Italy, May vacation in Rome and Pompeii

Italy, and more specifically Rome (and Pompeii) was the destination for May 2013. Inspired by a meeting with a newlywed couple, we decided to look at flights to Rome and it worked! :)

We found, by chance, cheap LOT Polish Airlines tickets between Warsaw and Rome, and for the May weekend!!! The hook? The tickets were bought in August 2012, so if one likes to plan long ahead one can find similar bargains. The team for the trip gathered very quickly (24 hours!) and we were able to start preparations in peace. Simple, right? :)

However, we realize that not everyone has the ability to buy a ticket this far in advance. However, sometimes it is worth to search, because bargains can be invented. If we wanted to buy the same tickets in January 2013 we would have already paid at least 3-4 times more. Fortunately, there are also low-cost airlines flying to Rome, and thanks to numerous promotions, especially in the low season, you can find cheap tickets (even for a dozen zlotys each).

What to take to Rome?

So it’s useful to have a little tip about what to keep in mind before going to Rome.

For the trip, we recommend bringing:

Guidebooks, maps – the number of monuments in Rome will knock more than one to his knees, and, unfortunately, the public Internet is not to be counted on – the description of the monuments alone is poor,
comfortable shoes – Rome is best explored on foot, just look in some courtyard and you can find real gems! (more on that later),
Before leaving, it is worth getting one of the tourist cards (you can buy cheaper than on the spot and you avoid the queues – we had the Archeological Card).
archaeologist or historian ;-)

Some practical tips

Practical advice if you are just planning a trip to Rome and the surrounding area:

we recommend the site roman.it – you will find cheap apartments, lots of tips and advice,
if you do not want to walk a lot pay attention that there is a subway or public transport stop nearby,
As already mentioned, figure out the tourist cards – some also give discounts on transportation in Rome,
Some places have free admission on specific days. We hit the last Sunday of the month, when it was just right to enter the
Vatican Museum
for free (16eur per person in your pocket, what the heck!). Additionally 1. Maya also Pompeii offered admission for free. Attention! Some attractions are closed on Mondays!
It’s worth making a student card ISIC – in some places the discounts are up to 25 years of age and then you only need an ID card, but in others ISIC gives discounts even to the older ones. Well, and you have additional insurance:)

Still on the subject of free Internet in Rome (wi-fi). Unfortunately, it is not accessible to the ordinary tourist. In order to use any of the free wi-fi networks, you need to provide an Italian phone number when registering. That’s why, as I mentioned, it’s better to get guidebooks and printed maps before you go :)

So much for the introduction… welcome to our day by day coverage!

Our coverage begins here: Rome – Day 1: arrival, immediate surroundings

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