25 Things to Know Before Visiting Rome | First Trip to Rome
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Published 2023-08-06
Hi! I'm Megan, a licensed NYC tour guide, and I recently paid my first visit to the Eternal City. I immediately fell in love with Rome, but a few things about Rome were a bit trick for an first-time visitor. (At least an American first-time visitor to Rome.) Here is a Rome Travel guide I put together of 25 things I wish I knew before traveling to Rome. (It's TECHNICALLY 26...you get a bonus!)
A few links. I DO NOT MAKE A COMMISSION ON THESE! My mom and I paid for everything on this trip ourselves, so this is our absolute honest Rome experience.
City Experiences Rome (For tour): bit.ly/3s7n9qQ(We especially recommend " Rome in a Day" and "Crypts, Bones, & Catacombs.)
Travelon Pick-Pocket Proof Bags: (We got ours from Amazon and Macy's but this is the official website of Travelon) www.travelonbags.com/
Cecilia Santa Cucina (You MUST eat here!): en.ceciliasantacucina.com/
Hotel Art by the Spanish Steps (we stayed here and loved it): www.gruppouna.it/en/esperienze/hotel-art-by-the-sp…
We booked the hotel through Small & Elegant Hotels: smallandeleganthotels.com/destinations/italy/rome/…
Map of Places we loved in Italy: www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1gX2FKdAaF88Y3Z…
00:00 Intro
00:44 Do you need to know Italian
01:45 Nasone
02:31 Tap, Still, or Sparkling
03:03 Book a Tour
03:34 Extreme Heat
03:54 How to Dress for the Heat
04:51 How to Dress for Religious Sites
05:28 Crowds
06:18 Book in Advance
06:51 Parks
07:34 Taxis
08:15 Getting Around
09:05 Tiny Sidewalks
09:44 Should You Drive?
10:24 Comfy Shoes
11:20 Pick-Pocket Proof Bags
12:14 Airtags
13:10 Hotel Rules
13:39 Shopping
14:14 Cash or Credit
14:57 Tipping
15:38 Large Food Portions
16:27 Restaurant Reservations
17:13 Late Dinners
17:35 New Experiences
18:42 Let Yourself Wander (This is the bonus!)
19:36 Final Thoughts
All Comments (21)
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I studied abroad in Rome/Florence. Don’t take a taxi. They will rip you off. Take an uber. If you are in a busy area, walk 10 minutes away and then call. You’ll save money. I probably took 30 ubers during my stay and only a handful cancelled but i always got another driver. Try taking the subway or the trains! Super user friendly.
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I agree with you. My favorite thing about Rome was just wandering with no destination in mind. Let the Eternal City reveal itself to you. I'm not normally a big city person, but I LOVED Rome. ❤
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You went to Italy in the middle of a heatwave across central Europe. You coped well as many countries were hit really badly by it. Thanks for the video tips as I they really help.
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Fantastic Megan! great things to know. So glad you had a wonderful trip. Memories, that you can create and keep as long as you live! 🗽
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I am getting ready to travel to Italy today. I love your video. Actually watching you and your mom live the experience is helpful for future travelers 😁
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The park is the Villa Borghese, which has (amongst many other things!) a viewing "platform" overlooking the Piazza Del Popolo & a panoramic view of Rome, including St Peters on the horizon. Have never been when it is so hot, so some useful tips here!
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I appreciate seeing this from the perspective of a traveler. Looks like you had a great trip!
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Thanks Megan, this was great! Heading to Rome for the 2nd time mid September and really hoping the weather is perfect for us. So glad to learn the good shopping is behind the Spanish Steps, thank you!
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So happy to have found your channel. I am booking Cecilia for the end of September for my wife and I. I can’t wait. Great info through your entire video. Thank you.
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Loved this review. We’ve been in Italy for last week and agree with everything you’ve said. This is also consistent with Milan, Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. Heading to Rome tomorrow. Thanks very much it’s been good to hear what you’ve had to say.
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You did a fantastic job with this video!
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Loved the energy of your video. So relaxed and enjoyable. I will be going to Rome this July 2024, and was stressing out from watching other videos that are so alarming and scary. Thank you for all your wonderful tips. You’ve been so helpful.
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Amazing Video. Going to Rome in 2 weeks and this video really was extremely informative and appreciated. You are the Best :)
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"Kudos on the fantastic Rome vlog! Your candid approach makes it feel like we're getting real, unfiltered travel advice. Can't wait to explore these spots!"
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Love your video! As a Dutch resident we drove with our own car to Rome. Been there just after the heatwave!! Sooo cool to park your car in a Roman street just below the Spanish steps :-)
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Thanks for sharing, it`s lovely to see Rome from your lenses.Since the first time I visited Rome,I`ve told anyone who`d listen that everyone should be lucky enough to visit Rome once in a lifetime. I hope to see more of your videos in the future
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Best advice, "just wander." I have quite a bit planned but there is time scheduled to just wander around. Can't wait!
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Thanks for sharing. I'm coming in 3rd week of May for a three day stay. Wishing for a nice weather.
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Thanks for the reccomdatioms. I can’t wait for my trip next year
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Megan, Thank you so much for your down to earth The travel suggestions. You're my favorite so far. I like your go with the flow attitude. Very professional done. Please do more traveling suggestions as you go around the world. Cheers Amore
