Rome - Weekend Break

This Forum is the main messageboard to discuss all things Claret and Blue and beyond
Post Reply
JamesSherbourne
Posts: 311
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:49 pm
Been Liked: 300 times
Has Liked: 96 times

Rome - Weekend Break

Post by JamesSherbourne » Tue May 14, 2019 11:38 pm

Heading off to Rome at the end of July, Friday till Monday. Staying in the centre - any fellow Clarets give me advice on how best to spend 3 days ? Not been before and wanting to do as much as possible. Any suggestions appreciated

tim_noone
Posts: 17108
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:12 pm
Been Liked: 4384 times
Has Liked: 15117 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by tim_noone » Tue May 14, 2019 11:46 pm

JamesSherbourne wrote:Heading off to Rome at the end of July, Friday till Monday. Staying in the centre - any fellow Clarets give me advice on how best to spend 3 days ? Not been before and wanting to do as much as possible. Any suggestions appreciated
Cricketfield will be along and point you in the right Direction I'm sure. :D

ClaretTony
Posts: 67423
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:07 pm
Been Liked: 32237 times
Has Liked: 5253 times
Location: Burnley
Contact:

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by ClaretTony » Tue May 14, 2019 11:48 pm

There might be some useful information on this thread

http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... =2&t=32425" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

atlantalad
Posts: 480
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 9:57 pm
Been Liked: 131 times
Has Liked: 114 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by atlantalad » Tue May 14, 2019 11:59 pm

When there do as the locals do and you can't go far wrong.
This user liked this post: martin_p

California Colner
Posts: 1395
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 7:31 pm
Been Liked: 171 times
Has Liked: 112 times
Location: Santa Clarita, LA

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by California Colner » Wed May 15, 2019 1:39 am

Watch out for pick pockets especially on the trains

The Enclosure
Posts: 4486
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:29 am
Been Liked: 990 times
Has Liked: 3266 times
Location: Burnley

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by The Enclosure » Wed May 15, 2019 6:05 am

If you go into a cafe for a coffee ask for an estimate first.

Bosscat
Posts: 25360
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8426 times
Has Liked: 18095 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by Bosscat » Wed May 15, 2019 7:31 am

Doesn't matter which way you go as "All roads lead to Rome" :D

tybfc
Posts: 3325
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2016 8:21 pm
Been Liked: 1303 times
Has Liked: 318 times
Location: Accrington

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by tybfc » Wed May 15, 2019 8:14 am

Bosscat wrote:Doesn't matter which way you go as "All roads lead to Rome" :D
It is a beautiful place and you should love it.

As in most major European cities it can be very expensive to eat and drink in the centre.

However we found some cracking restaurants / bars just about half a mile away where we paid normal UK pub prices and the food was excellent.

You must visit the Sistine Chapel which is amazing and the Trevi fountain is a beautiful.

You could nip in and see the Pope if he is around :D

Do beware of pickpockets everywhere. They were rife when we were there especially on the underground.

The bus service around Rome is great too.

AlargeClaret
Posts: 4426
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2017 8:55 pm
Been Liked: 1147 times
Has Liked: 180 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by AlargeClaret » Wed May 15, 2019 8:40 am

Couple of things to avoid

DONT eat near the main tourist sites , it’s expensive and mainly terrible food . Loads of cracking little places on the backstreets,bars too.

Don’t waste much time with cack like the Spanish steps and Trevi ( Though Trevi worth a quick butchers at night) they’re just rammed with dippy students .July will be roasting ,humid and mental busy so watch your pockets .

The historical sites are fantastic though and it’s a city you can genuinely walk .

ClaretLoup
Posts: 1828
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 7:35 pm
Been Liked: 534 times
Has Liked: 185 times
Location: Retirement Home in Suffolk

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by ClaretLoup » Wed May 15, 2019 8:46 am

Villa Borghese you can see some of the world's most beautiful sculptures close up and personal.
This user liked this post: dougcollins

bobinho
Posts: 9247
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 7:48 pm
Been Liked: 4069 times
Has Liked: 6535 times
Location: Burnley

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by bobinho » Wed May 15, 2019 8:54 am

Trastevere area for eating. Good value and superb food. As advised stay out of the main squares at food time. Vastly inflated prices and the foods average. Use the city sightseeing bus for getting around. Two day tickets available, hop on hop off.

Rome is spectacular.

HatfieldClaret
Posts: 2551
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 5:29 pm
Been Liked: 605 times
Has Liked: 346 times
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by HatfieldClaret » Wed May 15, 2019 9:17 am

Book tickets for the Sistine Chapel and Colosseum on-line before you go. The queues on the day are ridiculously log and you'd spend all day queuing.

We stayed fairly central near Piazza Navona, 20 min walk to the Vatican/Colosseum, Trevi etc. No need for the underground. Great park at Villa Borghese for an afternoon stroll.

Ditto re the restaurants etc.

ClaretPope
Posts: 870
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 6:14 pm
Been Liked: 79 times
Has Liked: 437 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by ClaretPope » Wed May 15, 2019 9:30 am

HatfieldClaret wrote:Book tickets for the Sistine Chapel and Colosseum on-line before you go. The queues on the day are ridiculously log and you'd spend all day queuing.
Agree wholeheartedly, ideally book the Vatican Museum as soon as it opens and go straight to the Sistine, it's wonderful with few people inside.

ClaretTony
Posts: 67423
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:07 pm
Been Liked: 32237 times
Has Liked: 5253 times
Location: Burnley
Contact:

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by ClaretTony » Wed May 15, 2019 10:29 am

ClaretPope wrote:Agree wholeheartedly, ideally book the Vatican Museum as soon as it opens and go straight to the Sistine, it's wonderful with few people inside.
Do you not get a free pass? :D
These 2 users liked this post: Sarum longsidepies

TheOriginalLongsider
Posts: 2254
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2016 10:41 am
Been Liked: 426 times
Has Liked: 219 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by TheOriginalLongsider » Wed May 15, 2019 11:18 am

Piazza Navona for food. Fantastic large square. Was in Angels and Demons

Bosscat
Posts: 25360
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8426 times
Has Liked: 18095 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by Bosscat » Wed May 15, 2019 11:46 am

tybfc wrote:It is a beautiful place and you should love it.

As in most major European cities it can be very expensive to eat and drink in the centre.

However we found some cracking restaurants / bars just about half a mile away where we paid normal UK pub prices and the food was excellent.

You must visit the Sistine Chapel which is amazing and the Trevi fountain is a beautiful.

You could nip in and see the Pope if he is around :D

Do beware of pickpockets everywhere. They were rife when we were there especially on the underground.

The bus service around Rome is great too.
Don't tell me tell the OP...
I've been to Rome several times.. my favourite was the Pantheon and the Forum....

Great restaurants too but like all European Cities the main problem are the pickpockets busses and trains as well as tourist areas....

dougcollins
Posts: 6586
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 12:23 am
Been Liked: 1778 times
Has Liked: 1773 times
Location: Yarkshire

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by dougcollins » Wed May 15, 2019 12:35 pm

ClaretLoup wrote:Villa Borghese you can see some of the world's most beautiful sculptures close up and personal.
Walking around the park's fountains and lakes around Villa Borghese is my favourite part of Rome. The nearby Zoo is surprisingly good, low key and relaxed.

bfcjg
Posts: 13152
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:17 pm
Been Liked: 5002 times
Has Liked: 6715 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by bfcjg » Wed May 15, 2019 1:43 pm

Great City, however a friend of mine was harassed by beggars and attempts at pickpocketing is quite common so you need to be quite alert.

theroyaldyche
Posts: 2653
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 8:26 pm
Been Liked: 505 times
Has Liked: 245 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by theroyaldyche » Wed May 15, 2019 2:42 pm

Colosseam is a must

Goalposts
Posts: 2580
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:36 pm
Been Liked: 559 times
Has Liked: 142 times
Location: the ghost in the atom

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by Goalposts » Wed May 15, 2019 2:50 pm

brilliant city been three times now,,,

impossible to do everything in 3 days , book online beforehand for the Vatican is a must get your slot time and just turn up.

expect to do circa 20k steps a day if your trying to cram forum coliseum vatican etc into your itinerary in your visit.

if you love it next time visit april / may or sept / oct...less crowded still nice weather, though a bit chillier at night

JamesSherbourne
Posts: 311
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:49 pm
Been Liked: 300 times
Has Liked: 96 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by JamesSherbourne » Fri May 17, 2019 8:24 am

Thanks for all the comments - Appreciated

Dy1geo
Posts: 858
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 8:17 pm
Been Liked: 211 times
Has Liked: 62 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by Dy1geo » Fri May 17, 2019 9:36 am

We caught the tube to the Coliseum which is a must and you will get the “wow” factor when you see it. The Trevi fountain and Pantheon are within reasonable walking distance.
However watch out for guys coming up to you making conversation and then trying to put a bracelet on you.

martintheaker
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 1:48 pm
Been Liked: 118 times
Has Liked: 15 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by martintheaker » Fri May 17, 2019 3:51 pm

TheOriginalLongsider wrote:Piazza Navona for food. Fantastic large square. Was in Angels and Demons
Agree. We had a late evening meal directly opposite the main fountain in the centre a few weeks ago. Food and service was excellent.

martintheaker
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 1:48 pm
Been Liked: 118 times
Has Liked: 15 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by martintheaker » Fri May 17, 2019 4:05 pm

JamesSherbourne wrote:Heading off to Rome at the end of July, Friday till Monday. Staying in the centre - any fellow Clarets give me advice on how best to spend 3 days ? Not been before and wanting to do as much as possible. Any suggestions appreciated
You could try to do sites like Trevi, Spanish Steps, Pantheon either very early in the morning or after 8;30pm because the streets are quieter and you aren't pushing your way past hundreds on students taking selfies.

The Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars is an interesting place and very central.

Beware of the lads trying to give you a high-five, they'll grab your wrist and put a band on there - I saw a few people caught out and they quickly get surrounded by other big fellas asking for money. Keep yourself to yourself.

The Roman Forum is fascinating, make your way right to the very top (take plenty of water) and rest up at the top and admire the views, well worth it.

A guided tour of the Coliseum covering all the levels is well worth the money, the lower and upper levels are only accessible with a guide .

Above all, take your time, don't rush around, enjoy it - you can always go back another time if you miss something.

Have a lovely time.

Rileybobs
Posts: 16681
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:37 pm
Been Liked: 6891 times
Has Liked: 1471 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by Rileybobs » Fri May 17, 2019 4:10 pm

I was there a couple of weekends ago. Trastevere is definitely the place for nightlife with good bars and traditional restaurants. There's something fancy if you want to look for it but otherwise a good range of trattorias. We were on borrowed time as we only had 2 nights but still managed to see all of the main sights; Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon via a casual walk through the city on the first day. On the second day we got fast track tickets to the Colosseum and Roman Forum in the morning and then a guided tour around the Vatican in the afternoon.

The second day was understandably hectic and we had to rush through the Roman Forum which was a shame as it's spectacular. The guided tour around the Vatican was definitely worth it as you get a good education whilst being taken to the highlights. It's so vast that otherwise you could spend weeks wandering around the place.

If I had three days I would have done a tour of the Colosseum/Roman Forum one day, the vatican on another and left another day for casual strolling.

Enjoy!

SalisburyClaret
Posts: 4077
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 1:32 pm
Been Liked: 1104 times
Has Liked: 709 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by SalisburyClaret » Fri May 17, 2019 4:32 pm

If you’re going to the Sistine etc - don’t do what we did and go on a Sunday - they use it for religious purposes!

thatdberight
Posts: 3748
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:49 am
Been Liked: 927 times
Has Liked: 716 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by thatdberight » Fri May 17, 2019 4:37 pm

Bosscat wrote:....

...like all European Cities the main problem are the pickpockets busses and trains as well as tourist areas....
Don't disagree that it happens everywhere but Rome is worse than average. Not worse than Barcelona but worse than average.

Rileybobs
Posts: 16681
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:37 pm
Been Liked: 6891 times
Has Liked: 1471 times
Location: Leeds

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by Rileybobs » Fri May 17, 2019 6:55 pm

SalisburyClaret wrote:If you’re going to the Sistine etc - don’t do what we did and go on a Sunday - they use it for religious purposes!
Bloody catholics.
This user liked this post: SalisburyClaret

Bigvince
Posts: 2638
Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:39 pm
Been Liked: 930 times
Has Liked: 698 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by Bigvince » Fri May 17, 2019 7:09 pm

If you go online and get a Roma Pass, it entitles you to free bus and metro travel for 3 days, it also gives you 50% discount on the first 2 attractions you visit excluding the Vatican City. So if you use it for the colosseum which is one off the most expensive it’s half price

dougcollins
Posts: 6586
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 12:23 am
Been Liked: 1778 times
Has Liked: 1773 times
Location: Yarkshire

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by dougcollins » Fri May 17, 2019 8:37 pm

thatdberight wrote:Don't disagree that it happens everywhere but Rome is worse than average. Not worse than Barcelona but worse than average.

Don't go to Naples then. Though it is my favourite City.

The worst place for petty crime, by some distance, is Florence.

thatdberight
Posts: 3748
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:49 am
Been Liked: 927 times
Has Liked: 716 times

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by thatdberight » Fri May 17, 2019 8:56 pm

dougcollins wrote:Don't go to Naples then. Though it is my favourite City.

The worst place for petty crime, by some distance, is Florence.
I thought Naples was a dump near some great stuff but each to his own.

dougcollins
Posts: 6586
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 12:23 am
Been Liked: 1778 times
Has Liked: 1773 times
Location: Yarkshire

Re: Rome - Weekend Break

Post by dougcollins » Fri May 17, 2019 9:16 pm

Indeed.

Post Reply