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Rome and Valencia

abe2010

abe2010

Well-Known Member
Jan 14, 2009
1,435
106
63
Story City, IA
Hey all. My wife and I are flying out on the 3rd to Rome for 4 days and Valencia for 4 days. Any advice on places/things to make sure we do while there from your previous visits? Any other random tidbits that will be helpful to us? It's our first time overseas so all the traveling, money/language change, etc. will be new to us. Thanks.
 
Vatican and the Colliseum are must in my opinion. Get to the Vatican as early as possible. There will be a huge line, it moves quick and is well worth the weight. Haven't been to Valencia.

Provided you are in just those cities language won't be a problem. Have yet to be in a city in Europe where English wan't prevalent.

Keep your wallet as thin as possible, also keep it and money in your front hip pocket, if the Mrs. Has a long strap on her purse keep it across her body, not try to freak you out but these kinds of things help you from becoming an easy mark. Also wouldn't pack any jewelry I could wear all at once. Once again better safe then sorry.

Other than that have fun. I love traveling abroad, love the different cultures and everything that goes with it.
 
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Assuming you mean Valencia, Spain, I lived there for a semester last year, so maybe I'm a little biased, but it's an incredible city. If you're into beaches, they have some of the best there; though, I'd wager you'll have to try hard to find one not overflowing with tourists right now. You should definitely get out to the CAC (Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias), the new museum/aquarium complex with just absolutely spectacular architecture. Even if you don't want to do the museum/imax/aquarium thing, just walking around the complex and enjoying the architecture is a must. The best part about Valencia, however, is the old city. Plaza de la Reina is my personal favorite area - the famous cathedral and tower are there and there are great restaurants, vendors, bars, etc. As far as just pure sightseeing, get out to see los Torres de Serranos, one of the old gates to Medieval Valencia, and one of two left standing. The old city in Valencia is really just a great place to walk around. Make sure to get some Valencian horchata and eat paella (Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and still nobody does it as well as they do). If you're into it (I personally am not), Valencia has a pretty impressive bull ring for bull fights. If you or your wife wants to shop, Calle Colon has some (apparently) really good shopping. Valencia also has quite the nightlife - huge amount of good clubs and bars. Also, take a walk in the river; it's a dried out river that now serves as a park - it's a great place to walk and enjoy the weather. Lastly, if you feel like getting out of the city, there are couple places to explore just north in Sagunto and Peniscola, with Roman ruins and a Medieval castle, respectively.
 
Regarding Valencia, the Lladro factory is there and has an outlet store that sells seconds. I, too, can vouch for the old city but if you like fine dining, be prepared to eat your evening meal very late.
 
boone7247 said:
Vatican and the Colliseum are must in my opinion. Get to the Vatican as early as possible. There will be a huge line, it moves quick and is well worth the weight. Haven't been to Valencia.

Provided you are in just those cities language won't be a problem. Have yet to be in a city in Europe where English wan't prevalent.

Keep your wallet as thin as possible, also keep it and money in your front hip pocket, if the Mrs. Has a long strap on her purse keep it across her body, not try to freak you out but these kinds of things help you from becoming an easy mark. Also wouldn't pack any jewelry I could wear all at once. Once again better safe then sorry.

Other than that have fun. I love traveling abroad, love the different cultures and everything that goes with it.
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Don't be afraid of a long line at St. Peter's...it moves very quick. Ignore folks trying to sell you front of line passes...unsurprisingly, a scam...had a couple of austrailians try and do this to me.

If you go to St. Peters, find the way to the basement where the columns of the old st peters can be seen. There is a special tour of St. Peter's crypt, but I don't know how regularly.

make sure to go to the pantheon when you are in colosium area.

Don't eat around the tourist sites...the food is uniformly poor.

My brother took us to the circus maximus...a weedy pit the size of Jack Trice. Avoid this.

Plenty of ancient churches about...many from the the 4th and 5th centuries.
 
Rome was a blast and you can't really go wrong just wandering around the old city. Tip for the Colosseum, buy your ticket at the Palatine Hill, it includes both sites and there is rarely a line.

The Forum is cool, but I recommend either taking a tour or printing out some info first as it will appear to be just a large pile of ruins, and you'll miss out on all kinds of history. Caesar's supposed funeral site is there too, which you can easily spot because the locals leave flowers.

If you're going to the Pantheon, don't miss out on the Trevi Fountain which is right outside.

Vatican is definitely worth the wait, but dedicate at least a half day for that. Sistine Chapel is a bit spoiled by the hordes of tourists and the pushy guards, but just hanging out in St Peter's square is very inspiring, even if you are not the religious type.
 
You may also want to check out the catacombs while you are there. There are different ones available. Kind of a nice cool (dank underground) on a hot day. :)
 
Been to Rome for multiple days on two occasions, it is by far my favorite city in Europe. Not real clean and pretty but real.

All the main sites that people mention are great. The first thing I would do is tke one of those touristy double decker buses. Yes it's cheesy but it will give a good idea of the layout. Cabs are alo inexpenve in Rome.


For food go here

Da Baffetto, Rome
via del Governo Vecchio, 114, Rome 00186
 
JKyleU said:
Assuming you mean Valencia, Spain, I lived there for a semester last year, so maybe I'm a little biased, but it's an incredible city. If you're into beaches, they have some of the best there; though, I'd wager you'll have to try hard to find one not overflowing with tourists right now. You should definitely get out to the CAC (Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias), the new museum/aquarium complex with just absolutely spectacular architecture. Even if you don't want to do the museum/imax/aquarium thing, just walking around the complex and enjoying the architecture is a must. The best part about Valencia, however, is the old city. Plaza de la Reina is my personal favorite area - the famous cathedral and tower are there and there are great restaurants, vendors, bars, etc. As far as just pure sightseeing, get out to see los Torres de Serranos, one of the old gates to Medieval Valencia, and one of two left standing. The old city in Valencia is really just a great place to walk around. Make sure to get some Valencian horchata and eat paella (Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and still nobody does it as well as they do). If you're into it (I personally am not), Valencia has a pretty impressive bull ring for bull fights. If you or your wife wants to shop, Calle Colon has some (apparently) really good shopping. Valencia also has quite the nightlife - huge amount of good clubs and bars. Also, take a walk in the river; it's a dried out river that now serves as a park - it's a great place to walk and enjoy the weather. Lastly, if you feel like getting out of the city, there are couple places to explore just north in Sagunto and Peniscola, with Roman ruins and a Medieval castle, respectively.
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This is a great post. I think The Lladro factory is the only thing I could think of that you are missing.

Also if you go to the beach bring plenty of sun block because I think the sun is stronger in this area and it is really hard to find higher SPF sun block in Valencia.
I did go to a bull fight and I did find it very interesting. You have to think about it like a sport with a lot of tradition. I went to one where the guys were just starting out so they weren't very polished ie slower death for the bull which does make it harder to watch. I did see one good kill where the bull was instantly killed.

Also be prepared for shops to close for siesta because it does get pretty dead. This is an excellent time to take a nap or chill out in the park.
 
I agree with the others on Rome. The Colliseum is a must. Catch a tour for that and the Forum or you'll miss out on a lot of cool facts. If you can be around the Forum at night (the big building above it), it's all lit up and you can see the Colliseum in the background. It's like you're looking at a postcard. St. Peters and the Sistine Chapel are crowded, but worth it. Awe inspiring. I've always loved the Trevi Fountain too. Actually, if you just wander around Rome a little, you're bound to run into some cool old church to explore or fountain to sit by. Can't beat the gelatto either.
 
JKyleU said:
Assuming you mean Valencia, Spain, I lived there for a semester last year, so maybe I'm a little biased, but it's an incredible city. If you're into beaches, they have some of the best there; though, I'd wager you'll have to try hard to find one not overflowing with tourists right now. You should definitely get out to the CAC (Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias), the new museum/aquarium complex with just absolutely spectacular architecture. Even if you don't want to do the museum/imax/aquarium thing, just walking around the complex and enjoying the architecture is a must. The best part about Valencia, however, is the old city. Plaza de la Reina is my personal favorite area - the famous cathedral and tower are there and there are great restaurants, vendors, bars, etc. As far as just pure sightseeing, get out to see los Torres de Serranos, one of the old gates to Medieval Valencia, and one of two left standing. The old city in Valencia is really just a great place to walk around. Make sure to get some Valencian horchata and eat paella (Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and still nobody does it as well as they do). If you're into it (I personally am not), Valencia has a pretty impressive bull ring for bull fights. If you or your wife wants to shop, Calle Colon has some (apparently) really good shopping. Valencia also has quite the nightlife - huge amount of good clubs and bars. Also, take a walk in the river; it's a dried out river that now serves as a park - it's a great place to walk and enjoy the weather. Lastly, if you feel like getting out of the city, there are couple places to explore just north in Sagunto and Peniscola, with Roman ruins and a Medieval castle, respectively.
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You hit all the main points, I'm there right now and I would agree with all of it. The great thing imo is that Valencia is less of a tourist flooded city like Rome and Barcelona and Madrid are, so you get more of an authentic Spanish feel to it. I would also recommend visiting the Bioparc, it is more or less a zoo on the northwest part of town that really has a lot to see. The area by the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias is very cool as you said, some very impressive architecture.
 
in rome, eat cacio and pepe, avoid restaurants that have an english menu on the outside. buy some nice clothes.
 
any odd little customs or manners in either place that would be good to know about to either appreciate or just avoid offending the locals?
 
Dont forget to call your credit card or bank atm, to tell them you'll be in europe. If not, they might shut them off, thinking they were stolen.

You can't go wrong in Rome, hit the must see attractions. Eat and drink what and where the locals do.
 
I've always found that when you are one-on-one with a local they seem to appreciate any nod to their culture or tradition such as trying to speak their language, politely asking for their guidance or reccomendation, and thanking them for their service.
 
abe2010 said:
any odd little customs or manners in either place that would be good to know about to either appreciate or just avoid offending the locals?
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In Valencia, it is more customary to eat paella for lunch and not for dinner.

Also it is frowned upon for a tourist not to accept a brazilian or another wax on the beach.
 
abe2010 said:
any odd little customs or manners in either place that would be good to know about to either appreciate or just avoid offending the locals?
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Tipping is a bit confusing in Rome. Most restaurants will have a service charge built into your bill (servizio) which will be something like 10-15%. Generally if your service is good you would give another Euro or two on top of that (per person) directly to your server after the meal. You can leave it on the table if you want, but I've heard that it will often disappear before the waiter gets it...I've heard that locals don't tip at all, or rarely do so, but generally I think most of the waiters expect some level of gratuity from tourists and are usually quite pleased to receive something.

You should always tip your tour guide, about 5 Euro per person unless it is a private tour (then more), and 1 euro per person per day is a respectable tip for your housekeeper. I've heard both that you should and should not tip taxi drivers, not really sure, but I generally would give a euro or 2 if I felt they did a good job getting me to where I needed to go and I didn't fear for my life/feel I was being taken for a "ride".
 
The Capuchin Crypt is pretty different, and of course St. Peters Basilica is a must. Also if you are pressed for time, dont bother with the spanish steps, they arent that exciting. Go to the pantheon instead. The pantheon is pretty neat because you are walkign through normal streets and then all of the sudden, there it is.
 
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