Rome travel guide

 

Rome

 

Where to drink in RomeWhere to shop in RomeHotels in RomeTourist infoCurrency in RomeRome populationEmergency numbersKnow before you goTelephoneDid you know?Page 1: Introduction to Rome

 

Where to drink in Rome

 

Italy is one of Europe’s most important wine producers, and the drinking of wine is an intricate part of Italian culture; no dinner is complete without it. Wine bars always serve food too (see above), and the locals don’t tend to drink without having eaten so being noticeably drunk is frowned upon.

  • Birreria Peroni – a beer house with lovely decor serving classic local beers.

  • Stravinsky Bar at the Hotel de Russie – Martinis and coffee.

  • Cafe du Jardin – roof top views in a charming garden setting. Great atmosphere, particularly at sunset.

  • Il Nolano – Rustic wine bar in Campo de’ Fiori.

 

If you want to take the night further...

  • Gilda – dance the night away with Rome’s glitz n’ glam crowd.

  • Alien – playing international chart music you will be familiar with; this is a good safe option. Popular among twentysomethings.

  • La Maison – drawing in a slightly more mature crowd, this has a sophisticated air and ambience.

  • Anima – alternative hip-hop/funk.

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Where to shop in Rome

 

Italy is a world renowned capital of fashion. Rome isn’t as obsessed with it as Milan, but it’s still pretty style savvy.  Designer boutiques are everywhere, with thousands of Euro’s being dropped as casually as pennies into the Trevi Fountain.

 

For high quality labels the Via Condotti is the place to be.

  • Il Nolano – Rustic wine bar in Campo de’ Fiori.

  • Salvatore Ferragamo – luxury shoes.

  • Gucci – leather goods galore. A utopia of shoes, wallets, bags and other accessories as well as men and women’s clothing.

  • Fendi – famous for its leather handbags.

  • Bulgari – this is to Rome what Tiffany’s is to New York. Iconic Jewellery.

Rome is a fantastic place for antique shopping and there are antique stores scattered all over the city. Try Antichita Cipriani which sells Neo-classical paintings and furniture and Galleria dei Cosmati which is one of the oldest and largest antique shops in the city.

 

There are a great deal of open-air markets which are the perfect place to soak up some exuberant Roman atmosphere. Colourful and exciting, markets are another example of the artistic nature of the locals; even the most humdrum of vegetable stalls may be arranged with some sort of creativity.

  • Campo di’Fiori – a picturesque food market right in the middle of the old town.

  • Mercato di Via Sannio – inexpensive knick-knacks.

  • Mercato delle Stampe – books and old prints.

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Hotels in Rome

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Tourist info

 

Citizens belonging to the European Union, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not need a Visa for stays of up to three months. Officially all visitors are supposed to declare their presence to the police within eight days of arrival but tourists staying in a hotel or campsite will have this done for them when checking in. If you are staying elsewhere then contact the local police statement and go along with your passport.  This is nothing scary, just protocol.

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Currency in Rome

 

Rome uses the Euro (€) which was introduced in 1999. Coins come in €2 and €1, and then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent coins. Notes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. £1GBP is equivalent to €1.15, although this is sensitive to change. Use the Pampo exchange rates calculator to get the latest info on your rates.

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Rome population

 

In 2009 the population of Rome was estimated at 2,628,000.

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Emergency numbers

 

Ambulance: 118

Fire: 115

Police: 112

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Know before you go

  • The tourist season begins in March/April, and being Easter – a great deal of religious pilgrims will descend, so be warned of big crowds at this time especially around the Vatican.

  • Rome is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, and is one hour behind London time.

  • Italy uses a two pin, round pronged plugs.

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Telephone

 

Rome dialling code: 06 (used inside Rome also)

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Did you know?

  • The ancient Romans were a clever sort. Unlike most Mediterranean cities Rome benefits from fresh drinking water, due to the clever system of pipes and aqueducts leading from the hills, many of which have been in place since Roman times.

  • According to mythology, Romulus and Remus were the official founders of Rome. Twin brothers and sons of Mars, God of War, they were thrown into the river Tiber in the hope that they would drown, however they were saved by a she-wolf who looked after them. When they grew up, Romulus slew his brother and became the first king. You will notice references to this and statues of the twins suckling the wolf all over the city.

  • Rome began as a hut village in the Iron Age.

  • Outside the Santa Maria Church in Cosmedin there is a large face set into the wall, known as the ‘mouth of truth’. Legend has it that liars who put their hands inside would have them bitten off. This featured in a memorable scene in Roman Holiday – a film starring Audrey Hepburn.

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Page 1: Introduction to Rome