Anyone been to Rome lately?

[sowmonella]

I've heard September and October are good months to visit. What say you?

[bennyl08]

Sorry, no info but couldn't help but think of this scene.

[Boog41]

Yes, September and October would be great months. They are close to the same parallel as Chicago. October could be chilly at times.

[sowmonella]

Thanks. BY the way I was channeling this guy.

[Boog41]

Thanks. BY the way I was channeling this guy.

I'm too dumb to understand what that means??

[kodiakisland]

Fall or spring.  Never summer.

[waphill]

Yes, definitely fall or spring. Don't spend too much time doing the tourist stuff. It's an awesome city.

[sowmonella]

Yes, definitely fall or spring. Don't spend too much time doing the tourist stuff. It's an awesome city.

What are your must see spots?

[Boog41]

If the Pope is in town, every Wednesday he gives his Papal address. http://www.papalaudience.org/  I've seen it twice and it is awe inspiring 

I think touring the Vatican is a must also. Amazing art there. Go in St Peters church also. You don't have to be Catholic to appreciate all of the above.

In the US we think of things being old if they are two hundred years old. In Rome, old is two thousand years. The ancient Roman Forum ruins are a must see as well as the Coliseum.

I'd go see the Pantheon also.

Trevi Fountain is a big draw to many tourists. While it is neat to see, it is also like being under the stands at halftime, of a Hog football game. Watch out for pick pockets if you go there.

Those are the really biggies that first come to mind.

[Boog41]

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[sowmonella]

Thanks for the info Boog.

[Boog41]

You going anywhere else in Italy Sow?

[waphill]

What are your must see spots?

I guess it depends on what you're interested in. There's a ton of things to see/do. Everything in Rome is old and historic. I love the food and culture. I don't remember the names of restaurants, but here's some general tips:

-If the menu is in several languages, get up and leave.
-Never eat or drink by any of the tourist spots.
-When it's time to eat/drink, follow the Italians. If there are a bunch of Chinese tourists there, get up and leave.
-You can't go wrong ordering the Vino Della Casa (house wine). In my experience, it was as good, if not better, than buying by the bottle. You can drink wine with breakfast, lunch, and dinner and it's perfectly acceptable.
-Ride in a taxi. It's comical, yet completely chaotic. You'll learn road signs in Italy are merely just suggestions.
-Their train and bus systems are fantastic. I encourage you to hop on a train and take a day trip somewhere out of the city.
-If you're a soccer fan, maybe catch a game in the Stadio Olympico (AS Roma or Lazio).

Honestly, my favorite thing to do in Italy is just to start walking. You'll find amazing little shops, cafes, etc off the beaten path. Don't really have to worry about a bunch of crime, just pickpockets. Most people in Rome will speak some English, Just ask them "Parlate Inglese."

[sowmonella]

You going anywhere else in Italy Sow?

We've decided to spend 2 or 3 nights in Florence also. I've had several people convince me it's a better option than Venice.

[Vantage 8 dude]

We've decided to spend 2 or 3 nights in Florence also. I've had several people convince me it's a better option than Venice.

Been to all three. While Florence is truly terrific, I wouldn't totally forego Venice. While it's crowded, all if the three cities you mentioned are, Venice shouldn't be as bad in the fall after many of the usual tourists have gone back home. Besides, it's a heck of a romantic spot that fairly unique. At least St. Mark's Square, the Dogi's Palace and most certainly worth checking out.

While you're time is obviously limited, if possible one other area you might consider: the Italian Lake District, especially Lake Como. Hard to find any place more beautiful, peaceful and refreshing. Fortunately ALL these areas can be readily accessible by a pretty good road and/or rail system.

[Lao Tsuie]

Oh Rome, you will never be the same after there! A month wouldnt be enough.
I loved Rome, and all the places in Italy the mth. we were there about 4 years ago.
The Ancients- colosseum, forum, etc. Pantheon, appeian way, the Jewish section across the river.
T.Fountain, S.Stepps, on and on and on. The Vatican is nice
Florence you have David which is breathtaking in person. Also Michelangelo with the statues and his famous church. You can also see where Leonardo worked his first real job. Florence is not to be missed but neither is Venice haha!

If you go north from Florence you could see Bolzano where the famous Utzi has his own museum.
Also you will see the tall fair haired blue/green eyed Austrian Italians. Much different from the southern Italians. On your way to Venice stop at Verona or go see the Dolomites.

Or from Florence go west to Piza and  the sea, maybe Santa Margurita. There are walkways high above the Mediterranean going between small communities.

These are about 1/3 of our unbelievable experiences in Italy. Enjoy

[ErieHog]

The later in October it is, generally the wetter Rome seems to be to me.

Definitely a spring or very early autumn destination, though.   Summer nights in Rome are nice, though.

[Lao Tsuie]

The later in October it is, generally the wetter Rome seems to be to me.

Definitely a spring or very early autumn destination, though.   Summer nights in Rome are nice, though.

Erie, I loved Rome so much. Where have you been in Italy and what were your favorite parts of this fascinating enchanting country? Please tell...

[waphill]

I've been in March and June. Don't go in June if you're going to Rome. There's a billion tourist groups there in the summer. March was much better. Weather was perfect, very little tourists, and no school groups.

If you're going to Pisa, stop at Lucca instead. We loved Lucca! Pisa is very overrated IMO.

[ErieHog]

Erie, I loved Rome so much. Where have you been in Italy and what were your favorite parts of this fascinating enchanting country? Please tell...

Between my trips?  Pretty much everywhere.  Florence is my favorite city in Italy, by a good measure.  Rome is nice, for the Vatican and some of the ancient ruins-- the Tarpeian rock is better and more impressive than the Colosseum. 

I'm not a huge fan of the Italian countryside;  it reminds me too much of Spain.  I like the cities, though haven't spent enough time in Milan to have any strong feelings about it;  Venice is interesting the first time, quirky the second, and a little tiresome the third.    Places like Naples and Turin don't get the attention, but I like them better.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

My wife was there earlier this month for a week.  They did Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome.  Her favorite was Rome.  Oh, and she said it was cold, so for what it's worth (probably nothing at this point), she'd recommend going later in the year.

[waphill]

Between my trips?  Pretty much everywhere.  Florence is my favorite city in Italy, by a good measure.  Rome is nice, for the Vatican and some of the ancient ruins-- the Tarpeian rock is better and more impressive than the Colosseum. 

I'm not a huge fan of the Italian countryside;  it reminds me too much of Spain.  I like the cities, though haven't spent enough time in Milan to have any strong feelings about it;  Venice is interesting the first time, quirky the second, and a little tiresome the third.    Places like Naples and Turin don't get the attention, but I like them better.

What was Napoli like? I've been wanting to go, but everyone says it's rough as hell and stay away. There is a street named after my family there.

[ErieHog]

What was Napoli like? I've been wanting to go, but everyone says it's rough as hell and stay away. There is a street named after my family there.

Its like any other major city;  you don't go in some areas-- that's a given.    There's people who expect everywhere in Southern Italy to be like Northern Italy, and that's just a recipe to be disappointed.   The Capidomonte ( a must if you like Botticelli or Raphael) and  the NAM are worth the visit alone, and if you want to see Pompeii and Herculaneum, there's no other place like it.     I love the seafood, and the pizza is worth at least trying.