Travel Tips and FAQ


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


HOTELS:


I do not get into individual hotel recommendations. I will always say to stay near the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, Jewish Quarter...especially if you have kids. Beyond that, I do not have any advice. Stay near Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps if you like high-end shopping and high-end restaurants. Hotels near Saint Peters/Vatican tends to be cheaper, but it is too far from everything (this is why it is cheaper). Also cheap but not advised - hotels near Termini train station. Use Booking.com and try to find something near the sites I mention.


WEATHER:


July and August are very, very hot, even at night.

http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp?locCode=LII7&zipCode=443336728553


MONEY:


Rome (most of Italy) is very cash oriented.  Since Covid, credit cards are becoming more accepted, but it is not like the US or UK - you will need Euro cash. 


In my opinion, the best way to get it is to clear your ATM and/or credit cards for international use.  This means calling your banks before you fly and telling them you will be traveling so they don’t lock your card for “potential fraud.”  Ask them if there is a particular bank with whom they partner, in Italy.  You will also need to know your PINs. 


Here ATM’s are called “Bancomat”, and they often have a limit of 250E per day.  I would suggest the ones attached to a *bank* and not the ones that proclaim to be 'cash machines' (written in English) - they are rip off machines just like the exchange places of old (and gosh, please try to avoid them!)  Also “ATM’s” tend to be rip offs, too.  English = bad.  Best to stick with the “Bancomat,” they have an English screen option.


Exchange places - especially at the airport - are a huge rip off.  If you must use one, try to find one that says, “no commission.”  No one uses traveler's checks anymore.  Most hotels do not exchange money anymore either, and if they do, the rate is bad.


Keep your cash safe.  Rome and Naples are notorious for pickpockets, but it can happen anywhere.


TIPPING:


For taxis round up to the next Euro.  If the fare is already at say 10.60, it’s ok to give 11, but I like to give 11.50.   For restaurants, Italians give 1E per person.  I know it seems shocking.  The max you should give is 10%.  Check the bill to see if they have already charged you a “coperta” (cover) before you factor in how much extra to leave.  One time we got hit with 35E for “bread.”


WATER:


Hotel and public water is perfectly safe to drink.  No ifs ands or buts.  It is absolutely

ok for everyone to drink and you are wasting your money if you don’t.  In fact there are free fountains all over the city, notice the Romans drinking from even the ones that look scruffy.  Buy one water bottle when you arrive and refill for free to your heart’s delight the rest of the time.











BATHROOMS:


Bathrooms are called w.c (means water closet), toilette, bagno. There are some public ones (run by AMA), they cost 1E and are the best thing that has happened to this city in a while. These pay toilets are also common at train stations - be prepared with small change, or usually there is a change machine near.  It feels weird to pay, but these bathrooms are actually kept up better than most. 


If there are no public bathrooms, you can use the ones at bars.  It is considered proper to buy something from the bar if you want to use their bathroom. Do not be surprised if your toilet does not have a seat.  Toilet paper is a rarity, as is soap.  Even at some restaurants. Bring tissues and hand gel to be safe.


COMMUNICATIONS:


Wireless - it’s improving but don‘t count on it.  I agree wholeheartedly with the idea of “turning off” while on vacation.  That said, clearing your cell phones for international use will make your life, and the tours, much easier.  I-messages work well and or WhatsApp.


TAXIS:


Taxis have laws and regulations, but many drivers don’t abide by them. Official cabs are white with SPQR painted on them. Do NOT get in a car with the English-speaking hawkers inside the airport - have your hotel book you a driver who will be waiting with a sign when you exit customs, or if you must, get in the taxi line, there is a fixed rate of 50 euro, but most of the FCO taxi drivers are vultures.  I repeat - Have your hotel book a driver for you.


Do not get in a cab whose driver does not turn on the meter (this happens often at Colosseum and St Peter’s).  The starting price on the meter varies by day or night or holiday (Sundays are considered holidays).  Tip - round up to the next euro.  If you feel super generous (and he/she seemed honest), add a full euro.


Practicing Italian is a great idea, but when it comes to taxis. I think it is better to keep the business card of your hotel or apartment with you at all times and just show it to the driver.  Then he can’t drive around claiming to be lost because of your bad pronunciation.


PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:


Because taxis are not alway honest, get used to walking or taking the metro or bus.  Unlike other major metropolitan cities, the metro does not cover many parts of Rome - the bus does.  It can be confusing, but kinda fun.  You can get single use, daily, multi-day or weekly passes - see the “Getting Around” page and link.


Metro tickets are available in the station, but tickets for busses and trams are not always available on the bus itself - ideally you need to find a tobacco shop beforehand.  Look for the sign with a Blue or Black background and a white “T.”  Ask for “Biglietto ATAC, per favore.”  1.50E each.  You can use the tickets anytime during your stay,

just validate them when you get on the bus or tram.  A single pass is good for 100 minutes from the time you validate (stamp) it.


We now have electronic tickets, too!


Locals never use Uber (more expensive than taxis), but we do have a great app called “FreeNow” - I would download it asap, especially if you are staying in an airB&B in which there is no one to call a cab for you.









STORES:


Most stores are open in the morning, take a long lunch break and then reopen around 3:30 or 4 til 8pm.  In the more touristy areas, some stores will stay open also “through lunch” and/or even later than 8pm.


If you are paying for something at a shop and someone asks you something in Italian you don’t understand, they are probably asking for exact change.  They do not get the bank rolls that workers do in the US.  Exact change is always appreciated.  If you don’t have it, you might end up waiting 5 minutes while he tries to find change down the street.


We have lots of street vendors, and some of them have interesting stuff.  Many stores are closed on Saturday afternoon, Sunday and or Monday morning (but less so in high tour season or in the tourist center).  Sales are July and January.


RESTAURANT HOURS:


Roman people eat dinner much later than Americans.  Most good restaurants do not open until 8pm.  That said many restaurants are starting to cater to tourists with earlier opening times and doing 2 seatings (7pm tourist seating early, followed by locals). If you don’t see anyone there, it’s because locals don’t come til 9pm or later. You can find pizza or other less formal food when you want. 


One great option for early dining is the aperitivo.  For the cost of one glass of wine, beer or a cocktail many restaurants have a version of happy hour with a buffet of food included. Quality varies, but it is almost always better than chicken wings and baby hot dogs :-) and at some places this 7-10E could serve as your dinner.  Great people-watching opportunity as well. 


Lastly, don’t expect them to automatically bring the check, you need to ask for it .  For other tips see the Eats section of the site.


Stuff you can do on your own for which you do not need a private guide

(in fact they are only run in groups):


  1. -Colosseum Night tour which includes the much sought after underground access

  2. -Saint Peter’s underground tour aka Scavi (email in advance)

  3. -Palazzo Valentini archaeological projections/virtual reality (ticketed)

  4. -Night Sound and Light shows at the Imperial Forums (ticketed)

  5. -Catacombs (3 on the Appian Way, or Priscilla or Agnese - hours 9-12, 2-5)

  6. -Domus Aurea hard hat tour (ticketed)

  7. -Welcome to Rome “museum” with some VR (walk up ok)

  8. -Nymphaeum Museum at Piazza Vittorio (reservations better)

  9. -VR Bus (leaves from Piazza Venezia) (walk up might be ok)

  10. -Chamber of Commerce free movie at the Temple of Hadrian (walk up ok)

  11. -Augustus’ Tomb (temporarily closed)

  12. -Wednesday morning Audience with the Pope or Sunday Noon Papal Blessing

  13. -Circus Maximus “experience” - with VR goggles (walk up ok)


There are also nice markets at Testaccio (open through lunchtime/2pm, every day but Sunday) and on Saturdays and Sundays, a great farmers market near Circus Maximus.


TICKETS:


We can get them in advance for you if and when you book a related private tour.  All tickets are skip the line. Of course.


FILMS and BOOKS FOR YOUR TRIP:


See the “About Laura” page!















Email: Info@RomanHolidayTours.com.  Italian cell: +39-347-076-2480.  Skype: LauraWeinstein.



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