Check out Sports Photography section of our forum.
Who's been to Rome, Italy?
Jan 11, 2018 08:03:39 #
On our first trip to Italy, I used a site called Venere.com to find hotels in specific locations. In Rome, we were across the street from the Forum and two blocks from the Collesium. In Florence, we were able to look from the hotel lobby window and see the Duomo (across the street!) The hotels' lobbies were on the second or third floor and were only 95 euros per night. I just checked and it appears that Venere has joined Hotels.com, DAMN! They used to show the city broken up into sections and you chose your hotel based on where you wanted to be. They don't do that anymore.
Transportation: in Rome, look at the city map and decide want you want to see, take a cab to the farthest location and walk back to your hotel. We took a cab to the Borghese Gardens and walked back (this allowed us to see things we might not have seen and we took as much time as needed to sightsee). If you take the train, go first class, it's a few more euros, but it's much less crowded with fewer seats (larger!). We talked to a local in Florence and I'll never forget what he told us: "In America, if you drink and drive, you will be arrested. In Italy, you HAVE to drink to drive!
My avatar is a photo that I took outside my grandparents' home town. I used my 5D II with a 24 - 105 only for the whole trip. The attached photo is one that I took on a side street, outside of a restaurant. I still get emotional while looking at it.
Transportation: in Rome, look at the city map and decide want you want to see, take a cab to the farthest location and walk back to your hotel. We took a cab to the Borghese Gardens and walked back (this allowed us to see things we might not have seen and we took as much time as needed to sightsee). If you take the train, go first class, it's a few more euros, but it's much less crowded with fewer seats (larger!). We talked to a local in Florence and I'll never forget what he told us: "In America, if you drink and drive, you will be arrested. In Italy, you HAVE to drink to drive!
My avatar is a photo that I took outside my grandparents' home town. I used my 5D II with a 24 - 105 only for the whole trip. The attached photo is one that I took on a side street, outside of a restaurant. I still get emotional while looking at it.
Jan 11, 2018 08:15:49 #
Rome, in my opinion, is the most beautiful city in the world. I worked there for two years in 1978/79 and fell in love with it. The major photo attractions have been already mentioned but don't overlook all the wonders in the back streets and alleys where you will stumble across a myriad of photo ops. Besides the obvious historic photo ops you will also find some incredible examples of modern architecture and other examples of fine Italian design. The neighborhood at the base of the Spanish Stairs is Rome's high-end shopping area when the likes of Gucci, Valentino, Armani, etc. have shops. Their storefronts are exquisitely designed ultra modern juxtaposed into 16th century buildings and are breathtaking; as are the people you will see in that neighborhood.
One of my favorite 'out-of-town' spots was Orvieto. It's a little medieval town sitting on top of a bluff, surrounded by vineyards, with a fabulous cathedral at it's center. You can get there by taking a fairly short train ride from Rome then it's walking distance (a few miles) from the train station.
Enjoy!
One of my favorite 'out-of-town' spots was Orvieto. It's a little medieval town sitting on top of a bluff, surrounded by vineyards, with a fabulous cathedral at it's center. You can get there by taking a fairly short train ride from Rome then it's walking distance (a few miles) from the train station.
Enjoy!
Jan 11, 2018 08:24:22 #
steve49
Loc: massachusetts
the Vatican is a don't miss for sure and the Vatican museum of course also.
Check out Street Photography section of our forum.
Jan 11, 2018 08:28:20 #
steve49
Loc: massachusetts
we also stayed a few nights in Orvieto.
beautiful small hilltown.
be aware that the train will stop there for about 15 seconds because very few people disembark there...
how do i know? we were moving toward the door when the train " stopped" for probably 15 seconds and then pulled out.
we had to get off at the next stop and come back.
just be aware. there is a funicular right from the train station up to the town.
beautiful small hilltown.
be aware that the train will stop there for about 15 seconds because very few people disembark there...
how do i know? we were moving toward the door when the train " stopped" for probably 15 seconds and then pulled out.
we had to get off at the next stop and come back.
just be aware. there is a funicular right from the train station up to the town.
Jan 11, 2018 08:28:48 #
No one seems to have mentioned the hop-on-hop-off tour busses that hit all the major sections of the city. I recommend looking at the Raffaello Hotel. In a good location on a side street with local restaurants.
Jan 11, 2018 08:30:33 #
Ed Chu
Loc: Las Vegas NV
stayed at the Astoria Garden Hotel, about 2 blocks from Rome Termini main train station; noticed there was a Best Western across the street from the side ( widely-used ) entrance of the station; learned to use the train and subway; for 1.5 Euro you can travel all day - they connect; seems the the train goes north-south and the train, east-west; took the train to Osteria Antica ( 30 min away, well worth the trip; very easy to use the train; English speaking people on hand to help you buy the ticket at the self-service machine ( kind of like self-checkout at the food store: they've basically done it for you by the time they have shown you ); too the train to Florence, then on to Venice; very easy
Jan 11, 2018 08:31:12 #
Check out Sports Photography section of our forum.
Jan 11, 2018 08:32:01 #
LA
Loc: Little Rock, AR
Amen to getting tickets to Vatican and Colosseum online while you're still at home. THEN, use your Vatican visit to get into St. Peter's. If you don't, you will likely be faced with an hours-long wait in the longest line you have even seen, depending on when you go. That was the situation for us in November a few years ago and it's likely to be worse now. Here's how you do it. Use your Vatican ticket (order your ticket for admission NOT at the end of the day) first. The route you take ends at the Sistine Chapel (of course). Instead of following the arrows back out the door you used to enter by chapel to the exit, go to the end of the chapel opposite where you entered. You will notice some people exiting there...these are the tour groups whose guides know the ropes. Blend in with them and exit there and you will find yourself magically in St. Peter's. It is just about the best travel tip I've ever heard of. Saves you HOURS. At least this was the deal the last time we were there a few years ago. The tip was in Rick Steves' books so you could check a current version to see whether this still works. Or maybe someone here has more recent experience.
Jan 11, 2018 08:32:09 #
Ed Chu
Loc: Las Vegas NV
for 240 Euro my fiancee and I hired a private driver for 5 hours; took us all over; would park the car, say at Spanish Steps; when we returned to car we moved on to next spot
Jan 11, 2018 08:45:48 #
LouV
Loc: Juno Beach, FL
You’ve gotten many good recs for sights to see so I’ll add that many of your best pictures will not be famous sights but, rather, ordinary street life: the chestnut vendor on the street, a 4 man band busking, lovers on the Spanish Steps, etc. Rome is such a beautiful and photo-rich environment it’s pretty much impossible to not get great pics.
I concur that a wide angle zoom is key. It’s a dense city so you often simply won’t be able to get far enough from you subject to capture it all otherwise. A medium telephoto will be great for candid street shots.
As to all the warnings, yes, any big city poses risks but I have to say we never once felt unsafe anywhere we went and were not bothered by gypsies or anyone else. I did witness a man trying to pick someone’s pocket in the Sistine Chapel. It was body to body and everyone was looking up so it was a perfect opportunity. I yelled at him and he stopped. So, yes, be cautious but certainly not fearful.
Finally, I’d recommend avoiding the restaurants in any of the big Piazzas. They’re great for people watching but tend to be tourist traps. Much better food at much better prices can be had in almost any side street or alley.
Enjoy! I’m sure you’ll have a great time. I wish I were going with you.
I concur that a wide angle zoom is key. It’s a dense city so you often simply won’t be able to get far enough from you subject to capture it all otherwise. A medium telephoto will be great for candid street shots.
As to all the warnings, yes, any big city poses risks but I have to say we never once felt unsafe anywhere we went and were not bothered by gypsies or anyone else. I did witness a man trying to pick someone’s pocket in the Sistine Chapel. It was body to body and everyone was looking up so it was a perfect opportunity. I yelled at him and he stopped. So, yes, be cautious but certainly not fearful.
Finally, I’d recommend avoiding the restaurants in any of the big Piazzas. They’re great for people watching but tend to be tourist traps. Much better food at much better prices can be had in almost any side street or alley.
Enjoy! I’m sure you’ll have a great time. I wish I were going with you.
Jan 11, 2018 08:48:32 #
Rome is a wonderful place to visit. History abounds on every street. Except watch your belongings. Get a camera strap that has a steel cable running through it. Wear a money belt. The gypsies will rob you. They will also crowd you on buses and trains.
Check out Astronomical Photography Forum section of our forum.
Jan 11, 2018 09:00:05 #
Satman
Loc: Indy
Money belt, stay in city center, lot if walking,
Forget the driving, where would you park..
Bring a spare camera,,
Best time is getting up early and watching the area come alive,,
Forget the driving, where would you park..
Bring a spare camera,,
Best time is getting up early and watching the area come alive,,
Jan 11, 2018 09:03:27 #
Central Rome is fairly compact and easy to walk around in. I agree that it is safe to walk around in at night although my rental car was broken into in front of our hotel near the train station. Tons of photo ops everywhere. Contrary to some suggestions, I would not recommend driving within Rome, walk or take a taxi. We were in Italy for two weeks, driving a rental, and went to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast (Poisitano was amazing), Venice (exceeded all of my expectations) and Florence. Enjoy!
Jan 11, 2018 09:03:53 #
Central Rome is fairly compact and easy to walk around in. I agree that it is safe to walk around in at night although my rental car was broken into in front of our hotel near the train station. Tons of photo ops everywhere. Contrary to some suggestions, I would not recommend driving within Rome, walk or take a taxi. We were in Italy for two weeks, driving a rental, and went to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast (Poisitano was amazing), Venice (exceeded all of my expectations) and Florence. Enjoy!
Jan 11, 2018 09:13:57 #
02Nomad - What are the metal plaques embedded in the paving stones? Why did they make you emotional? I apologize that I don’t speak or read Italian, but it is a language I have always admired. /Ralph
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out True Macro-Photography Forum section of our forum.