Preparing for a trip to Rome
Everyone keeps telling me how beautiful Rome is. And I am not doubting this. But I can’t really comment on it. I have never been (yes I can’t quite believe I am saying that either)… well actually not true.
I took a flight to and from Rome last year for a meeting nearby, however other than the airport and train station I have not seen a thing, so it does not count
Don’t get me wrong, I have been to Italy before… just not to Rome… well actually not just Rome… I’ve also never been to Venice, Milan or Sicily… to name just a few.
Somehow the husband was never keen on visiting Italy, so we’ve neglected it for quite some time.
But what is not to love about Italy? Sunshine, pasta, gelato, espresso and red wine. What could possibly go wrong? (well other than one being on a calorie controlled low carb diet…)
In June we went for a couple of days to Bologna, as our niece was studying there at the time. And really enjoyed it.
So when it came to deciding on the destination for our late summer trip, we eventually decided on Rome (not an easy one this time… somehow the choice of destinations ranged from a cottage in Cornwall to a trip to Canada and the Niagara falls… how we settled on Rome I can’t quite recall).
So six nights in Rome it will be… hopefully with still a high chance of decent sunshine. Just three weeks to go.
As always, preparation is key. You want to make sure you get the most out of Rome and its sights.
How to prepare for your Rome trip (or any city trip really)
- Get a travel guide and make a list of all the things you want to see.
- Check the websites and get your tickets well in advance (which usually gives you the best price and also guaranteed entrance if things get busy).
- Check insider tips, so you don’t just walk the beaten track and see the main attractions.
- Check restaurant recommendations for the best local cuisine
- Download apps for public transport and sightseeing
- Check if any interesting plays, concerts or events are on during your stay
- Work out how best to get from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to anywhere else and what ticket is required.
So far so good. All the best intentions. And it sure sounds as if I know what I am doing…
But this is where reality kicks in and hits hard.
How I actually prepare for my Rome trip (and any other city trip)
- I will buy a travel guide or two (in addition to the two already sitting on my night stand, which I picked up at my parents last month…. However they are 10 years old (the guides, not my parents obviously) and probably a little out of date)… but then I will run out of time and won’t actually read them. Or skim through them during the flight… as usual. I will however carry them all around Rome, so by the time we come back, they will look well used… even if I didn’t get past page three.
- I will totally forget to check and book any tickets upfront, to frantically do that the minute we arrive in Rome.
- Once hungry we will desperately check Tripadvisor to work out where to go for food… to then completely ignore the recommendation and go for the first thing we fancy (or first thing in sight, as by then we are starving and crumpy).
- I will change my location on CityMapper to Rome, so that it can hopefully help me get around (if Rome is on CityMapper that is, which I haven’t check yet… obviously … so fingers crossed).
- The one thing I will check (probably before my flight, waiting at Heathrow) is how to get from the airport to the hotel…. Even though there is a high chance the answer is ‘just take a cab’.
So you see, I totally fail preparing for any city trip. Despite the best intentions. I count down the days until I go on holiday, but at the same time it will come as a total surprise and I will be completely unprepared.
