Just wanted to share my perspective on Rome and Florence in June 2025. I had planned this trip using a variety of RS resources (Books, videos, forums) as well as a few others (Fodors, YouTube, etc.).
Pickpockets in Rome - didn’t really notice any issues, but we did maintain some vigilance. Looking back, I was overly paranoid about being pickpocketed.
- Riding in the far end of the subway (rather than middle of the car) was often less crowded. Also - slow walking to the exit made it so we weren’t jammed into a crowd on an escalator.
- I had my phone attached to a lanyard with a caribeener on a belt loop. Looks a little weird, but was much more useful than I initially thought (like confidence when taking photos through fences/high areas)
- When really crowded, I carried backpack in front or by hand at my side
- Money belt is very useful - even when not necessarily trying to prevent pickpockets!
Lines in Rome
Vatican Museum had an INSANELY long line (I assume to buy tickets). We had timed guided tour (Vatican, not 3rd party) at 0800. We had to find the correct line (right in front of the entrance, not wrapping around the walls), and we were inside pretty quickly (0810??). When we left, the line for tickets to the museum had grown even more! GET TIMED ENTRY and make sure you are in the correct line! Once in the museum, it was pretty packed. You just move with the herd (even with a guide).
St. Peter’s - we also had a timed entry (again, purchased through Vatican - you are buying an audio tour, but it gives you access to a shorter line). Lots of confusion even knowing that I had to stay right. I ended up in the wrong place but a worker eventually pointed me in the right direction. Even with a ‘timed’ entry we still waited in line around 40-50 minutes before entering St. Peter’s. (BTW - the timed entry is a little confusing. We booked the deluxe ticket - audio guide + dome climb with elevator. The time was for the elevator. Once the email ticket was received, it clarified that you should allow 1 hour for the church visit, and 30 minutes for security).
Colosseum - with official timed entry (via PARCO), not much of a wait. Long line to purchase tickets. We had purchased a PARCO membership, so it allowed us entry to the 1st level (the main tour) and the arena tour - no underground or attic. Like many posters on this forum, I fretted about not getting these highly sought after tickets. But after my visit, I didn’t feel like I missed much.
Trevi fountain - packed at night (shoulder to shoulder, not much room to wiggle). But glorious in the morning (0600) - just around 100 people.
Borghese - you must have a reserved ticket ahead of time, and this makes for a reasonably uncrowded visit.
Walking around Rome in the morning (0600-0800) is really nice - not very crowded.
Pickpockets in Florence - we have not had any issues, but again maintaining some vigilance. Doesn’t seem to have nearly the possibilities the Rome has - even though Florence has some crowded spaces, it just feels less dense than Rome.
Lines in Florence - Main line issue is the entrance to the Duomo - it can get very long. And the inside is pretty much meh. We were fortunate to go in the late morning, and the line was very short. Dome and Campanille climbs can also have lines (even with ‘timed’ entry - you still have to wait in line). We waited 5 minutes for the dome, but the Campinille line in the evening was longer (~30 minutes). The other lines are at Uffizi and Accademia - but you booked a timed entry- right? With timed entry - no problems. Every other museum we have visited has minimal lines. Medici chapel was the most crowded place, but even that wasn’t bad (nothing compares to Vatican museum!)
I have been impressed with the trains - so far on time and good!
Weather - Until today - it had been hot (85-95 degrees F in Rome and Florence). Today it rained in Florence and 67 feels cold!