Hi. Aristofane, don't you feel you are being a little harsh on speechmom?

1. Ostia might well be within the municipal/legal entity that is Rome - but the people of Ostia most certainly feel that they are NOT Roman. They have their own separate identity, their own cultural identity and their own historical identity. You might as well say that Londinium is a part of Rome!

2. Yeah, there's several different beaches - if you want a free one then you can go to a free one.

3. Not all of the "hawkers" are selling illegal goods. Very often - especially on the non-free beaches - the MERCHANTS will have paid a licence fee to the municipal authorities and a trading fee to the owners of the beach. Very often the goods they sell are not knocked-off, stolen, counterfeit or otherwise illegal. Sometimes bathers are more than happy to have these merchants on the beach because they are selling goods that bathers need. That's why they buy them! Some items ARE of a bad quality but, heh, if you want Gucci go to a Gucci store and pay the big-Dollar! I don't think its ever advisable to tar everybody with the one brush and I don't think it's fair to have been so harsh on speechmom for what I found to be an interesting and helpful post. Give speachmom a break! And, speechmom . . . keep up the good work!

I don't think I was harsh, we are here to talk and to share with other people what we think and what we know, otherwise forums wouldn't exist.

1) Ostia is a quarter of Rome (consisting of the "quartiere" 33, 34 and 35 of ROME, of the 13th "municipio" of the municipality of ROME), and it is a matter of fact. "Londinium" has its own administration in its own state, Ostia has not, it is a part of the very complex entity which is Rome. Any quarter of Rome has a cultural identity and a historical identity, but it doesn't mean that they are not Rome. I could also think that my courtyard has its own identity, but it would be anyway a part of Rome (and theoretically I should be proud to live in Rome, instead of denying it).

2) It is just little information. What is the problem?

3) I know that most "hawkers" (sorry for my English, but what is wrong with this word?) are illegal (and they are a real bother for most bathers who go to beach to have a little relax). Also buying illegally merchandise one can risk to be fined, it has happened and it may happen again. There is not just Gucci, but many other legal shops whose owners pay taxes and sell their merchandise according to the law and the rules: I prefer these ones, not just not to be fined, but also to support our weak economy. I know in our time being always politically correct is especially appreciated, but I prefer to say what I know and what I think.

I apologize again for my bad English, I just hope it is clear.

It's no sweat, Aristofane . . . and don't worry your English is EXCELLENT (I wish my Italian was as good, I can tell you!). I was just a little worried that speechmom might be discouraged from posting again. I found speechmom's post to be perfectly acceptable and I imagine that it would have been useful for anybody that hadn't ever been to Ostia before. Of course Ostia is, administratively, Rome . . . . but it most certainly has an identity of it's own. I don't think there's such a big problem about speechmom saying that she traveled from Rome to Ostia. To make an issue about that is, I feel, being pedantic and splitting hairs. I confess that I do have a small problem with the word hawkers as I think it has certain negative, pejorative connotations. It wouldn't be fair, surely, to tar all vendors with the same brush, would it? Just as there are many established, propertied vendors that are selling counterfeit or stolen or smuggled goods and, sometimes, avoiding their taxes so, at the same time, there are many beach vendors who are selling perfectly legal goods, paying their taxes and paying their dues to the beach owners. I wouldn't like to see anybody being stereotyped. Everybody is an individual with their own problems and their own ethics. So yes, Aristofane, it is great that you share information, and we are grateful that you do - that's what this site is for - but that's just what speechmom was doing too, surely, and I wouldn't want to think she'd be discouraged in any way just because of a minor technical error regarding the administrative nature of Ostia and the fact that she didn't pin any labels on the beach vendors. I applaud her, Arisofane, and I applaud you too. Keep up the good work, everybody, and remember to be gentle with each other and considerate at all times. Ciao!

For most people reading this thread, the main relevance of stressing that Ostia Lido - and Ostia Antica - are part of the Comune of Rome is likely to be the effect that has on the cost of getting there....

And it may well come as a surprise that the journey can be done with ATAC's ordinary BIT ticket (only €1, at least for the rest of 2011) or, for that matter, the standard version of the RomaPass.

It's not quite the only consequence however, since taxis in Ostia are subject to the same rules as the ones you'll find in the centre of the city.... unlike those licenced by the adjacent Comune of Fiumicino!

Peter

I'm not 100% sure, but I can suppose that the train to/from Fiumicino cost more than the usual bus ticket also when Fiumicino was part of the municipality of Rome too (until 1992).

I imagine you've got the airport to thank for that?

Certainly the fare from there was well over the price of the BIT ticket's equivalent by the time we started visiting in 1996!

Peter

Hello

I want to travel to Rome in mid Aug. and I decided to have a day on the beach.

From lots of searches, I thought I may go to Lido di Ostia.

But I have some questions:

1. I will be alone, so are there any lockers in the free beaches to put my things, like camera) in it? Are they safe?

2. If I go to swimming, is there anyone going to rob my belongings (like towel, sun glasses ...) which I may lay on the sand?

3. Is it better to go to a private beach?

4. If it costs around 5-6 Euros, it's okay for me to have be in a safe place.

5. How can I find a good private beach?

Thanks in advance

Great questions! have you gotten answers yet? I am going this Saturday for one night with my family. I would love to know your thoughts.

Hope u will have a nice trip.

I've got advices, which say it's better to go to the private beaches, for safety and having locker.

It may cost 20 euros.

I will be glad if you share your experience :)