When in Rome ...

RE: When in Rome ...

Julie Innes — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 13:40:33 GMT

Another memory of Rome: the most terrifying taxi ride I have ever taken! No high adrenaline Alton Towers ride would beat it! High speed, narrow misses, up on pavements, lots of shouting and gesticulating, narrow streets...we were shaking when we got out!

We were also advised that if you wanted to cross the road without being killed, cross with a priest or nun ( thankfully in plentiful supply!) as they are the only people Italian drivers will slow down for!

RE: When in Rome ...

Jo Dyer — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 12:02:39 GMT

[quote userid="8958" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219913"]1) Mugged whilst interailing in Rome[/quote]

Oh yes, interrailing in the 80's!

Got flashed several times and women crossed themselves when they saw us in our shorts.

Most impressed by the old ladies literally hurling other people out of the way in St Peter's square when there was a papal audience though

RE: When in Rome ...

Jo Dyer — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 12:00:20 GMT

I absolutely love Rome, been there several times and it always takes my breath away. Yes, all the places you have mentioned are incredible (I particularly love the Colosseum, all those gory stories!) but it's the way you can just wander around and every corner you turn you find more amazing ancient buildings and ruins just sitting there.

I recommend watching Gladiator before doing the Colosseum tour. I was also amused to hear that some of the most fearsome fighters were Scottish women! (They may have made that up for me and my Scottish friend, but I believed it).

Also love Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum. It's worth going there separately and staying somewhere on the Amalfi coast eg Sorrento, to see places like Positano and Capri as well.

RE: When in Rome ...

Neil Wheadon — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 07:28:01 GMT

Ahh italy

in all my untroubled travels, Italy holds a special place

1) Mugged whilst interailing in Rome

2) waited 3 days in a station for bicycles having skipped a 60 mile mountain section (seemed a good idea at the time)

3) chased for 20 miles by a very friendly Italian in a fiat (I was cycling) who quite liked the look of 2 lean 18 year olds

However Rough guides have just voted it the number one place to go (I voted Norway ) so guess I ought to try it again

Neil

RE: When in Rome ...

Stephen Pointing — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 23:47:16 GMT

[quote userid="6386" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219908"]That's the best thing about Italy (and France)- it doesn't matter where you eat, even the cheap places- the food is always good. My heaven[/quote]

Generally speaking - yes - but not invariably the case. I've had some very ordinary pizza in Rome (from a street stall) and something quite inedible in the south of France once. I will spare you the details.

RE: When in Rome ...

Kate Richardson — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 18:16:31 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219791"]We ate at a restaurant called Ristorante di Rienza which is about 100 yards to the right of this photo. Against my better judgement (usually food near tourist attractions is really bad). The truffle pasta was great, as was the carbonara. [/quote]

That's the best thing about Italy (and France)- it doesn't matter where you eat, even the cheap places- the food is always good. My heaven

RE: When in Rome ...

Julie Innes — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 09:09:13 GMT

Aw, bringing back great memories, Arlo- we went on honeymoon to Rome, loved it

RE: When in Rome ...

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 08:50:56 GMT

[quote userid="8958" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219815"]PS Lovely pictures Arlo[/quote]

Thanks Neil! (I would have clicked 'thanks', but until the reactions are properly working in safari, and not sending 5 million email notifications per person!)

RE: When in Rome ...

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 23:03:19 GMT

[quote userid="13196" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219795"]do visit both Rome and Pompeii[/quote]

Not on a Monday though, put that in your memory bank having cycled past on ...... a Monday (Pompeii)

[quote userid="13196" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219795"]none other than the Mendips in good old Somerset[/quote]

and if you visit Charterhouse the spoil levels are still there

Neil

PS Lovely pictures Arlo

RE: When in Rome ...

Stephen Pointing — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 14:08:04 GMT

No I agree - but I think there comes an age when it is better not to bare all and I think Mary probably reached that age quite some time ago. If you get the chance then do visit both Rome and Pompeii - they're really not so far away. One thing that really fascinated me was how young people were when they died in Roman times and in Pompeii in particular. All the water pipes were made of lead so many people were suffering from chronic lead poisoning for much of their lives. And where in their empire did most of the lead come from - none other than the Mendips in good old Somerset - so in some ways the Britons were having their revenge on the Romans by shortening their lives in Italy and then Vesuvius did the rest in one cataclysmic explosion.

RE: When in Rome ...

Bob Russell — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 13:55:09 GMT

I thought that was very brave of her! Not sure we can all be pin up models!

Her views on Roman life are refreshingly realistic!

I am envious of the trip to Rome and Pompeii!!!

RE: When in Rome ...

Stephen Pointing — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 13:37:18 GMT

Did you see Mary Beard when she posed naked for a painting to be made of her? That was just a bit too much of Mary Beard for my liking.

RE: When in Rome ...

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 13:33:42 GMT

And the Pantheon. We ate at a restaurant called Ristorante di Rienza which is about 100 yards to the right of this photo. Against my better judgement (usually food near tourist attractions is really bad). The truffle pasta was great, as was the carbonara.

And lastly, slightly off the beaten track ... head off to the Jewish Quarter for a leisurely stroll. Then cross the bridge nearest the Synagogue, and there are some lovely streets to explore around there. Below is the Teatro di Marcello.

And that's the end of the show, folks. Gillian Mostyn it's all very walkable, so you can get a lot done in a day. I think with the Coliseum, Palatino Hill, Forum, Vatican Museum with Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica, The Pantheon and the Jewish Quarter, we probably covered the most important things, though I would have liked to have visited a catacomb or two. Oh and not forgetting Pompeii if you have a day to zip down on the train.

RE: When in Rome ...

Bob Russell — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 12:36:38 GMT

Not been to Rome but my hero (heroine) is Prof Mary Beard). A day with her in Rome would be my idea of complete heaven!!

Even an hour on TV is a breath of fresh air!

(A day with her in Pompeii would make me blush!)

RE: When in Rome ...

Alex Gough — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 09:35:51 GMT

Beautiful city :)

RE: When in Rome ...

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 09:06:58 GMT

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219768"]Hoping Rome isn't going to be shut down....[/quote]

I suspect we might have been amongst the last to get out. Wondering whether we should self-isolate.

[quote userid="7269" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219776"]Lovely pictures[/quote]

Thanks Joyce Whitehead. The camera I have certainly flatters my ability. I'm amazed at the detail of the photos when you open them on a retina resolution screen.

Gillian Mostyn This is the Villa Borghese which you really MUST MUST see. Looks relatively unassuming from the outside (relatively). But when you see what is inside ... wow.

and one that made me laugh ... a sign seen on the lawn outside:

I loved the small print. I think the Romans have form for that! Alex Gough one you might enjoy too!

RE: When in Rome ...

Joyce Whitehead — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 22:32:27 GMT

Lovely pictures, definitely on my list (not this year though, too much else to do!

RE: When in Rome ...

Gillian Mostyn — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 20:14:49 GMT

Thank you, that's all brilliant info!

Hoping Rome isn't going to be shut down....

RE: When in Rome ...

Richard Stephenson — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:47:30 GMT

Looking at your pictures I'm amazed how few people there are in St Peter's and the Vatican Museum - this must be the time of year to visit - normally you cannot move!!!

RE: When in Rome ...

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:40:34 GMT

That's it for the time being, but Gillian, another absolutely jaw dropping must see is the Villa Borghese (they didn't allow photos, sadly, but it is a truly mind-blowing place).

RE: When in Rome ...

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:38:23 GMT

[quote userid="3233" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219759"]In Rome visit Saint John Latern Archbasilica - better IMO than St Peter's[/quote]

We didn't know about Saint John Latern Archbasilica, but I tell you what, I wouldn't have missed St Peter's for all the tea in China. Not to mention La Pieta, the only signed Michelangelo ...

RE: When in Rome ...

Richard Stephenson — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:11:15 GMT

In Rome visit Saint John Latern Archbasilica - better IMO than St Peter's and not full to overflowing with noisy tourists. The PANTHEON is incredible 2,000 years old and still has the largest unsupported concrete dome ever built!!!

RE: When in Rome ...

Stephen Pointing — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 18:02:13 GMT

To really do the ceilings justice you need to lie down on the floor and look upwards - otherwise you end up with a crook in your neck. I think you might get away with it on a not too busy day at the Sistine chapel.

RE: When in Rome ...

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:37:00 GMT

Then the Vatican Museum. The grandeur of it all is breathtaking. But Gillian Mostyn , the golden rule here is LOOK UP! Seriously, I mean once you've seen one Etruscan vase, or bust of a Roman emperor, you've seen them all. But the ceilings. God the ceilings ....

My favourite, the map room.

and not forgetting, of course ...

The Sistine Chapel

RE: When in Rome ...

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:00:24 GMT

[quote userid="13196" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28916/when-in-rome/219753"]Did you take the high speed train from Rome to Naples?[/quote]

Yes - I was hugely impressed with the railway stations: well designed and clean. And when I looked at the speedometer on the train, it was showing 294kmh. Was thinking to myself how reducing the travel time from London to Birmingham to 40 minutes will transform the country. I mean, 40 minutes? That's quicker than Fulham to Covent Garden.