Travel destinations: Rome, Italy – Part 4

Rome is a magical place that is hard to descibe in words, much better to just have the experience. I, however will try. When I was there, I had the opportunity to spend a glorious 5 days. I talked to a girl from South Carolina on the way back who hated Rome. I asked “WHY?”. I later found out that she was only there for a day and a half. Definatley not enough time to enjoy that magnificent ancient city. This southern girl thought that the city closed down at 6 p.m. Not the case at all! Resteraunts open up at 7 p.m. for their dinner patrons, and stay open most of the night. Italians are passionate about their dining experiences, and Roma being a tourist town found amazing ways to profit from that. Heads up- Don’t be surprised when the complimentary bread costs you, also the linen charge and cutlery charge for the tables, and even making eye contact with the accordian player is going to cost you 5 euros. As an American this all sounds perposterous, but its a living to them. Its worth it all.

Must sees of Rome are all the obvious ones. The Collosium, the Pantheon, The Vatican (teh basilica and sistinth chapel are two of the most beautiful things I have ever seen). My advice is to get a map of the city with the landmarks clearly stated…because there are a ton! The national monument, the ruins, the Museum etc. Don’t let this all overwhelm you, though. There is much more to this city than all of that. Every night at the spanish steps you can find a 120 young twenty somethings shelling out 20euros for a free t-shirt and free beer at the nightly pub crawl. The Bio-Parko (ZOO) is great because no one thinks to go there, so you can be a tourist while taking a break from the other tourists. If you are into film, there is usually a great film festival going on. Outside of the Pantheon you can find actors dressed in period garb handing out directions to that evenings perfomance of the opera. three blocks from the spanish steps is an excellent (yet pricey) shopping district. No worries if you are worried about losing your americaness..there are Mcdonalds EVERYWHERE! “Roadway to America” it proclaims on all the signs. It makes me a little sad,actually. i say don’t waste your time, the burgers are gross and you have to pay extra for ketchup.

With that said, Rome has a bit of something for everyone and every price range. Tight budget? I recommend the Hotel Ottoviano. A hostel located right next to the Vatican and in the heart of it all. The metro has a stop right in that neighborhood. More frivalous? There are a ton of four and five star hotels located right by the central station. My advice is to keep an open mind, plan on spending a bit more than you expect, and know that you cannot do it all in a day and a half!