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When I was in Rome recently, I saw this tour.

I suppose Like most people I enjoy a drink, but these organised binge drinking tours are stupid and does nto say musch about the people running it and those buying the tickets.

From a persoanl perspective after living in Ireland in Ireland for nearly 7 years, that people who drink this much have issues. People who drink like this do not have anything tooffer on a social front and are insecure and once you develop this pattern of drinking when young continues on.

The binge drinking and violence that takes place in Asutralia, Ireland and UK are now spreading to one of the greatest cities of the world, if this is what you want to do, just stay home.

I was so furious when I saw this company whwn I was in Rome as i absolutley abhor this drinking culture and it one fo the chief reasons I want to go to italy. Grrrrr.

Hi, I live in Rome and I don't know what is this "drinking tour". Can you give me some information? I want to investigate about it. It seems a real "bloody" thing!!

I never heard of drinking tours as well. In any case while Italy did not have drinking problems up to 20 years ago I heard of more and more young people who Drink and drive - What could it be the cause ? American movies influence ? Globalization ?

I never heard of drinking tours either, but from how you describe them they seem a variation of pub crawling, which isn't necessarily "bloody".
It all depends on the degree of consciousness you put into it, the line between a great evening of fun with good beer and a disastrous happening can be thin, but a bit of common sense and it won't be crossed.

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We have "pub crawls" here in the states too. Groups of people will get together and rent a bus mostly so they can drink and not worry about driving. I've always wondered what happens at the end of the tour when the bus returns them to their cars?

I was wondering what the advertising for alcohol is like in Italy? If I understand correctly, Birra Morretti (sp?) sponsors the football matches. Has that helped Beer become more popular among young adults?

I saw them and we were only in Rome for a night! They wear t-shirts that say We Came, We Saw , We drunk or some other shite.

I think you would fnd an italian pub crawl is very different from these back packer ones where it would seem the main aim is to throw up.

I just hate this 'herd' mentality of travelling.

When I was backpacking the last thing I could afford was alcohol and well i was travelling with one friend and you have to look after your personal security therfore you do not get drunk every night and try and stageer back to a strange hostel.

Teresa, the common complaint in Ireland and UK is that drinking culture on the continent is different, in the UK and Ireland people seem to drink to get drunk, those on the continent seem to be a little more civilised and do not drink like every one is their last. The Irish and British have ruined parts of Corfu, Crete and some of the Spanish resorts. By the way where is the picture taken, it is gorgeous?

On the news this morning, it say s the average Brit away has 8 alcoholic drinks a day when on holidays. How can you enjoy yourself?

Sure alcohol can be a social lubricant but this just encourages bad choices.

I've not encountered the specific case of drinking tours (although I did participate in a Bacaro tour in Venice). However, binge drinking seems to have been a problem in larger Italian cities. Here's an excellent article about the origins of the problem and the steps some cities have taken:

Rome battles teenage binge-drinking culture with street ban | World news | The Observer

I just returned to the US.
Birra Peroni ads where very popular when I grew up and never influenced drinking in young one. I started drinking beer at 22 since I thought it was bitter before that.
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I asked around while in Rome and apparently pub crawls ( they kept the name ) is something that is offered to tourist - majorly English speaking ( the website I found is ONLY in Englsh for example - Here is an except "Pub Crawl has turned into a must! There are two main conditions we require from our customers when they join us – speak a bit of English and like drinking! Yet, you need to be over 18 and young enough at heart and then you are welcome! The pub crawl is the best way to meet locals and fellow travelers from all over the world! Currently, we work with more than 20 bars in the city. Every night is a different itinerary, a different theme and a different ending club! The crucial part for you in our little drinking adventure is to show up at the famous Spanish Steps from 8.45 pm until 10 pm .... "

Anyway I think pub crawls are now in Italy by demand from the ( now pretty large ) English speaking community & tourism.