|
|
Post by mochahazelnut on Apr 2, 2012 23:40:47 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
My husband and I are planning for a week vacation in late May, to either London (and its surrounding areas) or Rome + day trip to somewhere near. We've been to UK last year for our honeymoon (London + Edinburgh only) and we loved it so much that we want to return again this year to visit the surrounding areas like Oxford, Bath/Stonehenge, Cotsworlds or even Liverpool. On the other hand, we also want to visit Rome, though we wonder if it would be too crowded in late May (near June)?
This may probably be the last overseas trip that we take before another 2-3 years (planning for kids soon), so we want to make it count!
Any help and advice is appreciated!
|
|
|
|
Post by Eagle on Apr 3, 2012 1:15:43 GMT -5
mochahazelnut,
Welcome to GFE!
Given the fact that you've already been to the U.K. last year, I would definitely recommend choosing Rome on this occasion, especially as you may not be able to get back to Europe for several years. Another factor to consider is that prices for accommodations in London have already started to increase substantially due to the Olympics. I really think Rome would be a good choice!
Rome probably will be crowded in late May, as that's the "spring shoulder season". Many places in Italy are crowded at the best of times, so there's no way to avoid that.
If you decide on Rome, I would highly recommend booking a Hotel SOON! At this point, you could have trouble finding a vacancy.
I would also recommend having a look at a Guidebook in order to plan your touring efficiently, so that you don't waste any time. I'd suggest having a look at the Rick Steves Rome Guidebook (also available in E-book format), but choose whichever ones appeal to you. IMO, it's VERY IMPORTANT to do some research on travelling in Rome (and Italy) as there are some "pitfalls" to be aware of (ie: validating tickets prior to riding the Buses or some Trains, as steep fines can result for those caught with an unvalidated ticket. Fines are usually collected on the spot!
Depending on what you want to see, you might consider buying a Roma Pass, which will cover admission to some sights as well as some transportation. Check the website for details.
With a time frame of a week, you should have time for a day trip or two. Some suggestions would be Ostia Antica (used to be the old port area of Rome) and Orvieto (beautiful Umbrian hill town, about one hour by train from Rome - the Signorelli Frescoes in the Duomo are incredible!).
Happy travels!
|
|
|
|
Post by mochahazelnut on Apr 3, 2012 4:54:24 GMT -5
Hi eagle,
Thanks for the tips and advice! The only thing that's holding us back from Rome now is how crowded it would be in late May. We found London quite crowded during peak hours (we were there in June), but it was bearable as we were able to retreat back to our quiet hotel at the end of the day. Taking a 3 day trip to Edinburgh also helped. On the other hand, Rome, from what we've seen in pictures, looks *terribly* crowded in high season. At least in London there are places less crowded, and we can easily take a day trip elsewhere if we're weary of the crowds. Will we really be able to enjoy our time in Rome, with hordes of tourists in our way the whole time?
|
|
|
|
Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 3, 2012 5:23:22 GMT -5
mochahazelnut, I agree with Eagle in the suggestion to visit Rome this time around rather than London, for all the reasons he listed.
I think you'll still find the UK crowded in May as this year it's going to be busy pre and post Olympics as well as during, of course, but I guess the question I have is how crowded is crowded, as far as you're concerned? Peak hour in any city is busy, part of city living (bless the Tube!). And another question: what draws you most - Rome and surrounds or London and surrounds?
Rome has a lot to see and do both in the city and some day/overnight trips away, so it depends on what you want out of this trip - to re-visit a favourite or to explore a new country completely. Both ideas have their benefits, but let me tell you that whilst the Vatican Museums and St Peter's are always crowded (Winter, Summer, December, you name it!), the rest of Rome has plenty of space and just like London you'll find pockets of quiet, often where you least expect them.
|
|
|
|
Post by mochahazelnut on Apr 3, 2012 6:26:38 GMT -5
Hi madamtrashheap, I'm from Singapore so I'm well used to crowded places, but I'm worried when I see this: static.panoramio.com/photos/original/51318945.jpg(near Trevi fountain) Nonetheless, I'm still very keen on seeing Rome. I've been doing a fair bit of reading on the attractions in Rome, and the one that appeals most to me is the Pantheon, followed by Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, the catacombs, and the Colosseum of course. Most likely if we go Rome we'll plan a day trip to Pompeii. Florence looks pretty enough though it isn't really drawing me in? My husband wants to visit Venice but I'd rather spend more time in Rome instead of wasting the time travelling to and fro. It's hard to compare the UK and Rome and I've never been to the latter. But we just really enjoyed London and Edinburgh (and the cool weather) and wished we had more time to visit places we didnt get to the first time - Oxford, Cambridge, Bath/ Stonehenge, Cotswolds, Cornwall and so much more. We also love Scotland and really want to go back to explore the highlands, but we're saving it for when we have more time to take a longer trip.  |
|
|
|
Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 3, 2012 21:08:20 GMT -5
Aha! Thanks for clarifying the crowding, and for the picture evidence - that looks to be on the steps that surround the Trevi, with the church steps opposite the Trevi in the background (middle and right, there's a fence around it). Which explains the crowding - you'll find the Trevi particularly busy from around 3pm until around 8pm in Summer, the rest of the year it's certainly busy, but not jam-packed like this. If you went there at 10pm, you'd find people, but not even a quarter of what you can count in the photo. So as for May, I doubt you'll find it THAT crowded. And as for the rest of Rome, again, the Vatican area is busy, with inside the Vatican Museums often very busy, but the rest of the city will certainly be bearable for you.
Probably doesn't make your decision any easier, but please keep in mind that this photo isn't indicative of all of Rome. My well-trained eye can also make out two tour groups on those steps, which always adds to the "instant crowd" factor.
One thing I will advise you of is that you will find Rome quite "dirty" in comparison to Singapore. All of my previous guests (I worked in travel in Europe for many years) from Singapore always commented on Rome being quite dirty (it's old, so looks dirty, but in comparison to Singapore the streets are certainly not clean at all), and the fact that Louis Vuitton products were cheaper in the shops in Rome than in Paris - both interesting and useful points!
As for your sights to see in Rome, you're on the right track and they can all certainly be visited in a week. I was going to suggest a day trip to Pompei (on the train is easy enough), just bear in mind it will be a long day, but absolutely worth it. You could also fly into Rome, spend 3 full days there, a day trip to Pompei, then train to Venice (around 4.5hrs on Eurostar Italia) have a full day and fly out of Venice back to Singapore, rather than in and out of Rome. It means a little more travel, but would allow you to see more of Italy on your list. Otherwise, a week in Rome, with a day trip to Pompei and even to Orvieto (small hill-top town around 1.5hrs by train north of Rome) or Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este (Villa Adriano is a stunning garden and archaeological complex in Tivoli, Villa d'Este is a short bus ride away from Adriano and is also a stunning villa and garden complex - amazing. To reach Tivoli, take the Metro to Ponte Mammalo then the Cotral bus to Tivoli, will take around 30mins) would allow you to experience that part of the country at a slower pace.
I think saving the Highlands for another trip, even if you do decide to go to the UK this time, is a wise move as a week there would be perfect. Aaah the choices!
|
|
|
|
Post by mochahazelnut on Apr 9, 2012 22:49:10 GMT -5
We booked our trip!! We'll be going to Rome for 6 full days, including a day trip to Florence. I know I said earlier that Florence wasn't on our list, but upon further research I managed to find some attractions that we can visit at a leisurely pace. Distance-wise it's closer to Rome and we'll be able to go shopping at the leather school!  Thanks for all the help and tips given! Only 6 more weeks to go! |
|
|
|
Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 10, 2012 21:51:42 GMT -5
That's great news! Well done!
Can I make one suggestion, well two actually:
1. Don't plan your visit to Florence for a Monday - most of the museums are closed
2. consider an overnight stay there, so you can leave Rome early, have that full day and evening, then a good chunk of the next day in Florence. There is a lot to see, do, eat and take in, so don't sell it short with just a day trip. That will still leave a good number of days for exploring Rome.
|
|
carox
Full Travel Member
Posts: 26
|
Post by carox on May 2, 2012 1:18:10 GMT -5
London is the beautiful place to travel; there are many places to visit such as given below:
Tower of London, Kew Gardens, Westminster Abbey, St Margaret's Church, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and Wembley Stadium.
The climate, weather and culture is really enjoyable for us in summers.
This summer I am going there with my family.
* EDIT - NO commercial links please!
|
|
bellaj
Junior Travel Member
Posts: 9
|
Post by bellaj on Oct 29, 2012 2:27:16 GMT -5
London is one the finest and beautiful place to hang around with families. Today it has proved itself a perfect family holiday destination. There are various beautiful places to visit. Some of them are-
1 Borough Market
2 British Museum
3 Museum of London
4 National Portrait Gallery
5 Science Museum
6 St Paul’s Church
|
|
|
|
Post by rayanlee on Dec 22, 2012 4:49:56 GMT -5
London is one the finest and beautiful place to hang around with families. Today it has proved itself a perfect family holiday destination. There are various beautiful places to visit. Some of them are- 1 Borough Market 2 British Museum 3 Museum of London 4 National Portrait Gallery 5 Science Museum 6 St Paul’s Church Yup, I do agree with you. Its a best place for family holiday. I would love to enjoy my trip their with my friends and family. |
|
|
|
Post by jestin25 on Jan 30, 2013 8:13:14 GMT -5
In my opinion, both awesome places and would deserve both a visit earlier or later. Well I choose The Rome. The Rome is such a great city, exclusively if you are looking for a loving places. The Rome is much less expensive than London.
|
|
