Rome

Comment by Marlene Hench on May 9, 2008 at 2:56am

Ah, Rome. Such a wonderful city! Full of history and beauty. If you care to view some photos of our Rome Untour, check out My Albums

Comment by AndreaSz on June 26, 2008 at 11:31am

Ciao a tutti!
If anyone is headed to Rome soon or just wants to do a little vicarious living, here is a link to sign up for a great little monthly newsletter that details all of the city's cultural events. Even when I am not planning a trip, I enjoy drooling over all the coming concerts and art exhibits.
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/optin.jsp?v=001ZaS58ajNOw1G2CC40qBQc-tzJVJd98yy

Enjoy!
Andrea

Comment by AndreaSz on July 15, 2008 at 10:31am

Could it be that the streets of Rome will be a little more quiet and civilized? The city's new neo-fascist mayor has issued an ordinance that forbids drinking, eating, singing or loitering in the streets of the city's historic center!

Here's the article.

They say it will be enforced with common sense. Who knows? I've heard Italians say that they love to draft rules and regulations as much as they love to break them. If they enforce this one, I sure will miss a little of the chaos!

Comment by Tawnya on March 31, 2009 at 11:00am

I will visit Rome one day.

Comment by marion moore on March 26, 2011 at 12:38pm

My husband and I will be in Rome in mid April.  We have heard some accounts of pick pockets and other theft, especially in Rome.  Would like to know how other people have dealt with it.  Thanks.  Marion

Comment by Michelle Vaden on March 26, 2011 at 1:42pm

I was there this time last year. I have a PacSafe handbag (they have men's wallets too).This bag has steel mesh in the bottom so it can't be cut, a steel cable in the strap and many security clasps and locks that make it hard for a theif to get into. You can even strap it to a chair or table leg in a restaurant. And it isn't any heavier than most normal handbags. I never had a problem but I wasn't in tight crowds and I didn't ride the public bus. I did use the hop on hop off bus which goes to all the major places and walked around alot. I never felt unsafe.

The instructions I had were to be aware of your surroundings and remember that any kind of distraction (even a woman dropping a baby) is meant to distract you so that theaccomplice can get your valuables. This kind of thing has happened to people I know.

Best advice, treat it like any other big city and keep your money/valuables in a save place...like a money belt or your hotel safe and only keep enough cash in purse or wallet that you will need that day.

Last but not least, try to relax and enjoy yourself.

Comment by Joan Schilling on March 26, 2011 at 1:50pm

We will be renting an apartment for a week in September. The apartment will not have a safe. We bought a portable, foldable safe from Pacsafe(www.corporatetravelsafely.com) and a wallet from the same website that is pick pocket proof. It has a cut proof small chain that attaches to your belt or belt loop. We were told to travel with only copies of our passports/driver's license, etc and keep the hard copies in your room...hence the foldable safe. We have purchased and used the Pacsafe backpack that has a theft proof inner lining that is removable and can be used to keep a laptop and larger items. The Pacsafe 100 foldable safe would hold passports, possibly a netbook and any other travel documents. We have heard that it is the groups of children that surround you and distract you while some of them pick your pockets, etc. I plan on taking a crossbody purse that will not carry anything but sunglasses, kleenex, etc. so that if it gets ripped off, we are not out anything important. The wallet will hold the important things. Hope this helps.

Comment by Deborah and Donald Wise on March 28, 2011 at 7:07pm

I want to concur with all above comments.  I also have a Pacsafe, but it is the across the body purse.  I also tend to keep my hand on it while in large crowds, of which you will find many.  I understand about keeping the hard copies in your room.  Only one time would that have been a problem, and that was on the train.  We were asked to produce our passports so were glad we had them.  We rode the buses, trains, etc. on the entire trip.  You will have a wonderful time.  Enjoy!!

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