"When in Rome" Rome by Callavetta

Rome Travel Guide: 11,941 reviews and 26,470 photos

Tale of 12 Cities

What can I say about Rome? I so want to love it, but I just can't quite get there. I admire it and respect it but there is something that keeps me wanting to keep it at arm's distance. I picked up a book in my apt., left behind by a previous visitor and came upon this paragraph that eloquently describes my feelings:

"I had been to Rome several times before, and never much liked it. Italy is without a doubt one of my favorite countries in the world, perhaps my single favorite, but I've always found Rome grimy, congested, and despondent. Beautiful, yes --- Michaelangelo's Campidoglio, St. Peter's, the Villa Borghese, the Via Veneto, are all striking in different ways, ancient, luxuriant, opulent--- but overwhelming, threatening." - Joseph Finder, Extraordinary Powers

Whatever you say about Rome, it's a tale of many cities; the ancient, the modern, the Catholic, the poluted, the protected, the laid back, and the hectic..... There's a Rome there for everyone.

Monumental Rome

Rome is a city of monuments. Certainly Il Vittoriano, or the Victor Emmanuel Monument, takes the "cake". Ironically dubbed the "wedding cake" or "typewriter" (nicknames intended to be insulting) this edifice, completed in 1911 took 26 years to build.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:The incredible antiquities, the enormous monuments, the fabulous food.
  • Cons:The frightening traffic, the sidewalk hawkers, the polution
  • In a nutshell:Rome defies the nutshell. The energy, the history, the noise, the grime... it pours through every crack and cranny.
  • Last visit to Rome: Apr 2004
  • Intro Updated Aug 13, 2005
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Reviews (28)

Comments (29)

  • gilabrand's Profile Photo
    Jan 24, 2010 at 11:40 AM

    I like your Kleenex story!

  • icunme's Profile Photo
    Sep 8, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    Caro Cavalletta - See from ARoman what it took me time to learn. My beloved beseiged bella Roma - one either loves her or hates her - city of contradictions & extremes. Grazie, amica mia - Carol <(•¿•)>

  • craic's Profile Photo
    Apr 29, 2009 at 2:53 PM

    Aroman knows whereof he speaks.

  • jumpingnorman's Profile Photo
    Feb 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM

    Hi Katherine! Hope to see Riome someday...will be in Milan though this Sept...but I want to wear what the Romak Hunk Muffins are wearing...you think I can rent those? Hehehe, greetings from Arizona, Norman

  • nicolaitan's Profile Photo
    Mar 19, 2008 at 6:52 PM

    great page, terrific images of the forum area. i can't believe 2-3000 Euros ( not lire ) for buying knockoffs. Lest I forget, the wisteria and the forum is a world class image. And appreciate your smile for the etched in jello. N.

  • sourbugger's Profile Photo
    Mar 13, 2008 at 8:55 AM

    excellent page, can't believe i've not come across it before !

  • moacha's Profile Photo
    Jul 21, 2007 at 4:25 PM

    Hi,Katherine I also like Rome,Your Pagea is interst. Now I am making an album of Rome in my HP. I hope to see more of you.

  • janetanne's Profile Photo
    Jun 24, 2007 at 11:56 AM

    I'll be in Hydra from 3rd July. In the mean time, Athens is sweltering in 45C+ temps! Too hot to go out and steam is coming up from the sea!:):)

  • Paisleypaul's Profile Photo
    Apr 15, 2007 at 10:20 AM

    Dear Katherine Thaks for dropping by my Rome pages - shouls have read yours earlier ! Check the link to see what I mean......! youtube.com/watch?v=Errr49tS...

  • myriam_c's Profile Photo
    Mar 29, 2007 at 3:32 PM

    Katherine, those are my feelings exactly. Maybe I'll need to go back a few times ...

Callavetta

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