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I am thinking of going to Rome for a long weekend, anyone got any tips? where to stay, what to do etc.

I realise it will be expensive in the centre so not mind staying a bit out of the centre.

What are you interests, other than magic? There is so much to do in Rome you'll probably have to be a bit more specific!

I would heartily recommend that when you do the Colliseum tour you will probably be offered a free extra tour for the Palatine.
Take this offer up and make the effort to make it on time as I personally found it more fascinating than the Colliseum!

Lenoir wrote:What are you interests, other than magic? There is so much to do in Rome you'll probably have to be a bit more specific!

The history of the romans mainly, Collesium etc, but not really bothered about the vatican.

Walking Tours of the main sights are usually good value and great fun - you can always visit some of the places afterwards if you want to explore them in more depth. Hotels and Information Offices will have details of such tours and they don't cost a lot either. Last time I was there I bought a bus pass which worked out very useful for getting around, if you can get round to the Old Quarter then you'll see a different aspect to Rome compared to the main tourist areas. The Vatican is probably a must-see but to he honest once I'd gone round St.Peters the Museum seemed to be just endless corridors of the same old stuff, partial statues and so on. It only became interesting again when we got to the Sistine Chapel to see the ceiling paintings - well worth it but there ought to be a quicker way in! You can pay to climb up to the top of St.Peter's Dome for a great view of the City and halfway up there's a souvenir shop. It was totally staffed by Nuns when I was there and strongly resembled an ecclesiastical Woolworth's!

If you want to do the Colisseum I strongly recommend getting on an organised walking tour. The queues to get in can be extraordinary and a good tour will have a party prebooked which will jump the queue.

It is an incredible city with something to see round every corner. It can be expensive but if you wan to eat get off the main streets. You don't have to go far off the beaten track to find reasonably priced restaurants.

You really must see the Trevi fountain. It is pretty comercialised and hugely busy but if like me you are just expecting a "fountain" be prepared for a surprise.

Another good thing if theres a few of you is Papel Bingo.

First one to point out one of the follwoing gets the points:

A Nun - 1 point
A monk- 5 Points
A nun on a scooter - 10 points
The pope-mobile (made of bullet proof plexi-glass, there's faith in action) - 20points
The Pope - 30 points (this doesnt include his regular planned appearences)

The Pope on a scooter - 100 points

Obviously outside of the Vatican those score as double points

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

When we were in Rome, we turned up at the Colosseum and it was closed! Gutted, I was. It was our last day as well, so couldn't exactly go back the next day.

And make sure you sample the local cuisine - I love Italian food! I do hope you're not one of these sad English tourists who goes abroad and will only eat omelette and chips. Might as well stay in England for that!

And when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Build, very, very straight roads....

(Altogether now, 'What have the Romans ever done for us?')

It is a very little known fact that Mandrake used to marinade the Christians in an spice mix before sending them out to the lions in Ancient Rome.

FACT!

The limited edition recipe is available for five denarii...

Thatsa spicey meatball!!!!

Go on a walking tour of the Roman Forum and get one of the tour guides that is actually entertaining and passionate about history.

I suggest walking around the forum listening to tour guides. You will know when you've hit gold. Then either pay then, or set up a different time to tour.

When you get an excellent guide (the ones I liked always had British accents for some reason) you will be in for a couple hours of unbelievable entertainment.

The stories you'll hear are incredible (probably not all 100% true) but you'll leave feeling like every rock, column, building has a story to tell. Some funny as hell, some sad, some very moving.

Incredible way to spend an afternoon.

Don't miss out on the Vatican even if you are a shameless heathen (like me). I can honestly say that I found it profoundly moving and well worth visiting. I also went to see the sculpture of David in what seemed like some little church in the middle of nowhere and it was stunning.