{"id":17297,"date":"2014-04-11T02:37:58","date_gmt":"2014-04-11T02:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=17297"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:39:58","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:39:58","slug":"tips-for-when-in-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/tips-for-when-in-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for when in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/Rome.d179899.Destination-Travel-Guides\">Rome<\/a> is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world. Its natural beauty, historical significance, and amazing food make the city worthy of any traveler\u2019s bucket list.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">My first trip to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/Rome-Hotels.d179899.Travel-Guide-Hotels\">Rome<\/a> was an excursion from our incredible Mediterranean adventure with <a href=\"http:\/\/cruise.expedia.com\/search5.aspx?cat=Popular&amp;eapid=0&amp;states=&amp;dyr=999&amp;tpid=1&amp;cl=Carnival+Cruise+Lines&amp;ad=2&amp;ch=0&amp;drd=&amp;dp=&amp;ds=&amp;dr=\">Carnival Cruise Lines<\/a>. I liken the experience to that of a first grader experiencing Disney for the first time\u2014stimulation overload! To assist my fellow travelers in making the most of their experience, I put together a few tips for first-time travelers to Rome. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Packing<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Comfortable shoes<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">. Exploring Rome will require a significant amount of walking so it\u2019s probably not a good idea to try to break in a brand new pair of shoes. There\u2019s no point in looking great if you\u2019re feeling miserable.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Sunscreen<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">. Even though you\u2019re not at the beach, you\u2019ll want to pack sunscreen. Rome is the city of romance so don\u2019t let sunburn ruin your romantic moments.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Umbrella<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">. It always pays to be prepared for rain, and it also is nice to have your own portable shade.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Toilet paper<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">It\u2019s not that they don\u2019t have toilet paper in Rome\u2014they do. The problem: Most of the local T.P. is the consistency of the colorful tissue paper you\u2019d use to put in a gift bag. Europeans claim that Americans are spoiled. When it comes to toilet paper, I am guilty as charged.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Camera<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">. You\u2019re going to Rome, of course you&#8217;ll want to be able to capture some pictures of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/Colosseum-Rome.d502479.Vacation-Attraction\">Colosseum<\/a> and other iconic sights<\/span><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">. While you\u2019re at it, you may want to make sure you have a few extra data cards and batteries, just in case you need them.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"small-width-image-container lansdscape-7e2d35a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"landscape-7e2d35a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\" src=\"\/images\/default-source\/user-midlife-road-trip\/rome-content2-[size_512x290].jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Title\">\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Money<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are plenty of places where you can exchange currency in Rome, but the exchange rates are pretty steep, particularly around the more popular tourist attractions. It\u2019s best to do a little research and exchange your currency before leaving home.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Also, be sure you have some coins. Pay toilets are the norm throughout Europe so unless you have a really strong bladder, it\u2019s a good idea to keep some Euro coins with you as you explore the city.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Getting around<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Metro<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">. Rome\u2019s Metro public transportation system is an inexpensive way to get around town. It can be quite crowded at times, so study the system map to make sure you getting on the right train and getting off at the right stop.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Taxi<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">. Taxis are the quickest way to get from one destination to another in Rome. Unfortunately, they also are the most expensive. If you do take a taxi, get dining suggestions from the cab driver. Locals always know best.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Hop-On, Hop-Off Buses<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">. The double-decker, hop-on, hop-off buses are a fun way to get around town, as most routes pass by every major tourist attraction. Purchase a pass for however many days you\u2019re planning on being in the city and you can use the buses as many times as you like. Headphones are provided so that you can listen to a guided tour in several different languages.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">On Foot<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">. Walking is always my favorite way to explore a city. It is the best strategy to immerse yourself into local culture and experience what a city is really like.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">How to dress<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For the most part, casual attire is the norm in Rome. Of course if you\u2019re going to a fancy restaurant or an Italian Opera you\u2019ll want to dress accordingly. Be aware that the dress code in the Vatican and churches is strictly enforced\u2014no short skirts, exposed shoulders, plunging necklines, or clothing that might say or depict anything offensive.<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Tourist Attractions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lines can be long for some of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome, so if there are particular spots you\u2019d like to visit, be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time whenever possible. Some of the attractions that sell tickets in advance (or accept reservations) include the Colosseum, the Forum, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/Borghese-Gallery-Rome.d6158494.Vacation-Attraction\">Borghese Gallery<\/a>. Who wants to spend precious vacation hours waiting in line?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dining<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dining in Rome is an experience you\u2019ll want to savor\u2014literally and figuratively. Expect service to be at a leisurely pace. You can find equally satisfying food at much lower prices away from the main tourist attractions.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Most restaurants charge a \u201csitting fee\u201d if you are dining in. Waiters will bring you tantalizing bread, olive oil and bruschetta, but unlike the tortilla chips served at your favorite Mexican restaurant, these appetizers will show up on your bill even though you did not order them. Waiters are not in a hurry to \u201cturn the tables\u201d and will not bring your bill until you ask for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"full-width-image-container lansdscape-9c2e35a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\">\n<div class=\"full-width-image-shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"full-width-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"landscape-9c2e35a7-50ee-63e1-bbde-ff000073f150\" src=\"\/images\/default-source\/user-midlife-road-trip\/rometips-content4-[size_1230x470].png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Souvenirs\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t normally give advice on souvenirs because I rarely purchase them. But in a small gift shop near the Vatican, I purchased a \u201cPopener,\u201d a bottle opener bearing the likeness of the Pope. I was hoping that it might turn a bottle of soda into wine. It did not. Still, everybody to whom I showed it wanted one. For only two Euros, you can\u2019t go wrong with a \u201cPopener.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Selecting gelato<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Eating gelato in Rome should be on everyone\u2019s bucket list. An Italian friend advised me to select a gelateria based on the color of its pistachio gelato. In most places it is bright green, but pistachio gelato made with fresh, natural ingredients is always light brownish-green in color. Consider this your inside scoop.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">What are your tips for making the most of Rome?<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Planning ahead to make the best of a vacation to Italy&apos;s capital<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":12543,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1809,1782,1816,1875,1780,1788,1845,1774,1800,1846,1818,1781,1776],"tags":[],"authors":[2221],"class_list":["post-17297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-destinations","category-food-and-drink","category-history","category-inspiration","category-interests","category-italy","category-occasions-and-seasons","category-romance","category-rome","category-summer","category-travel-tips","category-type-of-vacation","authors-rick-sandi-griffin-mckenna","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Tips for when in Rome | Expedia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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