Ciao,
I’m Ron, an American living here in Rome. I’ve started this blog to assist folks traveling to Rome. I remember my first trip to Italy. We were very excited but unprepared for the challenges we would meet. We made lots of mistakes. My goal here to to help you AVOID making those same time consuming and costly mistakes!
How did I end up here? It’s a long story… My wife and I decided to relocate to Italy back in 2007. As an former corporate officer and vice president, I had gone through some career changes and we found ourselves asking each other, “What do we really want out of life?” We both enjoyed traveling and for the last eight years had repeatedly traveled abroad. How could we combine traveling, our passion, with our lifestyle?
The answer did not come easy. First, we had to determine our current and future financial positions. Wish I knew then what I know now! We agreed that, at minimum, one of us had to work. So out went the resumes.
- Me and My Better Half in Orvieto
My wife, Jeff (Yes – that’s her name; No, it’s not short for anything!) immediately got hits. She is a very talented teacher who is certified in multiple levels of Special Education. Her skills were in immediate demand in multiple English-speaking schools abroad. Our goal was to move to Italy and her best opportunities were in Rome. Lucky us!
We had planned a vacation in Italy and thus coordinated job interviews for the same timeframe. Needless to say, Jeff’s skills were in high demand (mine were not??) and she quickly received a job offer. We flew home wondering, “Is this really what we want to do?” Reality has a way of “waking you up,” and quickly!!! We decided, yes, this would be the best direction for us! So she moved to Italy in August 2007. After selling our house, storing all our belongings, and selling our cars, I followed in Janaury 2008.
Upon arrival I encountered the many challenges that are “living in Italy.” Trust me, it’s not the same as vacationing here! In my many walks through town I constantly ran into fellow Americans on their vacations. Many were lost, confused, and befuddled by the chaos of Rome. I found myself helping folks. Always an individual who enjoyed research and public speaking, it was only natural I started showing folks around town as a guide. Coupled with online work, I found myself extremely busy. I also participated in many travel boards and again tried to help folks enjoy their “dream vacation.” Over and over I, and many other ”experts” and expats, provided answers to confused tourists.
So now I’ve decided to write a blog. More of an information blog. I remember my first time traveling to Rome. I did ALL the wrong things! I waited in the wrong lines – some for more than 2 hours! I ate at all the wrong restaurants – because they were convenient… and I was lost – even with my GPS. My wife could tell you stories about that one! (Guys, make sure you change the setting from automobile to pedestrian mode before you calculate a route… I still hear about that “walk” eight years later!).
So my goal is to help you by giving you the benefit of my experience, my mistakes, and my travels. While I may not be a travel or literary expert, I am a battle-scarred European travel veteran! I hope you’ll enjoy my attempts to help make your trip successful and more enjoyable!
I welcome your comments, subject matter requests, and suggestions. If you prefer, you can Send me a private email message by completing the box above on the FAR RIGHT side of this page with the header, If you would like to send a private email to me, enter your msg below! and then Click “Submit Query.” Sorry I can’t post an email address here… When I first started the blog I did and got overwhelmed by SPAM – Ouch. But this method is a direct and private link to my email! Thanks for your understanding and I welcome your emails – or comments on the blog.
Good Luck in your travels!
Ron
Thank you, for the time spent on this site. I am travelling to Rome this month, and your blog is the best there is. Is better than a guide book, and offers the exact information ones look for.
Thank you again, and good luck.
I second ‘visitor’. This blog has been very informative, and I will ‘advertise’ it for you, Ron. That’s the very least I can do to repay you for the information contained here in your blog.
sitting off in far distant Australia trying to make sense of Italy I have in one morning got more useful information from your website than from weeks of research and browsing…you are a life saver! Thanks mate, for your excellent website.
I’m going to Rome at the end of this week and I’ve been making notes from your blog into my Rome book. Thank you so much for all the detailed information!!
Hi Ron
I just found your website today with a google search for the Roma PASS! Lucky me- there is a wealth of information on here.
My fiancée and I are heading to Italy this summer. Starting our trip in Zurich with a zig zag of places down. We are planning to be in Rome on June 26th with a planned departure to the Tuscany region (primarily Chianti) on the 29th of June.
Your site and posts are fantastic. I have spent the better part of my afternoon perusing your site.
Cheers,
Melissa
I’m going to Rome this week and i’ve been looking for information about rome, and I’ve found your blog, Thank you for the information, its a lot of work
hey Ron, hd a gr8 time in Roma thnx to you. we’re back in Mumbai planning a sequel real soon
Ron,
Thank you so much. We had a wonderful time. You are a wealth of knowledge on the Vatican tour and our trip with you to the market was just a plain old good time. Thanks for the help with the train system it made the remaining 15 days much easier.
See you next time.
Chuck and Melanie.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such valuable information! I feel like I am so much more prepared now for our trip to Rome!
Wow! Just found you today – trying to find ways to tour the ports of call on an upcoming cruise – wanting to “adventure” even tho we’re on a cruise – and you have all the answers! I’m passing this on to everyone I know!
Thank you so much for all the great info on Rome! My boyfriend and I are travelling (volcano permitting!) from Scotland to Barcelona to go on a cruise next week, and we have one day in Rome, I feel much more relaxed about doing the tour ourselves and getting the most out of it! Thanks and keep up the good work!!
Ron thank you so much for all your effort. Can you also suggest a blog or site for Venice. We are going to be in Rome and Venice. We have all the information from your site on Rome
. Thanks a ton. Mann
Hi Ron, like all the other peoples comments I am finding I am reading and re-reading your blog…I am making sure to take note of everything you have written…Thanks again for such great information.
Yolanthe from Australia
Thank you so much for all your hard work, your explanations have answered and cleared so many worries!!!
THANK YOU!!!
I found your site this morning and shared it with the couple we will be traveling to Rome with in July. They have been 3 times, but learned many new things from you. Now she’s hooked too. Thanks!
Ron, I stumbled across your blog while putting together a travel blog on travelpod. I’m so glad I did! Although we will be in Rome for only a day this summer, while on a cruise, your info is great! I passed it along to a friend who will be in Rome for a week this summer. I especially liked your wife’s shopping and footwear tips
Thank you!
Ciao Ron! Thank you so much for showing my husband and I around Rome. Your tips helped us tremendously. We kept telling each other and our family and friends how lucky we were to have had you as our tour guide. We enjoyed getting “lost” around Rome. We’re back in Seattle and we’re already planning another trip to Rome. Thanks again!
Juna & Glenn
You can’t even imagine how often i’ve copied and pasted the last couple of hours… Trying to make a travelplan for our 5-day holiday in September. Thank you for maintaining this site, it’s a big help!