Hey jenny its a shame your mum is in this predicment! Rome is like any other big city, you have to be carefull!. put it this way, if it wasnt rome would you be happy with her being in London? London and rome arnt so different, but the main difference is that in london violant crime is predominant where in rome its more bag theft.
I would say if your mum is used to city life then she will be fine, nearly all italians are very family oriantated so therefore will see your mum as someone to look after and treat very well.
To be honest i think she will be fine, if you are really worried and she still wants to go ill give her one of my best friends phone numbers (he is my best mate and has lived and worked in rome all his life), and she can call him if need be. Anyway take care alll the best from jessop

Thanx Jessop,
She may just take you up on that offer of a contact in Rome!
Jenny.x.

not a problem! Its good to know that there is someone who you can ring if you are having difficultys!
Also and im not trying to sell you a proposition, this is completly seperate, if she wants an airport pickup i can arrange for you via the same friend as he runs a private hire company which does a chaffuer service. usually he charges quite alot (6o euros per hour) but he will do it for 45 euros per hour (which is not far off what alot of normal taxis will charge anyway) for anyone from this website as ive convinced him to do this as a favour. He runs a very proffesional friendly service with beautiful cars (mercades) with a personal feel, his english aint bad either which helps!
It may give you and your mum some peace of mind knowing she will get to the hotel easily and safely.
Again this is a seperate thing if you need advice on getting from the airport dont hesitate to ask and ill get train/bus times etc for you.
Im sure your mum will be fine and have a great time whatever she decides!
All the best from
jessop.

Thanx again Jessop, i'll pass that on to Mum.

Can you recommend any central hotels to stay in?

Jenny.x.

i usualy stay in a bed and breakfast, one i can recomend for sure, but if you want a hotel i would suggest checking on the hotel section of this website for recomendations etc.

Hi,

Got a couple of questions please,
I'm off to Rome in 3 weeks time with my mum, we're staying at the 'Palatino Grand Hotel'. Does anyone know if this is a good spot? I can't tell by looking at the map. Also, does anyone know if the pope still says mass on a wednesday morning in St.Peters Square? (saw in an earlier post).

Thanks to Jessop for all your Rome tips on this site, I've made loads of notes from your advice! Gonna get that guide book too.

Thanks to anyone that can help.
shanni

Hey shanni, That hotel is in a great spot! really really central, and also pretty safe. her is their website,
http://www.hotelpalatino.com/index.html
i havent stayed here so cant tell you what its like.
Also if i remember correctly, if you out of the metro station (cavour) and down some steep steps their is a narrow little street lined with restaurants and a couple of small bars. These places on this road are something else! the food is some of the best you will find (this road isnt exactly on the usual tourist route!) and the prices are ridiculously cheap
As far as i know the pope still does his wednesday thing at st peters although in the summer he may do it from his summer residence near Frascati, but im not sure about that.

Many Thanks Jess

hey there there is a simular thread running already ill post the link at the bottom of this page,
the hotel shanni is looking at seems really nice and the location is pretty outstanding!
i can give you a link to a bed and breakfast i know which is really good and cheap, (but clean and friendly) which i have stayed in a few times but if you want a hotel then im happy to look around for you. Ill call my friend for recomendations if you want?
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=15533&start=40[/url]
Here is the link to the bed and breakfast,
http://ripanibeb.it/prezzieng.html

Having had a really great response to my query about Pompeii with lots of useful info, I wonder if anybody can help with this one. Our 16 yr old son is v. keen to visit Rome and see the "sites". We also have a 14 yr old daughter who is probably less keen on antiquity and more interested in shopping.
Has anybody had a long weekend in Rome with family who can recommend a small hotel/bed breakfast? Probably May time.

hey flamecat ive stayed here a few times and can highly recomend it,
http://ripanibeb.it/prezzieng.html

Also if you click on this link you will find loads of information as well,
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=15328&start=0

Hope this helps, dont hessitate to ask if you need anymore info.

flamecat,

my wife and I are off to Rome next weekend from Friday to Monday. We love the sites , wife likes retail therapy(can't understand it myself).We are staying at the Domina Guest House right next to the Spanish Steps. Will report back after

Hello everyone! It's mine and my partner's 5th year together on 12th Jan and I can get us a really good deal to Rome with Easyjet. Trouble is I have never set foot in Italy and know NOTHING about the place. Can anyone guide me? I know it's a very broad question but all info would be very much appreciated...

hey emgin, there is loads and loads of information in this thread,
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=15328&start=0

hope this helps

Emgin,

Rome...we have just arrived back this evening from a long weekend in Rome. The weather was better than we thought it would be. Forecast last week was for showers etc. Saturday it was sunny and 30 degrees(have the pics to prove).

Rome is superb, so much to see and do. You can have 'religious' days(Vatican City etc) Then historical days(Coloseum, Forum, Pantheon,Trevi Fountain, etc) Just people and city watching is great.

Getting around is really easy, buy a card from the metro stations and you can use train bus etc.(mind you the metro is a bit grubby)

ps, if you are near the Trevi Fountain the best place if you only want a snack is the little deli next to the fountain. With your back to the fountain the deli is in the rear right hand corner. Sandwiches for 2 euros 10, cakes for 1.50. Beers 600ml for 1.80. Keeps you going until the evening meal

Evening meals a great place is the Piazza de Novonna, just watch for the service charges.

Venice..went earlier in the year can only be described withB****Y FANTASTIC(sorry to shout)

and sorry to go on a bit

Hi, could write loads!

Just to say Italy - WOW!

Rome - the most magical, amazing place we've ever been to. If you love history then you will be bowled over - food - amazing ... atmosphere ... you wont find anything better!

Rome has that magical 'something' that you can't put in words - it 'happens' once you drive through the ancient gateway and then grows as you see the Roman Forum, the Colleseum, the ancient sites around and about, the catacombs, the Pantheon and then the Vatican.

We have been to Italy about 5 times and have found the Italiens to be lovely, generous people ----- a bit ......errrrr....OTT sometimes! The food will be first class ----- make sure that you stay either B&B and eat out or at a hotel with a good reputation for food. Its a crime to go to Italy and not eat real Italien food. Also, wine ------ you can't go there and not have the local stuff!

(On a serious note - Rome is like any other city ------- be wise re jewellry and pick pockets . Ladies are better avoiding wearing obvious jewellry or carrying handbags............. and don't be tempted to wander off into any dark romantic alley ways at the end of the day ---- stay in the crowded places and you'll be fine).

We're off to Sorrento in August and hope to visit Rome again ------- am counting the days!

just got back from a cruise last week and one of our ports of call was rome.
when there , to see the sights, we bought a day ticket on the open top bus, this cost 13 euros pp and you could either stay on bus, round trip lasts 2 hours, they provide headphones so you can listen to guided tour as you pass the sights. or like us you can get on and off at any of the bus stops to walk to sights take photos at your own pace and catch the next one to the next stop and so on, buses run every 10-15 mins so you never wait too long at the stops, all stops are walking distance to the attractions, a map is provided too so its very easy-you wont get lost! trust me im useless in big cities with a map but found it easy and economical too!!!
for the monuments sights, get on the red open top bus no 110, for the religious sights get on the white open top bus no 110!!
any other questions feel free anytime to ask! have fun!!
few tips- dont buy drinks near the attractions, eg spanish steps, trevi fountain etc, youll pay double the prices of shops/bars up a side street, if you have a photo taken by the attractions with men in roman costumes you have to tip them after, wear comfy shoes, and most of all, keep your bag close to you as they have problems there with pickpockets particulary by the attractions!!!!

most people on here are being too romantic and glossing over the real crime problem in rome. i have been a few times. we were there recently for 3 days in september.

on day one- in the evening - someone tried to snatch my wifes handbag at the trevi but the nearby policeman stopped them.

on day two we were on the bus and a fight broke out between a businessman in a suit and a rough looking woman. turned out she tried to pickpocket him on the bus.

later on day two we were sat in a restaurant at the pantheon for lunch and a bunch of kids tried the "card and distraction " trick on us, i was quick and they failed to get my camera and wallet. had it been only my wife she wouldnt have known.

on day three i got off a crowded bus to find myself relieved of the 60 or 70 europs i had in notes in trouser pocket - the pickpockets ride the busy routes dressed as businessmen in suits.

later on on day 3 we watched a gang of kids pickpocketing people at the bus station - they were basically snatching an d running - 5 mins later theyd be back.

so be warned. it is not like "oh its the same as anywhere just take the usual precautions". rome has a problem with theiving.

I've been to Rome 3 times & have yet to witness or experience any thieving. I've never used the buses or the subway, because they are well known for pick-pockets, & have always found that the usual tourist precautions, particularly around the main attractions, has seen us through.

Maybe you just had a lot of bad luck.