into the Villa itself is not so easy - you have to book a long time in advance - but the grounds are simply unbelievable and well worth the visit. If you are into classical music buy a CD of Respighi's "The Pines of Rome" first. You'll understand.
For me, the best place in the whole of Rome at night is the Piazza Navona - beautiful fountains, great cafes/bars, and less of a tourist rip-off than many places.
Like anywhere in the world, if you learn just a few words of the language then you will get a warmer welcome. Even just wielding a phrasebook and going through the motions of reading from it will work wonders. So, for starters:
"Per favore" = please
"Grazie" = thank you
"Ma fancula" = fuck me
Three other tips that I found incredibly useful:
1) Near any of the big tourist attractions - especially the Colliseum - if you are surrounded by a bunch of kids pushing a map in your face run like the wind and do not be afraid to hit them to break free. The map is a distraction - they are picking your pocket.
2) All restaurants, by law, have to offer a set tourist menu ("menu turistico") - a set meal including cover and service charges and usually including a carafe of wine. Whilst you can sometimes be fobbed off with the cheapest things they serve and the choice is usually limited these can be great bargains. Most importantly, if you find a restaurant that refuses you the tourist menu then it is a sure guarantee that you are about to be ripped off.
3) Most pedestrian crossing are what we in England call "puffin crossings". Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way in Rome but drivers will not stop at all if you fart around at the crossing - they will just whizz past in their Fiats. Lancias, and Alfas. They key is to put one foot out onto the road. Then they will screech to a halt and show due deference.
If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving isn't for you.
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In my view, you are right about everything, Zambezi!
I've been there twice, and the last time I was there I discovered one morning that my wallet was gone. While at the police station I received a phone call from my hotel, saying that my wallet had been found in a dark corner of one of the corridors, and fortunately, only my cash had been stolen. I want to visit Rome again, but then I'll take with me one of these small portable alarms to attach to the hotel room's door. And I'll keep my wallet under my pillow and my camera gear under the bed.
I love the Italian pizza with cured ham on it, but as you say, you can be served both the best and the worst food and wine there.
Scott, I recommend a trip starting at the Colosseum, through the Forum, preferably with a guide, ending on the Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio). At the foot of Campidoglio is the enormous and ugly Vittorio Emanuele monument and Piazza Venezia, where Mussolini used to address the crowds. It's one of Rome's traffic hubs, a bit like London's Trafalgar Square, from where there is only a (reasonably short) walk to most of the famous places of ancient and renaissance Rome.
One of the oldest chuches, the small S. Maria in Trastevere, is also one of the most beautiful ones. As its name says, it's 'across the Tevere', and with a good map it's easy to find. It's a traditional basilica and your daughter will probably be able to tell you a lot about the beautiful mosaics and other decorations. In the evenings the piazza in front of the church is often crammed with people.
Its big sister, S. Maria Maggiore, not very far from Colosseum, is more impressive but less charming, I think.
While in the Vatican, and if the weather is good, do climb to the top of the S. Peter's Basilica to have a good view of much of ancient Rome.
Did anyone mention Pantheon?
And the Italian gelato?
I want to go there, too!!
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Attachment: pantheon.jpg
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to everyone for the suggestions.
[Updated on: Wed, 21 May 2008 10:05]
Cycling is the one sport where a guy can shave his legs, wear spandex and bright colors, and be accepted.
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Have a great trip. Like travel anyplace, take half the clothes, and three times the money that you think you'll need, and you'll have a wonderful time.
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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True enough... Always pack light and casual.... If you get invited to visit the queen you can always rent a suit......
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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