10 Tips for Americans Traveling in Rome Italy

10 Tips for Americans Traveling to Rome Italy

1. If you go in the summer, expect heat. But don't expect air conditioning. The absolute only place that was air conditioned during my stay in Rome this summer was my hotel room. Even if your hotel advertises air, make sure you ask on the phone if it works! Nobody cares if you sweat because everybody sweats. Take a water bottle with you wherever you go. There are free fountains around the city where you can fill it. I drank the water and did not get ill, and I have a very sensitive stomach.

2. Don't expect Italian women to dress like American women. Unless you're Californian. No offense, Californians. Italian women don't always wear bras or slips. If they have a bra on, they don't see the need to cover it. Apparently there has been an evolution in Italian women that has not hit American women. They can walk anywhere anytime for any distance on any surface in heels and never ever stumble or fall. They also always look perfect. I don't think they sweat.

3. Don't expect American chain food. The city centre of Rome has one or two McDs and a BK. No starbucks, no subway, and definitely no American pizza places. Restaurants are locally owned and WONDERFUL. The food is the best in the world. You will never want to eat American food again.

4. Buy the Roma Pass for museum entrees. It was worth it to get into the Colosseum with no line. It gives you transportation coverage: busses, metro (subway), but honestly no one cares if you pay on the busses or not. I scanned my pass once to activate it, but my friend who lives in Rome says no one asks for money on the city busses. Oh and only take the white legal taxis.

5. Buy Vatican museum tickets online and skip the line! If you do not buy ahead of time, you can be in line for half of the day. If you buy online, you will probably wait less than an hour.

6. Beware of scammers, street vendors, and pickpockets The pickpockets may be the easiest to avoid. Wear a money belt under your clothes. This is an absolute must. If it's in a pocket, you're gonna lose it. If you carry a bag, keep it close to you or don't put anything of value in it. Street vendors will get in your face. They will physically put hats or scarves on you and ask you to pay for them. Tell them NO. Sometimes you have to physically push them away. Try not to let them catch your eye. There are scammers for EVERYTHING. If you trying to buy a train ticket, they will come up to you pretending to be employees, help you and ask you for money.  At the Vatican and most tourist places, they will pretend to be tour guides and take your money, even wearing fake name tags. Book ahead online and ask for ID for a tour guide. If you decide to buy something from a street vendor, never take their asking price. Haggle with them; they expect it. They even seem to enjoy it. Beggars are everywhere as well. They will notice you are American and come right up to you and ask for money. They sit outside every church.

7. If you're a woman, especially a young one, expect comments from men constantly. And in English. Complete strangers will walk up and tell you that you're beautiful; or walk past you and yell back at you.

8. Ask for help until you find someone who speaks English. In Europe almost everyone under 30 can speak some English. If you're lost, someone will usually help you. Buy an international plan for your phone; most companies will let you do it just for the month. It is worth it to have data, etc. You can buy a go phone when you get there, but I've always preferred to have my own phone; then I have GPS if I get lost or so I don't get lost.

9. Plan on walking.  A lot.  If you have any sense at all, don't rent a car. If you plan on staying in the city, you won't need it. There are busses everywhere.  You can walk anywhere in the city center in an hour or less. Even if you plan to visit Florence or Tuscany, you can get a bus or train. The traffic in Rome is what nightmares are made of...

10. If you are going to visit churches, be respectful. Many of the churches have a dress code. No clothing above knees and shoulders must be covered. If you have bare shoulders walking into a church, the street vendors will find you and try to sell you a scarf. Keep a scarf with you. Men are usually fine if their shorts go almost to the knees and not wearing a tank top. If mass is taking place, you will not be be able to walk around taking pictures. If mass is not taking place, there will still be marked places only for prayer. Do not walk into these places unless you plan to kneel or sit quietly.  Even in St Peter's Basilica, there are large roped-off areas for prayer only. If you get out your camera, the guard will ask you to leave or put it away.