Rome

Been meaning to post this for a couple of days but keep forgetting -- I'm going to Rome and Florence next week (leaving Sunday, back the following Sunday) with my girlfriend, booked it a while ago, found a relatively cheap flight, wondering if anyone reading has been to Rome and/or Florence and has any tips -- things to see, places to eat, things to avoid, things the guidebooks say are awesome that are actually not, or vice versa.  Anything like that.  Imagining Rome at Christmas should be kind of cool... although somewhat concerned that nothing will be open and we'll have to make our own pasta dinner out of shoelaces.

Expecting it'll give me all sorts of interesting things to blog about, for a change.

In other non-news, now looks like I probably won't hear about the sitcom pilot stuff until after the holidays.

Comments

[anon]

I've been to Rome and Florence during the Holidays and the good new is you can get food- the bad news is that it will be food for tourists which isn't that good. Loved Florence, but you have a better chance at things being open in Rome. There used to be a B and B owned by an American woman and her italian husband in Florence that was nicely situated.

Other than that, you must see the Iffuzi (spelling?) gallery and the Michaelangelo as it is not overrated. Used to be some uncompleted sculpture there that had not yet been authenticated as Michaelangelo that was incredible. Just get there early- it's the difference between having some peace with great art and standing next to an annoying tourist trying to take flash photos. It's incredible; annoying tourists must sleep late. So, get up early, take a nap in the afternoon and stay out late and avoid the rush.

Oh-- and you must see the floating Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit as some of the notebooks of his dont' leave italy.

A trip to Murano on the water bus is interesting if you like glass at all. Don't buy it on the mainland as it is too expensive.

[Catherine]

Was in Florence in June 05. Stayed at the Orto de Medici hotel, which was great - reasonable and near to most things. Very near there is a restaurant called Mimmo - they have the best bean salads we had in Italy. I also loved http://www.ristorantelagiostra.com/ la Giostra, but it's more expensive, and maybe touristy? There were lots of tourists there but I thought the food was great.

The Santa Croce church was, I thought, the most beautiful.

Have fun :)

[David]

Jeremy, this comment actually should belong in your previous post but I wanted to get your recommendation. Did you read any social science books this year about marketing and consumerism? I just saw an interesting Frontline special about how advertisers try to get through the "clutter" of ads and reach buyers. And here I go looking to buy a book about it! Ha.

[Jessica]

I lived in Rome for 6 months and have been to Florence 3 or 4 times. Of course, do not miss The Vatican Museums or St. Peter's Basilica (entry to which comes with the Museum tour). The Roman forum is also really fascinating and worth a walk through. I know this will meet with objection, but I didn't think the Colleseum was that great. Seeing it from the outside satisfied my curiosity, and you end up waiting hours to go inside, which is not very ineteresting and has been picked clean by hundreds of generations of Romans. The food in Rome is great, but try to get out of the old historical center - you'll pay so much more. And also, don't try to eat dinner before 8:00. It's seen as gauche and border line rude. (Learned that the hard way.) In Florence, definitely the Uffizi, the Accademia (to see the David and the other Michelangelos. Also, the most fun meal I've EVER had was at "Il Lattini," a restaurant in Florence. Find it in a guidebook and call NOW for reservations (finding someone who speaks Italian is best), show up early, throw some elbows to make sure you get in, and you will have an absolutely amazing experience! Have a great time, Jeremy! Arrivaderci!

[lobbyist]

If you have time and its not too cold, do a bike trip. There is a company called I bike Italy and they have 2 or 3 day (as well as longer) trips around Florence. You can bike all morning (they carry your stuff) and see the countryside and then have a great lunch in cute out of the way places, and either bike or ride to the town where you will sleep. It was the highlight of my trip. Not too taxing, and the best food. We left from Florence and returned there as well, and hadnt made prior plans to do it -- we just called when we got there. Have fun.

[JD]

Been to Rome and Florence both many times for work. For your first time in Rome, of course, see the Roman history things, the Vatican museums, and also try your best to get to the Roman synagogue. It's beautiful, and an interesting part of town. Also, try to get to St. Paul Outside the Walls--the most architecturally interesting of the major Roman basilicas. Also see the Basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian. The floor has been raised several times, so the ceiling mosaics are very close, and therefore, very interesting.

In Florence, of course, the gellato is far better then in Rome. Il Doumo, of course, and the Uffizi, etc, but...make sure you see the Fra Angelico frescoes and altarpieces.

Enjoy, hang out, have late dinner and only order tiramisu in the afternoon--by evening, its soggy.

[Emily]

My favorite museum in Rome is the Borghese museum. It isn't very large but it's in a beautiful space and has several lovely Bernini sculptures. It's almost not like a museum at all because much of the art IS the walls, etc (may be the original frescoes of the house, I can't remember). I am not describing it well - you should definitely go. You need to reserve to get in (they let you in for a two hour chunk only, and it does fill up) and your girlfriend should be aware that they will require her to check her purse for security reasons (was bombed several years ago).

[RamonGustav]

Do you have a viable business but lack the necessary finances to get it off it’s feet?

[Antivirus_man]

The new year is already knocking at the door, let it will bring only happiness and joy.