that could give me some advice on cheap deals, where to stay, where to go, what to do...the ins and outs???

i know to watch the theft over there, and to be sure to go to some certain food places...any financial tips though?

10/12/2006 3:41:22 AM

ive heard that when in rome you should do as the romans do

10/12/2006 3:42:48 AM

what he means by that is fuck mad bitches and smoke big blunts

10/12/2006 3:53:47 AM

during spring break ill be eating in rome and you'll be eating roman noodles.

10/12/2006 4:29:33 AM

hcnugyen not funny again

10/12/2006 8:46:35 AM

Yellow Hostel...large hostel, great common area, tons of people coming in from all over the world and a good location as far as walking distance and it's close to bus stops and the metro. The staff can be snotty though which was a downer.

The Vatican--get tickets for the museum. you don't have to do the tour, but get tickets ahead of time b/c you'll get in faster. DO NOT TAKE PICTURES OF THE SISTINE CHAPEL. definitely climb to the top...it's a long way up but the view of Rome is amazing. http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1379073797060368215QizNEN
then go back to the Vatican at night, it's beautiful.

Go to the Spanish steps during the day...get a gelato and rest your feet. People watching at its finest.

Coloseum and the Forum are a must of course...do it in the morning.

I got many, many, many more suggestions of things to see and restaurant names (I kept napkins or placemats from all the restaurants and cafes I ate). If you want more PM me and when I get home I can check out my journal and give you specific names. If museums are your thing you could spend 2 weeks in Rome on museums alone, so make sure you know what you want to see. The Modern Art museum was wonderful and I wish I spent more time there (chick I met at the hostel wanted to see an Etruscan exhibit--it would've been my 5th one at that point, i was over etruscans)

10/12/2006 9:01:45 AM

^ I stood in line for liek 30 minutes for the vatican, no big deal. Bring your student ID, you get a discount.

Spanish steps...big whoop look at the stairs, now walk away before rose vendor tries to swindle you.

Trevi fountain is cool too.

The thing I'd most recommend is to get lost in the city and find it's real character. Anyone can go to all of the touristy things.

10/12/2006 9:39:25 AM

if you mean the museum--maybe you got lucky...but when i was in rome the line was all the way down the sidewalk and around the corner...whereas i had my ticket (bought the day before) and just walked up to the door.
and waiting in line for st peter's doesn't take long at all

oh and the market in rome is theeeee best

i did my fair share of exploring italy 3 weeks prior to my visit to rome, did a lot of getting lost and just wandering around...when i was in rome i wanted to see rome. so much history in one spot...i can go back to get the local feel of it.

trevi is cool...i'd also recommend going at night, and also avoid your rose peddlers...

la bocca di veritae (mouth of truth)...as seen in Audrey Hepburn's roman holiday.

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 9:49 AM. Reason : ]

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 9:51 AM. Reason : ]

10/12/2006 9:41:03 AM

you can walk around with an open beer.

i'd basically wander the streets with a peroni in my hand....let the adventure come to you.

10/12/2006 6:30:28 PM

stay clear of the train station, especially at night.... that's where most of the crime is, it's better to only go out at night in a group....

other than that, just get lost.... it's a pretty easy city to find stuff in. just bring a map if you need to find your way back at any point... never carry much cash on you....

getting off the beaten trail in rome is the best way to find good relatively cheap food.

10/12/2006 8:19:26 PM

I can't speak a lick of Italian, and yet when I was there I was able to efficiently navigate the bus/tube or subway or train or whatever systems in Rome. It's also a quite friendly city.

Oh, I just read ^ that post. I am unfamiliar with crime on the trains and never experienced any issues. However, things may have changed since I was there for a few weeks in 1998.

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 8:40 PM. Reason : previous post]

10/12/2006 8:39:31 PM

just dont go wandering around alone at night and you should be fine...

10/12/2006 9:13:05 PM

other than the history and the art in the Vatican, I thought Rome was a shit hole.

10/12/2006 9:21:59 PM

Ride a scooter.

10/13/2006 1:39:22 AM

Quote :

"I can't speak a lick of Italian, and yet when I was there I was able to efficiently navigate the bus/tube or subway or train or whatever systems in Rome. It's also a quite friendly city. "

the only time my Italian came in handy...i was REALLY REALLY REALLY lost in rome and the only person nearby was an older gentleman who didn't speak any english.

10/13/2006 9:03:21 AM