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Complete Index of Articles on Rome/Italy " I had been to Rome many times before our first Transatlantic adventure together. We were young lovers, and, I in love almost as much with Rome as with Julie, had wanted the excitement and pleasure of showing off 'my' city to my sweetheart. Only a few days snatched from a busy schedule, but what a heady and exciting time we had. And, thank heavens, Julie had seemed to fall in love with Rome too. Julie was introduced to the city in my favorite way, taking her at night from the Piazza Venezia, up the Cordonata towered over by Castor and Pollux, across Michaelangelo's beautiful courtyard, behind the Palazzo Senatoro set atop the 1600 year-old foundations of the Tabularium, onto the perch overlooking the floodlighted Roman Forum, the outline of the moonlit Colosseum rising as a backdrop. It's a treat few get to see, reserved, in my case, for only very special people. And, in a way, a test. Not everyone comes to love Rome. Fail to be moved by this sight, and you'll be among those who cast your affections elsewhere. Drink deeply of the romance of the ghosts swirling about in the dark -- Marius, Sulla, Caesar, Hadrian, Trajan and Augustus -- and you'll never be quite the same. Directly below you'll find all the resources you need to start planning your trip. More questions? More information below the resource listing. From Ed and Julie
From Contributors to TWEJ
Now! -- as soon as possible, for as long as possible! It's a wonderful country.
Always nicer April through October. Early October's our favorite, followed by end-May, September and mid-April to mid-May. Crowded in July and August, but if that's all you can manage, go!
Depends on the time you have. Figure out what you want to see, and match that against time. Rome is the starting point. We suggest at least four full days (five nights), but two is better than no days at all. Two weeks would pass by quickly. Florence at least two days, though we (somewhat regretfully -- not enough time) have done it in day trips from Rome. Pompeii (or Herculaneum) if you can (a long day trip from Rome). Venice probably, though as much as we love Italy, we've never caught on to Venice personally. (Figure at least two, possibly four days.) Sienna, possibly. Umbria/Lazio hill towns. Many say the Italian Riviera (Cinque Terre an inexpensive way to do it.) Amalfi Drive and Capri lovely though overrated. |
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It's really a combination of budget and interests. Four full days is a minimum for a complete sample of all Rome has to offer. Airfares are relatively cheap in our view compared to ground costs, though that's a minority opinion and may reflect the way we spend money on the ground. Don't try to cram everything in to a two week trip if you think you may have the option of a week now and a week or more later in life. If you think it's once now and never again, you could probably pack it down as tight as 10 days and see a lot of Italy. But again, going for whatever length is better than not going.
None! It is an expensive country. Many get by for $50-$75 per night in Rome, though we're not comfortable with hotels below $100 per night. It takes $150 a night for a double resembling a $50 a night Quality Inn in the US mid-west. (Convents (particularly in Rome) can be an attractive option.. Usually clean, pleasant, hard to get information about.)
None, really, but whatever you can pick up will help more there than many other West European countries. At the least, pick up a phrase book a couple of months before you go and spend some time with it. The more off the mainstream you go, and the more inexpensive the restaurants and hotels, the more at least some Italian becomes helpful. Italians are almost as mono-lingual as Americans. You don't need any Italian to stay in a $400/night hotel and eat a $200 meal! You'll enjoy yourself more and enjoy the food more below that level, the more Italian you know. But entire sentences aren't necessary -- words/phrases/sign language and knowing the names of menu items and dishes are very helpful. In any event, we've always found most Italians quite helpful and considerate. Learn to say "Prego" ('praygo '- please) and "Grazie" ('grahtsiay' - thank you) and together with a smile you'll get around Italy -- and particularly Rome -- just fine.
Well, like anything else, more money can help you enjoy yourself more, but doesn't guarantee satisfaction. We know people that spend $400 a night for a hotel but never get 'into' the places they visit. Money can sometimes be an impediment While you want your hotel clean and conveniently located, if you're out seeing the sights the size doesn't matter. Take a simple Italian style breakfast, eat picnics for lunch, and save your food dollars for the evening meal and the wonderful Italian foods. (Save one of the rolls or slices of wonderful bread from dinner (you've probably paid for it anyway!) and have that for breakfast with a $2 cup of coffee at a local 'bar' (presuming your hotel doesn't include breakfast -- and if it's inexpensive it may not.) In Rome, in particular, walking is cheap and easy. The important parts of the city are compactly located.
Take a look at A Personal Visit To Rome; see if it gets you thinking about starting your European adventures in Italy. You'll find even more information on the Net from Rick Steves, Lonely Planet and Fodors. (More into scenic beauty and a quiet, well-run country? Scan A Personal Visit To Switzerland.) If you've not traveled to Europe before we recommend also reading Steves' Europe Through the Back Door. We don't subscribe to his recommendations for skimming through Europe quickly. We personally like getting to know a few things very well. But in any event, ETBD is an excellent primer in how to visit Europe, how to get around, how to get into the culture, how not to be an 'Ugly American', and how to do all this on a limited budget ($60 per day per person, plus travel and incidentals.) Figure out what you and your companion(s) are interested in. Then take your knowledge and your wish list and visit your friendly, knowledgeable travel agent. You'll find it's easy to begin a lifetime of adventures. Complete Index of Articles on Rome/Italy Our Favorites Trip Tips and Tools Copyright © 1996-2001 E.J.
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ut we went
there on our last trip overseas; shouldn't we go somewhere else this time?" So went
Julie's thought about my idea of returning to Rome for our European vacation that summer. 
he Sistine
Chapel and St. Peter's. The cradle of Western civilization, much still evident. A sidewalk
cafe. Sun-faded pastel buildings glowing in the late afternoon. Lovers strolling
arm-in-arm. The Colosseum and the Pantheon. There is nowhere else in the West that brings
all these wonders together so intimately ... only in Rome. And, finally, the food. If you
think you know Italian food, but haven't eaten in Italy, you're in for a wonderful treat.
f you seek the source of much of our
language, literature, art, architecture, governments and habits, you must see Rome. Rome
sports the reminders of 2,700 years of continuous human habitation. Through the grime and
bustle of a modern, crowded city, there's a special aura over walls that have seen 135
generations of the great and humble.
e've visited Rome often over more than 30 years. We invite
you to experience the enjoyment and wonder we've found. 
ow much Italian do I need to learn to enjoy a visit to Rome?
oney is tight, so how can we have a
great time in a capitol city like Rome on a limited budget?