Anyone been to Rome ??

[Rusty]

Off on Friday with some friends to Rome for 4 days ... alas without the Gtr .... never been before .. read up on the basics of what to see etc ... staying fairly central but are there any "hints" and "pointers" that anyone would like to share with me ??
I thank you in anticipation 

[Kwikasfuki]

When in Rome ... 

[Mogster]

Yup i have been there, prices for coffee will be higher than in london, watch fer pickpockets and bag snatches.... cross the road at your peril and remember, just cos you are on the pavement dosen't mean you wont get mowed down by a scooter.

apart from that, Enjoy, tis a beautiful city.

[Boomer]

Whilst there stand on a street corner next to a lamppost (the scooterists do try to avoid solid objects) and watch the traffic for 15 minutes. Near misses are pretty common, horns blaring is normal, the occasional glancing blow can be seen and usually that 15 mins will allow you to see a Roman fender-bender.
Lovely city, decent people (for city dwellers), but a traffic nightmare.

[pembsgtr]

Go for a taxi ride at rush hour......you will be amazed at the gaps that they can get through, some I wouldn't even think about on the GTR,
For cheaper coffee, drinks food just head a couple of streets back from the tourist traps and look for where the locals are hanging out.

[Lonewolf]

I've never been but from what I hear its an extremely expensive city so take a few quid. You working there or partying?

[Rusty]

Oh no work on this trip .. this is purely for fun 

[Rusty]

Right, that's it ... off for a few days .. will let you know how it goes .. with pics of course !

[Lonewolf]

Have a good one. 

[Rusty]

Ok ... I have returned ... and thank you all for your bits of advice ... all in order of course !
Even if you are not a religious or arty chap, or chapess then I would still go... and this time of year was perfect .... 4 days ... 2 very hot, one wet,and the other ok but it was always warm and there is so much to see and do .. and of course to eat and drink !
The Hotel Adriano, a 3* effort that was very good indeed, located close to most of the "attractions" ... walked everywhere, and yes the driving and riding is great to watch ... only once, which was amazing, did we hear a car/moped T bone accident and a nano second later when we looked up from our cold Peroni and Pasta you still couldn't tell who was to blame as it was just SO busy !!!! No one hurt I have to add.
Some pics to follow ... won't bore you with too much stuff but yes I would certainly go back to Italy, not to Rome only because I am one of those who wouldn't spend more £ going back to see something I have already seen .. but that's just me ... here we go with a few Pics .........

   The Trevvi Fountain .... very busy with plenty of little places close by to eat and drink ... a smaller version of Trafalgar Square !

No need to explain this .... FANTASTIC ice cream .........


The Spanish Steps .... again a very busy place and central to all else ...


So .. here we are .. Vatican City ... worth the 2 hour guided tour otherwise you will miss out on a lot of historical stuff ......... The Pope was out !


Sunday .... a complete contrast to the other days ... wet and windy, just like the UK



More decorations high up ... the carvings and artwork were truly incredible



And of course perhaps the most famous of all ...........


There are loads more pics on the mobile and I shall have a look to upload some if you fancy seeing a few more .... nice to get away for a few days .. only a 2 hour flight from Gatwick and you are in the sun. The EURO was 1.20 to the £ ... a glass of Peroni .0.4 litre, almost a pint , was between 5 -7 euros depending on how close you were to a central attraction and the food, main course pasta about 12E, salad 5E ... so for 6 of us to eat out in the evening wine for the girls, beers and main course with puddings, sometimes .. about 150 Euros .. about £25 a head .. on average. Yes I did go to McDonalds by the Spanish Steps .. I refused to pay 8 Euros for a small coffee when I could get much more for much less .. and I do LIKE their coffee !

[pembsgtr]

Glad you had a good time, my one visit to Rome was when I was a sailor boy we did a quick wizz around all the sights then got into a dodgy bar and quaffed Peroni and stuffed our faces with pizza of varying types. Very good it was too, SWMBO keeps saying that she would like to go visit Rome so think I will sometime be heading that way sometime in the future. 

[O.C.]

Nice one Rusty, and thanks for sharing, it looks stunning with architecture to match

BTW the Pope would probably have been in if he'd known you were in town. 

[2kwacks]

excellent pics Mr rusty been to rome on holiday a few times over the years, never stayed in rome thou! they have allways been day trips from where we stayed, we will be going into italy in august on our 10 day jolly as part south of france tour. if we have time, may venture into rome, if I'm brave enough to risk the gtr with those mad italians let loose with 4 wheels

[Lonewolf]

Good to have you back Mr Rusty. Love the photos, very artistic they are too. 

I for one would love to see any extra photos you have.

[Rusty]

Ok ... here are just a few more pics from the iPhone ... amazing quality for what is really a mobile !!  Nice to look at these photos as it's pouring down outside !!! 

39,000 ft over The Alps on our way out there ... only a 2 hour flight, Easyjet, cheap and cheerful so ok ........


This they think was a massive bath used by Nero ... big enough for him and some girly friends !


Sorry but I have forgotten the significance of this ... I think it's at the Piazza De Navarno ... looks lovely a night time ..........


And of course some artwork to finish off with ..........
      There you go ,, if you havn't been then it's worth a trip .... I would certainly like to see Italy on the Gtr, but it does get really hot in July / August, like Greece, so unless you like cooking on a bike this time of year, early May would be just right.... IMHO !