ROME a tourist guide.....

Wow !!! What a city! Here's a tourist guide that they don't tell you in the guide books.

We had a wonderful weekend but it is certainly not quiet. First of all, if you ever get a chance to go, it is an experience. Make sure you book a 3 star superior or a 4 star hotel, or above. It is worth noting that all the hotels in Rome are in old buildings and the Italians don't put much thought into the outside appearance but inside they are beautiful, high ceilings, marble floors, amazing decor. So a hotel may look like its about to fall down but inside they are luxurious. All rooms are quite small as space is at a premium in Rome, but they have everything you need and always make sure you get air conditioning.
Make sure you book your transfers from the airport through your travel agency as the Taxi drivers will charge you a small fortune just to get from the airport into Rome. You can go by train or bus but if you haven't visited Rome before then you WILL get lost. Plus the roads and pavements / sidewalks are cobbles and this wouldn't be fun if you are dragging a big bag or case. Girls.... forget high heel shoes, unless you want to break your neck.

From the airport into Rome you will see lots of industrial buildings and rubbish tips, its not pretty but don't worry, it soon disappears when you reach the city.

FOOD there are lots of places to eat and different prices are charged depending on where you sit. If you just want a quick coffee, drink it standing up at the bar this will cost under a Euro (about $1) If you sit inside it costs more than standing but less than sitting outside. If you sit outside then expect to pay up to 4 Euros for a small Expresso. The same goes for the food. If its a quick snack then eat it inside or as a take-away. The prices are always more if you are a tourist also. You can get around this two ways, either learn to speak fluent Italian or find the smaller familly run Trattorias which are found up small side streets and back alleys. Avoid all resturants who offer a tourist menu. At night, it is wonderful to eat outside a restaurant, expect to pay about 35 Euros each, about $40 each or more. The food is wonderful and all the pasta freshly made, I recommend the Chianti for a wine but this too is expensive, about $12 for a half bottle. You don't have to order every course of the meal and you can sit for as long as you wish. All children eat out with their parents in Rome and the restaurants provide high chairs so expect there to be children.
Try and avoid the restaurants opposite tourist places like the Vatican, Spanish Steps or Trevi Fountain, you will pay a lot more for the view.
I recomend the restaurant down a little street called Via In Arcione, near the Trevi Fountain. Or the Trattoria along Via Gregoriana, you cant miss it as it has octopus in the fridge in the window! All the tables outside are on or very close to the road so expect traffic to be whizzing past while you eat, its normal.

SHOPPING Everything is expensive so don't come for a shopping trip. Shoes start at about 100 Euros so about $120 a pair and jeans start from $80 and go up from there. I saw a hand bag for 4160 Euros !!!! (Jon did treat me to a pair of shoes) also Italian women are small so they don't do larger sizes.

The VATICAN and SISTINE CHAPPEL Wonderful and amazing doesn't even start to descibe them. Go early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds. A 64 bus takes you from the main train station to the Vatican with stops along the way and the buses are very good. A journey costs 1Euro. DONT get caught up by a ticket tout or someone claiming to be able to get you straight in to avoid the ques, nor a tour guide unless you have booked them in advance - they will charge you 5 times more than it costs to go in on your own. The ticket price is 14 Euros each unless you have an international student card and then it is 8 Euros. You will be able to get a ticket that covers the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chappel or the Colloseum and the Pantheon and Palatino all for a single price. Make sure you cover up - men in long trousers and shirts, women in long skirts and with the arms covered and no bare feet, so no flip flops. If you enter a Catholic Church, it is usual for a woman to cover her head.
All are amazing places to visit.

One or two words of warning ..... don't carry a lot of cash, put what you need in a money pouch under your t.shirt, hidden from view. There are lots of pick pockets. Use a handbag or purse that goes over your shoulder and tucks under your arm. There are lots of beggars and its heart wrenching, if you have small change in your pocket thats fine if you want to give it to them but don't open your purse or wallet in front of them.
There are lots of street vendors, its usual to bargain on a price but becareful what you buy. There is a beautiful jewellery stall down Via In Arcione near the Trevi.
Street vendors without a stall will hassle you, especially if you are a woman on her own, be warned. If you are with a man you will still get a little hassle but they are not as bad. A firm "No" usually does the trick. Its not nice to be rude. Don't stop and keep walking. Also if someone hands you something, like a rose or a flower, DONT take it, once you have touched it they will charge you or your partner for it. This happens near the Spanish Steps and the fountains.

TIPPING Like the USA it is usual to tip the waiter, the bell boy, taxi driver, hotel maid etc. Dont tip the reception staff at the hotel, they will be insulted, reception staff are classed as Management.

The Tabbaci shops sell bus tickets, ciggarettes, souveniers etc, they are generally owned by Jewish people and the main rule is they don't touch you, so there is a little tray, to put the money in to pay, on the counter and they will put your change in this too. Its a good point to remember and respectful too.

The TRAFFIC is MAD !!!!! There is NO Highway code, most also ignore one way signs on the roads and the crossing places are only there so the emergency services know where to scrape your bloodied remains from the cobbles. The cars don't stop, you must jump out of the way. They don't even stop for Nuns !
Every car we saw had dents, scratches and bits hanging off.
the taxi from and to the airport was a bit like a white knuckle ride at a theme park only more dangerous. Do NOT hire a scooter, motorbike or car.

If you get a chance to visit then grab it with both hands, its an experience you will never forget.

I'll add some more later when the kids have gone to bed.
Blessings
Kate.