In Love with Rome Italy

[Freestone]

I have given serious thought to living in Rome for a year, maybe starting next year.

My Italian friends are discouraging, claiming it is too chaotic. Americans tend to go to Florence with its layers of culture but pastoral beauty, though I wonder if it isn't big enough . Venice - having been there 3 or 4 times, is too much of a museum and not really a true city to me - the old part of course. Milan too organized though the Four Seasons is great to stay at. Southern Italy - Naples etc - I couldn't handle.

Rome - I love it if one could meet the right groups to feel like a non tourist.

[JohnK]

Sigh. My first trip to Rome in the early nineties - arrived early (overnight flight from the East coast). Hotel room wasn't ready - just left and started walking around. No maps, no itinerary. Hey, let's try this street...look at the skyline, the cupolas, the domes. We were at the top of the Spanish Steps, with Trinita dei Monti at our backs! A little more wandering, perhaps an espresso here and there, what's that noise? Sounds like water? Let's go see - Fontana di Trevi.

I think sometimes just wandering around without a plan is the best way to see a city. If you are so intent on getting "there" you can miss everything else along the way.

Anyway we've been back to Rome many times - sometimes in that city only, other times on the way in or way out of other places, for a few nights each time. We've rented apartments in Trastevere the last few times there, and that's the way to do it. Live like a local, go to the markets, hang your laundry out on the clothesline between buildings, enjoy a glass of wine or apperitivo during happy hour.

Oh, and and look for signs and posters for musical or other cultural events. One time we spied an ad for a concert - string quartet - playing in the oldest (or only?) Anglican church in Rome. A modest entrance fee. We were perhaps 6 meters from the quartet, playing music in the type of space it was meant to be played! Another time I deciphered an ad on the side of a bus "entre libre, piazza di popolo, james taylor". WHAT, James Taylor, outdoors in that breathtaking setting, no charge, no tickets!?!? Our hotel was around the corner and while we could hear from the rooftop deck, we had to be part of the event. So down we went... what a feeling.

I am going through withdrawal, it's been just over a year since my last time there...which reminds me, I think I need re-up my TIM account to keep my 39-338 cell number...

[Gogolak]

What to say? I don't know how many romans are here on AA.
From my point of view, I can say that not a day goes by I do not happen to discover a new vision of this wonderful city. I live in the ancient downtown. No matter the traffic, the chaotic crowd, the lack of public services.
No plans, just live.
Everyday I'm happier to be born and to live here.
My son attends an American-British school here. I can assure you that the American community of Rome live beautifully.

@John: Holler if you need an help with your TIM account.

[Alberto]

I was born and raised in Rome. Wonderful city to visit, perhaps to retire, but I am not so sure I'd move back to Italy, or recommend it to anyone else, if I had to work there. Everything is more complicated and chaotic. Not to mention that there is rampant nepotism and hierarchy that make it VERY hard, not impossible but VERY hard, to be as entrepreneurial as you can be in the US.

If I had to work in Italy, I'd consider one of the much smaller towns and provinces.

But when it comes to culture, food, sights and overall beauty, I am with you 100% it's hard to beat Rome.

Here's a video homage to the music of "Roma Capoccia" which loosely translates to "Roma The Boss". The song is by a true 'romano' Antonello Venditti.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZLnGNrsCYg]Roma Capoccia - Antonello Venditti - YouTube[/ame]

Alberto

[Ritmo]

Enjoy Rome! A wonderful city full of history, architecture and art.

Make sure to have some good vino, pasta and gelato!

Mike

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by Freestone

I have given serious thought to living in Rome for a year, maybe starting next year.

My Italian friends are discouraging, claiming it is too chaotic. Americans tend to go to Florence with its layers of culture but pastoral beauty, though I wonder if it isn't big enough . Venice - having been there 3 or 4 times, is too much of a museum and not really a true city to me - the old part of course. Milan too organized though the Four Seasons is great to stay at. Southern Italy - Naples etc - I couldn't handle.

Rome - I love it if one could meet the right groups to feel like a non tourist.

Genoa is a marvellously eclectic place, vibrant and full of rough-edged style that often gets missed by tourists. Great food too!

[LordoftheRingsEE]

Originally Posted by radio times

Agree with Rome, I didn't want to leave the place, Florence and the nearby towns as well. I've got an Italian bike, had an Italian girlfriend, love their sports cars and bikes, and the odd film director too.

-----Sounds like a good recipe.

[trek737]

Still in Love with Rome!

Arrived Saturday and saw some sites and dinned outside at a place called Il Vineto at the Plazzo Barberini. A bottle of wine with pasta and lobster and it was marvelous!

Sunday my parents arrived and we met our friends on their balcony over looking the entire city with a bottle of champagne at the Intercontinental hotel on the 7th floor by the Piazza Di Spagna. Then a tour guide showed up to give us a private tour of the city at night! Then later that evening back at our hotel the Rome Cavalieri, after the fire works from the Vatican had finished, I surprised my wife for our anniversary with a new a Rolex watch.

Monday I had a photographer and a driver give me a private photo tour of the sites at 4:00 am!. It was incredible as I brought my camera bag with lenses and Nikon and tripod at shot the city! Later we all had a guide takes to the Vatican.

Today was a tour of the Coliseum and Anicient Rome!

I do not want to leave but tomorrow we are off to Venice!

Cheers

[chessman]

Originally Posted by trek737

Still in Love with Rome!

Arrived Saturday and saw some sites and dinned outside at a place called Il Vineto at the Plazzo Barberini. A bottle of wine with pasta and lobster and it was marvelous!

Sunday my parents arrived and we met our friends on their balcony over looking the entire city with a bottle of champagne at the International hotel on the 7th floor by the Piazza Di Spagna. Then a tour guide showed up to give us a private tour of the city at night! That night at the hotel after the fire works from the Vatican finished, I surprised my wife for our anniversary with a new a Rolex watch.

Monday I had a photographer and a driver give me a private photo tour of the sites at 4:00 am!. It was incredible as I brought my camera bag with lenses and Nikon and tripod at shot the city! Later we all had a guide takes to the Vatican.

Today was a tour of the Coliseum and Anicient Rome!

I do not want to leave but tomorrow we are off to Venice!

Cheers

Jim, now that is how it's done!

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by trek737

Still in Love with Rome!

Arrived Saturday and saw some sites and dinned outside at a place called Il Vineto at the Plazzo Barberini. A bottle of wine with pasta and lobster and it was marvelous!

Sunday my parents arrived and we met our friends on their balcony over looking the entire city with a bottle of champagne at the International hotel on the 7th floor by the Piazza Di Spagna. Then a tour guide showed up to give us a private tour of the city at night! That night at the hotel after the fire works from the Vatican finished, I surprised my wife for our anniversary with a new a Rolex watch.

Monday I had a photographer and a driver give me a private photo tour of the sites at 4:00 am!. It was incredible as I brought my camera bag with lenses and Nikon and tripod at shot the city! Later we all had a guide takes to the Vatican.

Today was a tour of the Coliseum and Anicient Rome!

I do not want to leave but tomorrow we are off to Venice!

Cheers

Jim
No way am I allowing my wife to see this Post. You have set the bar far too high.