My take on Rome
Discussion
First time here so not sure how long things have been this way, but the sheer relentlessness of the crowds and car and bikes and traders, as well as the heat, make this an exhausting and frustrating place to visit.
Have done the usual sites, and the Colosseum and Vatican were both bordering on the unbearable. It becomes pointless when to have a look around a historic icon is so unpleasant due to the sheer number of people shoved into the same space that you actually see and experience so little because you’re just part of a human shove.
The best part so far? getting on the hop on/off bus and seeing things as you drive past them rather than facing crowds of people who seem to be completely unaware of your existence, smokers, and street traders leaping on you with mobile phone batteries and other tat literally every time you turn around. It’s like running a gauntlet walking over the bridge to Vatican City, if you can make it through trader hell then you’ve done well.
The gift shops the same, every one the exact same rubbish all at different prices and uninterested or pushy staff, it’s like any sense of authentic Rome has been sucked dry.
Overall sort of glad I’ve been and seen it, but would never come back. For me I’d rather have tried a different city that offers more authenticity than this. Save your money and go somewhere else.
Have done the usual sites, and the Colosseum and Vatican were both bordering on the unbearable. It becomes pointless when to have a look around a historic icon is so unpleasant due to the sheer number of people shoved into the same space that you actually see and experience so little because you’re just part of a human shove.
The best part so far? getting on the hop on/off bus and seeing things as you drive past them rather than facing crowds of people who seem to be completely unaware of your existence, smokers, and street traders leaping on you with mobile phone batteries and other tat literally every time you turn around. It’s like running a gauntlet walking over the bridge to Vatican City, if you can make it through trader hell then you’ve done well.
The gift shops the same, every one the exact same rubbish all at different prices and uninterested or pushy staff, it’s like any sense of authentic Rome has been sucked dry.
Overall sort of glad I’ve been and seen it, but would never come back. For me I’d rather have tried a different city that offers more authenticity than this. Save your money and go somewhere else.
Misanthroper said:
First time here so not sure how long things have been this way, but the sheer relentlessness of the crowds and car and bikes and traders, as well as the heat, make this an exhausting and frustrating place to visit.
Have done the usual sites, and the Colosseum and Vatican were both bordering on the unbearable. It becomes pointless when to have a look around a historic icon is so unpleasant due to the sheer number of people shoved into the same space that you actually see and experience so little because you’re just part of a human shove.
The best part so far? getting on the hop on/off bus and seeing things as you drive past them rather than facing crowds of people who seem to be completely unaware of your existence, smokers, and street traders leaping on you with mobile phone batteries and other tat literally every time you turn around. It’s like running a gauntlet walking over the bridge to Vatican City, if you can make it through trader hell then you’ve done well.
The gift shops the same, every one the exact same rubbish all at different prices and uninterested or pushy staff, it’s like any sense of authentic Rome has been sucked dry.
Overall sort of glad I’ve been and seen it, but would never come back. For me I’d rather have tried a different city that offers more authenticity than this. Save your money and go somewhere else.
Have to say when we went we absolutely loved it (the week before Easter just before Covid - they were setting out chairs in the Vatican in preparation for the Pope’s Easter address). Agree with you about the tat sellers in your face all the time (it was selfie sticks when we were there) but didn’t find the crowds intrusive at all. The best thing for us was buying an Omni-pass which allowed unlimited hop on and off bus travel along with fast passes to a number of the main attractions.Have done the usual sites, and the Colosseum and Vatican were both bordering on the unbearable. It becomes pointless when to have a look around a historic icon is so unpleasant due to the sheer number of people shoved into the same space that you actually see and experience so little because you’re just part of a human shove.
The best part so far? getting on the hop on/off bus and seeing things as you drive past them rather than facing crowds of people who seem to be completely unaware of your existence, smokers, and street traders leaping on you with mobile phone batteries and other tat literally every time you turn around. It’s like running a gauntlet walking over the bridge to Vatican City, if you can make it through trader hell then you’ve done well.
The gift shops the same, every one the exact same rubbish all at different prices and uninterested or pushy staff, it’s like any sense of authentic Rome has been sucked dry.
Overall sort of glad I’ve been and seen it, but would never come back. For me I’d rather have tried a different city that offers more authenticity than this. Save your money and go somewhere else.
As a for instance we queued for no more than about 20 minutes for either the Vatican or the Colosseum, so probably saved at least a day queueing. I’d go back in a heartbeat, I absolutely loved the place, and having been to a number of the big northern Italian cities would still say Rome was my favourite.
Opinions eh?
Rome is one of the greatest cities in the world to visit, the 'top' sites can get v busy but there is just so much beauty around practically every street corner it doesn't matter.
Steer clear of the big name attractions and just wander about. There are antiquities everywhere, many that would be star attractions anywhere else but in Rome are almost forgotten because there is just so much history.
The Colosseum will still be there next time you visit;)
Steer clear of the big name attractions and just wander about. There are antiquities everywhere, many that would be star attractions anywhere else but in Rome are almost forgotten because there is just so much history.
The Colosseum will still be there next time you visit;)
We must have gone outside of a holiday period because it was pretty quiet. Didn’t bother with the bus it’s small enough to cover on foot. Literally something to see every time you turn a corner. We spent one lazy morning just popping into random churches some of the most amazing churches you have ever seen and no tourists.
You HAVE to do Rome out of season, early spring, or in the Autumn, otherwise its too busy and too hot.
I've "done" Rome twice and the second time was in the summer - it was maddeningly hot and busy. The Vatican was truly shocking. They dont control numbers through the turnstyles - you end up being "crowd-swept" through the Cistine Chapel without being able to stop. Called it the Vatiic#nt after that.
The 1st time I went was out of season and it was all magical.
I've "done" Rome twice and the second time was in the summer - it was maddeningly hot and busy. The Vatican was truly shocking. They dont control numbers through the turnstyles - you end up being "crowd-swept" through the Cistine Chapel without being able to stop. Called it the Vatiic#nt after that.
The 1st time I went was out of season and it was all magical.
BoRED S2upid said:
We spent one lazy morning just popping into random churches some of the most amazing churches you have ever seen and no tourists.
I've spent a lot of time there with work and the churches are an amazing resource. They are generally cool, quiet and you can get a seat. Chiesa del Gesù is simply stunning and I found it as impressive as any of the other sights (I'm not religious fyi). Easily worth an hour or two. I wouldn't be going for tourism in mid summer though - far too hot!!
Misanthroper said:
First time here so not sure how long things have been this way, but the sheer relentlessness of the crowds and car and bikes and traders, as well as the heat, make this an exhausting and frustrating place to visit.
Have done the usual sites, and the Colosseum and Vatican were both bordering on the unbearable. It becomes pointless when to have a look around a historic icon is so unpleasant due to the sheer number of people shoved into the same space that you actually see and experience so little because you’re just part of a human shove.
The best part so far? getting on the hop on/off bus and seeing things as you drive past them rather than facing crowds of people who seem to be completely unaware of your existence, smokers, and street traders leaping on you with mobile phone batteries and other tat literally every time you turn around. It’s like running a gauntlet walking over the bridge to Vatican City, if you can make it through trader hell then you’ve done well.
The gift shops the same, every one the exact same rubbish all at different prices and uninterested or pushy staff, it’s like any sense of authentic Rome has been sucked dry.
Overall sort of glad I’ve been and seen it, but would never come back. For me I’d rather have tried a different city that offers more authenticity than this. Save your money and go somewhere else.
Username checks out.Have done the usual sites, and the Colosseum and Vatican were both bordering on the unbearable. It becomes pointless when to have a look around a historic icon is so unpleasant due to the sheer number of people shoved into the same space that you actually see and experience so little because you’re just part of a human shove.
The best part so far? getting on the hop on/off bus and seeing things as you drive past them rather than facing crowds of people who seem to be completely unaware of your existence, smokers, and street traders leaping on you with mobile phone batteries and other tat literally every time you turn around. It’s like running a gauntlet walking over the bridge to Vatican City, if you can make it through trader hell then you’ve done well.
The gift shops the same, every one the exact same rubbish all at different prices and uninterested or pushy staff, it’s like any sense of authentic Rome has been sucked dry.
Overall sort of glad I’ve been and seen it, but would never come back. For me I’d rather have tried a different city that offers more authenticity than this. Save your money and go somewhere else.
NorthDave said:
BoRED S2upid said:
We spent one lazy morning just popping into random churches some of the most amazing churches you have ever seen and no tourists.
I've spent a lot of time there with work and the churches are an amazing resource. They are generally cool, quiet and you can get a seat. Chiesa del Gesù is simply stunning and I found it as impressive as any of the other sights (I'm not religious fyi). Easily worth an hour or two. I wouldn't be going for tourism in mid summer though - far too hot!!
All in the timing, shouldn't be a huge shock that a popular place is popular.
We've been 3 times and love it, would go again if we didn't have a long list of places we've not been to to visit.
I must have one of those faces that just repels street traders so they never seem a problem, you just have to be what we would probably term rude, anyone that touches you or starts a conversation with the name of English football team just bluntly tell to f*** off or vaffanculo if you fancy being more cultural
Last visit was Oct 20 as soon as lockdown rules lifted, absolutely brilliant timing as Americans still couldn't travel, and I got proposed to.
There are better cities in Italy to visit if you want a quieter vibe, Monza is a lovely place, but you don't get the big hitting tourist attractions.
We've been 3 times and love it, would go again if we didn't have a long list of places we've not been to to visit.
I must have one of those faces that just repels street traders so they never seem a problem, you just have to be what we would probably term rude, anyone that touches you or starts a conversation with the name of English football team just bluntly tell to f*** off or vaffanculo if you fancy being more cultural
Last visit was Oct 20 as soon as lockdown rules lifted, absolutely brilliant timing as Americans still couldn't travel, and I got proposed to.
There are better cities in Italy to visit if you want a quieter vibe, Monza is a lovely place, but you don't get the big hitting tourist attractions.
I think it's one of those places where you'd be better walking around on a grey damp day in oct with an umbrella than on a hot sunny day in June, just check the calendar for an off season week day or two that has no local events and I'm sure you'll have the run of the place, but given that 3 million people live there it's never going to be that "quiet"
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