It's a really long climb to the top! and other Rome, Italy Warning Or Danger Tips

When standing in the queue, reading the signage, we figure that there are two choices. The first is to go to the top by lift (and pay to do so), and the other is to walk all the way up. Bearing in mind we had a baby with us and we were all tired and extremely hot, we decided to take the lift.

Imagine my surprise when we get out of the lift, then looked up and the dome still towered above me! Shock of shocks! I know my level of fitness isn't great, and the heat was searing. I was not in a good frame of mind to fully appreciate what I was busy doing, not at all.

Then we set off to the next set of stairs upwards (there apparently was a small sign saying how many steps to the top, but we never saw it); these steps were small and led us to the front of the cupola, overseeing St. Peter's square: this was quite simply, spectacular! One could either walk around the outside of the dome and enjoy the 360 degrees view all the way around, or merely sit on one of the stone overhangs and bask in the sun.

Were we at the top yet? No.

From there on, it went even further up an even smaller staircase. The claustrophobia here was quite something, it was musty, hot, cramped and we were walking at a really odd angle, holding a baby, cameras and bags. It would have been okay if one could stop and happily have rests now and again, but as there were people coming up behind us, we felt pressured to move on and keep going. You can sit in a couple of window frames along the way, but these are few and far between and are cramped. It was dusty too.

Having said all this, when you get to the top and survey Rome from the top of St Peter's Basilica dome, and just take a moment to take in what you are actually seeing, and where you are, you are humbled by it all, and the long climb to the top becomes a distant memory :)

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Phone: +39 06 6982
Website: www.vatican.va

There are many pickpockets in Rome, so we came prepared!

We keep our valuables in a flat moneybag strapped to out waist, and half the money for the day (never anything more), between myself and my husband for safe keeping.

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No matter what your skin tone, I would wear a hat most of the time I am outside.

The sun is very hot and with cancer scares being what they are today, one shouldn't take any chances!

A hat, sunglasses and sun cream.

ALL the time (More info in my packing list tip).

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I am just writing this here as it is so funny how sometimes custom and local knowledge is so different between people :)

My sister and sister-in-law ordered a hot chocolatee, and got this very thick and very dark drink, and upon tasting it, realised they had been given very strong cocoa!

So they called the waiter, and he, in his broken English, explained that it WAS hot chocolate.

We didnt want to cause a fuss so left it and ordered something else as well... when he came to collect the cups later on, his face got quite red when he saw that the two 'hot chocolates' had not been drunken!

He was muttering away and ws clearly quite put out that they had not been drunken.

It was probably a sign of disrespect we gathered... but I also tasted it, and it WAS foul. Not everyone's tase, that's for sure!

But at least we still paid for them....

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Traffic on the roads and onthe pavements, wherever you go, there are people people people.

And with so many people, this can only mean one thing.

Queues!

Wherever you go, whatever you see, be prepared for loooooooooooooong queues, and hope and pray that it isn't in the direct sunlight (which it normally always is), and that it will move quickly (which it generally doesnt).

Ensure you have a bottle of water on you and headache tablets for the inevitable.

Alternatively? Go at odd times, when people are less likely to be around.

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I am not sure why people dont take the time and effort to read up on this type of thing before going to view it.

The Vatican has a certain dress code which needs to be adhered to. It's not nearly as strict as other temples I have been in.

They like you to have covered shoulders, no shorts or mini skirts.

Also no buggys/prams or daypacks.

I saw quite a few people that shouldnt have got in, but did, so I think the security has slackened the rules somewhat.

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If you enjoy a cigarette, then Rome is the place to enjoy the habit!

I personally find this habit quite disgusting, and taking into the fact I am asthmatic, I make every effort not to be in cigarette smoke, one of the biggest triggers of asthma attacks!

A colleague of mine is typically Italian in this way? he has been smoking since he was twelve, and knows nothing else.

He says it is just the way things are done in Italy.

No questions asked.

Anyhow, we had a good time in Rome, and smoking was far less of an issue actually than it is for us non-smokers in London.

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There were two kids we noticed who were sitting on skateboards and getting around the city like that. They had malformed legs and sturdy arms.

They had an old and dirty shoe in front of them for the coins from passerbys.

I didn’t feel in anyway threatened or uncomfortable with the beggars, although have heard some shocking stories.

There are beggars in all cities though, some more than others.

A fact of life.

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In ancient times, there were no buggys and prams.

So, when laying the stones for the walkways in the city, this didn't have to be considered. For us modern folk this does pose a problem however.

The many steps, sharp inclines and cobbles make it quite hard (especially around the coliseum and forum areas) to get baby around in the pram.

So your two option are:

~ Carry baby (we had a back carry-thing, which was really helpful)
~ Carry the pram (with baby in it!)

Fun and games :)

It was all done in good spirits but did slow us down somewhat.

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Try and avoid looking like an obvious tourist when in a strange city.

As a foreigner you will stick out like a sore thumb anyway and there is little you can do about that, but use discretion to try and make it less obvious, especially when you are alone and unsure of your directions!

It's always a good thing to rather be too cautious than not, because when it does happen to you, it will be unexpected, and upsetting, and might ruin your holiday!

So walk around trying to look as you know exactly where you are going... even if you dont! haha

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