Rome & Berlin

[winning]

I just booked an impromptu trip to Rome & Berlin. I leave in 12 days. This will be my first time in Europe.

Any general tips or websites you've found helpful (Notify credit card company, add international plan to cell phone, etc)?

Any specific recommendations in either city?

Thanks!

[alleinesein]

How many days are you spending in Berlin? Public transportation is pretty easy to navigate in the city.

Who is your cell phone carrier? I'm with AT&T and have an unlocked quad band Nokia. I added on the 120 MB international data plan for $30 and had no issues with my service anywhere in Germany. You will have to check with your wireless carrier to see if your phone will work overseas.

Be prepared to pay for Wifi at the hotel; some rates will include it but most of the hotels charged around E$10 per 24 hrs of access.

Eat currywurst


I was only in Berlin for a day and I was so sick so I barely did anything. I managed to hit up Checkpoint Charlie, The Mauer Museum and the Topography of Terror. Allow at least 3-4 hrs for the Mauer museum. The Topography of Terror is just down the street from the Mauer museum and its free; its a small 'musem' built on the site of an old SS building. It covers the rise and fall of the Nazi regime. If you like live music check the schedule at C-Club. Its a small venue in an old movie theater.

[Deleted]

pack a good pair of shoes. I loved both cities and spent a lot of time just walking around, plus then you can eat all you want after you've spent all day walking :-)

[neonpink]

I agree pack good shoes. I have never used my cell phone while there. I either stay at a hotel that has free wifi or hop in to a McDonalds for free wifi. I've used Google voice to make calls over wifi (at my hotel.)

Pick up a good guide book and read about different things. I've never been to Berlin but I've been to Rome twice.
Depending on how long you will be in Rome the Roma pass is great for the museums, and the metro. Double check and see which day you would like to go. Some are closed certain days.

My best advice is to walk around and explore. Rome is one of the safest cities I've ever been in. I've walked around at all hours of the night. To see St. Peters Square at midnight when no body is there was pretty awesome.

Be prepared to walk a lot, but that means you can eat more gelato.

You can use your atm card in most atms around Rome if you need cash. You'll have to pay a fee but it's there if you need it. I know some Capital one credit cards also have no exchange fee so if you have one one call and see.

Have fun!


Besides seeing the big sites Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, St. Peters Basilica doing this tour was one of the hight lights of my last trip.
saintpetersbasilica.org/Necropolis/Scavi.htm

[kcbmarek]

We spent one day (long layover) in Berlin and loved it. We took the bus into town from our airport at the hotel and walked the rest of the time until heading back to the hotel. Make sure you have great walking shoes!!! Berlin offers lots of great hidden secrets you will happen to come upon.

As for Rome, this was our in / out port for our Med. cruise. After our cruise, we spend 3 nights in Rome and still could have stayed for another 3 nights. The one thing we did that I am thankful of is booked our tours for the Coleseum and Vatican AHEAD of time with a great tour company so we bypassed all ticket lines. Check out Walks of Italy - we did the Coleseum, Vatican and Twilight Rome tour with them and they were awesome!!! Highly recommend them. The lines at all locations can be very long, especially at the Vatican. Rome is full of history and great hidden treasures as well. We ate in the locals favorite spots and had some of the best meals ever.

Have a great time ...

[alleinesein]

Another thing to add. Do a day trip to either Erfurt, Leipzig or Dresden. Dresden is stunning and there is quite a bit of stuff to keep you busy. Erfurt is a charming town that you can just stroll around in for an afternoon.

[laurelle]

Visiting the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica was the highlight of Rome for me. The detail in every column and crevice, from floor to ceiling was astounding! I was also impressed with the Pantheon !

[udscoobychick]

Trevi Foutain at night is one of my favorite sites in Rome--it tends to be mobbed, so be aware of that.

Walk 2 blocks away from any major tourist attraction before stopping to get something to eat--the prices are super inflated near the tourist spots.

Like PP said, Rome is fun to just wander.

[GilliC]

I will lend a recommendation to Lutter & Wegner in Berlin. I am not a fan of German food, but everything we had there was fantastic! I think I may have been converted. I never knew that sausage, cabbage, and potatoes could turn into something so lovely!

In Rome, I would definitely recommend a DK EyeWitness guide for Rome, because it's nice to have something pointing out some of the details visually, so you have more information about what you're seeing (especially at the Roman Forum). If you like Renaissance art, wander into a few of the less-famous churches. There is some amazing art and architecture, and they're all free to visit.