ITALY - SURPRISED BY ROME AMAZED BY FLORENCE
ITALY – SURPRISED BY ROME
AMAZED BY FLORENCE
ITALY - SURPRISED BY ROME AMAZED BY FLORENCE
Italy is a dream destination for most people, many of its cities have different scenarios and specifics to look forward to, like Milan, Venice, etc. Before visiting, I discovered through research that Rome is the most beautiful city in the world. My mainstay was in Rome but I also visited Florence to experience first-hand how life in Florence is compared to Rome. To get to Florence, you can travel by plane or take the train. It is a four hours’ train ride away from Rome if you use the slower, cheaper train at almost 50€, or the faster train at under two hours for almost double the price. Keep reading and I will disclose to you the reasons for my title, Italy – surprised by Rome Amazed by Florence.
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ROME
Entry into Rome at the Leonardo da Vinci – Fiumicino Int’l airport was very easy and quick. The airport is a nice size you need to take the train to get to the Immigration, luggage pick-up and then exit. There were no questions from Immigration Officers nor need to show proof of hotel booking like some other airports, just stamp and go.
The drive to Rome’s city center is approximately 35 minutes by taxi with normal traffic. The standard cost for a taxi average at 47/48 € rounded off to 50€. I must warn anyone who plan to take a taxi from the airport to the city, to either ask their hotel to send a driver or use pre-booked pick-ups (booking.com pickups), it may cost you 5€ to 10€ more but for your peace of mind, (continue reading you will see why I suggest this).
You can also use the cheaper options for the bus at 6€ or the train at avg. 12€. However, if you have luggage or young children, a taxi will be the better option because the bus and train station may be a bit far from your hotel and the cobblestone roads can be a bit challenging with heavy suitcases.
I think Rome has the most expensive airport taxi fares in all visited European cities, especially for such short distances. The cost of the taxi to the center should not exceed 50€, no matter what the driver tells you.
DISHONESTY/PRICE "MAFIA" IS HIGH IN ROME
Do not use those taxis in the waiting area in arrivals official or not, you are almost guaranteed to get ripped off.
DISHONEST AIRPORT TAXIS
The taxi I took at the airport was very dishonest. Before leaving the airport I mentioned to the driver that I know the fare is no more than 50 € euro and told him 3 times before getting in his car. Got to the hotel the dishonest taxi more than double the price of the fare and began arguing that this is the fare. I got out and told him I will report him and proceeded to take a photo of his license plate when he saw this he came out the car to return 20€ to appease me because he knew had I called the police he would have been in trouble, but I still got ripped off.
The staff at the hotel told me this happens a lot with visitors and taxis some even pretending they don’t know the area and drive around to cause the meter to run past the permitted fare.
DISHONEST BUSINESSES
On the first day of arrival into Rome, I was over-excited to buy my first ice cream after hearing such good reviews that Italy has the best ice cream. I visited an ice cream shop and bought my first ice cream cone, the man over the counter said 6€, me thinking on the first day and Rome is super-expensive, not knowing this was also a rip-off, that ice cream as just horrible. when I told the front desk staff they were a bit surprised that I paid 6€ for an ice cream cone because they said there is no such price for an ice cream cone in Rome, and were quite displeased by this.
Later that day, I went to 3 different small supermarkets and the price for water varied by as much as triple not because some sold higher than the other but what I quickly realize the prices changed quickly because of 1. I was a visitor and 2. It depended on the country from which I was visiting. One small supermarket I visited I paid 1€ for a 2L bottle of the water, no problem, then on passing another I saw bananas and went to purchase some, I decided to buy another bottle of water… asked the price the guy said “where you from?” being the pleasant person I am and oblivious to this pricing scheme, I said, “the Caribbean” he said “1.50€”. I said, showing him the bottle I just bought I said “I just purchased this and paid 1 euro” and replaced it, he then said “ok 1€”. The 3rd day I went to another supermarket for the exact water the price was 49 cents.
This is the first time I have ever visited a country and seen so much “mafia pricing”. Yes, I know it happens where once you are a tourist in some countries, you either get no discount or the price starts high but this happens more on the street-side markets, not in official stores where the price should remain standard.
STREET HUSTLERS
The same thing goes on the street, some of the guys who sell tickets to get in many of the major sites. The first question was where I am from. I remember one guy asked me where I am from when I asked the price of the ticket to get in the Colosseum tour, I said America, he gave a high price, then I said I am joking, I am from the Caribbean, he then decides to give me a “best” price which was lower, but both were still too high. As I previously mentioned, the need to know which country a person came from before they can tell you the price is ridiculous.
Yes, in this case, it’s not the official ticket booth but hustlers outside working on behalf of official tour companies. I also recalled another guy becoming visibly upset because he kept asking where I am from and I kept asking the price, for the packaged tour his company was offering, (maybe like five or six times we were back and forth, like children), eventually he gave a price and I said thanks and walked away.
WHY AM I SURPRISED!?
Rome surprised me on many levels it’s like the melting pot of a wide cross-section of immigrants from all countries living here, not that it’s a bad thing, but didn’t expect it. The most prominent are Africans, Romanians, Bangladeshis Indians and Pakistanis among others. There a high level of homelessness and beggars everywhere. Many of the streets I observed were dirty also with trash everywhere. I was witness to more than two street fights where I had to quickly get out of the area, almost running.
Although many people said Italy has the best ice creams, it took me a while to find really good tasty ice cream….in Rome…maybe they meant another city in Italy. I tried many shops including one recommended to me by my hotel as the best. I got to this shop and had to wait outside for 20 minutes for it to open at exact noon, there were also a lot of people waiting, so I knew it must be excellent, but sad to say it was just ok ice cream. Later on, I did find 2 other shops that sold really good ice creams as mentioned in my birthday post. Still, I cannot put Rome in my top 5 best ice creams list.
The people of Rome are not as ‘soured-faced’ as some people in other European cities can be the few I encountered were neither here nor there on the friendliness scale, many were chatty and pleasant. Some stood out as being super friendly like Mattia at the front desk from my hotel, always friendly and laughing, really nice Italian. However, because of the immigrant population in Rome, you may not encounter a lot of Italians because of the proliferation of immigrant shops, stores, and restaurants, you are more than likely to be interacting with someone from another country instead of Italians.
The food in Rome is good, but after a while, I was eating Bangladeshi or Turkish food because I’m not a big lover of pasta/cheese dishes every day. The pasta in Rome is served al dente, unlike some restaurants in other countries or even me at home cooking it softer. Ha! Here you much chew your pasta, which I’m thinking is the correct way it should be done.
Even though Rome is an expensive city, shopping is good especially from the street markets. I can recommend it for good deals and prices on clothes gadgets etc.
MY SUGGESTIONS
Here are some key suggestions, for you if you will be travelling to Rome for your vacation.
- Purchase a metro card ASAP (taxis are super expensive).
- Start your days earlier to get the most out of your day site-seeing because the sun sets earlier here around 5ish and rises after 7 am.
- Pre-arrange your airport pick up to your hotel or just use the bus or metro if you don’t have much luggage (even those are expensive) but to avoid being ripped off.
- Walk with your travel umbrella, during the winter months it seems rain is the norm in Europe.
- Visit one of the other cities in Italy by metro (if you have the time) it is efficient but not cheap, but cheaper than flying.
EXPECTATIONS MET?
Maybe for me, my expectations of Rome were a bit too high, especially after reading that it’s the most beautiful city in the world. After/during my 12 days of vacation, I was somewhat disappointed due to the level of dishonesty, saw many street fights, homelessness, etc. and many of the structures were quite beautiful but didn’t wow me.
Rome (Latin Roma) is the capital city of Italy and the Lazio area. It is a city to visit and is the mecca of the Roman empire and history. It once controlled most Europe and lots of the cultures in some of these cities had their genesis in Rome, dating back to Roman times. There are several lovely structures and architectural beauties in this city, the main one, of course, the Colosseum.
SUMMARY OF ROME
My personal view of Rome is that although is a beautiful city it is not the most beautiful I have seen. Maybe because I have been to over 26 European cities/countries and after a while, beautiful architectures don’t do it for me anymore, I think it becomes a bit mundane. I am looking for an overall beautiful experience, a package deal of the best a city can offer, and Rome didn’t do it for me.
For someone visiting Europe for the first time, you will be blown away by Rome for sure, especially if you include Vatican City as part of your overall experience. Vatican City is an independent country (see my post on this) separate and apart from Rome and I did not include it in my assessment of Rome.
I will not discourage anyone from visiting Rome, it’s a must-visit city and your experiences may be quite different than mine if you use some of my tips previously mentioned. I had no incident here as relating to anything untoward, theft, etc. everywhere one looked, police cars and police on patrol were most predominant, but to be honest I never felt safe in Rome.
Would I return to Rome Italy? Sure if the trip is free.
MUST-VISIT SITES
These sites and structures are not to be missed when visiting Rome, for me, they stand out most beautifully and prominently in this great city and should not be missed.
- The Colosseum
- Palatine Hill
- Trevi Fountain
- Tour Ancient Rome and Roman Forum ..with a guide (close to the Colosseum)
- Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (front and back looks like 2 different buildings)
- The hop on hop off bus tour (Rome is a big city)
- Take the Metro to Vatican City
- The Spanish Steps in Spagna area (do not sit on steps you can be fined)
- Trinita dei Monte Church
MUST HAVE ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR ALL TRAVELLERS
These are my essentials and gadgets I can never do without for a smooth and stress-free vacation. All are available on Amazon for direct links to the products and information and suggested uses .
For MUST-READ BOOKS Think and Grow Rich is an excellent book for those who are looking to improve their life and personally grow and develop. How to win friends and Influence people (#Ad) another self improvement and and social skills development read (excellent read …perfect for long airport layovers and during your flight) or during your free time. CLICK HERE for the entire list of travel essentials and uses/descriptions
FLORENCE
I will be very short and direct about Florence. Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region. Florence is irresistible, for me, it has the wow factor. Definitely!! No two ways about saying this. Florence is an absolutely amazing city. Friendly people, gorgeous and intricately designed masterpieces, (unlike what I have seen in other cities) good food and sweet treats.
ITS FAMOUS SANDWICH
There is a famous sandwich restaurant here unlike any other, the street has 3 shops all next to each other and the lines are forever long in the streets on a good day you line up for maybe 40 minutes, during summer I was told the lines are worst and 1 hour plus wait in a line is normal. The sandwich is more like a “Manwich”, so big and meaty and delicious. It takes some time to finish this sandwich, it is an experience not to miss. With the diners sitting on the cold street enjoying and trying to finish their big sandwich. A definite must-do you are in Florence.
FLORENCE HAS MY HEART
Florence lightened my spirits, it is an easy-going city with lots of museums and galleries to enjoy. Nearly a third of the world’s art treasures can be found in Florence. The Ponte Vecchio is a beautiful lake/bridge. This city is lively and clean. Its cobblestone roads are quite enchanting and the vibe is romantic and mellow.
I do love Florence
Will I return and recommend it? YES!
MUST-VISIT SITES
These sites and structures are not to be missed when visiting Florence, for me, they stand out most beautifully and prominently in this great city and should not be missed.
- Piazza del Duomo & Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore
- Basilica de Santa Croce
- Piazzale Michelangelo ( lovely view of the city)
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Cupola del Brunelleschi
- Campanile di Giotto
- Church of Santa Maria Novella
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