"Remarkable, Rambunctious Rome!" Rome by deecat

Rome Travel Guide: 11,939 reviews and 26,463 photos

"City of the Soul"--Lord Byron

There is little new or unique that I can say about Rome that others have not already said. But, I can show you, through words, the emotions I felt while I was there.

We visited Rome 5 times over a two-month period. We were living in an apartment in Gaeta, and we would take the train into Rome; thus, we were able to: take it easy, take it slowly, take it to heart.

I think a person could spend a lifetime in Rome and not see everything. All one has to do is look at city maps in any travel book and become intimidated by Rome's immensity. What most tourists want to see can be managed, but I longed to see the everyday activities of such a vibrant city.

It was not to be on these visits....too much of the art, history, architecture, food/drink and religion had to be explored first.

While there we saw:

The Palatine Hill, The Roman Forum, The Capitoline Hill,
The Colosseum, The Vatican

Piazza San Pietro ( Pope was there), St. Peter's Basilica, The Raphael's Rooms, The Sistine Chapel, The Vatican Museums

Piazza Venezia, Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle), Villa Borghese Park, Porta del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna, Spanish Steps, Via del Corso, The Obelisk

Victor Emmanuel II Monument, Piazza della Repubblica, Fountain of the Naiads, The Trevi Fountain,
The Pantheon, and Piazza Navona (my favorite Piazza in Rome.)

But we also saw:

Lovers kissing, Old man roasting chestnuts, Gypsy woman nursing her childwhile asking for money, Crippled old woman begging,

A multitude of cats at the Colosseum, (But, dogs rule in Rome!), Confrontation between police and unions, Armed Police and Military everywhere.

The Pope blessing the crowd in five different languages.

Each visit was an adventure...each street brought new sights and sounds, and each culinary delight brought new tastes and smells.

Rome is historic, vibrant, massive.....Rambuctious!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Historical, Religious, Artistic
Cons:DO NOT DRIVE HERE
In a nutshell:A city for the Ages

Last visit to Rome: Apr 1997
Intro Updated May 10, 2005
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (31)

Bathroom in the Airport Palace Hotel - Rome

For early flights to Rome Airport Hotels (1)

On our most recent trip to Italy, we flew into Rome. On our return to the USA, we knew that we had an early morning... more travel advice

Incredible Sistine Chapel Things to Do (11)

Not everyone who visits the Vatican is aware that it is a sovereign stateand has been since 1929. The Pope rules it as... more travel advice

Steeped in Bloodshed: The St. Angel's... Things to Do (11)

Hadrian's Mausoleum was the biggest, most magnificent tomb Rome had ever seen. We cannot tell today what it looked like,... more travel advice

Hawkers on the Sant' Angelo Bridge in Rome - Rome

Hustlers on the Sant' Angelo Bridge Warnings and Dangers (2)

The beautiful Ponte S. Angelo (The Sant' Angelo Bridge) was constructed by the Emperor Hadrian about 134 A.D. as an... more travel advice

Local Customs (4)
See All Gelateria: A One-Stop Shop in Rome
Off The Beaten Path (1)
A Sobering Reality of World War II
Tourist Traps (3)
See All Colosseum Guards Have Their "Hands" Out!
Been to Rome?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (92)

Reply
- Report abuse
Yaqui Nov 14, 2011 at 7:20 PM

Your tips are so informative and plus you put a lot of heart into them. I don't always have time to take it easy, slowly, but I love the fact you say to take it to heart. Awesome statement. Your page here is Excellent!
Reply
- Report abuse
magor65 Aug 15, 2011 at 12:22 PM

Facinating read because of this personal approach. I visited Rome in July but don't know if I'll manage to make a page about it. I just feel overwhelmed.
Reply
- Report abuse
sayedaburas Jul 21, 2010 at 6:41 AM

♫•:*¨`*:•Happy birthday to you♫♫Happy b-day to you♫HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ღDEE, the ever BESTღ ♫♫Happy b-day to yoou•:*¨`*:•♫ I wish you not only a happy year, but also happier maany returns (~_~) ♣
Reply
- Report abuse
jillzi Jun 19, 2010 at 11:03 AM

It's obvious that you spent time in Rome and really absorbed all there was to see and do. Observant, insightful, and so sensitive to the culture. Outstanding work.
Reply
- Report abuse
icunme Sep 18, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Grouping tips and visiting w/you again! Grazie for great work!
Reply
- Report abuse
hopang May 27, 2009 at 7:17 AM

Colosseum, Pantheon, Fontana Di Trevi, Castel Sant' Angelo, Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps are certainly great tourist attractions in the city of Rome. Bring back fond memories of our trip to that city several years ago. ~ho & pang
Reply
- Report abuse
craic May 18, 2009 at 3:44 AM

i was homesick for rome but your page didn't help - it made me more homesick
Reply
- Report abuse
misterrabbit May 6, 2009 at 3:08 PM

I certainly enjoyed reading your perspectives of Rome. Your sister-in-law, Jayne, seems like a real daredevil. Easy to follow; helpful; and interesting.
Reply
- Report abuse
gilabrand Feb 8, 2009 at 11:29 PM

No, there is no ban on those gladiators charging money for pictures. On the contrary, they think the streets belong to them and come racing after you if they think you might have snapped a photo without their knowledge.
Reply
- Report abuse
VeronicaG Feb 7, 2009 at 3:38 PM

How did I miss this wonderful page on Rome? You've whet my appetite for our own trip in September to this romantic city!