logo
‘I stayed up until 2am to see iconic attraction but it was still horribly busy'

‘I stayed up until 2am to see iconic attraction but it was still horribly busy'

Daily Mirror3 days ago
Polya Palazova, 21, went to the Italian capital to see the new Pope and take in the sights - but she was left stunned by how busy it was compared to her last trip in 2018
A woman visited Rome and went to desperate measures to escape the throngs of tourists, but still found the city to be"too crowded" and "horrible".

Polya Palazova, 21, travelled to the Italian capital in early June to see the new Pope and explore the sights. Having been once before in 2018, Polya never doubted whether she'd manage to see all the landmarks - but this time she was shocked by how packed the Eternal City was.

The University of Vienna media and communications student spent four days in the city and branded it as "far too hectic". Polya and her mates managed to visit many of the headline tourist hotspots including Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.

However, she said it was "too packed" to even attempt visiting the Vatican - meaning she couldn't tick that off her bucket list. Yet even the places she did manage to see were rammed with people - and there were still hordes when she visited Trevi Fountain at 2am.
Polya said: "I'm from the crowded city of Burgas, Bulgaria - which is right near the busy Sunny Beach resort. So I'm OK with crowds - but Rome was too much. We had a really good plan and managed to see most of the sights but the Vatican was too hard.

"There were so many people and it was more than 35 degrees, we couldn't do it. It was just too busy. I wanted to see the new Pope but I couldn't. It was so hot, and there were so many people that you couldn't enjoy it."
Polya revealed she had watched TikTok videos suggesting people visit Trevi Fountain at night for a more peaceful experience and better photos in the darkness. She stayed awake until 2am to make the trip, but discovered it remained heaving with tourists.
She explained: "Because of the TikToks, it wasn't really quiet. But it was still good to go at night. We went to bed at 3am but we didn't mind."

Whilst she relished the getaway, she believes destinations like Italy and Spain have become particularly "trendy" to visit this year. Several pals from her Austrian hometown are also making similar journeys over the coming months.
Polya remarked: "I went in 2018 and it was for sure more busy now."
The fact Trevi remains busy and, according to some people, overcrowded, may be of some concern to the authorities in Rome.
Last year, the fountain was closed for a three-month restoration, during which time the masterpiece of 18th-century Italian architect Nicola Salvi was spruced up. When it reopened at the end of 2024, a new queueing system was introduced in an attempt to control the large crowds that built up around it.
At its peak last summer, 12,000 tourists would visit it each day. When the new system was introduced, Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri said imposing the limit will "allow everyone to better enjoy the fountain, without crowds or confusion". Gualtieri also said city authorities were considering charging a modest entry price to finance the fountain's upkeep, although that is yet to be introduced.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Sick' £86 daily charge proposed for European city visited by 30,000,000
'Sick' £86 daily charge proposed for European city visited by 30,000,000

Metro

time4 hours ago

  • Metro

'Sick' £86 daily charge proposed for European city visited by 30,000,000

Venice has been at the forefront of the long-running battle against overtourism, and in April 2024 the Italian city introduced a €5 (£4.20) fee for all day-trippers. The first-of-its-kind access fee was implemented in a bid to curb 'hit-and-run' tourists who flood the city for a few hours without staying overnight. Then, following a trial run, authorities doubled down, increasing the original €5 (£4.20) fee to €10 (£8.30) — but only for last-minute travellers who book less than four days in advance. The controversial charge has covered 54 days in 2025 — ending July 31, for thos visiting during the peak hours of 8.30am to 4pm. It started between April 18 and May 4 and then every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May to the end of July. This is up from 29 days in 2024. But now, a Venetian business man has proposed that the charge for tourists should be hiked even further — and it would seriously impact the purse strings of those heading to the city. Setrak Tokatzian suggested a hefty €100 (£86) entry fee for day-tripping guests, calling the scenes he's witnessed 'obscene rivers of tourists'. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Setrak, who is the president of St Mark's Square Association, had some harsh words when he spoke to local newspaper, Corriere del Veneto. 'There's a complete explosion of overtourism like never before, with a type of people wandering around without entering shops or even knowing where they are,' he said. 'They move from one place to another, often guided by tour operators, boarding gondolas, hopping into taxis, rushing here and there, but no one buys anything', he added. It's estimated that around 30 million tourists visit Venice annually, with seven out of 10 (21,000,000 people) only staying for the day. But Setrak, who owns a jewellers in Venice, wasn't shy in sharing how he felt about those visitors, adding: 'I wonder, where are the nice people, the ones who care about the city, the ones who truly bring something to the city?' He added: 'These people don't even know what culture is.' While Setrak is not a law maker, local voices have been listened to when it comes to making decisions to curb tourism in Venice. And after the fee was doubled between 2024 and 2025, it remains to be seen what tourists could be expected to pay in the future. However, some argue the access fee doesn't actually do much to deter visitors, with Claudio Vernier, Strak's predeccessor as the pesident of the St Mark's Square Association, calling it a 'sick system'. Writing on Facebook he said: 'To believe that an entry fee of €100 can solve this sick system is a pure illusion.' He continued: 'The soul of the city is emptied, and with it the community that inhabits it. Asking €100 to enter does not educate the visitor. Doesn't teach them respect, doesn't make them more aware. 'On the contrary, those who spend a similar amount will expect a perfect, luxurious, frictionless 'theme park' experience — an expectation that cannot be met in a lively, historic, fragile city.' It goes without saying that Venice is deserving of its popularity, but other destinations around the world also offer a slice of similar charm. Tavira, in Portugal, has been referred to as 'the Venice of the Algarve'. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Ryanair axes all flights to three European destinations — including a winter break hotspot MORE: London airspace closure: Your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled MORE: Wizz Air launches 5 new Spanish routes from the UK – but not everyone is happy

We went on what we thought was a normal cruise but were surrounded by swingers trying to have sex with us, it was awful
We went on what we thought was a normal cruise but were surrounded by swingers trying to have sex with us, it was awful

Scottish Sun

time4 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

We went on what we thought was a normal cruise but were surrounded by swingers trying to have sex with us, it was awful

The holidaymaker said she will never go on a cruise again after her experience ROCK THE BOAT We went on what we thought was a normal cruise but were surrounded by swingers trying to have sex with us, it was awful Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN who thought she was going on a romantic cruise with her partner was left stunned after she realised what was really going on. Robyn-Jay was looking forward to her 10-day cruise, but that excitement quickly faded when she realised many of the holiday makers were swingers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Robyn-Jay and her partner, William, were approached by swingers on the trip Credit: 2 Robyn-Jay said she would never go on a cruise again after her experience Credit: Taking to TikTok to share her story, she explained that she and her partner went to the ship's nightclub on the first night as they tried to settle in and get their bearings. That's when things began to take a turn and as they decided to sit in a booth and people watch when a man came up to them to ask if they "wanted a third", Robyn-Jay claimed. But the strange encounters didn't end there, as on the second night Robyn-Jay claimed a woman called their room and tried to hook up with the couple, despite having never met them before. According to Robyn-Jay, the woman needed to know their room number, which they didn't share, to be able to call, which made the couple feel uneasy. The pair said they could also hear couples from other rooms on the ship shouting at each other from their balconies. "It's not that they were friends, they were trying to arrange hook ups," she said in the viral video. But it was what allegedly happened next that drew the line for the holidaymaker. She explained that one night she got all dressed up to enjoy some of the entertainment the cruise put on. After finding a quiet place to sit with her partner, Robyn-Jay claimed she noticed a man sat at another tabled was staring at her. "This was something different, this was a whole other level. I felt so uncomfortable in my skin, it really gives you that horrible feeling inside," she said. Terrified sprinting tourists are LEFT BEHIND after cruise ship flees Hawaii tsunami as Brit reveals mad dash to escape That's when the man, who was sat with his wife, allegedly bent down to try and look up Robyn-Jay's skirt. She went on to explain that her partner, William, soon noticed and called the man out on his behaviour before he got up and left with his wife. The holidaymaker went on to claim that she even saw an older man act inappropriately towards a young girl on the ship and he was overly touchy with her. "I just really think [cruises are] a place for a bit of lawlessness and I think people go there knowing that and I honestly dread to think what goes on in the eyes of other people," she said. After sharing her experience, people chimed in to share their experiences on cruise ships, and many thought Robyn-Jay got unlucky. "I've just been on a Marella Cruise and never experienced anything like this," one person said. And a second agreed: "Been on a few cruises - not my experience," they commented on the video. "This could have happened absolutely anywhere, it's not because you were on a cruise. It's also completely common knowledge that cruises are swinger's paradise," someone else wrote. And someone who claimed to work for a cruise company added: "This is a well known thing on some cruise ships. "Unfortunately you have experienced some awful behaviour and some people should understand that not everyone's a swinger. Not all cruise lines behave like this."

Molly Mae can't raise a smile as she jets off on holiday with Tommy after moaning ‘not doing one fun thing' in summer
Molly Mae can't raise a smile as she jets off on holiday with Tommy after moaning ‘not doing one fun thing' in summer

Scottish Sun

time6 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Molly Mae can't raise a smile as she jets off on holiday with Tommy after moaning ‘not doing one fun thing' in summer

The Love Island star turned business owner, 26, sparked a reaction after saying she's not done one "fun thing" this summer golly molly Molly Mae can't raise a smile as she jets off on holiday with Tommy after moaning 'not doing one fun thing' in summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOLLY-Mae Hague couldn't raise a smile as she headed off on a Jet2 holiday with Tommy Fury and their daughter. The pair confirmed their reunion earlier this year - after previously announcing their split last August. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury were snapped heading off on holiday Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke 5 The pair were joined by their young daughter Bambi Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke 5 It comes after Molly recently moaned about "not doing one fun thing" this summer Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke But Molly-Mae had a stoic expression as she, Tommy and daughter Bambi flew off on holiday. In recent months, she has jetted off to Dubai, Budapest and St. Moritz The former Love Island star previously moaned about "not doing one fun thing" this summer. Speaking to fans in a vlog, the 26-year-old said: "I said to a friend the other day, that I'm going to make it to the end of summer having not done one fun thing." Talking to her sister, she said: "Zoe, I haven't socialised once. "I'm going to get to the end of this summer having not done one social fun thing. "I haven't a life. That's not good is it? "Summer will end and I've not done one fun social thing." Soon after, Molly-Mae's followers clapped back at the star for taking her luxurious life for granted. One person said: 'Why is she always complaining about something? If it's not her, it's her sister. Molly-Mae sobs as she admits Bambi's 'terrible twos' are breaking her & says 'I don't care who tells me I'm out of touch with reality' "How insufferable must it be living with them.' Another added: "So dramatic.' While a third commented: 'Get a grip.' Someone else rolled their eyes and wrote: 'Molly you are painful…' The influencer later sobbed on camera while addressing the backlash in her vlog. Molly-Mae said: "I'm trying so so hard to stay positive and have a really nice day but I feel like I need to keep my camera running all day so you can see… every single thing is a huge problem. '[I] can't even get like socks and shoes on'. She added: 'I don't care who tells me I am out of touch with reality or all this stuff that's going on on TikTok at the minute, I don't care I'm not going to not talk about it.' Things seemed to get too much for the mother and she soon broke down in tears. She sobbed: 'We're at a little local farm near us and Zoe and Bambi have gone in, just to leave me to calm down for a minute.' The millionaire, who lives in a huge £3.5million mansion, desperately hid her eyes with a pair of sunglasses and shook her head as she added: 'I'm sorry, I'm so embarrassed.' 5 Influencer Molly-Mae appeared on Love Island back in 2019 - where she met Tommy Credit: Splash

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store