Bear in mind that Rome is also a business and government capital. It’s busy, demanding, rather grubby and famously impatient. Crossing the street can seem like defying death, and waiters are frequently off-hand; don’t take it personally, they are rude to native-born Romans too!
It has to be high fashion, or leather. Take home belts and wallets for your friends
The food is superb, the pizza, the pasta and the gelato (ice-creams), and the coffee is great, but watch out for doppios—one drunk after lunch can keep you awake and buzzing at three in the morning ….
Yes – si
No – no
Okay – va bene
Please – per favour
Thank you - grazie
Excuse me (forgive me) - scusi
Excuse me (please let me through) - permesso
Do you speak English? - parla inglese?
Pickpockets, especially where so-called gypsies gather, as they are notorious for emptying your pockets as you push past them
Civitavecchia – the port for Rome – is two hours away by taxi or bus. Alternatively, catch a free shuttle to central Civitavecchia and take a train (every thirty minutes) for the 1 1/4 hour journey to Termini station in central Rome.