26th - 29th January 2020
This trip was our second get away for the Husband's birthday. We wanted to go abroad but we also wanted to go somewhere where it is not super duper cold - as we are both quite freezy. So we decided to go visit Rome, yes, temperatures were still quite low but much different than in Skopje or Poland. In all, this trip cost us €170.96 in all (excluding the money spent during the holiday, thus just the bookings). Here is how it went.
Airline
As usual we decided to make use of a budget airline and also as most of our trips, we went with Ryanair and landed in Fumicino Airport. The flights were booked only 2 months before our holiday and they were at a very good price - €9.99 per person each way, a total of €36.96.
This time we decided that one of us will purchase a priority ticket so as we will be able to fit winter clothes comfortable, and that only cost us €12 more.
As for seats we think we were quite lucky as well. Reason being is that we managed to find them at €4 each - total of €16.
Therefore, the total of the flights, extra luggage and the seats amounted to €67.96 for both of us both ways.
This was one of those early wake up trips. We were super tired, but hey like this we gained another day in the beautiful city of Rome. Our flight departed at 8am so we woke up at 4.45am and been at the airport by 6am. Everything went quite smoothly and the flight actually departed on time with Ryan-air. I must add that although I had a priority ticket I still boarded with the non-priority with my husband and we did not have any problems. In addition, our flight was supposed to be 1 hour and 35minutes long and we made it in 1 hour 20 minutes. The only thing which I didn’t like much as a Maltese is the fact that you go to the Malta International Airport and foreign people greet you. Do not get me wrong I don’t have anything against foreigners (I actually married one soo :P) but it would be nice to actually find locals in the airport.
Accommodation
This time being, we booked our stay from Booking.com. We spent three nights at Hotel Planet (2 star). The location of this hotel is convenient when it comes to transportation but the area itself leaves you with mixed feelings. The hotel is basically a converted block of flats. The room is small but ok although it completely lacks sound proofing and the wifi is pretty unreliable and signal strength is very weak. When we were coming we were worried that it will be cold inside but on the contrary is was nicely heated, but considering the Alternative options, it does the job if you are on a budget as at the end of the day you travel not to stay in a hotel but to look around the place. We must say that the reception girl was very helpful at pointing out landmark and how to get there and also provided us with a map of the city.
Photos as Shown on the site
Real Photos
Price: 3 nights €97+ €18 city tax = €115
Location: Via Milazzo, 3, Central Station, 00185 Rome, Italy
Transport
First means of transport we used was that of a Shuttle bus to takes us from the Airport to the Hotel (Termini station), which was 50 minutes away. This was operated by SIT Shuttle Bus. We had booked this right when we booked our flights. We went for a round trip ticket which cost us €11 each. On the printed tickets where was written that these were not official tickets and that we have to exchange them. We had no idea what to do but we knew where to go as it was written on the email. So we went to the meeting point and decided to see it from there. Seemed like before you board they exchange the tickets for you. The duration of the whole journey from the airport to Termini took around 50minutes. Something which we really liked was that we had wifi access. Also, an important thing to know is that there is a bus approximately every 20 minutes.
Note: Do keep 2 copies of the email or a screenshot of the email handy as on the way back to the airport you will be asked again, although it would be taken in order to get tickets exchanged.
In order to be able to go around with public transport during our 3 day stay we purchased a 72hour ticket costing €18 each. This ticket enables you to make use of any public transport in Rome (trams, metro and buses). Also we did not really make use of any apps, we just used google maps, plus the actual bus stops are very helpful as long as you know where you would like to go beforehand.
General Impression about Rome
After our terrible trip to Pisa we were not expecting much from Rome. In fact, we think that as a city is not very clean, even when it comes to parks which are right next to main attractions. Apart from this you see a lot of beggars and homeless people who eventually leave some of their clothes behind wherever they go. Honestly we did not trust these people but we tried to be nice. We were also impressed how many dark skinned people there are roaming around selling things like selfie sticks, and you notice that they are doing this in a dodgy way as when they see the police they try to avoid them. In addition, police and military with automatic rifles are everywhere. It is nice to have a level of security, but having too much made us feel unsafe.
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