Semi-OT: Have you been to Rome?
Sorry if covered in other posts, but I was wondering who has actually been to Rome, and what were your experiences?
I went last year on the third leg of my honeymoon, and stayed for 6 days. We saw all the big things, still felt rushed as it really is a lot to see/do. I had an amazing time though and would love to go back and see more than the Vatican and the touristy stuff. Seeing the pictures though brings back great memories.
Anyone else been?
Calling bullshit on Pope Lando claiming not to have been to Rome.
Yes.
Maybe
I've been to Rome and I enjoyed it, although not as much as Florence. Still really jealous of the boys who are over there now, and I can't wait for a chance to return some day.
Totally agree with this comment. Rome is outstanding, but Florence is amazing. That said, you can have a great time in Rome as long as you don't try to drive. The motorcyclists alone are enough to give you a heart attack.
I agree. Florence is the real jewel of Italy. I would pick even Venice before Rome.
Florence was amazing- art, food (even for Italy!), climate, belllisima!
April 24th, 2017 at 10:48 AM ^
I respectfully disagree on the Florence > Rome sentiment. In my opinion, Rome is the best city in the world (that I've visited). There's this amazing and authentic vibrance in Rome, coupled with a New York-style of gruffness. The city is bustling, but then you turn a corner, and you're on the quiet cobblestone street or in a tiny piazza walking by an ancient relic. Stop for an espresso or a panini or a spritz and hop back into the action.
Rome is huge and you could spend weeks there without running out of things to do. Florence just felt a bit too small for me, and with too many study-abroad students. It felt more western than Italian, in my opinion.
That all said, Florence has something that Rome doesn't have...it's location in Tuscany. Tuscany just offers so much...the food (inclu. truffles), the wine, the variety (Chianti, Siena, Lucca, Arezzo, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Volterra, Pisa and the central coastal towns).
TMI I know...but just thought that Rome deserved a proper defense. Also...in summary, Italy is the best.
although we are definitely in the minority, I think. I don't really understand why so many people LOVE Florence so much but I imagine it's because people on vacation don't like the NY-style bustle of Rome. I once read that at any given time there are like 50,000 study abroad students in a city of only like 200,000! It is certainly a city set up almost entirely around tourism. Sometimes while there, I feel like I could be in an Italian themed Vegas hotel or Epcot Center and not feel a huge difference.
In Rome, even though there are a ton of tourists, it's such a big city that outside of the tourtist attractions, you're mostly amongst Romans. There is some grit and that's how you know you're in Italy.
And there's not nearly as much to do or see in Florence as there is in Rome. The art isn't even close, the history isn't even close, the authenticity isn't even close. The food in both are outstanding. As the big cities have adopted regional cuisine from all over Italy, there is very little you can get in Florence that you can't get in Rome other than the authentic Florentine style steaks (which are amazing though), and Rome has his own cuisine that is arguably more atuhentic there, but the food is nearly a push.
However, totally agree that the day trips FROM Florence are outstanding, but that's not Florence. So maybe people like Florence because it makes a good jumping off point for places that aren't Florence?
Whoa whoa whoa there. I agree with a few things - the center city of Florence definitely gave me the impression more of a History Disneyland than a real, functioning city. Not entirely fair, but not entirely untrue, either.
That said, the art and history not being even close to Rome is a pretty big exaggeration. Florence certainly doesn't go back as far as Rome, but like Rome, it was at one time (just, more recently) the real center of power and culture in Europe. The whole Renaissance began there. If you made me compare, yeah, I'd say Rome. But Florence is absolutely loaded down with history too. When tour guides walk you through the city saying things like "this is the building where Dante was born" and "this is the building where the Mona Lisa was painted" then it's probably unfair to say it's not close to any other city.
And the art - goodness, if I had to pick which city wasn't close to the other, it's Rome falling way behind. Like Florence's history, Rome can hold its own, mainly with the stuff inside the Vatican Museum. But Florence produced the world's most famous painting and the world's most famous sculpture. It has Italy's two most visited art museums.** Florence is home to Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Brunelleschi, Giotto, and numerous others. This is to say nothing, of course, of other great thinkers like Galileo, Macchiavelli, and Dante. All Florence.
**I admit to a technicality here, since the Vatican Museum - in Rome but not Italy - is more visited than both combined. Of course, so much of the art there, including its most famous piece by far, was produced by Florentines.
statements and completely agree that was an exageration. But your footnote nails the reason that there is objectively more great works of art, from more eras in Rome than in Florence, between the Vatican, the Borghese, the Capitolini, Castel Sant Angelo, etc. I'm counting the Vatican as Rome (since this is a discussion in the context of travel, and if you go to Rome, well, you're at the Vatican too). I don't really think it matters that some of the greatest works of art in Rome were produced by Florentines for this argument because as a traveler, I'm intersted in consuming the art, especially because many of the great the works you reference were created in Rome - it's not like it's the Mona Lisa sitting in Paris without any tie to Paris other than the fact that a French king bought it well after Da Vinci died.
As for history, there is no doubt Florence during the Renaissance was a leading city with great artists and thinkers and that's impressive in its influence. But that was one era, a relatively short one at that at around 200 years. And the city has largely been frozen in time as a celebration of that era without much signficance before or after that. Rome, my goodness, was center of Western civilization world for like 1,000 years, was a significant part of (even if in some ways mere a beneficiary of) the Renaissance, it has long been the capital of Italy and was a major player in WWII. It has literally been rebuilt upon itself numerous times. So...yeah. Saying Dante was born here is cool, no doubt, but saying this is where Julius and Augustus Caeser were born, this is where every Pope would have shit in the woods, if that particular Pope did shit in the woods, and also having these massive and well-preserved pieces of those histories to actually look at while a tourist in the city, is again, more interesting to me. I think it's more exciting to read about the history and of Florence. Great things happened there. But I can see and feel more more history in Rome which is more important to me as a traveler.
Phew, sorry, way too long winded on this debate. I do admit that I'm in the minority and I wish I appreciated Florence more. Maybe on my next visit...
April 24th, 2017 at 10:29 PM ^
All fair points, and honestly, in being purely objective, I'd find it hard to say Florence is the "better" city, from a history standpoint or a things-to-do standpoint. I've been to both, and neither for nearly enough time, and if I get to go back, I'd spend longer in Rome than Florence. Overall I think it's a little like Boston vs. New York - the latter is certainly the much larger and more significant city in almost all respects, but Boston stands very tall on its own merits and there's a lot of room for picking either as a favorite.
Personally, I loved trying to see Florence through the lens of the intense political intrigue surrounding the city - especially around the time of the Bonfires of the Vanities. Just thinking about the atmosphere that must have existed in the 15th and 16th centuries. That frozenness in time that Florence has really helps with that, too. Rome's history is overwhelming and close to unfathomable. In Florence, it's easier to see with the mind's eye, I think, because the city is so well preserved and the history is so incredible rich and fascinating. You have to imagine practically the whole Forum and Circus Maximus, but you can stand in the Piazza della Signoria at night and all you have to add is the bonfire. This is not to express a preference - just that they're both so different as to be difficult to compare, in the end.
P.S. - I'll take "arguments not seen on the RCMB" for $1000, Alex.
April 24th, 2017 at 11:08 PM ^
and you're right about the effect of the preservation of Florence, and that more is left to the imagination in Rome. But I do find it incredible that I can stand on Palatine Hill and overlook the Forum like Caeser did 2000 years ago. Yes, it's just ruins and my minds eye has to add a bit more to the scene but for as old as it is, and given everything that's happened in Rome since, it's amazing to me.
I've always felt like I missed something in Florence because I was let down a bit compared to the expectations and didn't understand why people will regular say it's far better than Rome (definitely the preferred city if you were to take a poll of Americans who've been to both cities), but you have renewed my interest in visiting again. I think a big part of it, is that I took a lot of Roman Art and History courses at Michigan so I knew that history well and was able to appreciate what I was seeing, and I know the history of the Renaissance less well.
Ha, yeah, probably not a discussion you'd see on RCMB.
years ago, and Rome was my favorite part. You stated the reasons why better than I could have. There's an ancient gorgeous church on almost every corner. Oh, and the Pantheon is simply amazing.
I've seen pictures. It looks nice.
Went there almost 15 years ago with my family. Spent four days there, five days in Florence, and three days in Venice. Truly an amazing city, and the Vatican, regardless of your beliefs, is a "bucket list" kind of place. But Florence, overall, was better.
Going to Rome again next month for our honeymoon, but only for two days. We're splitting two weeks between Spain and Italy, and for the portion that we're in Italy, we're spending more time in Florence, and then in Positano in the Amalfi Coast. Never been that far south in Italy, but that's the part of our trip I'm most looking forward to.
Gladiator. I didn't want to visit after that. Too scary.
April 24th, 2017 at 10:19 AM ^
Were you not entertained?
April 24th, 2017 at 10:58 AM ^
Yes, but still too scared. They stab people n shit over there man! I saw one guy throw a trident.
April 24th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^
Yeah, there were horses, and a man on fire, and Brick killed a guy with a trident!
April 24th, 2017 at 10:11 AM ^
Being inside the Colosseum was strangely awesome. Was surprised that the Sistine Chapel just felt like one room in a large building. I also still have thousands and thousands of lire (former Italian currency).
April 24th, 2017 at 10:15 AM ^
Was surprised that the Sistine Chapel just felt like one room in a large building
I'll concur here. Walked in expecting something amazing, but it was mostly "Hey, there's that painting I've seen a million times, except in person." Maybe I need to appreciate art more.
But I thought St. Peter's Basilica was truly jaw-dropping.
April 24th, 2017 at 11:07 AM ^
The scale and size of St. Peter's absolutely blew my mind. Pictures rarely do anything justice, but St. Peter's least of all.
Also, to me, the stories of the paintings on the Sistine Chapel were better than the paintings themselves. For example: Michelangelo was in the middle of painting a bunch of naked people in the Chapel, and one of the cardinals was dumb enough to criticize him for it, saying the painting was better put in a public bathhouse. Michelangelo painted him into the picture as a resident of hell with a snake biting off his junk. This cardinal complained to the Pope, and the Pope, not having been born yesterday, told him, "sorry, my jurisdiction doesn't extend to hell" and left it at that.
the room itself seems like a bit of disappointment, given that the ceiling (and The Last Judgement) is quite literally the most celebrated artwork in Western civilization. The expectations are nearly impossible to meet.
But the stories, the artist, the sheer size, and its influence on art at that time and in the future is what makes it so remarkable. Without all that context, it's not something that totally visually blows you away, especially given how far art mediums have come in the last 500 years.
April 24th, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^
I went there a hot spring day about 15 years ago wearing shorts, and they wouldn't let me in. Apparently that rule was known by everyone but me
I will have 2 full days and 2 half days of free time. Planned on seeing the touristy stuff, Vatican, Coliseum, etc. Any suggestions on what to do there appreciated. I am not looking to visit other parts of Italy on this trip.
Eat lots of gelato. Amaretto is the best flavor.
April 24th, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^
She's been tweeting a photo of each stop on her "Gelato tour" and I must say I am gealous.
April 24th, 2017 at 11:39 AM ^
Sweet pun.
April 24th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
April 24th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
It gets you around the city on all public transport with no additional charge.
Watch out for pick-pockets.
Vatican is a must, Colosseum is a must obviously. Check out Trip Advisor as well. They have sightseeing "plans" based on how long you'll be there to maximize your time.
Another great idea that my wfie and I did was take a cooking class. Chef Andrea Consoli is a chef in Rome...his wife is actually from Michigan. It was a gift from a cousin of mine, and it was AMAZING if you love food. Authentic Italian, not American- Italian (NTTAWWT.) Cost is about $40-$45 per person. 4 course meal, and wine.
http://www.cookingclassesinrome.com/?page_id=7
If you have any questions feel free to email me [email protected].
other than the must-see stuff that you'll get everywhere else (like that you should spend one full day at the Colosseum/Palatine Hill/Forum/Pantheon and one full day at the Vatican):
- It's such a ritual for Romans to go for an early evening stroll that there is word for it: passeggiata. A fun walk at sunset is Piazza del Popolo to the Spanish steps. (The subway is efficient and there's a stop near both areas).
- The Tiber River pretty much all summer long has carnival-like stalls set up along it and "pop-up" bars and quirky stuff. Fun to stroll with a drink and play a dumb carnival game.
You're there a short amount of time so you'll probably tire yourself out during the days but try to save some energy to walk around at nice when the city gets cooler and "real" life happens. My wife and I stumbled onto a free concert happening in one of the Piazza's (don't even remember which one) and it was really fun to just serendipitously stumble upon something without have a plan or timetable to follow.
Many years ago, yes, and we also visited Naples and ended up being as intrigued and in awe of that city as we were Rome. Also, we ended up on a tour of the ruins of Pompeii and on one of the tours they give of the caldera of Vesuvius. Being on an active volcano was actually really fun...and a a little frightening.
Went to Rome and Florence on my honeymoon. Great to get the history of the Roman Empire, the Catholic church/Christianity and the Renaissance. Could definitely do it again, but there are so many places to see in the world. Going to London/Paris for the first time for my anniversary this summer. Definitely want to see Greece/Turkey, Israel/Egypt, and perhaps Japan/Shanghai before I die. Berlin would be cool too. and St. Petersburg and Moscow seem like something to do. India. (I'm now just listing places in the world.)
things in the room now?
Is two Anchorman references in one thread one or two too many?
April 24th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
Alot of my family is from Sardegna ( or as Americans like to say Sardinia) but i have family in Rome also.
Amazing city some great food places and also not too far a train ride to Pompeii
Can do Rome in 3-4 days easy
April 24th, 2017 at 10:01 AM ^
But both of my daughters have been there (Italy) multiple times. It's become kind of a joke for my wife and I when we talk to other people about travelling to Italy. We will see it some day. But, my daughters concur with the comments above about Florence being so great.
April 24th, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
Oddly, I've been to Rome 3 times, all while living in the US. I now live in Germany, and haven't found the time. I'll be in Naples in May though.
April 24th, 2017 at 10:03 AM ^
I wonder if any of the Italy trip kind of gear is available from MDEN
combining Italy and Michigan gear together is like a match made in purchasing for me.
Those helmet decals are just amazing as are those grey warm ups i saw
I wish they had some of that gear available at MDEN but i have not seen any on the site unless i missed it.
April 24th, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^
The only con about Jordan brand/Nike for us fans is a LOT of stuff we see on the players is Player Exclusive and will never be released to the public, like they don't even make extra that you could find at the annual garage sale. As a third-generation Italian I would KILL to get ahold of one of those jackets with both flags.