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Posted by
506 posts

This was our fourth trip to Italy in May, we could not believe the decline in this country. We were last there in 2011. Our hotels were very nice, no change there, the restaurants were excellent too. The streets were filthy the trains were filthy, the underground over crowded and also buses. There was not a toilet worth using unless you were at your hotel or restaurant. All public toilets had no toilet seat on them anywhere. I don't know how they would expect tourists to only pee at their hotel or at meals in restaurants. Even places you would expect there should be toilets did not exists. No, we really could not believe the change! And then add in the fire at the Rome airport and what a horrific mess!

Posted by
11613 posts

Must have been a slow news day.

I think Judy's last trip was not a happy experience. However, "all..." Is clearly an overstatement.

I was in Roma in June and it was about the same as in previous years (I go every year so maybe I miss subtle changes). All big cities require caution. As for strikes, they usually last less than a day.

Posted by
32510 posts

We go to Rome nearly annually too.

Our last trip was in the spring this year.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that for where we were staying that using different buses could get us quite a few rides with half empty buses and easy seating. Getting around by tram is also easy, although I was sad that they have removed the terminus of the number 8 from Largo Argentina.

We also saw plenty of police presence which kept the street sellers down to a reasonable roar, and kept them moving.

With the opening of a couple of new - to us - museums in the past couple of years and the refurbishment of others we love Rome more now than we ever did.

My wife and I never had any trouble finding nice toilets. It is knowing where to look, and not minding paying €0,80 to €1 for a quick caffe.

While the seat thieves are in evidence in popular public toilets, many now never having had any from birth, in private ones the seats are perfectly normal.

Maybe after a number of visits we know where to look.

Posted by
11247 posts

As a resident, my take is that the city is no dirtier than the past 5 years, AMA (city cleaning/garbage/recycling) is constantly challenged to keep up with the trash, but overall they do OK for a big city. Firenze, Venezia, Milano, and any small town do it better. I have never had much trouble finding an acceptable toilet, but we do pay for the additional coffee, water, etc., now=and-again to accomplish that mission. As in the U.S., department storea are also a good bet.

ATAC is in trouble, but the buses continue to run pretty well, and mostly air conditioned, thank goodness! HOWEVER, I would not go on the Metro on a dare right now. It's been nightmarish for commuters and tourists alike as the Metro drivers seem to be intent on creating disharmony. This article from ANSA offers some additional insight. If Roma gets this overdue funding, perhaps they can shore up city services.

Posted by
145 posts

We were in Rome this month for the first time in two decades. The biggest change I noticed was in the giant numbers of tour groups tramping around and the increased number of street sellers near the biggest attractions. The Spanish Steps area was the worst. We stayed near Campo Di Fiori and only saw a little of this on the Campo itself. We did not use public transportation at all - because of our central location, we walked almost everywhere and used taxis the few times we were in a hurry or had too far to go, but we were a family of 4 so taxis made sense. We saw no evidence of strikes except for a "union meeting" which closed the coliseum for a few hours one morning and required that our tour time be rescheduled for the afternoon (which worked better anyway).

Interestingly, I was in NYC in June and found exactly the same - in certain parts of the City (near Central Oark, close to the Empire State Building, etc), there are giant tour groups trampling the locals on the sidewalks and obnoxious, aggressive street sellers. This seems to be what tourism looks like these days.

Rome is a big city, but it did not seem any more or less in decline than other big cities.

Posted by
11613 posts

Forgot to mention, the Colosseum is whiter (due to cleaning) than it has been in my whole lifetime.

Posted by
15678 posts

Chuckling here as I'd gotten so used to a lack of toilet seats on our couple of trips to Italy that it doesn't even register with me anymore. They're preferable to the 'squat' variety still found in some of the smaller train stations! As a hiker, I know exactly what to do with those if necessary (and keep the shoes dry) although I'd rather not.

Yep, it's a big city, and all big cities have their ups and downs. The increasing mass of tourists doesn't help, either: I've witnessed the garbage and vandalism they can cause right here in our own cities and national parks. As far as I know, it's not the locals carving their names into the Colosseum, and hauling bits of it away in their backpacks?

She's not perfect but the pros far outweigh the cons, and I love her, warts and all. I guess it all depends on what you choose to focus on?

Posted by
506 posts

That is a huge statement to say I had a bad trip, not at all. But get out of Italy and you will see the difference in other parts of Europe. Believe me I don't have unreal expectations. I am 100% Italian 2cd generation and under stand Italians very well since my whole family came from Italy. It has changed, and I am sure because of of the last several years of money issues and all the immigration they have had to deal with have made a huge impact. But I can see where the Italians are getting really fed up and that doesn't mean that people are not going to still travel there and that the Italians should not demand some changes. Large Italian cities are not necessarily typical of all large European cities.

Posted by
635 posts

the Colosseum is whiter (due to cleaning) than it has been in my whole lifetime.

That’s very true. Compare these photos of the Colosseum in 2009, and in 2015.

For that matter, the city positively sparkles compared to the way it looked on my first visit there in 1968. Here’s Piazza Navona in 1968, and in 2015; St. Peters Basilica in 1968 and in 2013.

Posted by
11613 posts

Jeff, Piazza Navona turned into Saint Peter's since 1968!

Judy, I did not say you had a bad trip. Just reacting to your recent posts, sorry if that sounded harsh. As for large Italian cities not being like other large European cities, I think each city is unique. That's one reason we visit different places.

Italy, and especially Roma, has been an immigration center for millennia.

And I do get out of Italy - I am in Germany now, and 40% of the trains I have taken in the last three weeks have been late. Mostly Intercity, which is the same sad story as my experience in Italy.

Posted by
635 posts

Piazza Navona turned into Saint Peter's since 1968!

In 1968, St. Peters Square was one big parking lot for cars and tour coaches! There were even cars parked at the curb of the Campidoglio.

Posted by
10117 posts

A word about not using a toilet seat--you have to learn to hover and/or squat ladies; it's part of traveling. Unless you are medically unable, this is a travel skill needed for a lot of the world. Sorry Jim, I know this doesn't apply to you :)

Posted by
792 posts

haha, nope. When I was a little boy I though toilet seats were only for kids, that adults with their big butts didn't use them. I digress.

Posted by
15678 posts

Jim, you are going to have a great time on your trip! Toilet seats - or lack thereof - are a minor inconvenience. Keep those shoes dry! :O)

Zoe, we were just through Germany a couple of months ago, and you're spot on: German trains ALWAYS running on time is a fine bit of fiction.

Posted by
506 posts

Take a look at today's 7/27/15 European news on the Rick Steve's web site. Reports on how Italy has been this summer season.

Posted by
15678 posts

Here it is:

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/strikes-labor-slowdowns-add-up-to-summer-of-woe-in-italy/?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=Travel&utm_campaign=Travel

The link was in the sidebar of this page:

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/travel-news

Keep in mind that the occasional strike is nothing unusual - happens in other European countries as well - and the heat is, well, nothing the authorities can help. :O)