Camera Issues and Tivoli

Tivoli is very much worth a day-trip. For the Villa d'Este you'd best take the train from Rome Tiburtina station, from where they take around one hour at the affordable price of EUR 5,20 return (»andate e ritorno«). www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en gives you the schedule.

We were in the Vatican and Borghese last month, and cameras are allowed in both. I took pictures without a flash of the incredible statues in the Borghese. The Vatican prohibits taking pictures as it is so congested that photographers in such tight confines of the museum would be pests.
What they'll ask you to check is backpacks--for security reasons. Both places have huge checkrooms.
What gets on travelers' nerves in todays' travels are those with smart phones taking selfies--especially with selfie sticks. They're a group totally without manners in most cases.
I've not been to Tivoli, however we recognize that there are about as many great travel sights in the Rome suburbs as there are in the city center. That's why Rome is a place worthy of a full week's time. The popes lived lavish lives with incredible summer palaces and gardens. The church also spread their wealth around to their "supporters" outside of Rome.

I think it's totally reasonable to see both Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa in 4 or 5 hours. The latter will take longer because it's spread out over a large area. My recollection is that we spent about an hour at Villa d'Este, had lunch, and then tromped around Hadrian's villa.

Can I bring my camera (DSLR) into the Borghese and/or Vatican museum.

Yes, you may bring it to both but no flash, monopods, selfie sticks or tripods. Photography of any kind is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, and getting snaps in much of the rest of the Vatican museums will be an exercise in shooting over/around the mob!

I love Villa Adriana in Tivoli -- a wonderful ruin; be sure you have 3 hours for that. The large pool there is the scene of 'heaven' in the TV production of Angels in America. Villa d'Este gardens are nice; the villa itself is not very interesting.

You can bring and use your camera at both the Borghese gallery and the Vatican museums. You cannot use flash in the Borghese gallery. At the Vatican museums there will be signs instructing you when photography and or flash is not allowed. Other than that, you can use your camera when ever you'd like.

I've seen so many conflicting reports about security and storage rooms

Not sure where you're seeing these reports but I've never heard of any issues with either location have problems with their storage rooms. I've left my belongings in both more times that I can count without a single issue. I wouldn't hesitate to leave my camera or gear in either storage location.

Donna

The Vatican's own website states their various rules pretty clearly:

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Consigli.html

By " flashlight" they mean flash on cameras/recording equipment.

Thanks for all the replies. Think I will try to make it to be both villas in Tivoli.

And I think I was reading a lot of dated information about cameras/photography in museums. Now Im even more excited. Probably should get an extra battery for my camera. 10 days!

Thanks again.

I just wanted to give you another perspective- and that is to think if you really need to bring your DSLR. If you want to fine. You will no doubt get great images. However, it is iiberating to leave it at home and use your phone.

I have several DSLRs, but over the last few years when we've travelled to Europe I took the leap of faith and left all my camera stuff home. It's amazing how good it is to travel light - just carryon bags - and also not worry about taking expensive equipment, or leaving it in the hotel room when travelling. While it is a sacrafice, for me it was worth it. We have iphones, and for just regular shooting we have wonderful photos of every trip.

Here's an interesting link:

http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-6-vs-dslr-and-point-and-shoot-2015-2

This is my first European trip so I couldnt imagine not taking my camera. I will try to leave it in the apt on some days, but I absolutely have to have in my luggage.

Im an Android guy and my S6 has a great camera, but I would feel like Im cheating myself not using my Canon.

Thanks for the alternative perspective. I think on a return trip I can see myself leaving the camera at home.

I understand, I've been there literally. On my first trip I took lenses, DSLR and even a tripod. That was the last time. I then got a point and shoot. Again, with technology now - given most of the "typical shots" you will take, it's really not necessary.

So yes, it's traveling light in every sense of the word. Especially in summer months, having a camera around your neck, or shoulder, or carrying a case. Not fun in crowds or on the metro. Additionally, I agree with Kaeleku - it does mark you. So, it will also bring you some peace of mind, not worrying about your equipment, and you will. Also, don't discount traveling light. Imagine how much more can go into your carryon bag and how easy it will be getting around Rome or anywhere else in Italy (or Europe).

Again, it's your choice. I think the advantages of not taking it outweigh (pun intented) bringing it. Maybe you need to go through this for yourself, but just trying to save you the trouble.

Regardless, have a great trip.

Big cameras are not what thieves want. They want cash, iPhones, etc, liquid assets they can easily move. IMHO.

I'd agree with Dave: iphones/smartphones are a much bigger target than a camera because they're so easy to 'lift', pocket and resell. Bruce, I can't imagine not having my Canon (digital) in Europe either.

I agree with Dave, DSLR's don't make you a target.

Take your DSLR, you won't be sorry. Unless you're traveling to the countryside, leave your tripod at home. You cannot use it in the city without a permit and sites won't allow you to use them at all. I take my DSLR with me on every trip and have never regretted it. I don't carry it every day but on days where I am visiting "new" sites I do take it with me. Since this is your first trip I imagine that you'll carry it every day. I would get a secure cross body bag that will be big enough to hold the body and a lens or two.

These are ones that I own:

http://pac.factoryoutletstore.com/details/170755/citysafe-cs100.html?category_id=64294

http://pac.factoryoutletstore.com/details/316237/pacsafe-slingsafe-lx200.html?category_id=63598

http://pac.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/63596/Pacsafe-Citysafe.html

The last one is the one I use most of the time for new sites. I'll carry the camera around my neck and have an extra lens inside the bag.

Donna

I vote for bringing your DSLR. I usually stick to one lens, two if it is an unusual or a domestic trip. The last trip I used a 50 mm lens. It actually just helps me think about my shot more and move to adjust rather than relying on the lens. I had been slightly nervous that I would be a target, initially, as I was traveling solo, but I didn't see any sign of it. Before pulling the camera from my purse, I would put the wrist band on so it was attached to me at all times. No one paid any attention to me...that I saw, although I had lovely conversations with people. I don't have a full frame camera so it would not be a huge loss, so for me it was worth the risk. I love to take photographs, not just pictures to show I was there (and don't get me started on selfies). I don't get the same feeling from a point and shoot camera. Wray

Thanks Donna and Wray,

Im definitely not taking my 6D for selfie purposes. I hope to capture some great shots of Rome, Naples, Pompei, and Tivoli. I have a cross body camera bag but I dont think I will want to tote that all day. I'll probably just secure it in my back pack which is more comfortable to carry. Im not concerned with thieves; unless its a gang of armed Italian thugs I should be okay. And with it being my first trip (out the country and on a plane period) I'll more than likely carry it everyday. Although the 24-70 is pretty heavy on the neck, but I'll manage.

Thanks again to everyone.

I use a Black Rapid strap to put the weight on my shoulder instead of my neck. It also allows the camera to ride on the side for an easy grab, and gets it off the chest-helpful in lines, Metro, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/BlackRapid-RS10SC-1AO-Metro-Camera-Strap-Black/dp/B009TL1YMY

For those suggesting traveling with phone only. Why have a high end DSLR if you don't take it on trips with fabulous photo ops? Now if you truly only want a few selfies for your facebook page, then traveling light makes sense. But if you are a photographer then you want good equipment when you want to take pictures. I carry an expensive but small sony point and shoot that I have with me at all times and a DSLR with a good long lens that I use when I am focused on taking pictures.

I have been carrying this kind of equipment in Europe since 1960 and have yet to have been 'targeted' and robbed. People get their pockets picked when they have valuables in their pockets; don't put valuables in your pockets or in the easy access pouches on our backpack and hang onto your stuff and you are unlikely to have things taken.

And as a side note. DSLR cameras are themselves not theft targets (of course anything handled carelessly e.g. left lying around, can be stolen but they are not particularly sought after) High end phones on the other hand ARE sought after so the person using an Iphone to take pictures is more likely to be targeted for theft the first time he sets it down on a cafe table than someone using a big clunky camera. The only person I know who has lost a DSLR left it hanging in a toilet stall and it was gone when he returned a few minutes later realizing he had left it.) I know several people who have lost phones to theft one from a cafe table and two from pockets. And the Chief of Police in Paris had his phone stolen at a cafe last year some time.

Bruce, please do not carry anything of value in a backpack on your back!! This is the easiest place for pickpockets to get at. Carry your camera in a cross body bag or around your neck, shoulders! You might think you'll realize if someone is in your bag, but you won't. It happens all the time and people are devastated when they find their wallet, purse, camera, phone.....anything of value gone.

donna

Just wanted to chime in again. My original point just had to do with tradeoffs and alternatives. That in recent trips I just decided that I would sacrafice those kinds of photos that I could take with my DSLR with the ease and convenience of using my phone. For me, not having to lug around all that equipment - and making travel that much easier outweighed the benefits of taking all that equipment along. There was never a photo opportunity that I said "I wish I had my DSLR" as I reached for my pocket and put my Iphone back after taking some great images.

We love traveling light - just one carryon bag. We also have wonderful pictures and honestly in the trips to Europe we have made in the last few years it just makes packing that much easier without the extra camera bad or weight of my camera and lenses in a suitcase. But again, this is a choice and one that should be considered. However, look around when you travel, you will see less DSLRs vs people using their phones.

Lastly, like so many threads in this forum, this issue has been addressed before.
Here is a recent one:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/how-to-save-weight-when-travelling-forget-the-dslr

I don't see how you can do both Tivoli sights in 5-6 hours. A full day, yes. The public transportation alone is an hour each way, if you're lucky. (We had to stand all the way on the bus, and could barely reach the ticket cancelling machine. That was after taking the Metro to the bus station at Ponte Mammolo and going downstairs to the newsstand to buy our tickets.) Then you have to get between the two sites, waiting for the bus, and finding the transportation home and waiting for it after your second visit. The Ron in Rome site was helpful to us on our trip to Hadrian's, which is more difficult than Villa d.Este. It is also immense, and just running around it to "tick the box" is hardly worth the excursion.

Note that the Marine Theater at Hadrian's (a landmark of world architecture) may still be closed for renovation. Another post here refers to Canopus, the second-most famous detail of Hadrian's Villa.