4 TIPS FOR THE BEST VISIT TO ROME

Rome is such a popular city to visit for its history, art and culture that it always seems to be overrun with tourists.  This can make visiting the main historic sites difficult with long lines to get inside, especially at the Vatican.  However, here are some tips to give you a better visit.

1. Plan your trip to avoid the busiest months from April through October.  Spring and fall are ideal times for sightseeing and, consequently, very crowded.  During the summer, it is usually hot and most of the air conditioned buildings are much warmer than what we consider normal.  When you are uncomfortably warm and battling throngs of people everywhere, it is hard to remain enthusiastic about what you are seeing.Surprisingly, early December can be a good time to explore Rome with better hotel availability and pricing, easier access to the sights, and primarily just Italian tourists to compete with.  The temperatures are usually mild enough to wear a leather jacket.  Late February and March are a little cooler, but still comfortable for walking around outside.
2. If you have to travel during the busiest season, there are ways to avoid the crowds and still have a good experience.  There are some small luxury travel groups that are able to arrange private, after-hours visits to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel without the elbow-to-elbow crowding that exists during the day.  Or, if you are traveling independently, you can hire a private Vatican guide in advance and schedule an early visit before many people have entered.  You will want to be aware of the dress code that does not permit shorts, mini skirts or sleeveless blouses to be worn inside, no matter how hot it is outside.Although Rome is an expensive city, hiring a private car and driver, along with a guide, to take you around to the main sights will save you time and allow you to be more relaxed and comfortable as traffic rushes around you.  It is important to hire a guide who is a licensed professional and can take you into all of the monuments to explain their historic importance.
3. Walk until you drop to really appreciate the city.  Like Paris, Rome is a beautiful, walkable city that is a pleasure to discover on foot.  It is, however, very spread out, so you can walk for miles and enjoy the lively streets before sleeping like a baby from exhaustion.  It is especially nice to walk around the main piazzas in the evening to soak up the vibrant nighttime atmosphere.  Have a delicious Italian dinner, and then walk it off.
   
4. Be extremely wary of pickpockets and other thieves.  Unfortunately, the crowds of tourists that flock to Rome also attract many predators who regard them as a livelihood.  They could be groups of children, women with babies, young men or any other combination.  Apparently, it has become so bad lately that you are advised to carry very little money and only one credit card buried under your clothes in a well secured money belt.  Reporting a theft to the police, we discovered, is a waste of time, and you will probably have difficulty finding anyone to take the complaint.  Your own vigilance is your best protection.

No matter when you visit Rome, you are certain to leave with a desire to return again soon.  To guarantee that wish, you will want to be certain to pass by Trevi Fountain and toss in your coin.  The magic of Rome never wears out!