You would think that so touristy as Rome is, you don’t even need to plan your trip and everything will just go smoothly, right?
Wrong.
There are so many reasons why your Rome trip can turn into a disaster and these are only a few:
- not booking your tickets ahead
- not crafting an itinerary
- not packing wisely and more.
I know Rome is popular but it’s also huge, chaotic, and with a million things to do. It’s easy to get lost and so easy to waste time trying to find your way.
Here are ten reasons why your Rome trip was a disaster and how to fix them for next time!
You didn’t plan ahead
This is probably the most obvious mistake but surprisingly frequent. Not planning ahead of time is definitely one of the reasons why your trip can go terribly wrong for so many reasons.
Starting from international flights, carrying on to hotel booking and restaurant reservations, planning a last-minute trip can turn more expensive and one where you have to settle for less than ideal because of possible unavailability of rooms/tables/affordable flights.
You didn’t read the right source
Let’s face it: everybody travels to Rome, and everybody is so excited afterward that they want to share it with the world.
What does this mean?
It means that you will find a million blogs about traveling to Rome with all types of tips and tricks, most of them written by non-Italians and by travelers who have been to Rome once for a few days.
Does this make them Rome experts? No, it does not.
Adding to that, Google’s algorithm puts on top of the search results English native speakers so Italians often remain “undiscovered”. This often results in less accurate information and, for sure, less authentic Rome content.
My website, Rome Actually, is one of the very few written in English by an Italian living in Rome. Everything you will find here was written after my own personal experience.
And no, you will NOT find anything AI-written.
You didn’t have a ready itinerary
I know that getting lost in the cobbled alleys of the historic center has its charm, but if you have some landmarks in mind or an artist you would like to admire, it can also be a waste of time.
Think about it.
If you don’t have an itinerary, you might end up wandering around aimlessly and that would be a pity since I’m guessing you won’t have a couple of months to stay in Rome.
This is why I offer custom itinerary services specifically tailored to the individual traveler’s needs.
You didn’t do your research
Let’s face it, if you don’t do any research about Roman history and culture before arriving, you will risk just staring at the local masterpieces without understanding much about any of them.
When were they built? By whom? What was the atmosphere in Rome back then? What was the artist’s personality?
This behind-the-scenes is what makes a city interesting, and in Rome’s case, utterly fascinating.
You didn’t use public transport
Whether you are staying in the city center or a bit out of it, moving around with public transport is your best bet in Rome.
I strongly discourage you from renting a car to travel around the city because of the traffic, wide ZTL (limited traffic zone), and non-existent parking. Mopeds and e-bikes are not too safe, either.
Using trams, trains, and metro is the fastest way of moving around, but also buses have their own lanes and move quite fast.
You didn’t go beyond the standard route
There is so much more than the Colosseum and Vatican Museums to discover in Rome. So many hidden gems, so many crucial events that happened centuries ago but that are so important to understanding Roman history.
Alongside the lesser-known landmarks inside the city, a great way to delve deeper into the local culture is to take a day trip. I know
You didn’t plan enough days
Too often I see travelers planning one or two days in Rome. Unless you have already been to Rome, this is just plain wrong.
Let me explain…
Hit-and-run tourism has several social and economic costs. First of all, it has large costs on the local municipality but also, this type of hit-and-run travel style is ruining the historic centers and neighborhoods of many cities, Rome included. In some ways, it’s contributing to “uglifying” historic areas.
Apart from this, however, if you have never been to Rome, you should plan enough days to get to know the city, not just stop for a selfie in front of the latest Instagram trends.
Need a hand organizing your vacation? Discover my foolproof method to plan a trip to Rome!
You didn’t pack wisely
I know that Italy is the best destination for clothes and fashion shopping. I know that in Rome you can find very alluring stores and boutiques. But packing wisely goes beyond that!
Before deciding what to pack in your suitcase, there are many things you need to keep in mind from the weather to the road conditions to the attire expected on different occasions.
You didn’t book your tickets online
This is not always mandatory, but in the high season, it’s highly recommended. If you show up without a ticket at the Vatican Museums, for example, you will not only end up queueing for more than an hour but also run the risk of not finding the tickets for that time.
The same applies to the Colosseum, as it’s the other main attraction in Rome. When crowds start increasing, however, booking ahead is recommended also in smaller landmarks and galleries.
You didn’t book the right tour
Of course, you don’t have to book a tour in Rome. You can totally visit the city on your own, but if you do decide to join a tour, make sure you choose it carefully.
There are the most different types of tours being offered in Rome, from exclusive private experiences to large-group tours.
I’m aware that private tours can be quite expensive so if you are not ready to spend too much money, consider at least small-group tours. Otherwise, I think it’s better if you visit the city on your own rather than joining large tours where it’s even difficult to understand what the guide is saying.
Still in doubt? Discover my services and make your planning process a breeze!
WANT TO SAVE THIS FOR LATER? PIN IT TO YOUR BOARD!
