Your future holidays in Europe

Rome, the 'Eternal City', is the capital of Italy and of the Lazio (Latium) region. It's the famed city of the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita, the Vatican City and Three Coins in the Fountain. The Historic Center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Districts

Central Rome

• Modern Center — Where the hotels are, as well as shopping and dining galore along the Via Veneto; home to the Quirinale, Trevi, Castro Pretorio, and Repubblica neighborhoods
• Old Rome — the center of the Roman medieval and Renaissance periods, with beautiful plazas, cathedrals, the Pantheon, and plenty of laid back dining; includes the Navona, Campo de' Fiori, and the Jewish Ghetto neighborhoods
• The Vatican — the Papal City State and its endless treasure troves of sights, relics, and museums, as well as the surrounding Italian neighborhood, Vaticano
• Colosseo — the heart of ancient Rome, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Forum of Augustus, the Forum and Markets of Trajan, the Capitoline and its museums
• Campo Marzio-Parioli-Salario — situated in the north part of Rome, home to the Villa Borghese, the Spanish Steps, and the elegant neighborhoods of Parioli and Salario
• Trastevere — the land to the south of the Vatican, on the west bank of the Tiber River, full of narrow cobbled streets and lonely plazas that served as the inspiration for artists such as Giorgio de Chirico, now arguably the center of Rome's artistic life
• Aventino-Testaccio — off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods of Rome with plenty of surprises waiting for interested travelers, as well as some truly great food
• Esquilino-San Giovanni — south of Termini, with an indoor market, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, and the Cathedral of Rome Saint John in Lateran
• Nomentano — Municipio III, the neighborhoods "behind" the train station

Outskirts

• North — the vast suburban neighborhoods to the north of the center, notable for the Villas Albani and Torlonia and the Catacombs of St Agnese (Municipi 4, 15-20)
• South — home to extensive suburbs and fascist monumental architecture at EUR as well as catacombs and the Appian Way.(Municipi 5-13)
• Lido di Ostia — Rome's beach resort

Understand

Situated on the River Tiber, between the Apennine Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the "Eternal City" was once the administrative center of the mighty Roman Empire, governing a vast region that stretched all the way from Britain to Mesopotamia. Today it remains the seat of the Italian government and home to numerous ministerial offices. The metropolitan area is home to around 3.3 million people.

The abbreviation "S.P.Q.R" is ubiquitous in Rome, short for the old democratic motto "Senatus Populusque Romanus" (Latin) or "The Senate and People of Rome" (English translation).

For two weeks in August, many of Rome's inhabitants shut up shop (literally) and go on their own vacations; many stores and other amenities will be closed during this time. The temperature in the city centre at this time of year is not particularly pleasant. If you do travel to Rome at this time, be prepared to see Chiuso per ferie (Closed for holidays) signs on many establishments. Even in these weeks the city is very beautiful and if you are looking for a less overcrowded vacation in Rome, this is not a bad time.

History

Rome's history spans over two and half thousand years, starting as a small Italian village to the center of a vast empire, to the founding of Catholicism to the capital of today's Italy. Rome's history is long and complex; below is merely a quick summary.

Rome is traditionally thought to have been founded by the mythical twins Romulus and Remus, who were abandoned as infants in the Tiber River and raised by a mother wolf before being found by a shepherd who raised them as his own sons. Rome was founded as a small village sometime in the 8th century BC surrounding Palatine Hill, where the Roman Forum is currently located. Due to the village's position at a ford on the Tiber River, Rome became a crossroads of traffic and trade.

The settlement developed into the capital of the Roman Kingdom, led by a series of Etruscan kings, before becoming the seat of the Roman Republic at around 500 BC, and then the center of the Roman Empire from 27 BC on. For almost a thousand years, Rome was the largest, wealthiest, most powerful city in the Western World, with dominance over most of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. Even after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, Rome maintained considerable importance and wealth.

Beginning with the reign of Constantine I, the Bishop of Rome (later known as the Pope) gained political and religious importance, establishing Rome as the center of the Catholic Church. During the Early Middle Ages, the city declined in population but gained a new importance as the capital of the newly formed Papal States. Throughout the Middle Ages, Rome was a major pilgrimage site and the focus of struggles between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy.

With the Italian Renaissance fully under way in the 15th century, Rome changed dramatically. Extravagant churches, bridges, and public spaces, including a new Saint Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, were constructed by the Papacy in order so that Rome would equal the grandeur of other Italian cities of the period. The corruption of the popes (which was partly responsible for the extravagance of their building projects) during this period led to the Protestant Reformation and, in turn, the Catholic Reformation.

In the 19th century, Rome again became the focus of a power struggle with the rise of the Kingdom of Italy, who wished to see a reunification of Italy. The Papal States remained in control of Rome under French protection, but with the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, French troops were forced to abandon Rome, leaving it clear for the Kingdom of Italy to capture. Rome became the capital of Italy, and has remained such ever since.

Rome today is both a contemporary metropolis and reflects the many periods of its long history - Ancient times, Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. With the rise of Italian Fascism following World War I, Rome's population grew. This trend was stopped by World War II, which dealt relatively minor damage to Rome. With the dismantlement of the monarchy and the creation of the Italian Republic following WWII, Rome again began to climb in population and grew into a modern city. The city stands today as the capital of Italy and a major tourist destination.

Get in

By plane

Rome has two main international airports:

• Leonardo da Vinci/ Fiumicino International Airport (Rome Fiumicino, code FCO) - Rome's main airport is modern, large, rather efficient, and well connected to the center of the city by public transportation, but consider not arriving late in the evening in Rome to have the most transportation options to downtown.
• Ciampino International Airport (Rome Ciampino, code CIA) - Located to the southeast of the capital, this is the city's low-cost airline airport, serving Easyjet, Ryanair and Wizzair flights, among others (see Discount airlines in Europe). This small airport is closer to the city center than Fiumicino but has no direct train connection. There are plans to move the low-cost airport much further out of Rome, but this is unlikely for some years. Note that at Ciampino cash machines are available only in the departures area. Please note that this is a small airport, really only a step above a regional airport. And despite its status as an "international airport" it does close. The last buses from the city are around 12:00am which means arrival at the airport is around 1am, an hour after the airport closes. You will be locked out of the airport until it opens again for the first check-in around 4:30 or 5am, be prepared to wait.

Public Airport Transportation

From Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino airport, there are two train lines to get you into Rome:

• Leonardo Express trains leave every 30 minutes to the central train station Roma Termini (35 minute trip). Trains from Roma Termini depart from Track 24 on the right. Tickets cost €11 and are available at the counter as well as the Termini news stand. Tickets sold at the departure platform are more expensive. You can't buy a ticket for a specific train; it's just a general ticket for a specific route (Termini), but it's good for any time. Get your ticket stamped in a yellow validation machine just before using it. The ticket will expire 90 minutes after validation.
• The Metropolitan train leaves from the track on the left but does not stop at Termini. Get off at Tiburtina Station or at Ostiense Station to connect to Line B of the Rome Metro. Tickets are €5.50, plus €1 for a metro ticket. The extra cost of the Leonardo Express is for the convenience of a direct ride to Termini. If you are going somewhere else on the Metro, Tiburtina and Ostiense are as convenient. Get your ticket stamped in a yellow validation machine just before using it.

COTRAL/Schiaffini [1] operates buses from both airports to the city. Don't forget to mark your ticket after getting on the bus; if the machine doesn't work (which is fairly common), you have to write your name, birth date and current date & time on the ticket.

From Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino, the bus stop is located outdoors at ground level, at the bottom of the A Terminal (Domestic Arrivals). You can buy tickets at the tobacco shop in the A Terminal baggage area, with the blue sign (Tabacheria). Lines from Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino are:

• Aeroporto-Termini-Tiburtina (€3.60)

The schedule for Aeroporto-Termini-Tiburtina is:

from Fiumicino: 1:15, 2:15, 3:30, 5:00, 10:55, 12:00, 15:30

from Tiburtina: 0:30, 1:15, 2:30, 3:45, 9:30, 10:00

• Aeroporto-Roma Cornelia (metro A) (€2.80) (schedule [2])
• Aeroporto-Roma Magliana (metro B) (€1.60) (schedule [3])
• Aeroporto-Ostia Lido (€1.00) (schedule [4])
• Aeroporto-Fregene (€1.00) (schedule [5])
• Aeroporto-Fiumicino (città) (€0.77) (schedule [6])

A good choice from Fiumicino is to take the bus to EUR Magliana (stops directly at the metro station, which belongs to line B) and then take the Metro. It's the cheapest way to get to the centre (€2 bus + €1 metro). The sign on this bus reads "Fiumicino-Porto-Magliana".

From Ciampino airport, you can take the bus from the stop located outside the terminal building to Metro Line A Anagnina station (ticket: €1.20). A metro ticket to central Rome costs another €1. There are also buses at the same price to Ciampino local train station; from there there is a train to Rome Termini station (ticket: €2). The buses operate roughly every hour or 30 minutes during the Italian work day (8-12 and 16-20), and you should count on at least 45 minutes travel time for either route. The Metro can get very crowded. Timetable booklets are available in some information booths.

There are a few direct bus services from Ciampino, all of which go to the Termini in Downtown Rome:

• Sit bus shuttle [7] runs a line that costs €6 one-way or 10€ with return (approx. 40 min, with about 25 services a day).
• Terravision [8]. Please note that this is a dedicated airport-city transfer only for the major low cost airlines. The price is €6 one-way or €12 return when booked online (approx. 40 min, with a service every 30 min). It is advised that passengers on the return trip from Termini to board the bus 3 hours before their flight's departure time.
• COTRAL's direct line costs €5 one-way (approx. 40 min), but has far fewer departures than Terravision. These buses are not mentioned on the airport website yet, but you can find them on Schiaffini's own site. This bus may be useful if you arrive at a time when the Metro is closed.

A shared airport shuttle can be hired for around €15 per person to take you from Ciampino airport. However, since the shuttle is shared, it may take longer to reach your destination if other customers are dropped off before you are.

Private Airport Transportation

Taxis in Rome are white. There are fixed fares from downtown to the airports. City center to Fiumicino and vice-versa cost €40. City center to Ciampino and vice-versa cost €30, as it is to any destination within the city walls. For other destinations fares are not fixed. Do NOT negotiate the price for the city center with anyone and be sure your driver activates the meter (all regular taxis have a meter) when he starts driving to any other destination. Fee for luggage is around €1 each. Be aware of unlicensed taxi drivers or limousine drivers (dark cars) that approach you at the airports: A drive with them could reach as high as €80. Go directly to the taxi stand and ignore touts.

Be aware that both airports are outside of the city limits, this implies that the fare for the first part of the journey is higher (a number 2 appears on the meter): the driver is supposed to change the fare to number 1 once he hits Rome's ring motorway (G.R.A.) and enters the city limits.

Rental cars are available from all major carriers at both airports. Providers can be reached easily in the Arrivals Hall at Fiumicino and in the airport terminal at Ciampino.

By train

Rome's main railway station is Termini Station. Like any other train station, it's not very safe at night. It's also locked up between 00:30 and 04:30, when the only people hanging around outside are taxi drivers and the homeless. Most long-distance trains passing through Rome between these times will stop at Tiburtina station instead.

Other main stations include Ostiense, Trastevere, Tuscolana, Tiburtina.

By car

Driving to Rome is quite easy; as they say, all roads lead to Rome. The city is ringed by a motorway, the GRA. If you are going to the very centre of the city any road leading off the GRA will get you there. If you are going anywhere else, however, a GPS or a good map is essential. Signs on the GRA indicate the name of the road leading to the centre (e.g. Via Appia Nuova, Via Aurelia, Via Tiburtina) but this is only useful for Romans who know where these roads pass.

By boat

Most cruise ships dock in Civitavecchia. Most arrange a shuttle bus to the port entrance, and from there you can walk 10-15 minutes to the Civitavecchia train station. Purchase of a B.I.R.G. roundtrip train ticket for Rome costs just 9 Euros (as of Fall 2008), and also entitles you to unlimited use of Rome's Metro and bus lines. Trains for commuters leave every hour or so, and take about 80 minutes. You can get off near St. Peters, or continue to the Termini station right downtown, where countless buses and the Metro await. At nearly ten times the cost, ships often offer bus trips as well, taking 2 hours or so to reach Rome.

• Grimaldi Lines [9]. Provides ferry service to/from Barcelona, Tunis, Toulon (France), Porto-Vecchio (Corsica).
• Moby [10]. Provides service to/from Olbia, Sardinia.

Now it is possible for modest-sized ships to dock in new Porto di Roma, Ostia, located a few kilometers from Rome and linked by train and metro.

Get around

By car

In a nutshell: Don't do it. Well, some people actually enjoy it. Roman traffic is chaotic, but it is possible to drive there. However, the roads are not logical and the signs are few. It will take a few weeks to understand where to drive, to get where you want to go. When driving in Rome it is important to accept that Italians drive in a very pragmatic way. Taking turns and letting people go in front of you is rare. There is little patience so if the light is green when you go into the intersection and you are too slow they will let you know. A green light turning to amber is a reason to accelerate, not brake, in part because the lights usually stay amber for several seconds. If you brake immediately the light changes you are likely to get rear-ended. Parking is scarce. Rome is plagued with people who demand money to direct you to a space, even on the rare occasions when there are many places available. While in Rome, it is far better to travel by bus or metro, or (in extremis) take a taxi.

An alternative is to rent a scooter (which costs about 40€ per day); or a bicycle. But it is not as safe as driving, since Italians do not act very considerately when driving and will push you of the road if you don`t keep up. So keep your eyes wide open on the roads because of chaotic driving and poor road maintenance.

By taxi

Fake taxis Some private citizens dress up their cars to look like cabs. These people strategically locate themselves at airports and railway stations waiting for travelers. Beware of operators who don't display a licensed meter and ID. Use only authorized taxis (white vehicles with a taximeter) that are available in the arrivals areas of the terminals. Also, some airport employees may direct you to a 'Taxi' driver if you ask where you find them when you are inside the airport terminal. The 'Taxi' could end up being a Mercedes limo, costing you double the fare of a real taxi, and a tricky situation to get out of as your luggage is locked away in the limo's trunk.

Taxis are the most expensive way to get around Rome, but when weighed against convenience and speed, are often worth it. Roman taxis within the city walls run on meters, and you should always make sure the driver starts the meter. Taxis will typically only pick you up at a taxi stand, which you will find at all but the smallest piazzas, as well as at the main train station. Flagging down a taxi (like in London) is possible, but quite rare as the taxi drivers prefer to use the stands. When you get in the cab there will be a fixed starting charge, which will be more for late nights, Sundays and holidays. Supplements will be requested for bags that the driver has to handle, typically €1 per bag. So, if you have a limited amount of luggage that wouldn't need to go in the trunk, you may decline when the driver offers to put your bags in the trunk. Drivers may not use the shortest route, so try to stay on map and discuss if you feel you're being tricked.

Be warned that when you phone for a taxi, the cab's meter starts running when it is summoned, not when it arrives to pick you up, so by the time a cab arrives at your location there may already be a substantial amount on the meter. You can get a taxi pretty easily at any piazza though, so calling ahead is really not required.

A trip completely across the city (within the walls) will cost about €11, a little more if there's heavy traffic at night or on a Sunday. From Ciampino airport the flat rate is €30 to anywhere in the city period, and this is set by a central authority. Drivers at the airport may try to talk you into more, saying that your destination is 'inside the wall' or 'hard to get to'. State flat out before you drive away that you want the meter to run. If they try to overcharge you, start looking for a policeman. They will probably back down. Taxi drivers can often try to trick customers by switching a 50 euro note for a 10 euro note during payment, leading you to believe that you handed them only 10 when you have already given them 50. The main taxi companies may be called at 063570 and 065551.

Rome also has several taxi cooperatives:

• La Capitale, Tel 064994
• Roma Sud, Tel 066645
• Cosmos, Tel 0688177

By foot

Once you're in the center you're best off on foot. What could be more romantic than strolling through Rome on foot holding hands? Hard to beat!

Crossing a street in Rome can be challenging. There are crosswalks, but these are rarely located at signaled intersections. Traffic can be intimidating, but if you are at a crosswalk the secret to getting across is to just start walking. Cars will not slow down, but they will alter their trajectory to avoid hitting you. Do not try to run across, or anticipate gaps in traffic. Keep a steady pace, look straight ahead, and you'll get to the other side safely.

Watch out for the thousands of mopeds. As in many European cities, even if the cars and trucks are stationary due to a jam or for another legal reason, mopeds and bikes will be trying to squeeze through the gaps and may be ignoring the reason why everyone else has stopped. This means that even if the traffic seems stationary you need to pause and look around into the gaps to make sure nothing is going to hit you.

By public transport (ATAC)

Tickets must be bought (from a 'Tabacchi' - look for the big 'T' sign, these shops are plentiful), before you board the bus, Metro, or tram. Metro stations will have automated ticket kiosks, and major Metro stations will have clerked ticket windows. Many trams have single ticket machines as well. Tickets for regular ATAC buses, Metro, and trams are the same fares and are compatible with each other. Options as of March 2009 are the following:

• a single ticket ride ('Biglietto') - €1.00 - you can change buses or into and out of the metro on one journey (valid for 75 minutes)
• Integrated Daily Ticket ('Biglietto Giornaliero') - €4 (Valid until midnight)
• Integrated Tourist Ticket ('Biglietto Turistico') (3-day) - €11
• Integrated Weekly Ticket ('Carta Integrata Settimanale') (7-day) - €16
• Monthly Pass ('Abbonamento Mensile') - €30
• Annual Pass ('Abbonamento Annuale') - €230

When you board the bus or metro you should validate it ('convalidare') in the little yellow machine. (The last four must be validated the first time you use it only.)

ATAC [11] polices the buses, Metro, and trams for people riding without tickets. Inspectors can be rare on some buses, although they tend to increase their presence in the summer. Inspectors are present on the Metro as well, and you should keep your validated ticket throughout your journey as proof-of-payment. If you don't have sufficient money on you to pay the fine, they will actually escort you to an ATM to pay the fee. If you don't have an ATM card to withdraw money, you will be asked to pay by mail, and the fee goes up to €140.

Bus

Roman buses are reliable but crowded. They are the best way to get around the city (except walking).

Free maps of the bus system are available. Others for purchase (3.5 euro at Termini). Bus stops list the stops for each route. Ask for assistance. (In Rome, there is always somebody nearby who speaks English.)

• One of the most popular and useful lines is the 40, which arches from the Termini station through the historic center and then up to the Castel Sant'Angelo, near the Vatican. It is considered an express route, so its bus stops are spaced about 1/2 mile (2/3 km) apart; but it is also very frequent, very convenient for most places that the Metro does not go to, and very fast moving, especially compared to other routes.
• The 217 is a little electric bus which winds through the Centro Storico.
• The metro is quick and efficient, especialy 'Linea A' (the 'red' route). It goes South to Anagnina, from where busses leave every half-hour or so to Ciampino airport. (Ticket on this bus costs EUR 1.20 - but on the bus.)

• Night buses should be useful due to the closing of the Metro stations at 23:30 and the stop of regular lines of buses and Trams at midnight. During the summer (until 23rd September) and on Fridays and Saturdays, the frequency of the rides is halved, which can vary among 10, 15, 30 and 35 minutes depending on the line, and of course, the particular pace of the city. In any case they are much more punctual than during the day, as traffic is much less jammed. This makes the drivers drive at high speeds, allowing passengers to experience a strange mixture of adrenaline and (the city's) classical views. Hubs of the night buses are Termini and Piazza Venezia.

A popular alternative to city and pre-planned tour buses are the Greenline and Redline hop-on/hop-off, double-decker buses. An all-day ticket runs about 18-20 Euros, can be purchased as you board at any stop, and provides unlimited access to available seats (upper deck highly preferrable in good weather) and earbud phones to plug into outlets for running commentary on approaching sights. Commentary is offered in nearly every European language.

Tram

The Tram routes mostly skirt the historic center, but there are stops convenient for the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Trastevere area. The number 8 does run into the center to Largo Argentina, not far from the Pantheon. If you want to catch a soccer game at one of the stadiums in the north of the city, catch the tram (2) just north of the Piazza del Popolo.

Metro

There are two lines, crossing at Termini station. Line A (red line) runs northwest past the Vatican, and south. Line B (Blue Line) runs southwest past the Colosseum and northeast. In 2008 Line A stops running at 11:00 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays the last trains of Line B leave from the stations at 1:30 am and the line closes at 2:00 am to re-open at 5.00. The Metro is the most punctual form of public transportation in Rome, but it can get extremely crowded during rush hour. See safety warning in the Stay Safe section.

By commuter rail

There is a network of suburban rail lines that mostly connect to smaller towns and conurbations of Rome. However, most of Rome is well covered by the ATAC buses, Metro, and trams.

See

Italians are very fond of their landmarks; in order to make them accessible to everyone one week a year there is no charge for admittance to all publicly owned landmarks and historical sites. This week, known as "La settimana dei beni culturali", typically occurs in mid-May and for those 7 to 10 days every landmark, archaeological site and museum belonging to government (including the Quirinale presidential palace and gardens, the Colosseum and all of the ancient Forum) are accessible and free of charge. For more information and for specific dates see [12] or [13].

You are able to buy full day passes for €10,or a standard Colosseum + Palatine ticket at €11, better still, a 3-day pass for €23. This pass gets you in to the Colosseum (Colosseo), Palatine Hill (Palatino Hill), the Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla), and the catacombs as well as the Terme di Diocleziano, Palazza Massimo alle Terme, Crypta Balbi, Palazzo Altemps, Villa dei Quintili, Tomba di Cecilia Metella. If you don't want to cram it all into one day, get the pass. Plus, it is nice to buy a slice of pizza and eat in the gardens of Palatine Hill.

Ancient Rome

This section needs to be expanded with an unlisted overview of the top attraction relating to Ancient Rome, see Copenhagen and Chicago for inspiration.

The Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill are all in very close proximity to each other. If you come to Rome and it happens to be raining you should definitely go to the Pantheon in Old Rome, since there is a hole on the ceiling you will be able to see the rain pouring inside the building, and that's a rather unique view.

Catholic Rome

This section needs to be expanded with an unlisted overview of the top religious structures, churches and basilicas in Rome, see Copenhagen and Chicago for inspiration.

If you aren't familiar with Roman Catholic churches, take a look inside of any one of these. You'll find the richness and range of decor astonishing, from fine classical art to tacky electric candles. Please note that some churches in Rome deny admission to people who are dressed inappropriately. You will find "fashion police" at Rome's most visited churches. ("Knees and shoulders" are the main problem - especially female ones.) Bare shoulders, short skirts, and shorts are officially not allowed, but long shorts and skirts reaching just above the knee should generally be no problem. However, it's always safer to wear longer pants or skirts that go below the knee; St. Peter's in particular is known for rejecting tourists for uncovered knees, shoulders, midriffs, etc. (You also generally won't be told until right before you enter the church, so you will have made the trek to the Vatican and stood in a long security line for nothing.) The stricter churches usually have vendors just outside selling inexpensive scarves and sometimes plastic pants. Few other churches in Rome enforce dress codes. You can wander into lesser known churches like Sant'Ivo and Sta Maria in Trastevere wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts, or pretty much anything without problems. It is, however, good to keep one's dress tasteful, as these are still churches and houses of prayer for many people. (Older Romans might comment on attire and perhaps harass you if it is particularly revealing.)

Museums

This section are now ready for a write up, please see Copenhagen and Chicago for inspiration.

If you are in Rome for the Arts there are several world class museums in the city, the natural starting point is a visit to Villa Borghese in Campo Marzio, where there is a cluster of art museums, Galleria Borghese houses a previously private art collection of the Borghese family, Museo Nazionale di Villa Giulia is home of the worlds largest Etruscan art collection, and Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna is both home of some national master pieces, and international blockbusters like Cézanne, Degas, Monet and Van Gogh. The Capitoline Museums in the Colosseo district opens its doors to city's most important collection of antique Roman and Greek art and sculptures. And finally try the Galleria d'Arte Antica, housed in the Barberini palace in the Modern center, for Italian Renaissance and Baroque art.

Other Attractions

This section are now ready for a write up, please see Copenhagen and Chicago for inspiration.

Do

Walk and feel the energy of the place, sights are everywhere waiting to be discovered.

Explore the Trastevere neighbourhood for some great cafes and trattorie, and a glimpse at a hip Roman neighbourhood.

Have a look at the seaside in Lido di Ostia and the huge pinewood of castelfusano easy to get from Ostia or Infernetto.

Events

• Estate Romana Festival (Roman Summer Festival) - from late June through early September offers various musical events of jazz, rock, and classical music, and film, sport, theater and children’s fun.

• White Night (Notte Bianca) [14] - in early to mid-September, various events and plus shops and restaurants, museums stay open while the Roman Notte Bianca stages music, dance and theater events. Expect enormous crowds; buses and trams will be packed to the brim; prepare on getting cozy with copious Romans.

Tours

• Italy Segway Tours, ☎ 0039 055 2398855 (tours@italysegwaytours.com), [15]. edit

• Roman Candle Tours, ☎ +39 320 270 9434 (enquiry@romancandletours.com), [16]. daily. Affordable guided tours of Rome, the Vatican and surrounding area conducted by English mother tongue staff. Group maximum of 15 people. from 25 Euros. edit

• Context Rome, 40 Via Baccina, Rome, ☎ +39 064820911 (info@contexttravel.com), [17]. daily. This organization of scholars, professors, and specialists in such fields as architecture, archaeology, art history, and theology organize in-depth walking tours for small-groups (max 6 people) throughout Rome. from 35 Euros. (41.53,12.29) edit

Learn

Rome is replete with foreign language and cultural institutions. Of course, learning Italian is a worthwhile activity while in Rome.

Be a good guest if you do not speak Italian. Being extra polite will keep you out of trouble.

• The regional government and two historical societies are offering free Latin classes to tourists. [18].
• The Historical Group of Rome runs a gladiator school. 18 Via Appia Antica. ph 00396 51607951. [19], [20].

Work

If you want to work during the tourist season, ask around at the hostels, hotels and restaurants with that touristy feel. It is quite easy to get a job, and it is a lot of fun even if it does not usually pay well. There are differing views on how easy it is to get a job out here. There is high unemployment and most jobs seem to go on a family - friends - other romans - other Italians - white EU - other foreigners pecking order. Italian helps. And be wary about making any financial commitments before you've actually been paid -- late and non-payment is common here, and you may find as a non-Roman you are more likely to be seen as an easy target for this. You will also need a permesso di soggiorno, whether or not you are an EU resident. Legally, you are required to have a working visa, although it is very easy to work and live without one.

Talk

In Rome, obviously the population speaks in Italian for formal purposes. The road signs are in Italian but it's common to find explanations in English too. Residents in their common life speak their own slang, romanesco, a dialectal form of Italian based on vernacular expressions and particular contractions and vocabulary. Roman slang is not far from Italian language so is easily understood by other Italian people, while for foreigners it can become harder. If they see that you are foreigner, usually they'll speak in correct Italian language. Roman people are very fond of their language. In southern Italy and in the big cities people use dialects. Don't be surprised if you can't understand locals in Naples or Reggio di calabria even if you know Italian quite well. In this situation, politely ask them to repeat.

English is widely spoken in Rome, especially by people working in virtually any touristy areas. But you'll be able to speak English with common people very often, especially with younger persons aged between 14 and 35. English is studied by italian students since lower schools and they often can speak it: if you meet someone who's not skilled, he'll however understand basic questions and will surely try to help you. Older citizens don't know English very well, some of them know little French or German but not so much.

Spanish is known by an average number of persons but it can be easily understood by almost everyone if spoken slowly and simply, because it's quite similar to Italian language.

Buy

Main shopping areas include Via del Corso, Via Condotti, and surroundings. The finest designer stores are around Via Condotti, whilst Via del Corso has more affordable clothing, and Via Cola di Rienzo, and the surroundings of Via del Tritone, Campo de'Fiori, and Pantheon is place to go for the cheapest items. Upim is a good shop for cheap clothing of workable quality. Some brands (like Miss Sixty and Furla) are excellent, some are not as good - be sure to feel garments and try them on. There are also great quality shoes and leather bags at prices that compare well to the UK and US. But when shopping for clothes note that bigger sizes than a UK size 16/US 12 isn't always easy to find, and Children's clothing can be expensive - basic vests (tank tops) can cost 21 euro in non-designer shops. Summer sales begin around July 15th.

If you want to spend a day in a large shopping mall, there's the Euroma2 with about 230 shops (mainly clothes and accessories) and restaurants near EUR district. Take Metro B line from Termini to EUR Palasport station, cross the road and take the frequent free bus (ride takes ca 15 minutes) to the mall. In addition to many shops and food, the conditioned air and free toilets may be helpful for a tourist.

There are lots of fake plastic 'Louis Vuitton' bags on sale from immigrants. Make sure you haggle; unsuspecting tourists pay up to 60euro for them. Be aware, that buying of fake products is criminalized in Italy. Fines up to €1000 have been reported. It is possible that having a receipt helps even if the product is fake - this is, however, quite uncertain.

Factory Outlets

• Castel Romano, near Rome, along the Pontina regional highway, [21]. A very large Factory Outlet with more than 100 branded shops. A car is needed to reach the place but a 30% discount in a designer shop is surely worth the 20Km trip.
• Valmontone, [22]. A little further away from Rome than Castel Romano, you can find Valmontone outlet on the motorway towards Napoli just 50 Km far from Rome. Valmontone itself is a delightful little town - 30 mins by train.

Eat

The Trastevere neighborhood and the old Jewish quarter have some of the best trattorie and ristoranti in Rome.

Eat like a Roman In Rome you can ask for: Carciofi alla romana - Artichokes, Roman style Carciofi alla giudia - Artichokes, Jewish style Puntarelle - Chicory salad Bucatini alla Amatriciana - A pasta dish Spaghetti (or Rigatoni) alla Carbonara - A sauce made with egg and pancetta (bacon) Abbacchio alla "scottadito" - lamb chops Scaloppine alla romana - Veal sautéed with fresh baby artichokes Coda alla vaccinara - Oxtail stew Cornetti & cappucino - Sweet pastry and coffee Pizza al Taglio - Pizza by the slice. Panini - Italian Sandwich Trippa - Tripe, Offal is a roman tradition, e.g. osso buco, bone marrow. Fiori di Zuccha fritta is the flower of the zucchini and is deliciously prepared in a deep fried batter.

Many of the good restaurants in Rome are hard to find. But a good tip is to go where Italians live and eat. On the top of the green, old mountain (Monte Verde Vecchio)there are some trattorias with authentic italian cuisine at an affordable price. Rome also has many beautiful spots to eat, so to buy some delicacies to bring with you can be a great experience. In Via Marmorata you find Volpetti`s wich is known for their good picks of cheese, prosciutto and delicous pastries. A more affordable choice is to go to a local supermarket which have also good fresh foods for lunch.

Pizza

Lots of the better places only serve pizza in the evening, as it takes most of the day to get the wood oven up to the right temperature. Try some of the fried things like baccala (battered salt cod) for a starter, followed by a pizza for a really Roman meal. For one of the most famous places for pizza, try 'Da Baffetto' (Via del Governo Vecchio). Roman pizzas tend to be very thin crusted. Avoid the tourist areas where you'll often pay double the going rate just to get a badly reheated frozen pizza. Instead, head for a pizzeria like 'Pizzeria Maratoneta' in via dei Volsci / via del Sardi, San Lorenzo area, where you'll find a fine atmosphere of families and groups of students, menus in English, and you'll get a good meal with a bottle of local plonk at a very reasonable price. Pizza al Taglio Is a good cheap way to get something to fill you up, and it makes a good lunch. Point to the one you want, indicate if you want more or less than your server is indicating with the knife. It's sold by weight (the listed price is usually per 100 gm) and a good quick lunch or snack.

Ice cream

Look for a gelateria with a big plastic sign with a big 'G' on it outside. This means it has a guild association and will be good quality. Remember that it costs extra to sit inside. You pay for your ice cream first...take your receipt and go fight your way through the throng to choose your flavors. You will be asked "Panna?" when it's almost made - this is the offer of whipped cream on top. If you've already paid, this is free.

There are a few signs to keep in mind: "Produzione Propria" (homemade - our own production), "Nostra Produzione" (our production), "Produzione Artigianale" (production by craftsmen). If the colors seem dull and almost ugly it is probably natural, the bright colors being just a mix. Keep in mind, Italians usually won't queue, but if they are in line for gelato, get in line yourself, you may have hit the jackpot.

Coffee

Starbucks is not present in Rome, and local cafes are a great alternative. A latte in Italian is just a glass of milk. If you're expecting coffee in that glass, you should ask for a caffe latte. A latte macchiato (meaning "stained") is steamed milk stained with a smaller shot of espresso. "Espresso" or "normale" is just that, but more commonly just referred to as caffe. Espresso doppio means a double shot of espresso, while espresso macchiato is espresso 'marked' with a dab of steamed milk. Americano — the one to order if you like filter coffee — is espresso diluted with hot water and not drunk much by Italians. Cappuccino is well known outside of Italy, but be warned: it is considered very un-classy, and somewhat childish, to order one after 11am (and certainly after a meal). Decaffeinato is self explanatory, but often referred to by the common brand-name Caffe Hag; it is usually instant coffee and not nearly as good as the real thing.

Vegetarians

Vegetarians should have an easy time. Buffets usually have a good range of delicious vegetarian stuff - eg gratinated roast peppers/aubergines, etc. Vegans should do all right too; pizzas don't always have cheese - a Marinara for example, is just tomato, garlic and oregano. Remember though that Parmesan cheese is not permitted to vegetarians.

Kosher dining

While there is not much choice, at least Rome's Kosher restaurant is truly excellent. "La Taverna del Ghetto" is in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, steps away from the Colosseum.

Pricing

You can get cheap food in Rome, the problem is that if you don't know the city well or are forced to eat out in the centre, the prices go up.

• €3.5 - You buy the pizza and eat it walking around, since it's a bread shop with no sitting area. You can choose how much you want to eat, but you'll be spending about €2 each + about €1.50 for a can of soda or €1 for water.

• €15-20 - At lunchtime if you go to a restaurant you'll be spending between €15 for a set menu (not always good, try to go where you see Italian office people having their lunch as your best bet) and €20. For this you should get a pasta dish and a second course (meat) ending with coffee. Obviously if you have special wine the price will increase.

• €20 - At night you can spend about €20 at a pizza restaurant or if you only have one main course. Again if you have special wine it will cost more.

• €15-20 - In any case, for a sit down lunch or dinner in a restaurant €15 is cheap and €20 is more normal and then up from there.

Chinese restaurants are still quite cheap but other ethnic restaurants (Thai, Indian) are generally expensive (think €30 upwards per person). Sushi is very expensive (€40 minimum per person).

Drink

Regional wines are cheaper and very good. House wines are almost always drinkable and inexpensive (unlike, say in the UK). Most trattorie wouldn't be caught dead serving poor wine. You may often find a bottle of wine on the table for you. Believe it or not, this bottle will be less expensive than a glass would be in the US or UK, possibly only €4 or €5. This doesn't always apply to those places that look really tourist-trap-like!

Water is free at most designated water fountains. Some of these date to ancient times, and the water is still very good. It's fresh spring water coming from the famous underground springs of Rome and is safe to drink. If you carry an empty bottle, fill it up for the rest of the day. Look for the drinking fountain with constant running water, plug the bottom hole, and cool water will shoot up from a smaller hole on top of the tap.

Partying in Rome is a pretty easy thing to do.

Before dinner

Pre-dinner drinks (7.00 PM to around 9.00 PM) accompanied with small hors d'oeuvres (aperitivo) are very common for Romans: 1) chic yuppies in their 20s-30s crowd the area around Piazza delle Coppelle (behind the Parliament) and Piazza di Pietra (near che Chamber of Commerce); 2) younger generations sprawl around the square and streets of Campo de' Fiori (behind Piazza Venezia); 3) everyone sits to drink in the narrow streets behind the Pantheon (Piazza Pasquino and Via del Governo Vecchio).

Clubbing & Night Life

Given a heart for exploration, Testaccio is the place to wander for after-dinner partying. Head down there around 11pm (take metro Line B and get off at Piramide station) and listen for music. There are usually loads of people simply walking through the street or looking for parking. Be brave, walk in, meet some wonderful Romans. This area is best in the winter when the dancing moves outside, especially in Ostia and Fregene to towns 30 minutes driving car from Rome, at the seaside. In the summer, many clubs close and you might have to inquire to find out which ones are open.

Young tourists and backpackers like to go on famous Roman pub crawls. The Colosseum Pub Crawl[23] for example, has been throwing parties since 1999.

Not far from Termini Station and near the first University of Rome "La Sapienza" is located the San Lorenzo district, where you will find many pubs and clubs where usually university students and young Romans in their twenties spend their nights. On Saturday night the streets are crowded by people moving from one pub to another. Also near the Termini, near Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral are located a bunch of great Irish pubs, i.e. the Fiddler's Elbow, the oldest in Rome, where many English speaking residents and Italians old customers like to sip their pints. It's a good place where to meet Romans who generally speaks good English. Also in the nearby are the Druid's Den and the Druid's Rock.

On Via Nazionale there's a huge and beautiful pub called The Flan o'Brien, one of the biggest in Rome, on the end same street near Piazza Venezia there is another cluster of pubs; The Nag's Head scottish Pub. After 22.00 their Dj makes you also dance, unfortunately it's very expensive at night,like a disco. Entrance with first drink costs 13 Euros and drinks cost 8 Euros.Before midnight they could host live music concerts. In the same area, at the beginning of Via Vittorio Emanuele II you may find The Scholar's Lounge Irish pub with Nice music, definetely worth a look but no room to dance.During winter American colleges students residents in Rome end up their highly alcoholic nights here. It seems they developed an addiction for their cheap big bottle Peroni beer for just 3.5 Euros. At weekends they could host live music concerts before midnight

Also on via Vittorio Emanuele, near Piazza Navona, there's the Bulldog's Inn English pub. DJs play very good music there and there's room to dance, but little of it, also consider nearby Campo dei fiori square. There you may find many pubs and it's crowded by many people, but don't get drunk and keep a low profile there, people have been involved in very huge and serious fights there. After Piazza Navona, in the narrow streets there are also many places where to go. We recommend a visit to the artistic bathroom of Jonathan's Angels in via del Fico. Also the Abbey Theatre Irish pub is a good place in Via del Governo Vecchio.

On the side of the River Tevere where also the Vatican stands, there is Trastevere district where there are many places where to eat and drink. Also a good place where to enjoy a walk in crowded streets at night, In summer time near the River Tevere at Isola Tiberina are built temporary bars and people crowds happily and restlessly at night.

Far from the center there are some good places also. The Palacavicchi in a small suburban town called Ciampino is a multi-dance room area where they play different kind of music, mostly latin american. You definitely need to get a cab to get there and that's expensive in Rome. Near the Ice Palace of Rome, in the area called Santa Maria delle Mole, which belongs to the small town of Marino, there are The Ice Palace itself, the Kirby's and the Geronimo pubs. All of them are nice places. At the Geronimo pub before midnight there usually are live music concerts with many genre cover bands and on friday and saterday night after the concert they play disco music. Entrance is free and you may drink and eat as you feel. Very cool place and for every budget. Unfortunately you need a cab to get there.

Romans who speak fluent english usually have a great deal of confidence with tourists, so just offer them a beer and they will be glad to share with you their tip & tricks about night life in Rome

Gay travellers

Friday nights at Giardino delle Rose in via Casilina Vecchia 1 (rather central but only reachable by taxi): a luxurious garden with open-air bars and tables. Two large discos are cramped up with people on Friday and Saturday nights: check out Mucca Assassina (one-nigh party usually held at the disco in via del Gazometro or at Classico in via Ostiense). During the week there is little to do except for meeting after dinner at Coming Out (a bar right in front of the Coliseum where crowds of gay romans and tourists gather in and outside, all year round but overwhelmingly crowded during the summer) or going to late-night clubs such as Hangar in Via in Selci (Metro Line A, get off at Manzoni station). The best sauna (open 24 hours during week ends) is Europa Multiclub in via Aureliana (behind Piazza Esedra, Metro Line A Repubblica station). The meeting spot for gays day and (especially) night is Monte Caprino, the park on the Palatine hill behind the City Hall (Piazza Venezia) with spectacular views over the temples and ruins of ancient Rome.

Sleep

The best choice for a first-time visitor is to stay downtown (like near the Pantheon): most attractions are walking distance from there, it will save much time from transportation and leave more for enjoying the city. Hotels in the downtown are costly, but a good apartment is a decent alternative, especially for couples and if you don't mind cooking yourself from time to time: it will save even more of your budget.

Being as it is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, there are tons of choices for where to stay, and you will have the choice of whatever type of accommodation you wish.

Offering of short term apartment rentals is enormous. Many apartments can be booked directly through the owner, but most make arrangements via rental agencies, both large and small. There are a few large apartment rental agencies that offer apartments throughout the entirety of Rome, including:

• Europapart : info@europapart.eu
  

When looking for a hotel or an apartment in Rome, take note that the price of accommodations varies significantly from month to month, depending on typical amount of tourists—always check prices at your accommodation for your specific dates.

Note hotel listings can be found in the appropriate districts, and should be added there too:

Camping

There are at least two campsites near Rome, they are:

• Camping Tiber, Via Tiberina Km. 1400, Prima Porta (On Rome's ringroad, take exit No 6 Via Flaminia. If arriving by public transport, take the ground-level Roma-nord Subway leaving from Piazza Flaminia towards Prima Porta. From there, there's a free shuttle service to the Camp site), ☎ 06 33610733 (fax: 06 33612314). On the bank of the river from which it draws it's name is to the north of the city proper. There's a minimarket, a pool, a restaurant and a bar.

• Happy Valley, (In the Hills north of the city at Via Prato della Corte 1915, Prima Porta-Cassia Bis, Roma Take exit no 5 from Rome's ring road and head towards Cassia-Veientana. If you get there by public transport, take the ground-level Roma-nord Subway leaving from Piazza Flaminia towards Prima Porta and wait for the free shuttle bus service.), ☎ 06.33626401 (fax: 06.33613800). It has a pool, a bar, a restaurant and a minimarket.

Contact

Respect

Romans regularly interact with foreigners and tourists; it shouldn't be hard to find friendly help. As for most every place in Italy, just be polite and you won't have much trouble.

If you hit someone with your luggage or shoulder while walking on a street, say "sorry" (Mi scusi): despite being very busy, Rome is not London or New York and going ahead is considered bad behaviour, while a little apology will be satisfactory.

In buses or trains, let older people have your seat if there's no space available. The gesture will be appreciated. Romans, and Italians as well, are very chaotic while in a queue, and often "clump" without any particular order: It's considered unpolite, but they do it anyway. Be careful while driving, as Romans often drive frantically and bend the rules to cope with the heavy traffic.

Stay safe

Rome is generally a safe place, even for women travelling alone. There is very little violent crime, but plenty of scams and pickpocketing which will target tourists. As in any big city, it is better if you don't look like a tourist: don't exhibit your camera or camcorder to all and sundry, and keep your money in a safe place. Conscientiousness and vigilance are your best insurances for avoiding becoming a victim of a crime in Rome. Remember, if you are pickpocketed or another scam, don't be afraid to shout Aiuto, al ladro! (Help, Thief!). Romans will not be nice to the thief.

Members of the Italian public are likely to be sympathetic if you are a crime victim. Police are also generally friendly if not always helpful. Carabinieri (black uniform, red striped trousers) are military police, and Polizia (blue and grey uniform) are civilians, but they both do essentially the same thing and are equally good, or bad. If you are robbed, try to find a police station and report it. This is essential to establishing a secure travel insurance claim.

Rome is home to two rival Serie A football clubs, A.S. Roma and S.S. Lazio, and there is a history of conflict, and even rioting, between the two. If you dare to wear anything that supports either of them, especially during the Rome Derby (when the two clubs play each other), make sure you don't wander into supporters of the other club, or you may be subject to heckling or even confrontation. Play it safe and refrain from openly supporting either club unless you are very familiar with the rivalry. If you are a fan of a foreign team playing in Rome (especially against Roma) be very very careful as a number of supporters have been stabbed over the past few years purely for being foreign.

Pickpocketing

Being the incredibly popular tourist destination it is, a great deal of pickpocketing and bag or purse-snatching takes place in Rome, especially in crowded locations, and pickpocketers in Rome can get pretty crafty.

As a rule, you should pretty much never carry anything very valuable in any pocket. The front pocket of your pants is one of the easiest & most common targets. Keeping your wallet in your front pocket or in your bag is far from safe. You should consider using a money belt and only carry the cash for the day in your pocket.

Also beware of bag-snatchers - one popular technique that purse-snatchers use is to ride by you on a moped, slice the strap with a knife and ride off. They might also try to cut the bottom of your bag open and pick your wallet from the ground. Others will use the old trick of one person trying to distract you (asking for a cigarette, doing a strange dance) while another thief picks your pockets from behind. Bands of gypsy kids will sometimes crowd you and reach for your pockets under the cover of newspapers or cardboard sheets.

Termini (the main railway station), Esquilino and bus line 64 (Termini to San Pietro) are well known for pick-pockets, so take extra care in these areas. In Metro pickpockets are extremely skilled.

Remember that hotel rooms are not safe places for valuables; if your room doesn't have a safe give them to the hotel staff for safekeeping.

You don't have to be totally paranoid, but be aware of the danger and take the usual precautions.

Tourist scams

Read up on the legends concerning tourist scams. Most of them occur regularly in Rome and you will want to see them coming.

A particular scam is when some plainclothes police will approach you, asking to look for "drug money," or ask to see your passport. This is a scam to take your money. You can scare them by asking for their ID. Guardia di Finanza (the grey uniformed ones) do customs work.

Currently there are two middle-aged men working near the Spanish Steps. They approach you, asking where you are from and begin to tie bracelets around your wrists. When they are done they will charge you upwards of €20 for each bracelet. There are also two men in their early twenties doing the same thing in the Piazza Navona. If anyone makes any attempt to reach for your hand, retract quickly. If you get trapped, you can refuse to pay, but this may not be wise if there are not many people around.

When taking a taxi, be sure to remember license number written on the card door. In seconds your taxi bill can raise by 5, 10 or more euros. When giving money to taxi driver, be careful.

Be careful of con-men who may approach you at tourist sights such as the Colosseum or Circus Maximus. Eg. a car may pull up next to you, and the driver ask you for directions to the Vatican. He will strike up a conversation with you while he sits in his car, and tell you he is a sales representative for a large French fashion house. He will then tell you he likes you and he would like to give you a gift of a coat worth several thousand euros. As you reach inside his car to take the bag the coat is in, he will ask you for €200 for gas, as his car is nearly empty. When you refuse, he could turn angry and now demand money from you, any money, of any currency. Don't fall for such confidence-tricks - if something sounds too good to be true, it is.

Emergencies

In an emergency call 112 (Carabinieri), 113 (Police), 118 (medical first aid) or 115 (firemen). Carry the address of your embassy or consulate.

Cope

• Police. At pl Lorenzo is where to report theft.
• Left Luggage Termini. You can leave luggage at Termini but they have a lot of security and only one X-ray machine so there can be a +100 people queue. It costs about €3.40 per bag(of any size) for the first 5 hours, €0.80 per bag for each hour thereafter. There's a sign limiting bags to 20kg each, but no facility for weighing them (that I saw) so it's probably not enforced.
• Splasnet laundry, internet, left luggage, Via Varesi 33, 100 m west of Termini. €2 per luggage left (and 15 min of internet included).

Embassies and consulates

• Australian Embassy, Via Antonio Bosio 5, ☎ +39 06 85 2721 (fax: +39 06 85 272 300), [26]. M-F 8:30AM-4PM.

• Austrian Embassy, Via Pergolesi 3, ☎ 068440141 (fax: +39 06 85 43286), [27]. M-F 9AM-noon.

• British Embassy, Via XX Settembre 80, ☎ +39 06 4220 0001, +39 06 4220 2603 after hours (fax: +39 06 4220 2347), [28]. M-F 9AM-5PM.

• Bulgarian Embassy, Via Pietro Polo Rubens 21, ☎ +39 06 322 46 40, +39 06 322 46 43 (embassy@bulemb.it, fax: +39 06 322 61 22), [29]. M-F 9AM-5PM.

• Chinese Embassy, Via Bruxelles 56, ☎ +39 (0)6 8413458 (fax: +39 (0)6 85352891), [30].

• Canadian Embassy, Via Zara 30, ☎ +39 06 44598 1 (fax: +39 06 44598 2905), [31].

• Croatian Embassy, Via Luigi Bodio 74/76, ☎ +39 06 363 07650 (vrhrim@mvpei.hr, fax: +39 06 3630 3405), [32]. M-F 09.30-12.30.

• Danish Embassy, Via dei Monti Parioli 50, ☎ +39 06 9774 831 (romamb@um.dk, fax: +39 06 9774 8399), [33]. M-F 8AM-5:30PM.

• Dutch Embassy, Via Michele Mercati 8, ☎ +39 06 3228 6001 (nlgovrom@ambreale.tuttopmi.it, fax: +39 06 3228 6256), [34]. M-F 8AM-5:30PM.

• Estonian Embassy, Ambasciata di Estonia, Viale Liegi 28 int. 5, ☎ +39 06 844 075 10 (embassy.rome@mfa.ee, fax: +39 06 844 075 19), [35]. M-F 9AM-5:00PM.

• Finnish Embassy, Ambasciata di Finlandia, Via Lisbona 3, ☎ +39 06 852 231 (sanomat.roo@formin.fi, fax: +39 06 854 0362), [36].

• Greek Embassy, Ambasciata di Grecia, Via S. Mercadante 36, ☎ +39 06 853 7551 (gremroma@tin.it, fax: +39 06 841 5927), [37].

• Indian Embassy, Via XX Settembre, 5, 00187 Rome (Italy), ☎ +39 06 4884642/3/4/5 (fax: +39 06 4819539).

• Maltese Embassy, Lungotevere Marzio 12, ☎ +39 06 6879990.

• Embassy of Malaysia, Via Nomentana, 297, ☎ +39 06 8415764 (0039-06-8415764, fax: +39 06 8555040). 09.00am-16.00pm (no lunch break).

• New Zealand Embassy, Via Zara 28, ☎ +39 06 441 7171 (nzemb.rom@flashnet.it, fax: +39 06 440 2984), [38].

• Norwegian Embassy, Via delle Terme Deciane 7, ☎ +39 06 571 7031 (emb.rome@mfa.no, fax: ++39 06 571 70326), [39].

• Embassy of Serbia and Montenegro, Via dei Monti Parioli 20, ☎ +39 06 320 07 96, +39 06 320 08 90, +39 06 320 09 59, +39 06 320 08 05 (all night) (info@ambroma.com, fax: +39 06 320-08-68), [40]. telex 616-303

• Russian Embassy, (Via Gaeta 5), ☎ 06/4941680, 06/4941681 (fax: 06/491031).

• Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore, Via Nazionale, 200,00184 Rome, ☎ +39 06 4875 9510 (lbirindelli@bea-law.com, fax: +39 06 4875 9511).

• South African Embassy, Via Tanaro 14, ☎ +39 06 85 25 41, [41]. M-F 8AM-4:30PM.

• Spanish Embassy, Palazzo Borghese, Largo Fontanella di Borghese 19, ☎ +39 06 684 04 011.

• Turkish Embassy in rome, 16, Avenue de Lamballe 75016, ☎ +39 (1) 4524 5224.

• US Embassy, Via Vittorio Veneto 119/A, ☎ +39 06 4674 1 (fax: +39 06 4882 672, +39 06 4674 2356), [42]. 8:30AM-5:30PM.

Get out

• Especially if you have a rail pass, making Pompeii a day trip, while it is a very full day, is very doable. You can amuse people on the train by your complete lack of luggage.

• Head to Frascati, one of the historic hill towns to the South East of Rome known as the Castelli Romani. This town has been a popular destination for centuries away from the hustle and bustle of the capital, and this is still true today. Famous worldwide for its white wine, Frascati is a relaxed hill town with a slower pace of life. Just 21km from Rome, Frascati is accessible by bus [43] or train. Trains run from Roma Termini approximately every hour, take about 30 minutes, and cost around € 2 [44].

• Head to Ostia Antica, the ancient harbor and military colony of Rome. It is accessible by tube every 30 minutes from Stazione Piramide (near the Piramid). It is a monumental area a bit like the Roman Forum. But in Ostia Antica you can get an impression how a roman city looked like.

• Consider a day trip to Tivoli. Hourly trains from Tiburtina; fewer on Sundays.

• Go to the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, with its famous and glorious fountains. Check out the Emperor Hadrian's Villa while you are out there.

• Go to Ischia and Capri - the famed islands in the Gulf of Naples.

• The papal city of Viterbo, well known medieval and thermal destination (about 1 and half from Rome)

• Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, is the point of arrival and departure of hundreds of ships, cruises, ferries travelling all around the Mediterranean. From here it is possible to reach Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily, Spain, France, some other small islands, and even north Africa. A good transportation system links the port to the Eternal City.

Special credits to Wikitravel. Based on work by Denis Yurkin, Peter Fitzgerald and Stefan Ertmann, Wikitravel user(s) PerryPlanet, Roundtheworld and Kristinsinreise, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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