“Piazza Navona is extremely touristy, but it is interesting in the evenings.” - I agree.
We stayed on a narrow street nearby, also somewhat touristy. My family tells me the wholel area is empty and lovely in the early morning light. Alas, I slept the first morning while our kids went for a run (by the river) and DH went ventured out with his camera and tripod. Although I needed the sleep, I do regret missing out on his tranquil outdoor morning coffee break.
Conmama, I want to do both of those! Thanks for sharing the links.
We are staying at the Hotel Nazionale in Navona. I mentioned it earlier, Rick Steves recommended it and it got good reviews on Trip Advisor.
Congrats! I hope you have a great time - know you will! I agree about Tripadvisor having great advice - and that some of the posters are a bit “snarky”. The “destination experts” for Rome know their stuff though - the information was very useful for my trip a couple years ago. Lots of help with a couple quite specific questions from people on the ground who know the best current routes and tricks. I like books in addition to on-line info and downloaded guides. It took me several European trips to figure out that my library had a whole range of guide books for different locations. I now check those out and read several before deciding which I’ll buy. Saves me having to read through an Barnes and Noble shelf of offerings. Let the planning begin!!!
That was actually one of the main reasons I thought going to Jordan in December was a better idea than May.
I never wear shorts in Europe - it’s just as cool to wear a skirt.
@momofadult…I can think of 2 extremely snarky DE’s on Trip Advisors. They truly are a wealth of information but I consider them keyboard bullies at time. They can be personally insulting at times. I often wonder if they are like that in real life, or if they only do that on the internet. But then again, there are some other DE’s that are very sweet…Kathy, Engred and Elstravels come to mind.
@deb922. Some tips. Wear a waist wallet or over the neck pouch. Just keep your deep storage that you don’t plan on accessing during the day (passport, spare credit card, etc) in it and turn it to the small of your back. The neck pouch can be looped around one bra strap and put over crossbody style and tucked in your undewear. I buy the silk ones.
some little things I’m taking: fast drying wash cloth as I read they don’t provide them in Italy, flat sink stopper, compresson socks for the plance, small binoculars to view the Sistine Chapel, downy wrinkle release, ziplock baggies.small notepad and pen.
I sometimes forget sunglasses - Grrrrrrrrr. The binoculars are a great addition - I take them all over. Last fall, I had a quick visit to St Louis and stopped to see the Basilica (beautiful mosaics) where I was invited to join a tour in progress. The guide’s words were something to the effect of “I’d be pleased if you would like to join our tour - IF you let me borrow your glasses. There’s is a symbol up there I’ve always wondered about.” Don’t forget to use the glasses for the Raphael rooms as you approach the Sistine - oh, I’m getting envious!
Conmama, I don’t get how turning a pack to your back protects it from prying hands. Or do you mean a flat wallet, under a shirt?
I also think Deb’s November trip can be quite different from the height of summer, when the crowds are larger, lines longer, everyone’s rushing to dinner at the same time. I’ve become a huge fan of off-season for the historical cities.
As a general aside about TA, I find the pickiest travelers are the English- this is just my opinion. When they gripe, I tend to look for some balance from others.
Lookingforward, I may be wrong but this is what I was thinking of when conmama was talking about a waist belt. Either a flip belt https://flipbelt.com. You put your stuff in it and then flip it around to keep everything secure. I have one for running and love, love it. Another option is a bandi belt http://bandiwear.com. Which I also have lol! It seems a little bigger than the flip belt and I have the smaller size. They have a passport size which I saw recently and regret not getting that one. But my sil used mine and her huge iPhone fit in it.
I went back and looked again at conmama’ post and I think I misunderstood her. Oops!
I meant a money belt, sorry. I will only be having my passport and maybe an emergency CC in mine, so it will be flat. I was a bit concerned about using this as I didn’t want any bulges on my stomach. So I bought one and tried it on, and put the wallet to the back. You couldn’t see it…and the band is so slim that you could not see it across my stomach either. I actually felt more comfy with this than the over the neck pouch. And yes…it’s under your clothing.
Wow, the Bandi is cute. I just hate fanny packs. I also plan to feel comfortable, but fit in. Years ago, young, I did a long trip with my heavy camera, that got old fast. Too heavy. This is all very much “just me.” When I take a tote, it’s very light and has long enough strap length to fit over the shoulder, whatever I’m wearing. I like the kind that folds into pocket size. For me, I have opera glasses, wouldn’t take real binoculars for the same weight and clunkiness reasons. Sometimes, very cheap, small plastic binoculars can serve well enough- and if you lose them, so be it. But my own very personal view is, in a city, how many times do we really need to inspect something distant?
In November I think your bigger issue is what coat you might need. I’m seeing predictions across the month for 65/51 down to 57/45. I went three times in January, just took a nice raincoat, no lining. But that depends on what you’re used to. I took a couple of cardigan sweaters and nice camisoles (or similar.) Interchangeable. One pair of nice slacks, in case, the others were nice jeans (not blue jeans) that don’t look like jeans. It works for me. If you look decent, you get good service. You’ll figure it all out.
And next time I’m near those flat waist packs, will definitely try one. Hands free is good.
When I am planning a trip to Europe, I live on the fodors travel boards. Yes, there is snark there, too. Heaven help you if you ask a very common question that could be easily answered with a search. But the folks over there are great for up to the minute info, as in “I am there now and…” or “I was just there last week and…”
Once I asked a question about where to park in Heidelberg to be centrally located between x and y and someone gave me directions to the perfect public parking facility.
OP, I don’t recall whether you’ve traveled in Europe a lot or not, so please don’t be insulted by this advice. If I were you, I would not plan seeing one of the very top things on my list on the day of arrival. Unless you can get significant sleep on the plane, you will be sleep deprived. I am not at my best on the day of arrival.
So the Bandi is cute but why would anyone want to wear it outside, I mean not hidden. If there is accessed to a pair of scissors, it could cut the band in half.
I took a trip to Madrid a couple years go in December - weather in the high 50’s to mid-60’s. I found a silk undershirt was very helpful. I didn’t need to bring my usual sweaters for layering, just a couple knit shirts and lighter weight sweater pullovers. The undershirt was sometimes too much when in overheated museums, but I could pull it off in the restroom and stuff it in my medium size Pacsafe. https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shirtsandtops/sleeveless/PRDOVR~21421/21421.jsp?color_name=Soft-Sandalwood&srcCode=GGBS00006_99102086441&sisearchengine=197&siproduct=21421&noPopUp=true&source=googlePLA&gclid=CM7a352DvcYCFdgQgQodpkIGDQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
If anyone has found the secret to bringing all the “stuff” one would ideally like to have for a beach vacation and getting it into a small carry-on - along with regular clothes for dining, shopping, sightseeing. Please share the secret. I can manage a suit, but not also the cover-up, beach sandals, umbrella(!), etc. I also have not figured out how to travel light for a vacation involving significant hiking. Those boots aren’t fun to wear on the plane and are too bulky for the small carry-on with everything else!
Missypie, I have never been to Europe and am not ever offended by any advice, anyone wants to give me. I am soaking up all of this information like a sponge.
Things like this trip are why I stay on CC. I think I could get good advice on just about anything. I got my kids through college, started running, planned my retirement strategy and now vacation planning. One stop shopping ;).
I forgot, I’ve learned how to dress my age while staying young.
A coat is definitely something I’m thinking about. I have a cute dressier raincoat (unlined) in a Burberry type plaid and my North Face thermoball jacket (but I bought it in a bright turquoise, darn). Can’t decide if it will be too warm for the north face or too cold for the raincoat.
I don’t know what style your raincoat is, but I’ve been traveling for the last couple years with a black raincoat, or I guess they are probably really “all-weather” coats. Mine has a removable lining. I didn’t need the lining for Madrid, but in Berlin last April with temps from 45 - 60 I used the lining. What I really wanted to say - my coat is mid-thigh length so it has the added advantage of hiding the pockets of pants where I can stash some ready cash or a card that I know I’ll be using. I also stick a pair of light weight L L Bean gloves in the pockets so if it’s cold in the AM when I start out, I can put them on. If my hands are warm, I’m generally OK.
You can refine all this as you get close - Weather.com and internet access to weather services from localities helps.
I find a thin pair of gloves in the pocket can be really helpful at times when coat is not quite warm enough. Of course, layers are a good idea too. On our last trip I had a long sleeved silky white shirt that was wearable under almost any of my other tops On a cold, damp day at Dachau concentration camp tour in May it was helpful… and yea, I pulled out the gloves too.
Thanks. Then I’ll offer just one more piece of general advice. I don’t know if this is common to other travelers, or whether it is just me, but there is always a point upon arrival at any foreign destination where I ask myself WHY DID I PLAN THIS TRIP ANYWAY? WHAT MADE ME THINK I WANT TO DO THIS?
Foreign travel on your own (not a group tour) takes a bit of courage because things are, yes, foreign. As I mentioned, one typically arrives in the foreign destination sleep deprived. Then maybe you need to use the restroom and it’s a pay toilet and you don’t have the proper coin. Or you can’t find the right train. Or you see graffiti on the buildings on the way from the airport and worry that the whole city will be like that. Or a shopkeeper is impatient as you try to figure out the currency.
For me, there is always something on that first day, but I just keep quiet and tell myself that I will be better able to cope after a good night’s sleep. And it is always true. Everything that goes wrong is all part of the adventure and most of it turns into the funny stories you will tell later.
HINT - Put all essentials in your carry-on luggage, in case the checked bags are lost/delayed.
My worst issue (of 4 trips overseas) was lost luggage, prior to a cruise. Luckily we had arranged 24 hour buffer stay prior in Barcelona. I was up all night wondering WHY my husband had opted to pack his meds in his checked bag. I thought everybody knew better than that. A diligent hotel clerk who spoke English and Spanish and Catalan arranged for Luftansa to deliver the bag to the ship. But we departed not knowing for sure whether it had made it.
Missypie, thanks for sharing your feelings. My DH and I haven’t traveled to such a far away place by ourselves. It’s good to know that if I feel that doubtful feeling, that it is normal and don’t fret about it too much. i have been planning this trip for almost a year. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with all the information I have learned, written down, and keep learning. I have even doubted myself that maybe we should have just taken a tour or even planned a trip…even though it’s been a dream of mine. I’m two months out and starting to get anxious that I’m forgetting something.
On another note, my Travelon purse came in and it’s perfect. Nice color, size, weight…and price. Love the lock and safety features. The only thing that I find odd is this. I’m right handed, and like to wear it crossbody where the purse sits to the right. But if I do that, the zipper is towards the back of the purse. Wearing it the other way feels odd, but the zipper then sits at the front. Why is that?
It’s good if you and your H have similar expectations for the trip, and the level of planning (i.e. time planned down to the minute versus sleeping in and seeing whatever, or somewhere in between.) A healthy goal is “to have a great time together” or “to experience Rome” because it can be awfully stressful if your goal is to see 8 certain churches and 5 museums and take three tours and two day trips and eat at these 7 restaurants. It works well for each traveler to have a very short list of “must sees/dos.” As someone mentioned upthread, the churches are especially confounding. There was oone where I had collected three different sets of opening/closing hours from three different sources. At some point you just have to roll with some uncertainty.
Oh, one more thing. Keep some coins handy. In many of the churches, you can place a coin in a little box and a light comes on to showcase a painting or sculpture.
Final (?) thought. I don’t know if you will have a phone with a GPS or google maps. (That is very convenient but data fees can add up quickly if you can’t find wifi. Paper maps work, too.) But anyway, when I went, I collected all kinds of restaurant recommendations with directions like “two blocks off the Piazza Navona.” Well, it turned out that there are about 10 streets off the Piazza Navona so my directions were of little help! So try to locate destinations that aren’t the main tourist sites on a paper or online map, to save yourself a lot of walking and frustration.