Italy, Europe
Roma
I just recently came back from Rome, and although I loved the sites (i.e. Trevi Fountain, the Collesseum, Spanish Steps etc.)and the beautiful December/January weather, the people were a lot harder to take. After coming from London, where men just naturally open doors for women, Rome was a severe culture shock. I found most (not all, but most) people were down-right rude and the service was horrible. There was more than once where we had to ask for our own menus and ask to be served at restaurants. The city was dirty, and few of the toilets had seats! All the main sites have hundreds-thousands of tourists which easily takes away from the beauty of them.
One recommendation is the hostel that we stayed at, which was great (Alessandro Downtown) and really close the Termini, although walking was the best way to go anywhere.
All-in-all it was a very mixed experience, I really wanted to love it, but being from Canada, I expect politeness and a small amount of courtesy, neither which I saw.
Despite it all, I still gave it a ‘worth visiting’ rating because I believe everyone should see the sites, eat the food and might as well experience the culture for themselves. I would like to go to other places in Italy and see if my opinion can change, but I will not be returning to Rome.
Enlarge
Places I want to go
Places I've been
Newbie
Favorite Lists