Originally Posted by
exilencfc
I think it probably depends a bit on where you're coming from. I didn't find Rome at all alarming but then I go to London fairly often and i'd previously been to New York and Budapest, both of which alarmed me more than Rome. I still don't think Rome is that bad though, it's nowhere near as 'foreign' feeling as Budapest and i'd say it's less confusing than London or Prague.
I definitely agree about progressing from easy cities to hard ones, I'm off to Sarajevo later this year which is a definite step up from my previous experience.
It seems that there are several perceptions of Rome that differ from mine. I don't find it alarming at all (the first time I was there I was 14 so I'm comfortable there), I just think it can be a little overwhelming for a less seasoned traveler; particularly an American as we tend to have different perceptions of queuing and personal space.
Different cities, as you referenced, have different vibes. London is my happy place. It feels like home and I go every chance I have. I didn't think Budapest felt particularly foreign but melancholy. In describing Istanbul, I said it was like Rome and Paris had a child and weaned it solely on sugar and caffeine. My next adventure is Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Muscat. I've never been to Sarajevo but it looks amazing. Happy trails.