Great video, I’m from Rome and I’ve been following you for years. I confirm all these tips but I also wanna let tourists know how to find a real fantastic gelateria: be careful when the gelatos are really bright and colorful and when they purposefully make them look more appealing, sometimes the best gelatos are hidden in metal boxes inside of the counter but it’s not always like that; in my opinion you should also avoid the ones that sell thousands of gelato tastes, not using seasonal fruits and ingredients. Other two tips, avoid going to restaurants with menus outside (if they have photos) or someone inviting you to eat inside, and avoid accepting “free” bracelets and roses from street vendors
When I went to Rome I thought I was going to only stay a week instead it was 12 days but if I wanted to see everything probably would take a month. So much to see I went in March and I was glad I did because it was still pretty busy can only imagine how bad it is during the peak season. Was also surprise how many great fountains in Rome get very little love from the guides. The menu thing is really true everywhere in Europe for the most part at least that what I saw in Spain and Portugal. I like the ladies giving away rosemary I admire their persistence. Was surprised by all the Indians selling the skip the line because they buy out many of the tickets, figured more Italians would be in that business.
Great tip on the gelato. While walking through Little Italy in New York City in 2008, a friend told me if you walk in and see the pistachio is bright green, turn around and walk out!
Great additional tips, we'll be there next summer for 5 nights (4 full days). I am already checking for restaurants near our Airbnb, and in different neighbourhoods like Trastevere to weed out the tourist traps. One I found interesting is Goose on Piazzale Gregorio VII, have you ever been there? And if so, how did you like it?. I can't wait to try the street food too.
My travel agent hooked me up with a "skip the line" tour of the Vatican museums. We were the first group in, and had the entire Sistine Chapel to ourselves (about 12 people) for nearly 10 minutes until the throngs started to arrive. It was glorious. Difficulty: had to wake up at about 5am to meet up with the group, but worth it.
@@paulgerrard9227I booked a guided tour through the official Vatican Museum (Musei Vaticani) site and a tour guide in English was €20 extra, so the total was €40. Just saying.
Hubby and I are planning to tour Europe in 2025 and I've been watching a lot of your videos. Very helpful and I just wanted to say how adorable your children are
Rome was our last stop after Paris and Florence last February, which is my favorite time to travel. We stayed next to Termini Station in a beautiful flat and it worked well since we came in by train also. The food court at the station, though probably over priced was fun to get a quick bite. That trip we all traveled with backpacks only, but by the end needed something more, so just a side note, a few streets from the station there were several luggage stores, so grabbed a $35 carry on size with 4 wheels to get stuff home. It worked so well, it went back to Italy with my son and I took it to London and Scotland this year.
I always sit at a terrasse in front of the Pantheon, I know it's a tourist trap, but it just fun to sit and people watch (I never done it on Piazza Navona)
Night tour for the Coliseum and definitely the early entry to Vatican. Something special about the Sistine Chapel when it is not busy. Far too loud when it's full of people.
Right about the hop on hop off buses. Used them in several European cities and found them to be clean, useful, and easy to get sound town while seeing the sights instead of dodging vehicles and pick pockets.
Yeap. Quite underrated. Takes you places you wouldn't otherwise go. The Cabrio double decker are just amazing if you're feeling lazy and want a little city tour.
When booking a hotel, keep in mind that in Italy there are many transportation strikes. Sometimes more than two a month (bus, trains or planes or a combination of the above), sometimes less. This means that, should you be in Rome or anywhere else during one, you’d have to walk a lot more than you expected.
Hey Alex? Americans (your word to describe 370 MILLION people over an area the size of Europe as some monolithic whole) at least usually got taught this: if you have nothing to say, stay silent.
clocked 17 miles walking in a day in Rome transit strike. Was kind of nice in some sense to see all kinds of neighborhoods in Rome rather than just the main sights. One of those travel screwups that actually turned out well. But also not sure I'd repeat it in the heat!
Great tips! For me, the biggest tourist trap is not booking tours with the sights themselves. We visited the Colosseum at night using Viator, but could have bought the tickets online for 1/2 the price.
The thing about restaurants in Rome is that you don't have to pay a lot for great food. a $7.50 plate of spaghetti, tastes just as delicious as the @20 plate of spaghetti (or whatever food you choose).You're also correct: The fountain water is refreshing!
Or you can go to Greece, Croatia, Albania or anything nearby, and have that same Spaghetti for $4 dollars. And not deal with the BS prices that is Italy.
@@JayandSarah Oh sorry, not what I meant! I meant to say budget food in Greece is mostly fantastic, but typically not spaghetti, but pita and souvlaki etc. Cheers!
staying at an albergo just off of the piazza at Pantheon was great, especially because it was so central and convenient if you wanted to catch a taxi back
Oh my! We were there just last week and saw everything you showed. It was beautiful. We hit Pias and Florence as well. We were in a hotel in the center of everything, walking distance. We saw the Spanish Steps and didn't mind the tourist trap mentioned. About a mile walk from the Doubletree hotel. And Whoooah! We screwed up not getting tix to the Colosseum. That line was over 1.5 miles long! 😯 No thanks!
You can always buy the double or triple price tickets from scalpers to see the Colosseum. Florence has the real Spanish Steps that kind of like the joke steps. I went March way better off season is the best time for the museum crawl.
@@southcoastinventors6583 You are right about the better off season. The places we visited were so friggin' jam packed. We started our trip in Barcelona, Valencia and Ibiza España. We disn't get robbed as we watched out for the gypsies wanting to shake your hand. ;)
@@albear972 Never had any problems with gypsies only people that ever bothered me was the rosemary/flower/child ladies and even then all I say sorry and put my hand up.
If it helps I’ve been to Rome many times and in the Coliseum twice. The view from outside is much, much better than from inside. Especially in the evening. You didn’t miss much.
Visited Rome in September 2023 and my hotel was 4 blocks from the main train station - handy for access to trains and the subway and buses. Loys of eateries and a decent sized grocery store in the train station.
Yeah, visited Rome in 2010 - our first big trip abroad. Absolutely loved it, but asides from Rick Steves recommended places we got kinda rooked. (This was pre-TA, let alone YT, other resources and, now, our own experience) ... Remember going to some place maybe a half KM or so from the Vatican. Was a cold, dreary rainy day so we sort of allowed ourselves to get herded into a sidewalk place. Food was decent at best. Waiter rattled off a suggestion for apps so quickly we thought it was one and agreed. Was a couple apps. Ended up being our most expensive meal. We were a lot more cautious after that experience. And staying in a hotel near Termini was a good choice on our part. Our neighborhood was nothing really special, but had ready access. Can't wait to go back in a couple months.
Thanks for mentioning the water bottles. I almost NEVER buy plastic water bottles. It's obviously cheaper, but it's also better for the environment. I have a Yeti that stays by my side, even at home.
I was there just last summer. We actually stayed near the Termini station. And yeah, the accommodations were OK (the A/C was weak, the breakfasts were just so-so). But the restaurant across the street from the hotel? *chef's kiss* The food was great (not the cheapest, but so worth it!) and the service was amazing! And people should definitely take advantage of doing side trips from Rome. Like get a tour to go to Pompeii, Napoli, Amalfi...it's good that someone else does the driving and you get to learn something.
Thanks for all the great info! We have a 6 week trip coming this August!! Very helpful! Now if I can stop Jim from chasing all the gelato carts! He just wants all the gelato he can get lol 😂
@@JimandVal I would suggest a full week in Rome since it one of the densest city when it comes to attractions, Florence as well. For Spain, Madrid, Valencia, and Seville
I think I've avoided the tourist traps anyway. I do normally stay in the same hotel which is 10 minutes walk from the Colosseum that was reasonably priced and some great restaurants with fantastic prices and amazing food.
Went to Rome in November or 2022. One of the best trips of my life. Can't wait to go back. Prior to this trip I would agree about the restaurants around major tourist sites with sandwich boards with menus in English out front.....especially in Venice. My wife and I are minor foodies so we seek out the good stuff, both fancy and basic local cuisine and street food. But, at the start of this trip to Rome I got a mild stomach bug. I recovered quickly thank goodness but was still uneasy about going to expensive restaurants until my appetite was fully back. So one night we were wandering near our hotel looking for a sit down place to eat. The weather was cool but fine. We ended up at a place right beside the Pantheon, pretty much next to where Wolter is standing in the video talking about places to avoid. The place was full of Italians....probably Italian tourists but still Italians. We sat outside looking directly at the Pantheon. A soccer game was on all the TVs. The patrons in the restaurant (and in all the other bars and places on the piazza) were cheering the game. We ordered simple Roman food like cacio e pepe, etc. Inexpensive local wine. I will not claim it was the best food I ever had but it was legitimately good. The service was quick and friendly. The atmosphere was perfect. We were surrounded by Italians and the view was amazing. I wouldn't say the food was cheap but neither was it a rip off. It was an enjoyable meal and a memorable evening. So sure, pay attention. Don't get ripped off. Don't order extravagant food at touristy places, but at the same time don't write a place off just because it is near a tourist site. You might be surprised........and that view _ is _ worth something.
I had a very similar experience at the Pantheon too! My friends were celebrating a birthday at a restaurant/bar right across the way from the Pantheon. It was obviously a tourist trap and pricey, but the service was awesome! The waiters moved the standing heaters closer to us as the night got colder and they brought our table of 8 blankets for each person. I have great memories of that night and view
Perhaps if you are on a vacation. For anyone traveling long term, complete waste of money. Your budget can get destroyed with locations near tourist spots. Walk 20 minutes into town where locals live and you can usually get far superior food, for less than half the price, and you get great people watching as well. And no tourists.
@@JayandSarah Maybe. We have had so-so food off the beaten path too. No tourists. Less expensive. Not so great. When we travel we seek out the less touristy areas for the 'authentic' experience (hate that phrase) but that is no more of a guarantee of a good experience than eating in a touristy area is a guarantee of a bad experience. And in Rome, walking twenty minutes away from centro is not going to guarantee you a bargain either. Rome is expensive.
Thank you for your videos...The most effective and safest way to travel from the comfort of my living room or patio...I choose the country I visit by if they have Dr. Pepper.
As a (now) wheelchair user, definitely trying to stay within a reasonable distance from places I want to see or do... transportation is very difficult.
Stayed in some fantastic Air BnBs, one near Termini, the other near Colosseum. Had a great time and much more affordable than cookie cutter hotels! Real Italian homes, just beautiful
The problem with me finding a hotel in Rome when I was there. The prices were way jacked up (over 1000 Euros for 3 nights!!!!), and the hostels available were quite shit. So, I went with a Monastary. It was quite cheap, and the rooms were decent. Plus, there was breakfast.
$1000 euro for 3 nights is a complete ripoff. Consider you can hop on a plane to Albania for $29 euros, and stay an entire month in an airbnb for $350 euros.. and you can see just how much you are being screwed. Rome is not worth that premium. Period.
Rates can fluctuate like crazy. I got 6 nights in a good hotel just blocks from the Colosseum for $800 for 6 nights with a great breakfast. But then I booked 8 months in advance. The rooms were listed at $220 a night when I checked the week before arriving. Crazy. I find that I must always book half a year in advance to get good rates.
I wouldn't say staying in Rome is cheap, but I was blown away by the properties you could find on AirBnB in the center of Rome for the prices you can find them at. AirBnB is still a very viable option in Europe, unlike the U.S. with its fees, and you can find 2-3 bedroom apartments with stunningly decorated interiors for $150-$200/night. I would not have expected that. Obviously, you will pay more if you want a view.
Rome remains on our 'to-do-better' list. We did a Mediterranean cruise as a sampler a few years ago but, because the Port is a distance away, and because we took the cruise sponsored tour, our guide had us spend (waste) almost an hour on the Spanish steps. By the time we got to the Vaticsn on our own, we had 20 minutes before it closed. Frustration can sometimes be due to our own inexperience, so thanks for the always-good advice, Mark. Question: Your logo is a train. Why? Just curious as I am a big railfan.
I’m not sure you see this: but my advice is book independent tours on cruises with smaller coach / van size because that reduces the chance of getting first time / passive travellers (ppl who don’t care), the people who hold up everyone & waste time etc & it allows you choose who’s best for you. I only book cruise lines own tours if I’ve no choice or it’s somewhere I feel there is some significant risk by not doing so e.g maybe in a particularly dangerous city
The view from the top at sunset is something I always take first time visitors to our first night. And the Villa Borghese above is a nice park giving a break from the city for a couple hours. In my trips it’s almost impossible not to end up at the piazza below just because of how streets are laid out. We just end up there by walking around.
When I take family or friends to Europe my advice is always this: It’s ok to be a tourist. There’s a reason a million people a year go to the Louvre or Coliseum or Charles Bridge. They’re pretty neat places to visit. But make sure you research what’s important for you to see in a given city too, so the trip isn’t a simple checking off of sone impersonal list. Stay central and book well ahead go get good value, if possible off season. Your kid’s teachers should welcome absence from class if on an educational trip abroad and work with you on keeping them up in class. And always eat away from big sights where people are speaking the local language. Finally, stay in vacation rentals rather than hotels. Cheaper, often much nicer and much more relaxed.
Please, please, DO NOT ask your kid's teacher for work to do on vacation. On many occasions I prepared work for students that actually incorporated their destination and made really fun lessons. In 20+ years of teaching only ONE family actually did any of the work. Do you realize what a burden you are placing on already overworked teachers who must teach all students and also address their specific needs such as gifted, special ed (individual education plans), and so on? We already come in early, stay late and take work home. Yes, a trip abroad is absolutely educational and wonderful but students missing school for reasons that are not emergency, illness or death are actually truant. If you want to do this you should also provide the education you are seeking. I work in a fairly wealthy area and the demands of parents for individualized travel plans got so bad, our principal directed teachers to not comply with these requests. She also told us to refer parents who objected to her. Other principals followed suit. Many of you will vehemently object to this post, but think about this: There is a reason why there's a shortage of teachers in the U.S. and it's definitely not just about money. People don't go into teaching to get rich, it's a calling.
Just back from Rome. A tip for everyone: you can enter with zero line to Forum if you buy ticket next to Traian column. Ticket Offices are downstairs. They just opened them so no group buyers there or group tourists. One more - Termmini area is chineese owned hotels and those are realy bad and non-secure. If you must stay around Termini instead look only as close as possible to Republica. Safety goes first.
I don't agree on the hotel part. Seriously Rome is much more than just the historic centre. If you really want to expierience Rome, outskirts of the city sound like a very good idea with metro line nearby, because you can find much more than just old buildings, even the local restaurants or even street food. Do stay outside the historic centre
My experience is to be wary if you want a cup of coffee. The coffee is OK and not very expensive. But once you get into the shop they have all these delicious-looking "dolce" things and you just WANT one… These ARE expensive.
I've only been to Italy once (to Venice)...and to be honest, the only thing I want to do when I finally visit Rome, is see the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain ...so most of these traps wouldn't bother me....(isn't that sad?)
Do a little more research and you will be surprised and delighted at the huge variety of things to see and do aside from the traditional sites and activities. I found some very good suggestions on Pinterest. Good luck! :)
Yep, the 3 golden rules: 1 never in front of a famous landmark/attraction 2 never when a waiter tries to talk you in 3 never without checking online reviews
Coopculture is the official website (plus one other). I suggest the 2-day entry with Arena access (and second level) at the Colosseum. It's called the "full experience ticket" and you can go to Palatine Hill+the Forum and museums within that area. It's €24 per person. You get a set time for the Colosseum but you can enter Palatine Hill whenever you want (but only once). I went to the Colosseum one day and Palatine Hill the next. 😊
About restaurants, just look at the customers and listen: if they speak the local language, it’s a plus. In my experience, this also apply to chinese restaurants all around the world…
The lines for the Vatican Museums, the Coliseum, etc. are bad in "tourist season", but not so bad otherwise. I lived in Rome for a while and over the winter months and into early spring, there are very few tourists and the lines are very short to get into many of the sites. It is just a matter of throwing on a coat or sweater and you can see Roma on your schedule. You don't get the sidewalk dining, so there is that. I took my family there a few years ago over the summer months (kids were out of school) and the lines were horrid. I wouldn't go back in the summer months to do anything touristy. There was a small gelateria a few blocks from the Spanish steps that, IMO, was the best gelati in Roma. (Back to the steps, go left one block, and turn right. The gelateria is about 2 blocks down that street - or it was in 2015.) Not as good as what I found in Firenze, but the best I found in Roma.
Problem is, peak tourist season in many popular destinations is now from March to October and Christmas period. I don't know about Rome, but when I visited Florence in early February a few years before the lockdowns, it was packed. Packed at all major attractions, jam packed at the galleries/museums and, there was even a human "traffic jam" in the dome of the Cathedral when I made the climb.
Also watch out for the people usually hanging around the tourist areas, who try to talk to you and offer you free arm bands but then all of a sudden want money.
my advice is always where ever you go, go always eating where the locals go. Never where the tourist goes. Is always cheaper and better. In Rome you can stay realy for good prices, when you are not lazy to walk. When you like to to see Ruins from the Roman Empire, make a walk on the Via Appia, its free and very nice to visit. Or take the train to Ostia, where the Harbor in Ancient Rome was, very intrest to visit. You can go by train its only a 30minute ride.
Did I see the Pieta behind glass in your video? How sad. It's a long time ago but when I saw the Pieta it wasn't behind glass and it is the most moving piece of sculpture I've ever seen. And I'm not even Christian.
I just flew back home Thursday from Rome I can say that the food had really really gone down hill in all of Italy and Rome . Rome was always not so good food but now most places will rip you off . Covid / state of economy really has made things very poor .. Stay parricularly away from a place in via trasportino I got caught out exhausted and starving .$45 aud for the smallest serving of average pasta . Also bar eliseo on via nationale to avoid ..also line A metro is closed after 9 pm so staying at ottaviano / Vatican was really no fun
There’s an old saying. People like the food in Venice or Rome but not both. For me with a small effort you can’t eat better than in Rome. And I’ve never spent more than €30 for a superb meal with wine and Dolci.. But I haven’t been since 2016. I guess I’ll find out in December.
Mother and I got out of a cab and we were headed towards the coliseum when this African guy came up to us with these bracelets. This was our first time encountering them and we didn't know what was going on. Then my mother said it's a scam once she realized what was going on. We went into the coliseum then ate some food at a restaurant near the coliseum. As we sat outside the restaurant on a bench, it was either the same African guy or a different one comes to me and says, "you're a big guy, do you fight?" I told him I'm not interested and no thank you. He continues to stand there in front of me asking if I box, etc. I see a police car not far away and when he notices I'm looking at the police he begins to back off. Now we're headed towards were the taxis are, and a bunch more Africans standing there. What drew their attention was my leather loafers from the get go. Now a couple of them are trying to talk to me from a distance as one is holding a bracelet and tosses it in my direction thinking I'm going to catch it and I just let it drop to the ground and he starts rambling on. Finally got in the cab and got away from them. In Sorrento, Positano, etc I didn't see these losers there thankfully. A friend of mine from Naples sent me a message and told me just to ignore them and keep walking.
you forgot that one of the reasons why we go to the spanish steps is the Bernini Fountain that is just in the middle of the square facing the steps. It's a fucking work of art from the 1600's. And the expensive stores right there in via Veneto are also a tourist attraction, not a tourist trap.
The Vias Veneti and Condotti are nice to walk along. But buying anything in the stores or restaurants there when you can pay half or less elsewhere feels like a tourist trap to me anyway.
actually, i disagree with the sistine chapel idea, cause when its too crowded you will have the chance to take picture and not getting yelled at by the security 😂😂😂 if small group of ppl are in the chapel then it would be easy to detect you and you wont be able to take picture of the gorgeous frescos in the room 🌝🌝🌝
I always buy the small books of photos for a couple euro. My camera and skill could never do justice, I have a souvenir and the photos are professional. Especially the Sistine, where the Last Judgement is the only painting I can see without beck ache anyway.
@@JodyOwen-we6oo the last judgment is magnificent!!! And believe me you don’t need camera skills!! The photos in the chapel automatically look amazing 😂! Just don’t shake and let the lenses focus 😛! The only mistake I did was forgetting to take a pic of “adam’s Creation” fresco from the ceiling 😂 It’s totally worth trying taking pictures in that place but be careful from the guards 😂
We did our risk taking by sneaking through the door on the left of the end of the chapel behind a tour group. It ends up on the steps of St Peters after 100 yards or so and skips the long walk and line for security to get into the piazza. But they check now so not any more!
True, BUT can you handle the feeling of walking shoulder to shoulder with strangers? That's literally what it's like going through the Vatican Museum. I'd never do it again. Worst part of our week stay in Rome
I am in Rome now and disagree with the advice to stay in the centre. It is overrun with tourists. We are staying in Testaccio and love it. It is great to get out of the centre into a calmer environment and see what real Romans are up to. We can walk or bus into the centre in 30 minutes (we are still experiencing Rome during the walk or ride). Google maps is a game changer with respect to transit directions. You can tap onto the bus or metro using your credit card. We stay away from the centre at night and eat in the excellent local restaurants.
At least if you go to a touristy resturaunt, they want your business. Once or twice when my mother and I were in Italy, we went into resturaunts filled mostly with locals, and they completely ignored us. They did not want us in their space. It hurt our feelings, and it was kind of scary too.
That can happen. If people want to be rude though go elsewhere. However in multiple trips to Italy this happened only once to us in Pisa. That makes a roughly 1 in 200 experience, so don’t avoid small local places because one of them was rude!
I’d say that’s more true in smaller Italian towns. It’s less so in a large city like Rome. In general small, off the main sights, menu and patrons using local language and a limited menu (meaning it’s cooked fresh by what the chef decides that day) are indicators you can eat well and cost effectively.
Was in Rome last summer. Outside the Pantheon beware of the 'scarf sellers'. Not sure if the 'modesty' code for women (not showing skin) is legit, but we did get sucked in and bought one for 5Euro. But heck, it was a nice souvenir.
I have an unremarkable print sold on the street for a few euro on my first trip in 2005. It was a tourist trap but is framed in my study and a freest memory!
If you have a rental car, dont drive in the central Rome, you will get fined... you need to be a local to drive around the main attractions. And trust me you don't want to, it is crazy on a different scale. I'm done with Rome.
It wouldn’t be a good use of travel money to rent a car in any medium to large city in Europe. It’s expensive, difficult to park and especially in Southern Europe city driving can be terrifying. And mass transit is heavily subsidized and pretty robust most places. I’m sorry you let that experience ruin Rome for you. I rarely even use public transit there since it’s so easy to walk. And walking is how to see Rome, at a slow stroll taking it all in.
The problem wasn't Rome, it was you who didn't make your homework in advance and informed yourself on the best way to go around in Rome like any tourist should do before visitng a foreign city.
I find it funny that the worst tourist trap in all of Rome is the restaurant covered by your head in this video. It’s called Canova Piazza del Popolo and an espresso which you can get for 1 to 2 euros at most places costs over 11 euros.
Great video, I’m from Rome and I’ve been following you for years.
I confirm all these tips but I also wanna let tourists know how to find a real fantastic gelateria: be careful when the gelatos are really bright and colorful and when they purposefully make them look more appealing, sometimes the best gelatos are hidden in metal boxes inside of the counter but it’s not always like that; in my opinion you should also avoid the ones that sell thousands of gelato tastes, not using seasonal fruits and ingredients.
Other two tips, avoid going to restaurants with menus outside (if they have photos) or someone inviting you to eat inside, and avoid accepting “free” bracelets and roses from street vendors
When I went to Rome I thought I was going to only stay a week instead it was 12 days but if I wanted to see everything probably would take a month. So much to see I went in March and I was glad I did because it was still pretty busy can only imagine how bad it is during the peak season. Was also surprise how many great fountains in Rome get very little love from the guides. The menu thing is really true everywhere in Europe for the most part at least that what I saw in Spain and Portugal. I like the ladies giving away rosemary I admire their persistence. Was surprised by all the Indians selling the skip the line because they buy out many of the tickets, figured more Italians would be in that business.
Great tip on the gelato. While walking through Little Italy in New York City in 2008, a friend told me if you walk in and see the pistachio is bright green, turn around and walk out!
Thanks for your advice 👍. I am planning to visit in May.
Great additional tips, we'll be there next summer for 5 nights (4 full days). I am already checking for restaurants near our Airbnb, and in different neighbourhoods like Trastevere to weed out the tourist traps. One I found interesting is Goose on Piazzale Gregorio VII, have you ever been there? And if so, how did you like it?. I can't wait to try the street food too.
My travel agent hooked me up with a "skip the line" tour of the Vatican museums. We were the first group in, and had the entire Sistine Chapel to ourselves (about 12 people) for nearly 10 minutes until the throngs started to arrive. It was glorious. Difficulty: had to wake up at about 5am to meet up with the group, but worth it.
Pay more than 15 euro? You were scammed by the the agent.
@@paulgerrard9227I booked a guided tour through the official Vatican Museum (Musei Vaticani) site and a tour guide in English was €20 extra, so the total was €40. Just saying.
Hubby and I are planning to tour Europe in 2025 and I've been watching a lot of your videos. Very helpful and I just wanted to say how adorable your children are
PERFECT video for right now as my mom and I plan our trip!
More people need to see this video. Thank you Mark and Wolters Worlds.
Rome was our last stop after Paris and Florence last February, which is my favorite time to travel. We stayed next to Termini Station in a beautiful flat and it worked well since we came in by train also. The food court at the station, though probably over priced was fun to get a quick bite. That trip we all traveled with backpacks only, but by the end needed something more, so just a side note, a few streets from the station there were several luggage stores, so grabbed a $35 carry on size with 4 wheels to get stuff home. It worked so well, it went back to Italy with my son and I took it to London and Scotland this year.
This tour guide is the BEST. He is so knowledgeable on travel! I scrolled until I found him
Thank you everyone coming over from the Live Feed! Thank you for all the questions!
Well not on topic, but wanted to know what your kids think about all the traveling?
Thanks guys, for all interesting videos!🌎🏜🌞
Hey Mark, awesome video
The trappiness is that you feel you have to go there- well said! Cheers, happy travels
Excellent tips! Another trap in Rome is everyone. Wants to go at the same time. I am looking forward to going on a non touristy time period.
Great video Mark
I always sit at a terrasse in front of the Pantheon, I know it's a tourist trap, but it just fun to sit and people watch (I never done it on Piazza Navona)
Night tour for the Coliseum and definitely the early entry to Vatican. Something special about the Sistine Chapel when it is not busy. Far too loud when it's full of people.
Right about the hop on hop off buses. Used them in several European cities and found them to be clean, useful, and easy to get sound town while seeing the sights instead of dodging vehicles and pick pockets.
Yeap. Quite underrated. Takes you places you wouldn't otherwise go. The Cabrio double decker are just amazing if you're feeling lazy and want a little city tour.
My last time in Rome a booked a guesthouse run by sisters between Santa Maria Maggiore and lateranense
The restaurants in the Termini area are also to be avoided
When booking a hotel, keep in mind that in Italy there are many transportation strikes. Sometimes more than two a month (bus, trains or planes or a combination of the above), sometimes less. This means that, should you be in Rome or anywhere else during one, you’d have to walk a lot more than you expected.
And if you are american that is good because there are 90% of chances you are obese and walking is a good way to lose weight
Hey Alex?
Americans (your word to describe 370 MILLION people over an area the size of Europe as some monolithic whole) at least usually got taught this: if you have nothing to say, stay silent.
@@JodyOwen-we6oo it's called freedom of speech, I can talk as long as I please. And yes, obesity in america is epidemic
clocked 17 miles walking in a day in Rome transit strike. Was kind of nice in some sense to see all kinds of neighborhoods in Rome rather than just the main sights. One of those travel screwups that actually turned out well. But also not sure I'd repeat it in the heat!
@@Alex_Rome You can talk as long as you please and others can call you a jerk as much as you deserve. Because that's what you're being here.
Great tips! For me, the biggest tourist trap is not booking tours with the sights themselves. We visited the Colosseum at night using Viator, but could have bought the tickets online for 1/2 the price.
The thing about restaurants in Rome is that you don't have to pay a lot for great food. a $7.50 plate of spaghetti, tastes just as delicious as the @20 plate of spaghetti (or whatever food you choose).You're also correct: The fountain water is refreshing!
Or you can go to Greece, Croatia, Albania or anything nearby, and have that same Spaghetti for $4 dollars. And not deal with the BS prices that is Italy.
@@JayandSarah I love Italy but good to know. Thanks!!
@@JayandSarah Who goes to Greece to eat spaghetti???
@@apocryphal_man lots of people on a budget. Thanks for commenting. We travel the world full time, sometimes you need a budget option.
@@JayandSarah Oh sorry, not what I meant! I meant to say budget food in Greece is mostly fantastic, but typically not spaghetti, but pita and souvlaki etc. Cheers!
staying at an albergo just off of the piazza at Pantheon was great, especially because it was so central and convenient if you wanted to catch a taxi back
We visited with our 2 year old in April. Beautiful city. Locals are lovely. Will definitely return!
Oh my! We were there just last week and saw everything you showed. It was beautiful. We hit Pias and Florence as well. We were in a hotel in the center of everything, walking distance. We saw the Spanish Steps and didn't mind the tourist trap mentioned. About a mile walk from the Doubletree hotel. And Whoooah! We screwed up not getting tix to the Colosseum. That line was over 1.5 miles long! 😯 No thanks!
You can always buy the double or triple price tickets from scalpers to see the Colosseum. Florence has the real Spanish Steps that kind of like the joke steps. I went March way better off season is the best time for the museum crawl.
@@southcoastinventors6583 You are right about the better off season. The places we visited were so friggin' jam packed. We started our trip in Barcelona, Valencia and Ibiza España. We disn't get robbed as we watched out for the gypsies wanting to shake your hand. ;)
@@albear972 Never had any problems with gypsies only people that ever bothered me was the rosemary/flower/child ladies and even then all I say sorry and put my hand up.
If it helps I’ve been to Rome many times and in the Coliseum twice.
The view from outside is much, much better than from inside. Especially in the evening. You didn’t miss much.
Visited Rome in September 2023 and my hotel was 4 blocks from the main train station - handy for access to trains and the subway and buses. Loys of eateries and a decent sized grocery store in the train station.
Yeah, visited Rome in 2010 - our first big trip abroad. Absolutely loved it, but asides from Rick Steves recommended places we got kinda rooked. (This was pre-TA, let alone YT, other resources and, now, our own experience) ... Remember going to some place maybe a half KM or so from the Vatican. Was a cold, dreary rainy day so we sort of allowed ourselves to get herded into a sidewalk place. Food was decent at best. Waiter rattled off a suggestion for apps so quickly we thought it was one and agreed. Was a couple apps. Ended up being our most expensive meal. We were a lot more cautious after that experience.
And staying in a hotel near Termini was a good choice on our part. Our neighborhood was nothing really special, but had ready access.
Can't wait to go back in a couple months.
Thanks for mentioning the water bottles. I almost NEVER buy plastic water bottles. It's obviously cheaper, but it's also better for the environment.
I have a Yeti that stays by my side, even at home.
I was there just last summer. We actually stayed near the Termini station. And yeah, the accommodations were OK (the A/C was weak, the breakfasts were just so-so). But the restaurant across the street from the hotel? *chef's kiss* The food was great (not the cheapest, but so worth it!) and the service was amazing! And people should definitely take advantage of doing side trips from Rome. Like get a tour to go to Pompeii, Napoli, Amalfi...it's good that someone else does the driving and you get to learn something.
I’d suggest Ostia Antica over Pompei. 20 minutes train versus 2 hours each way and frankly, the Naples area should be a visit in itself.
The great restaurants Al Moro and La Rosetta are at the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon respectively.
Thanks for all the great info! We have a 6 week trip coming this August!! Very helpful! Now if I can stop Jim from chasing all the gelato carts! He just wants all the gelato he can get lol 😂
It will be extremely hot
@@stevenluker4552 oooohhhh we know! Being from the south we kinda used to the extreme heat! That’s the only thing we are not looking forward to :(
6 weeks in Rome ?
@@southcoastinventors6583 not just Rome, we have a few cruises, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands…..we will start in Rome
@@JimandVal I would suggest a full week in Rome since it one of the densest city when it comes to attractions, Florence as well. For Spain, Madrid, Valencia, and Seville
I think I've avoided the tourist traps anyway. I do normally stay in the same hotel which is 10 minutes walk from the Colosseum that was reasonably priced and some great restaurants with fantastic prices and amazing food.
Hi, can you share the name of the hotel?
@@estherluciano9623 Stayed in Hotel Verona, which is around 10 minutes walk from The Colosseum
Went to Rome in November or 2022. One of the best trips of my life. Can't wait to go back. Prior to this trip I would agree about the restaurants around major tourist sites with sandwich boards with menus in English out front.....especially in Venice. My wife and I are minor foodies so we seek out the good stuff, both fancy and basic local cuisine and street food.
But, at the start of this trip to Rome I got a mild stomach bug. I recovered quickly thank goodness but was still uneasy about going to expensive restaurants until my appetite was fully back. So one night we were wandering near our hotel looking for a sit down place to eat. The weather was cool but fine. We ended up at a place right beside the Pantheon, pretty much next to where Wolter is standing in the video talking about places to avoid.
The place was full of Italians....probably Italian tourists but still Italians. We sat outside looking directly at the Pantheon. A soccer game was on all the TVs. The patrons in the restaurant (and in all the other bars and places on the piazza) were cheering the game. We ordered simple Roman food like cacio e pepe, etc. Inexpensive local wine.
I will not claim it was the best food I ever had but it was legitimately good. The service was quick and friendly. The atmosphere was perfect. We were surrounded by Italians and the view was amazing. I wouldn't say the food was cheap but neither was it a rip off. It was an enjoyable meal and a memorable evening.
So sure, pay attention. Don't get ripped off. Don't order extravagant food at touristy places, but at the same time don't write a place off just because it is near a tourist site. You might be surprised........and that view _ is _ worth something.
I had a very similar experience at the Pantheon too! My friends were celebrating a birthday at a restaurant/bar right across the way from the Pantheon. It was obviously a tourist trap and pricey, but the service was awesome! The waiters moved the standing heaters closer to us as the night got colder and they brought our table of 8 blankets for each person. I have great memories of that night and view
Perhaps if you are on a vacation. For anyone traveling long term, complete waste of money. Your budget can get destroyed with locations near tourist spots. Walk 20 minutes into town where locals live and you can usually get far superior food, for less than half the price, and you get great people watching as well. And no tourists.
@@JayandSarah Maybe. We have had so-so food off the beaten path too. No tourists. Less expensive. Not so great. When we travel we seek out the less touristy areas for the 'authentic' experience (hate that phrase) but that is no more of a guarantee of a good experience than eating in a touristy area is a guarantee of a bad experience. And in Rome, walking twenty minutes away from centro is not going to guarantee you a bargain either. Rome is expensive.
We are staying at Hotel Hiberia about 15 walk from the Trevi Fountain.
All excellent points!
Thank you for your videos...The most effective and safest way to travel from the comfort of my living room or patio...I choose the country I visit by if they have Dr. Pepper.
Buying a bunch of dresses that your wife looks amazing in is a gift for both of you. That is a trap I am all too happy to be stuck in.🤣
As a (now) wheelchair user, definitely trying to stay within a reasonable distance from places I want to see or do... transportation is very difficult.
Do yourself a favor and never go to Naples because you are going to get trapped in a pothole.
Stayed in some fantastic Air BnBs, one near Termini, the other near Colosseum. Had a great time and much more affordable than cookie cutter hotels! Real Italian homes, just beautiful
I did as well how much did you pay for me it 50$ a day.
@@southcoastinventors6583 went with family, so got 3 bedroom apartments. They were about $150 a night
❤❤❤❤❤
Will be staying at the Exe grand palace, on the Via Nationale, we were there 2 years ago. Last year we were in Germany, but we are coming back.
The problem with me finding a hotel in Rome when I was there. The prices were way jacked up (over 1000 Euros for 3 nights!!!!), and the hostels available were quite shit. So, I went with a Monastary. It was quite cheap, and the rooms were decent. Plus, there was breakfast.
$1000 euro for 3 nights is a complete ripoff. Consider you can hop on a plane to Albania for $29 euros, and stay an entire month in an airbnb for $350 euros.. and you can see just how much you are being screwed. Rome is not worth that premium. Period.
Rates can fluctuate like crazy. I got 6 nights in a good hotel just blocks from the Colosseum for $800 for 6 nights with a great breakfast. But then I booked 8 months in advance. The rooms were listed at $220 a night when I checked the week before arriving. Crazy. I find that I must always book half a year in advance to get good rates.
Hop on hop off is a great way to get to know the city you’re w, go early to save yourself some frustration 😅
I wouldn't say staying in Rome is cheap, but I was blown away by the properties you could find on AirBnB in the center of Rome for the prices you can find them at. AirBnB is still a very viable option in Europe, unlike the U.S. with its fees, and you can find 2-3 bedroom apartments with stunningly decorated interiors for $150-$200/night. I would not have expected that. Obviously, you will pay more if you want a view.
We’ve been to Roma 31 times he’s spot on !!!!!!!!
Rome remains on our 'to-do-better' list. We did a Mediterranean cruise as a sampler a few years ago but, because the Port is a distance away, and because we took the cruise sponsored tour, our guide had us spend (waste) almost an hour on the Spanish steps. By the time we got to the Vaticsn on our own, we had 20 minutes before it closed. Frustration can sometimes be due to our own inexperience, so thanks for the always-good advice, Mark.
Question: Your logo is a train. Why? Just curious as I am a big railfan.
LOL that sounds so fucking bad
I’m not sure you see this: but my advice is book independent tours on cruises with smaller coach / van size because that reduces the chance of getting first time / passive travellers (ppl who don’t care), the people who hold up everyone & waste time etc & it allows you choose who’s best for you. I only book cruise lines own tours if I’ve no choice or it’s somewhere I feel there is some significant risk by not doing so e.g maybe in a particularly dangerous city
I would love to do a cycling trip across Italy, unfortunately I don't get a lot of time off work
Would love to see a video on South Korea. I'm going in August. Have you been?
I'm going to rome in september next year.. where should I stay, there is so many hotels?!
When we went to Rome we didn't even bother with the Spanish steps because it's just steps like u said lol so we used the time for other attractions
The church on top of it is amazing though
The view from the top at sunset is something I always take first time visitors to our first night. And the Villa Borghese above is a nice park giving a break from the city for a couple hours.
In my trips it’s almost impossible not to end up at the piazza below just because of how streets are laid out. We just end up there by walking around.
@@JodyOwen-we6oo we did the sunset of Florence. Omg I recommend that one a lot. The most beautiful sunset we have experienced 😍
Speaking of Italy - we're flying to Florence and working our way up to Munich (next May/June) Suggestions welcome!
When I take family or friends to Europe my advice is always this:
It’s ok to be a tourist. There’s a reason a million people a year go to the Louvre or Coliseum or Charles Bridge. They’re pretty neat places to visit.
But make sure you research what’s important for you to see in a given city too, so the trip isn’t a simple checking off of sone impersonal list.
Stay central and book well ahead go get good value, if possible off season. Your kid’s teachers should welcome absence from class if on an educational trip abroad and work with you on keeping them up in class. And always eat away from big sights where people are speaking the local language. Finally, stay in vacation rentals rather than hotels. Cheaper, often much nicer and much more relaxed.
Please, please, DO NOT ask your kid's teacher for work to do on vacation. On many occasions I prepared work for students that actually incorporated their destination and made really fun lessons. In 20+ years of teaching only ONE family actually did any of the work. Do you realize what a burden you are placing on already overworked teachers who must teach all students and also address their specific needs such as gifted, special ed (individual education plans), and so on? We already come in early, stay late and take work home. Yes, a trip abroad is absolutely educational and wonderful but students missing school for reasons that are not emergency, illness or death are actually truant. If you want to do this you should also provide the education you are seeking. I work in a fairly wealthy area and the demands of parents for individualized travel plans got so bad, our principal directed teachers to not comply with these requests. She also told us to refer parents who objected to her. Other principals followed suit. Many of you will vehemently object to this post, but think about this: There is a reason why there's a shortage of teachers in the U.S. and it's definitely not just about money. People don't go into teaching to get rich, it's a calling.
restaurants in Rome are also tourist traps if waiters come out to try and get you into the restaurant
> in city hotel / airbnb
> fountain water is good
Just back from Rome. A tip for everyone: you can enter with zero line to Forum if you buy ticket next to Traian column. Ticket Offices are downstairs. They just opened them so no group buyers there or group tourists. One more - Termmini area is chineese owned hotels and those are realy bad and non-secure. If you must stay around Termini instead look only as close as possible to Republica. Safety goes first.
Mark, didn't they make a law of no loitering on the steps?
They did and they are strict about it.
@@maryrosed8475 thought so
At most of the major monuments in room eating and drinking are forbidden and enforced.. Sitting is forbidden at sone, like the Steps.
I don't agree on the hotel part. Seriously Rome is much more than just the historic centre. If you really want to expierience Rome, outskirts of the city sound like a very good idea with metro line nearby, because you can find much more than just old buildings, even the local restaurants or even street food. Do stay outside the historic centre
My experience is to be wary if you want a cup of coffee. The coffee is OK and not very expensive. But once you get into the shop they have all these delicious-looking "dolce" things and you just WANT one… These ARE expensive.
I've only been to Italy once (to Venice)...and to be honest, the only thing I want to do when I finally visit Rome, is see the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain ...so most of these traps wouldn't bother me....(isn't that sad?)
Do a little more research and you will be surprised and delighted at the huge variety of things to see and do aside from the traditional sites and activities. I found some very good suggestions on Pinterest. Good luck! :)
Yep, the 3 golden rules:
1 never in front of a famous landmark/attraction
2 never when a waiter tries to talk you in
3 never without checking online reviews
Best place to book Colosseum tickets?
Coopculture is the official website (plus one other). I suggest the 2-day entry with Arena access (and second level) at the Colosseum. It's called the "full experience ticket" and you can go to Palatine Hill+the Forum and museums within that area. It's €24 per person. You get a set time for the Colosseum but you can enter Palatine Hill whenever you want (but only once). I went to the Colosseum one day and Palatine Hill the next. 😊
About restaurants, just look at the customers and listen: if they speak the local language, it’s a plus. In my experience, this also apply to chinese restaurants all around the world…
The lines for the Vatican Museums, the Coliseum, etc. are bad in "tourist season", but not so bad otherwise. I lived in Rome for a while and over the winter months and into early spring, there are very few tourists and the lines are very short to get into many of the sites. It is just a matter of throwing on a coat or sweater and you can see Roma on your schedule. You don't get the sidewalk dining, so there is that. I took my family there a few years ago over the summer months (kids were out of school) and the lines were horrid. I wouldn't go back in the summer months to do anything touristy.
There was a small gelateria a few blocks from the Spanish steps that, IMO, was the best gelati in Roma. (Back to the steps, go left one block, and turn right. The gelateria is about 2 blocks down that street - or it was in 2015.) Not as good as what I found in Firenze, but the best I found in Roma.
Problem is, peak tourist season in many popular destinations is now from March to October and Christmas period. I don't know about Rome, but when I visited Florence in early February a few years before the lockdowns, it was packed. Packed at all major attractions, jam packed at the galleries/museums and, there was even a human "traffic jam" in the dome of the Cathedral when I made the climb.
Also watch out for the people usually hanging around the tourist areas, who try to talk to you and offer you free arm bands but then all of a sudden want money.
my advice is always where ever you go, go always eating where the locals go. Never where the tourist goes. Is always cheaper and better. In Rome you can stay realy for good prices, when you are not lazy to walk. When you like to to see Ruins from the Roman Empire, make a walk on the Via Appia, its free and very nice to visit. Or take the train to Ostia, where the Harbor in Ancient Rome was, very intrest to visit. You can go by train its only a 30minute ride.
If I am traveling and see Prada and Moncler stores, I know I am in the wrong place.
Here's a great tip. DON'T ASK FOR SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS, OR ANYTHING PARMIGIANA, OTHER THAN CHEESE! They're medigan dishes
It would be a lot better if you asked for a pepperoni pizza instead. ;)
@@southcoastinventors6583 If you ask for pepperoni in Italy they won't understand. Get your pizza in Napoli
@@jimdellavecchia4594 Sure they will it will only have peppers.
Did I see the Pieta behind glass in your video? How sad. It's a long time ago but when I saw the Pieta it wasn't behind glass and it is the most moving piece of sculpture I've ever seen. And I'm not even Christian.
Like 1980?
I just flew back home Thursday from Rome
I can say that the food had really really gone down hill in all of Italy and Rome . Rome was always not so good food but now most places will rip you off . Covid / state of economy really has made things very poor .. Stay parricularly away from a place in via trasportino I got caught out exhausted and starving .$45 aud for the smallest serving of average pasta . Also bar eliseo on via nationale to avoid ..also line A metro is closed after 9 pm so staying at ottaviano / Vatican was really no fun
There’s an old saying. People like the food in Venice or Rome but not both. For me with a small effort you can’t eat better than in Rome. And I’ve never spent more than €30 for a superb meal with wine and Dolci.. But I haven’t been since 2016. I guess I’ll find out in December.
Mother and I got out of a cab and we were headed towards the coliseum when this African guy came up to us with these bracelets. This was our first time encountering them and we didn't know what was going on. Then my mother said it's a scam once she realized what was going on.
We went into the coliseum then ate some food at a restaurant near the coliseum. As we sat outside the restaurant on a bench, it was either the same African guy or a different one comes to me and says, "you're a big guy, do you fight?" I told him I'm not interested and no thank you. He continues to stand there in front of me asking if I box, etc. I see a police car not far away and when he notices I'm looking at the police he begins to back off. Now we're headed towards were the taxis are, and a bunch more Africans standing there. What drew their attention was my leather loafers from the get go. Now a couple of them are trying to talk to me from a distance as one is holding a bracelet and tosses it in my direction thinking I'm going to catch it and I just let it drop to the ground and he starts rambling on. Finally got in the cab and got away from them.
In Sorrento, Positano, etc I didn't see these losers there thankfully. A friend of mine from Naples sent me a message and told me just to ignore them and keep walking.
you forgot that one of the reasons why we go to the spanish steps is the Bernini Fountain that is just in the middle of the square facing the steps.
It's a fucking work of art from the 1600's.
And the expensive stores right there in via Veneto are also a tourist attraction, not a tourist trap.
The Vias Veneti and Condotti are nice to walk along. But buying anything in the stores or restaurants there when you can pay half or less elsewhere feels like a tourist trap to me anyway.
My impression after visiting the Vatican is that it is a well oiled money printing machine.
Just wondering what forecasting December thks
A lot of people also just go to Dior go up the steps just because they are already there too…just saying lol
Como
actually, i disagree with the sistine chapel idea, cause when its too crowded you will have the chance to take picture and not getting yelled at by the security 😂😂😂
if small group of ppl are in the chapel then it would be easy to detect you and you wont be able to take picture of the gorgeous frescos in the room 🌝🌝🌝
I always buy the small books of photos for a couple euro. My camera and skill could never do justice, I have a souvenir and the photos are professional. Especially the Sistine, where the Last Judgement is the only painting I can see without beck ache anyway.
@@JodyOwen-we6oo the last judgment is magnificent!!! And believe me you don’t need camera skills!! The photos in the chapel automatically look amazing 😂! Just don’t shake and let the lenses focus 😛! The only mistake I did was forgetting to take a pic of “adam’s Creation” fresco from the ceiling 😂
It’s totally worth trying taking pictures in that place but be careful from the guards 😂
We did our risk taking by sneaking through the door on the left of the end of the chapel behind a tour group. It ends up on the steps of St Peters after 100 yards or so and skips the long walk and line for security to get into the piazza.
But they check now so not any more!
True, BUT can you handle the feeling of walking shoulder to shoulder with strangers? That's literally what it's like going through the Vatican Museum. I'd never do it again. Worst part of our week stay in Rome
I am in Rome now and disagree with the advice to stay in the centre. It is overrun with tourists. We are staying in Testaccio and love it. It is great to get out of the centre into a calmer environment and see what real Romans are up to. We can walk or bus into the centre in 30 minutes (we are still experiencing Rome during the walk or ride). Google maps is a game changer with respect to transit directions. You can tap onto the bus or metro using your credit card. We stay away from the centre at night and eat in the excellent local restaurants.
At least if you go to a touristy resturaunt, they want your business.
Once or twice when my mother and I were in Italy, we went into resturaunts filled mostly with locals, and they completely ignored us. They did not want us in their space.
It hurt our feelings, and it was kind of scary too.
You and your mom are both crazy and yes, probably they did not want crazy people there or anywhere else in this world
That can happen. If people want to be rude though go elsewhere.
However in multiple trips to Italy this happened only once to us in Pisa. That makes a roughly 1 in 200 experience, so don’t avoid small local places because one of them was rude!
Coloseum and some bus routes are nasty. This Is why I would pre-book In advance.
Yep horrible food in view of the Pantheon
the whole city is a tourist trap
Almost
If the restaurant is open for dinner before 7PM... for tourists.
Amen!!!
I’d say that’s more true in smaller Italian towns. It’s less so in a large city like Rome.
In general small, off the main sights, menu and patrons using local language and a limited menu (meaning it’s cooked fresh by what the chef decides that day) are indicators you can eat well and cost effectively.
You are very sunburned
Spent to much on the hotel most likely
Was in Rome last summer. Outside the Pantheon beware of the 'scarf sellers'. Not sure if the 'modesty' code for women (not showing skin) is legit, but we did get sucked in and bought one for 5Euro. But heck, it was a nice souvenir.
I have an unremarkable print sold on the street for a few euro on my first trip in 2005. It was a tourist trap but is framed in my study and a freest memory!
If you have a rental car, dont drive in the central Rome, you will get fined... you need to be a local to drive around the main attractions. And trust me you don't want to, it is crazy on a different scale. I'm done with Rome.
It wouldn’t be a good use of travel money to rent a car in any medium to large city in Europe. It’s expensive, difficult to park and especially in Southern Europe city driving can be terrifying. And mass transit is heavily subsidized and pretty robust most places.
I’m sorry you let that experience ruin Rome for you. I rarely even use public transit there since it’s so easy to walk. And walking is how to see Rome, at a slow stroll taking it all in.
The problem wasn't Rome, it was you who didn't make your homework in advance and informed yourself on the best way to go around in Rome like any tourist should do before visitng a foreign city.
@@Laurelin70 well should you really need to "do your homework". Rome is a big tourist trap, not making people want to come back, end of story.
@@daw7563 The typical example of entitled tourist jerk. We don't need you, don't worry.
I find it funny that the worst tourist trap in all of Rome is the restaurant covered by your head in this video.
It’s called Canova Piazza del Popolo and an espresso which you can get for 1 to 2 euros at most places costs over 11 euros.