Travel+Tips

Try Rick Steves' site. They've got more travel tips than you can shake a stick at. His advice is excellent, although I tend to think he recommends traveling with too few clothes. =Mobile phones= =Traveling to Rome=
 * Bring your mobile phone. The days of “eek, never turn your phone on in a foreign country” are gone.
 * More on phones on the FAQ page.
 * More on phones from the UWRC.
 * **Leave early**: Consider leaving early and spending a few days in Rome/Europe before class starts.
 * **Routes**: Several airlines offer 1-stop routes (British, Lufthansa, Delta, Air France, AA, United, etc.). It just depends upon the connection city. You should be able to get to Rome in about 13-16 hours total travel time. Routes/stops that take over 24 hours are really not worth it.
 * **Airfare**: It will likely cost you $1,300 - $1,800 for a round trip ticket.
 * **Connections**: If you connect at a major European hub, it is more likely you can quickly get to Rome even if your flight in is late and you miss your original connection. There are many flights daily to Rome from places like Heathrow, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, etc. There are usually only 1 or 2 from U.S. hubs like Chicago, JFK, etc. Connections that are less than about 1-2 hours can be a bit more risky.
 * **Passport**: Get one now and/or make sure yours is current through your Rome trip + 6 months.
 * **Visa**: not needed if traveling under a U.S. passport. If you are an international student, NOW is the time to inquire about and secure the necessary visas. I believe there is an Italian Consulate representative here in Bothell and his hours are not regular.
 * **Airports**: you will likely (95%+) fly into Fiumicino Airport (aka Leonardo da Vinci). It is on the coast of Italy about 20 miles from Rome. Ciampino is the other airport. A few local European airlines fly into here. The UWRC has advice on how to get to the the UWRC from airports. From Termini (the biggest train station in Rome), you can catch a cab to the UW Rome Center. It should be 15 Euros max to get to the UWRC from Termini this way. Termini is a favorite location for taxi drivers to try and rip off new and unsuspecting tourists.

=Getting Around Rome=
 * **Bus**: the bus system is good in Rome – there are many buses. The schedule is only okay. This is fine for most routes that have buses leaving ever 10-15 minutes. A far-out route on a weekend that only comes once an hour may involve more waiting time. The buses on popular Roman or tourist routes are VERY full (SRO, tightly packed) and can be prime for pickpockets.
 * **Train/subway/trolley**: Rome has several main train stations (to get to outlying towns/cities) and 2 subway lines (A and B lines). A bus ticket gets you on the bus, subway, trolley, and some train routes. You can get just about anywhere on this system.
 * **Taxi**: Rome has many taxis. The have a reputation of being the most dishonest in Europe but I have found that most are just fine. You do need to be aware of their tricks:
 * Turn off meter just before you arrive and quote you a higher rate.
 * Add some strange surcharge that you’ve never heard of.
 * Drive the LONG way around to get somewhere.
 * Most don’t do these things. Pay attention to the meter rate, and call them on their bluff. Usually they will seem upset and argumentative but will give in to you.
 * **Walk**. You can walk to most major sites in downtown Rome in 20 minutes or less. Consider walking as it is much more interesting and allows you to see the city a bit.
 * **Fare cards**. The public transportation system runs on fare cards. []
 * **BIT** - € 1,50, good for 100 minutes from time of validation.
 * **Roma 24H** - € 7,00,valid for 24 hours from the time you first use it.
 * **Roma 48H** - € 12,50, valid for 48 hours from the time you first use it.
 * **Roma 72H** - € 18,00,valid for 72 hours from the time you first use it.
 * **CIS** - € 24,00, good for 7 days from the time of stamping.
 * You can buy a fare card at a bus station (automated machine), on some buses (machine, but most are broken - don't count on it), or at a Tabacci shop (kiosk or small store, located all over).
 * You “validate” it when you get on the bus/train/metro/etc. but running it through the validation machine. This starts your 100 minute “clock” running for the BIT.
 * Your phone will wipe the magnetic signature on the card, so don't put it in a pocket with your phone.
 * The Engineering Rome program will provide bus tickets for all our events.

=Tips=
 * **Coffee**: if you like coffee, find a “bar” (really a coffee bar that also serves drinks) near your apartment and go there every day. They will begin to recognize you and you can even develop a rapport over 3 weeks. Even if you hate coffee (like me) you can always get an OJ at a bar. And a pastry. Drink at the bar and it’s about €1/cup. Sit at a table and it’s about €3/cup. Romans drink at the bar. Hey, an espresso takes about 5 seconds to consume.
 * **Safety**: Rome is pretty safe during the day and okay at night. Especially in major tourist areas – they are lively with people well into the night. Piazza Navona is this way. It’s a great place to people-watch at night.
 * **Pick pockets**. They exist in Rome and do fairly well. A few simple things can help out.
 * **Don’t carry your life savings on you**. If you need to carry large amounts of money then do it in a special pouch that goes around your neck and under your shirt.
 * **Bring a back**-up credit card and ATM card and carry them separately. If you should lose one, you have another to use.
 * **Carry your wallet/phone in your front pocket (not back or side or backpack)**. It’s harder to pick a front pocket.
 * **Watch your purse**. They are easy to grab and go. Especially ones with long thin straps.
 * **Pick pockets like to work in crowded areas where you may “bump” lots of folks**. Be aware. Crowed buses are prime.
 * **Go shopping for food**. There are lots of local little grocery stores and some FABULOUS farmer’s markets. Campo dei Fiori is only so-so. Learn how to shop like a Roman. It’s confusing at first but then kind of fun.
 * **Eating**. Go to places that are at least a couple of blocks away from the tourist draws. You will start to get into places that are geared more for Romans rather than spendy, crappy-quality tourist restaurants. Visit the Jewish quarter – some great restaurants. Good to a cheese shop or two. Visit an Enoteca or two. Find a quality gelato place (no bright colors, etc.). Food in Rome can be marvelous.
 * Use the [|Rick Steves audio guide podcasts]. They are great and free. Download now to your phone.
 * **Bring/use a decent camera**. There are WAY too many things to take pictures of.
 * **Photograph your passport and luggage**. Before you leave, take a picture of your passport and luggage. If you lose either it’s helpful to have a picture. I photograph them with my phone then e-mail the photos to myself to be sure.
 * **Bring your laptop**. You apartment has WIFI and you can do work on it related to the class. Download pictures to it regularly and back up files/pictures to the cloud somehow (Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.).

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