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Expertly reviewed by Alyssia on 5th Sep 2006. |
| Date of Holiday: Aug 2006 |
Overall Score: 5/5
 
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Review: Rome is a bustling vibrant city with so much to see and do it takes more than one visit to be able to see everything.
Make sure if you go you join a tour at the Colisseum as the company who runs this and many other tours is exceptional. Stefano who owns the company leads the tours at the Colisseum and really makes the history of the location come alive, so much so that my husband and I booked 3 other tours with his company we were that impressed. We tourned the Vatican museum and the Sistene Chapel with Alex, the only thing I would say with this particular tour is that there is so much to see there, there simply isn't the time on the tour to see absolutely everything but what you do see is made all the more vibrant and alive by this lovely tour guide, he really knows his stuff and makes the tour not only interesting but fun too. We also toured the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish steps with this company, our guide there was Brandon, again the locations were brought to life and made fun and interesting. We also visited the Catacombs and to get out of the heat even for just 30 minutes was a real godsend.
If you visit Rome be aware that the temperature in July and August regularly reaches 34 degrees or higher so be prepared for hot humid days and warm nights. If you eat out, try to go to the less "touristy" areas, the service is generally 10 times better and meals a little cheaper but excellent quality and try and learn a bit of the lingo, the Italians love to see you try with their native language (*altho most of them do speak english as well) we found that trying to speak Italian brought us better service and far happier waiters/watresses than if we hadn't tried.
Also recommended is the open top tour buses. For 26 Euro a couple they are excellent value and stop at all the major sights in the city, it's an inexpensive way to get around and see the sights, you also get your own set of headphones which u can reuse if you take the tour bus on more than one day. We wouldn't have seen half the things we did if we hadn't decided to do this tour.
Vatican City and Museum - be prepared to wait to get through the security checks, if possible be there for opening time as in the middle of the day the queue goes right the way round St Peter's Square. Also make sure your knees and shoulders are covered if you are visiting the Vatican or any of the churches in Rome as they will not allow you inside otherwise.
There are plenty of little stalls selling ice cold drinks along the way especially at the major attractions, prices range from 6 - 10 Euro for a couple of cold drinks.
Be prepared for a lot of walking too!! Rome is a vast city with lots to see and do.
All in all we had a fantastic time because we were prepared to really get into the heart of the city, public transport is excellent and very inexpensive (1 euro gives you 75 minutes of travel on busses and trams throughout the city) but be prepared, they do get extremely busy and very hot!!!
I HIGHLY recommend a visit to Rome, you will see some awesome sights which make history really come alive and the Italian people really welcome you into their capital city. |
Ratings
| Value For Money: |
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4 |
| Review Score: |
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5 |
| Operator | |
First Choice |
| Length of holiday | |
1 week |
| Number of Adults | |
2 |
| Type of Holiday | |
Bespoke |
| Accommodation Features: | |
Summer Sun, Religious, Cultural/Historic, City Break, Romantic Break, Gourmet, Walking, Good Amenities (restaurants etc), Airport Transfer Less Than 2 hours, Energetic & Lively, Honeymoon/Experience of a Lifetime, |
| Recommended for: | |
Singles, Couples, Groups, Families (Older Children), |
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Italy
