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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Rome, Italy (Off-Topic)
Austin Chow, Student/Intern, Photographer
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College Park | MD | USA | Posted: 12:55 AM on 03.20.04 |
->> I guess I’m going to jump on the spring travel bandwagon, because I’m headed to Rome in a few days and wondered if anyone had any tips for Rome or Italy in general. I’ll only be in the city for a week so I don’t think I’ll be able to travel too far outside the region, but if I have the chance to hit Florence, I’d like to try.
One thing I’m worrying about is the stereotypical idea of crime in Rome. In France, pickpocketers were pretty bold and from all the stories, the Roman criminal subculture is even bolder. Any ideas on if this is actually true and if my Domke F2 will keep prying hands at bay?
I appreciate any tips, ideas, thoughts you all might have. Grazie. |
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George Olivar, Photographer
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New Brunswick | NJ | USA | Posted: 2:06 AM on 03.20.04 |
->> I spent a week in both Rome and Paris, and neither I nor anyone I was with had a problem with pickpocketers, but we may have just been lucky. Just use common sense and try not to make your gear look too obvious. Frankly, I would recommend using the smallest camera possible and a discreet small gadget bag at most.
There's a lot of great pictures to be made around the city. You'll find them. If you get a chance, check out the Castel St. Angelo, down the Via del Conciliazone from the Vatican. If you go out on the roof, you'll see an amazing view of the city.
Definitely try to visit Florence and the surrounding countryside, if at all possible.
Have fun! |
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Jock Fistick, Photographer
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Brussels | Belgium | | Posted: 6:50 AM on 03.20.04 |
| ->> I've never had a problem in Rome - and there is something spectacular to see around every corner - have a great trip! |
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Sherwin Eng, Photographer
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Kent | WA | USA | Posted: 1:24 PM on 03.20.04 |
->> Wear a cheap watch, take your wallet out of your back pocket-use a money belt, bring a compass(this will come in handy when you exit the subway stations),avoid little groups of children coming toward you trying to sell you something. If you tour the Vatican, no shorts allowed.
Apply the same personal security you would use if you were in the toughest part of your city at 2am.
Have fun.. |
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Mike Purcell, Photographer
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Goodyear | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:52 PM on 03.20.04 |
->> Hi, I spent a month there.
1- everything is within walking distance
2- what they call a 4 star hotel we call a closet.
3- If you shoot film and are getting it processed, go to one of the 1 hour shops, I dropped a few rolls off at the place the hotel recommended and because the roll said "professional", they sent it out, took 4 days.
4- when I was there, the pick pockets were the gypsies.,one carrying a baby and 2 ladies to get in your face (and your pockets), they were funny.
Even if you aren't Christain (I'm Buddhist) St Peters and the Vatican museum are overwhelming.
5- Jock is right about something around the corner. If you're going to be there a while, your hotel can hook you up with one of those one day tours. |
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Mike Purcell, Photographer
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Goodyear | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:56 PM on 03.20.04 |
->> one more add: call up your credit card company and let them know where you're going so that they won't put a "stop" on any weird purchases from outside the country.
I had a huge hassle with VISA while there, and final ended up going into a bank and getting cash off my card there.
Enjoy.
Mike Purcell |
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John Gwillim, Student/Intern
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East Lansing | MI | USA | Posted: 11:44 PM on 03.20.04 |
->> I would be interested in tips too, I am doing a study abroad in Rome for 6 weeks this summer so, any other things to see/do in Italy that anyone recommends, I will have a lot of time to travel around the country too.
John |
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Chris Graythen, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Metairie | LA | USA | Posted: 11:37 AM on 03.21.04 |
->> I just left rome a couple of days ago - I'm in Venice right now, and about to head on to Paris in a few days. In Rome I kept my d2h out the whole time - I put gaff tape all over it, and used a a plain black domke strap to conceal as much as possible, and I left my lenses in my big courrier bag - It' just like any other city - keep your eyes open and moving, be careful, and my wife would kind of watch my back as I was framing a shot. We had no problems, and couldn't have enjoyed it more - Assisi and Venice are nicer, I think, but it's all subjective. A train to Assisi was about 14 euro (1st Class), and took about 2 hours - florence was the same price and was an additional 2 hours - If I were you, I would try to get to Assisi - it's small, hilly, and beautiful - my wife and I will go back soon - a good day trip. If you want to know some more, email me I can answer what you want to know while it's still fresh - I have free internet at my hotel for the next 2 days. Rome was like any other major city - a lot like New York, but, well, this is where the history comes from. We didn't have any problems in Rome.
Check out my member page for a few shots from the country side.
Ciao
Chris |
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Kurt Vinion, Photographer
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Berlin | Germany | | Posted: 1:35 PM on 03.21.04 |
->> Rome is great but to see the real Italy you must go to Sicily. Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse, I could go on and on, but I would start to weep.
Sicily, is simply the best! It offers amazing food, has fewer tourists, cheaper than Rome, beautiful countryside as well as architecture, Mt Etna (if your into volcanoes) and amazing history. Just hop on any overnight ferry from Naples (easy to find just head to the port) and you will arrive in time to see the sunrise as you cruise into Palermo. If you do go make sure you catch a football match at a local bar, preferably one off the beaten path and especially if one of the teams playing is owned by Berlusconi.
In terms of safety, the only places you need to really worry about are bus stations for that is typically where you may get hassled - especially if you look like a tourist: ball cap, shorts, loud shirts, sneakers. Italians take pride in their attire and nothing stands out like a tourist, especially if you dress like above.
In terms of safety, you would have more problems in Detroit than you would in Italy. Bella Italia! |
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