Location: Fort McMurray
Posted on: 20-06-15 19:55:58
Hi CDs: My wife and I would be in Rome for three days in coming November. Suggestions invited for which area to go for hotel accommodation and what would be must see attractions.
Quote:
Originally posted by chemical engineer
Hi CDs: My wife and I would be in Rome for three days in coming November. Suggestions invited for which area to go for hotel accommodation and what would be must see attractions.
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First and foremost, learn to speak one of the ROMANTIC Languages. Spanish, Italian, even Greek. Then pack your bags. That is what I should have done before even Booking such a trip.
Most of the Four star Hotels that are close by each other in the center of town (ROME)are really excellent places to stay and they also offer Breakfast.
The rates run from 110 Euro's to 130 Euros/night. If you are early and would like to part take in the Free Breakfast which normally costs about 20 Euros each, you will find that it is well worth choosing a FOUR STAR Hotel there. Also the Four star hotels are very secure and you cannot attach a price to your safety.
I was there close by all of the activities that I wanted to visit and see and so, I chose a Three Star Hotel and it suited me best.
Before I post any further, it does not matter in which direction this thread will head upto, but I wanted to tell you that there are THREE Facets to your sightseeing tours, which is, either Political, Historical and/or a Religious one and you choose your tour to suit the heading. Since the area is strewn with a lot of religious artifacts, you might choose to take that and enjoy the others as you come upon them.
The Tour operators have split the day into Morning, Noon and the Night tours. Each will cost about 50 Euros and the night tour slightly expensive, as it might include a trip to the follies or similar and includes a drink of your choice. Taking a Video or pictures of the scenery through a tinted A/C Bus is a waste of time and I picked a DVD of the Religious tour as that was the theme of my travel into Rome, Italy. They are available for 10 Euros.
So, take one such guided tour of Italy and if you want to explore one or two of the sites that you have to do in depth, then go for it in the after noon or the next day. Please make sure you get to know the hours that they are open for the tourists. ( Some of the fountains were dry and were under repairs when we went on our trip.)
We took The Green Line tours, there in Rome. Good A/c Buses. We also carried a back pack with a drink of water for our meds etc., There are High Speed Rail Links that have sprung up and currently you might be able to move long distances in a leap. We also saw the Leaning Tower at PISA. (What a disappointment) There is a Garden called TIIVOLI, (Tivoli) reminded me of KR.Sagar in Mysore. (Side trip)
Also, since you have tonnes of time at your disposal, follow this link that I am providing you here and read the remarks and descriptions from them and see how much more you can pack in 72 hours of your stay. I think I will back pack and move on and stay at the place I want to stay, than commute, and pay for return trip. I will save a few hours and enjoy the EXTRA rest that I will get, since food is of no issue too.
Have a nice trip.
FH.
My eyes welled up when I heard the fond farewell song, Arrividerci Roma, at the airport.
http://www.roninrome.com/resources/site-search
You should consider waiting until next month (for any bookings or payments) with Greece on the verge of declaring bankruptcy - the situation on the ground can turn in any direction...
You do seem to be on a roll - Alaska cruise followed by a Greek holiday (probably on way to your home country) 
...
Good for you 
Wish you many more for every year.
Hiren
In November , you will not have any issue with hotel bookings
Walk along the river ( looks like a drain actually) from Vatican to Colosseum or reverse . It may be little cold in November. Avoid museums, if you want to save time. Most of the people understand English, so no need to learn any language. Beware, of pick pocketing. Wear your bag in front, not in back. You will not miss India there.
All the best ... you should take a train to Pisa as well or to Venice.
Full House has given good info on hotels.
For the city tour--
Take the hop-on-hop-off bus tours ( http://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/rome-bus-tours" rel="nofollow">LINK ). There are other companies as well. Check them out for discounts
IMO, with this service, you would get best value for your money. You will get a panoramic view of the beautiful architecture of Rome. This service is the cheapest city guide and will also give you the best visual perspective of the city. The route covers all the important, must see stops. One of the stops is also a famous shopping area.
For ancient Rome, you will have to do a lot of imagining, as it is mostly in ruins. To get the scale and magnitude of the empire's capital, you will have to obstruct from your mind all the later construction, and extend the imperial look to the entire area.
Think of all the sets in movies like Ben-Hur, Cleopatra and Quo vadis-- except apply it to the real settings, not the fake tinsel town. You will have to appreciate archaeology and history to get a feel of ancient Rome(Imperial Forum), or you will be underwhelmed.
Rome also has beautiful Renaissance architecture and art. The St. Peter's Bassilica - Sistine chapel is free(half-hour wait in the line), and here you will have one of the greatest art collection available for viewing. Again, you have to appreciate art to enjoy the experience.
Then there are the usual tourist spots/stops-- The Coliseum, The Vatican, Circo Massimo, Trevi Fountain etc. They are all impressive. Victor Emmanuel building is an imposing looking, newer building. It's also known locally as the Wedding Cake Monument. You can visit it as well when you are sightseeing on the hop-on-hop-off buses.
IMO, as Full House mentioned in his post, Pisa is not worth the visit. If you have time, a visit to Pompeii would be more interesting.
Rome, being a large city, has many dining options. But still, if you are vegetarian, you will have trouble in Italy. For NA style coffee, ask for cafe Americano.
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 23-06-15 09:47:32
Lol,
Remembered my 3 day halt at Rome in 1981 and 2 days in 1982.
Water was scare in Rome then. Also it was very difficult to find an english speaker. We had a lot of difficulty in communicating.
We visited the Vatican and the collosium.
One thing that struck me about Rome was that in the park were many lovers, kissing and hugging which I have not seen even in Canada.
So be careful if you are taking small children.
And one more thing that I would like to mention (from my trip to the UK/France), things can be very costly there. Only locals know the cheap places and restaurants.
My suggestion would be to book all inclusive lodging. If you need to eat outside, make sure you go to a fast food joint like KFC or McD so that prices are reasonable. Take bottled water from the hotel with you and also spare change for urinals / WC, esp. near tourist attractions.
Next is convert your money to Euro in CAnada itself and if you have any Euro left , come to Canada and then change to $. A lot of places in Europe will cheat.
Always plan your trip before hand from Canada and mark the public transporation and how to use it to your advantage.
Euro's saved in Euro's earnt.
Murali
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
We carried American Express TCs and would convert them at the local office with minimal fee ... I am sure credit cards would work fine as well ..
I generally use Frommers website when visiting a place and have never been disappointed ...
If I were to do it on my own , I d use a hop on hop off bus .
Vatican would take a good part or half the day at least ... St Peters Bassilica / square , fontana de Trevi , Colloseoum , Roman Ruins , that lion's mouth where Gregory Peck out his hand in 'The Roman Holiday' are things I vaguely remember of Rome from 12 years back ... All the best .
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Fido.
