superisis
His Highness' dog at Kew
Depends on when you are planning on travelling. If you are travelling in August (or perhaps even late June), I would tell you to Stay away from Rome (perhaps similar arguments can be made for Athens and
Madrid, but I'm not as aquainted with those cities).
Rome sucks in August for 3 reasons:
1. Weather. You enjoy warm weather? 35 degrees Celcius? Well Rome gets to be warmer than that, quite unbearable (though If you're from Texas or so, i guess you'll be fine).
2. Turists. You enjoy standing in line? Wanna go see the sistine chapel? How about 3 hours of waiting, then a crowded room. Personally not my cup of tea. Also the high turist season attracts those how wish to make a buck on shady deals and out right pickpocketing. Expect to leave the city missing a camera or wallet.
3. Romans. Want to meet some real romans? Go to some non-turisty truely genuine roman resturant? Forget it. August is Roman vacation time, that's when they flee the city (for above mentioned reasons). There is only one phrase you'll need to decipher in Rome in August. That is "Chiuso per il ferie"(close for vacation). That goes for many of the clubs and bars aswell.
Take my word for it: Rome is a great city, do it the honor of visiting it when it can truely shine (I recommend late October, early November). In the summer time, see some of the other great European cities (Prague, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Stockholm, etc). But Stay away from Rome.
Johan
[/rant]
Madrid, but I'm not as aquainted with those cities).
Rome sucks in August for 3 reasons:
1. Weather. You enjoy warm weather? 35 degrees Celcius? Well Rome gets to be warmer than that, quite unbearable (though If you're from Texas or so, i guess you'll be fine).
2. Turists. You enjoy standing in line? Wanna go see the sistine chapel? How about 3 hours of waiting, then a crowded room. Personally not my cup of tea. Also the high turist season attracts those how wish to make a buck on shady deals and out right pickpocketing. Expect to leave the city missing a camera or wallet.
3. Romans. Want to meet some real romans? Go to some non-turisty truely genuine roman resturant? Forget it. August is Roman vacation time, that's when they flee the city (for above mentioned reasons). There is only one phrase you'll need to decipher in Rome in August. That is "Chiuso per il ferie"(close for vacation). That goes for many of the clubs and bars aswell.
Take my word for it: Rome is a great city, do it the honor of visiting it when it can truely shine (I recommend late October, early November). In the summer time, see some of the other great European cities (Prague, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Stockholm, etc). But Stay away from Rome.
Johan
[/rant]
