Have you looked at phone apps you may need? i found IZI.travel while i was in Italy last year. It is a tour guide app and was tied to a few museums in Florence. Google maps was very good for me in Germany to figure out which trains to use to get around in cities. Not sure how well they are tied to Rome public transit.
You just don’t think it will happen until it does. Train stations are a biggie as well as crowded subways.
The “helpful” stranger–don’t let him help you with anything. Good reason to pack light. A business man helped with a heavy suitcase at a train station in Antwerp (famous for pickpockets–they even have signs but no security at all) and his friend helped himself to the tune of 4K in diamonds a couple hours later charged to our credit cards. Of course we were on the train to an entirely different area and had to wait for next destination even though it was discovered fairly fast. I was so mad at hubby–I TOLD him. So hubby cost us most of a very hot afternoon on the phone. But honestly it happened so fast that in retrospect I KNEW exactly at what point it happened. I think I SAW it happen. It’s like a magic trick. It’s very professional.
The little old granny who worms her way on a crowded subway–be rude and shove her off. That one almost happened to us in Spain–but we recognized it. Travel pants with extra pockets deep zippers and locked zippers on purse saved that one.
The lady holding a baby–it’s a fake arm. Be very careful at the top of an escalator–they’ll pick your pocket upon stepping on–you don’t have much choice. If in doubt wait it out. Don’t trust if someone is loitering around. This one happened to our group in Italy. Fortunately we were wearing money belts. But the ladies hand was in husbands pocket before he realized. That time a money belt saved him.
In Paris a favorite is “falling down the escalator” at the train station–people rush to help leaving their luggage for a split second–then it’s gone. They work in groups. I saw that one in action–quite a spectacular show. Glad I recognized it.
Others in our group were aghast–why was nobody helping? Well, most had probably seen the show before.
I haven’t heard of anyone ever being seriously hurt but it sure can ruin your trip in a split second. It’s so prevalent it seems to carry the weight of jaywalking.
In Rome–watch the families that perform on and in subways–entertaining but keep track of your belongings. If you keep your eyes open you can spot the family unit scattered from one end to the other of the car. They’ll get off and hop another car to work a new batch.
Don’t talk to anyone offering you a rose.
Another ploy is to slit the bottom of your purse and the contents fall out. You just don’t see that coming. Your valuables are gone before you can pick anything up. Which is why it’s nice to travel with a steel mesh type travel purse. Travel-on makes some.
Don’t be afraid or scared–just keep your eyes open and take simple precautions. Empty your wallet before you leave home. Take extra credit card and make sure different people have it so if one person is pickpocketed the other has a card that will work. Keep a record of card numbers somewhere safe. Know numbers to call.
And probably NOTHING will happen, but after some hits and some close calls, better safe than sorry. Especially since such LITTLE work at protection will greatly increase your chances of having a fabulous worry free trip.
I’m always the curmudgeon. I LOVE all the travel I’ve done and Italy especially. I’m planning a lot more.
But honestly, empty your wallet, travel as light as possible and wear a money belt.
Later you can brag about how “all that stuff didn’t matter” but it’s more likely you weren’t a target.
We always stay near Piazza Navaona. Easy walking distance to the Pantheon, Trevi, Trastevere, the Forum, and the Colosseum,and across the street from Campo di Fiore. We were there in July, and rented an apartment at Palazzo Olivia. Have fun, its a great city.
Regarding money belts, we’ve found pick pockets to be more of an issue on the trains than when walking around. But be safe.
We stayed in the Hotel Canada BW Premier in Rome this summer. We were happy with it. We paid $218/night for 4 people (1 queen, 2 twins) with a good breakfast. It is around the corner from a subway entrance, so it was very convenient. HOWEVER, not all Rome attractions are near a subway stop, so you still may find yourself walking a bit or taking a cab/uber, but Rome is a fun city to walk.
Some unsolicited advice …
-Yes, Rome is full of crime…most of it is focused on your belongings, not your person, but take normal traveling precautions, if it’s sketchy stay away, and you will be fine.
- We got a travel wifi hot spot (if you are only going to Rome, get one that is specific to that region, not a general European one) since all of our phones work over wifi in addition to cellular for phone/text as well as data. Note that this means that all of your calls/texts to each other and your normal American contacts are free, but calling locally would be at international rates. For a family of four, it kept us all connected for $10 a day,
- There is a subterranean Colosseum tour that is well-reviewed, but at least in the summer had to be reserved well in advance. Also, the first Sunday of every month is free at the Forum and Colosseum. Some reviews have reported that this makes them extra busy, but for our visit they were actually less busy then that the Friday before. The Colosseum is packed whenever you go, but the Forum was pretty empty if you went when they opened (they stagger entry, so by going first we were able to wander and get whatever picture we wanted with no other people in them).
- Be aware of timing crowds at the Vatican/Sistine Chapel, as well as any closures. Been twice, and is much more enjoyable when you are not shoulder to shoulder. Pre-reserving a Vatican tour lets you bypass the lines, and was well worth it for us.
- You can make a day trip by high speed train to Florence if you want. Florence is awesome.
" Pre-reserving a Vatican tour lets you bypass the lines, and was well worth it for us."
Don’t know if this scenario has changed. We did a tour of the Colosseum (worth it to just avoid lines–we went in summer). The guides were just outside and rounded up groups. It didn’t cost much more than regular admission and the main advantage (besides a really great history run down and fun pictures with “gladiators” added in) was we didn’t stand in a 3 hour line. The tour guides had a dedicated ticket line and got group tickets immediately to get us in.
We joined same guide following morning to Vatican. Well worth it. Again, dedicated ticket lines for tours. There are certain points with charts etc. that were reserved specifically for guides along the way. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it half as much without the guide to tell us history and some knowledge of what we were actually looking at. Great experience.
Florence IS awesome. Do it. Going by train would be much easier than by car. Pretty easy walking city but no place to park. Buy some leather!
Look up differences between osteria, trattoria and restaurant. and tipping practices.
I stayed at the Hotel Martis Palace in July - great central location near Piazza Navona, I loved the hotel. I’ve stayed in the past at two of the small boutique hotels on the Aventine hill, which I really liked, but that is a less central location.
Things to do: book a tour guide for the Vatican and avoid the lines, go look through the keyhole on the top of the Aventine hill and stroll through the orange grove there, reserve online in advance for the Borghese Gallery, eat lots of fried artichokes, visit the “non-Catholic cemetery for foreigners” in Testaccio, stop for a sandwich at Volpettis, wander around the vast Baths of Caracalla, coffee at Sant Eustacchio il Cafe next to Pantheon, head off the beaten path in Trastevere to Biscottificio Innocenti for the best biscotti in Rome.
I have visited Rome many times, and both of my sons studied abroad there. None of us encountered any problems with crime/pickpockets - I’m sorry to read that so many have.
“Look up differences between osteria, trattoria and restaurant. and tipping practices.”
There is actually very little discernible differences these days, unlike the past, in terms of price point, food quality, and level of service. Having recently returned from Italy, it is much different in that respect than just a decade or two ago. Enotecas, usually serving lighter fare, are also increasingly popular and can be a good dining option.
As far as tipping goes, you don’t. For good service, you can round up but there is no expectation of a tip (unless you’re in a real touristy spot where Americans are frequent and tip out of customary habit).
Many comments make it sound like you’ll be surrounded by pickpockets anywhere you go, and will lose everything if you as much as glance away from your purse. It’s not that scary. Naturally, pickpockets are a problem in any popular tourist destination, more so in the Mediterranean. But don’t let this spoil your experience. I always have very little cash and one credit card with me, a different card and a bankcard hidden in the hotel room, and I don’t bring anything expensive. That way if my wallet is stolen it’s no big deal. It had never been, however. We’ve been approached by strangers offering to help with our bags or sell us some junk, but we just ignored them and had no problems. I’m also fairly aware of my surroundings and never leave my purse dangling from my chair in restaurants or otherwise out of sight.
“. I always have very little cash and one credit card with me, a different card and a bankcard hidden in the hotel room, and I don’t bring anything expensive. That way if my wallet is stolen it’s no big deal. It had never been, however. We’ve been approached by strangers offering to help with our bags or sell us some junk, but we just ignored them and had no problems.”
That’s great!
I’m very sorry if I make it sound “dangerous” in any way. It’s not. I’m the “Stranger Danger” person it appears. I don’t mean to be.
But your VERY easy and so practical guidelines are something that many people simply do not adhere to. And if you travel with a group everybody needs to buy in.
We ended up booking a hotel in the Piazza Navona area. Hotel Martis was one of our options, but we ended up going with another hotel that was slightly cheaper. We’re definitely aware of keeping safe from pickpockets – our last trip was to Barcelona, so that was a good test drive to how to do it! We’ve been to Florence and Tuscany before, but never south of Tuscany, so we’ll likely concentrate on staying in Rome (and maybe a visit to Ostia Antica). It looks like there’s an amazing amount of things to see and do. Now on to figuring out which tours to book, which sights to see, which restaurants to eat at, and where the best gelato, etc is!
Thanks, all!
If you like Roman antiquities but would like a break from the crowds at the well-known places like the Colosseum and Pantheon, you might want to also take in the Ara Pacis (“The Altar of Peace”). It was built in 9 BC by the Emperor Augustus to honor his reign. It’s relatively small but has many wonderful relief sculptures of Augustus and his family walking in procession plus the depiction of the usual assortment of priests and gods. There are many interesting tidbits there. For example, one of the small children depicted walking in the procession with his mother is Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus - who would grow up to become the father of the tyrannical emperor Nero.
Thanks for the information, Scipio. That seems really cool.
For the gamers in your family, you could also include an Assassin’s creed tour. LOL.
You will love that area! It’s right in the thick of things. We would go every day to the Plaza Novanna and have appetizers and an aperitif.
I hate auto correct when trying to post in here! 
The best part of Rome? Walking around, enjoying the people, trying to cross the street. Seeing nuns and priests everywhere. Wandering into churches and they are all different and all magnificent. One day we tried to see as many churches are we could. We took a tour of the catacombs and capuchin crypt. Seeing ancient ruins in the most unexpected places. That’s what we liked about Rome.
We went in the off season (middle of November). There were tourists but we also felt like we saw a real living working city also.
We went in April and enjoyed walking around—comfortable shoes are a must! We didn’t have crowds and enjoyed just wandering. So many fountains and interesting buildings and churches.
@gouf78 is spot on! I will also add to beware of people whom come up to you with a letter, flyer, newspaper, etc., and ask if you read or speak English. Shove them away, literally. Their accomplices will rob you blind while you are reading their document. Develop a resting b#tch face. This can be a deterrent because it makes you look like you’re a seasoned traveler who knows where she is going and isn’t a likely victim.
Can’t emphasize the SLIM money belt under clothing enough. H was constantly pestered by folks until he finally did what I suggested initially by keeping a money belt under his clothing and not carrying his big bulging wallet in his pants pocket. He enjoyed Rome much more after he did that and wasn’t constantly approached and harassed the rest of his trip. We kept our passports, credit cards and most of our cash in the belt. We had a small amount of cash in a zipped pocket.