Italian Impressions Version 1

We will spend the next couple of entries recapping some of the highlights, memories, and key learnings from the Italian trip.

Rome at first glance

Rome is akin to Janus. You have to deal with both faces. There is much to love and there is much to hate. We enjoyed our stay by coming to grips with the good and the bad.

Some of the good:

• Rome is steeped in 3,000 years of history. You can find it on every corner.
• Rome has all of the requisite romantic stops (Trevi, Spanish Steps, etc...) that make it appealing to couples.
• Rome has a definite vibe and pulse. While it can be overwhelming to some, it is worth experiencing.
• Food and dining is an integral part of Roman living.
• Clothing and style is also an essential part of the Roman experience. Savor the 3 Euro ties.
• The popes commissioned and stole some pretty good art over the centuries. Take advantage of this and visit the myriad locations.
• Experienced with an insider or with inside knowledge and the very best of Rome can be experienced. You will avoid the traps designed to suck money and experience the places that get the seal of approval and patronage of the local populace.

Some of the bad:

• Everything has a price. The Vactican for 2? About $40. A drink of water? Try 3 Euro.
• The price is exponentially more steep for the unwitting tourist. There are many traps waiting to spring on a couple of unsuspecting sight seers from Yonkers. You can easily spend $50 for a horrible pasta dinner if you go to the wrong place.
• The constant crowds can be grating. We went during the low season and we still felt the body heat. We broke our Rome stay by taking a couple of excursions. This made things a little less overwhelming.
• The damn dollar. It was a deflating experience to check the internet everyday and discover that your greenback got you less and less.