How I did it: I got incredibly lucky, I've always wanted to go to Rome and was offered the chance to go with my philosophy class.
I paid my fee, and that was that, I didn't really have to do much organising. The school had ran this trip for years so knew what they were doing, I picked up a few things.

• keep travel costs down by flying cheaply (if you feel up to it, cut out the middle man and book your flight personally)
  
• We stayed in a budget hotel with 4 to a room. We didn't spend much time there so it didn't matter what the rooms were like(as it happened they were fine, old fashioned like most of rome). More importantly than anything else the hotel was well placed.
  
• Once there we got around by walking, only using the Underground when we needed it
  
• We had a ticklist of things we wanted to see, before we went we got out a map and worked out what was near what to make it easier to plan.
  
• We booked well in advance so that we could be part of an audience with the Pope when we visited the Vatican.

Lessons & tips: It really is a great city to visit, it's like stepping into history and yet it's so alive with packed courtyards full of great restaurants and bustling markets.
The architecture is astounding and nothing seems out of place.
Places that would be a must see at other cities are just average in Rome.
My advice is get a guidebook as there is so many places to visit and things to do and you cant see it all in one trip, the Vatican (St Peters Basilica, Cistine Chapel) is a must as is the Colloseum, the Trevi Fountain(that one is great at night) and the Pantheon but there is so much more beyond that. You could spend months exploring this city.
My personal tips are

• try to learn a bit of Italian
  
• sample the local food, everyone knows about the Pizza but there is also great fish and Italian Ice Cream is the worlds best.
  
• Make sure you have a map on you, it's easy to get lost. If you do the best thing you can do is look for the river Tiber.
  
• Keep an eye out for pickpockets there isn't much heavy crime in Rome but there is plenty of pickpockets. Keep your wallet in a zipped pocket
  
• Watch out for the traffic, Roman motorists can be absolutely berserk, I'd tell you to keep out of the way but on the other hand they dont seem to stop to let you cross until you are already in front of them.
  
• Other than that just have fun

Apr 20, 01:45PM PDT | 0 comments | 3 cheers