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ROME

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"THE ETERNAL CITY"

BEST TIME TO GO

The Italian capital is a year-round city. However, April to June and late September to October are the best months for visiting Rome as temperatures are usually mild and tourist attractions are not as crowded. Rome is packed with travellers during the summer tourist high season, June through August. In the spring, beware of travelling to Rome during the two weeks before Holy Week unless you're there specifically to celebrate the religious holiday.

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Rome, the capital and largest city in Italy, is also known as the Eternal City, and rightly so. Rome is one of the birthplaces of Western civilization and it also remains one of the most important cultural capitals in the world. It's one of the most visited cities in Europe and without the doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There is so much to see there, from a mix of haunting ruins, mouth-watering cuisine, fountain around every corner you turn to art museums and classical music concerts. The tempo rises in the evening when fashionable drinkers descend on the city’s bars and cafes for a sociable aperitivo.

The historical centre of Rome was declared by the UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1980. It was bounded by the Aurelian walls and is also the centre of Rome’s political life. The Forum Romanum, which is used as a political centre during ancient Rome, withstands its title as the city’s historic centre. In the heart of the city, you can also find the Colosseum and the Triumphal Arch.

TRAVEL TIPS

Many of the attractions in Rome have a strict dress code. The Vatican dress code, the guideline for what to wear in most of Rome’s historical religious attractions — is no shoulders, no upper arms, no legs. Bring a light shawl or cardigan in your purse, and use it to cover up when you go into a church or museum with a dress code.

Join a small group tour at the busiest attraction. Apart from skipping the long line,  this will give you far greater depth and insight into the city and its history, and it will allow you to enjoy the city much more than we could have on our own,

KEY ATTRACTIONS AND 
ACTIVITIES

HOW TO GET AROUND

  • Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

  • The Colosseum

  • Vatican City and The Basilica of St. Peter

  • Trevi Fountain

  • The Catacombs

  • The Pantheon

  • The Arches of Titus and Septimius Severus

  • Centro Storico & the Spanish Steps

  • Piazza Navona

  • Arch of Constantine

Central Rome is perfect for exploring on foot, however, if you need to cover larger distances you can take the bus, you can take the metro, you can take a combination of the three, or you can take a taxi. Taxis are very expensive, so it’s best to avoid them. Uber is available in Rome.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT rome

  • Rome was founded in 735 BC by Romulus

  • 3,000 Euros are collected from the bottom of the Trevi Fountain every night

  • Rome contains 280 fountains and over 900 churches that tourists and locals can enjoy year round

  • Rome wasn’t always the Capital City, the title “capital city”  was taken from Florence in 1870

  • In Ancient Rome only free-born Roman men were allowed to wear togas, which was a sign of Roman citizenship. The Roman women wore stolas, which were a female toga version made from linen.

LUXURY HOTELS TO STAY

get $50* off when booking hotel with 

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Hotel Vilòn

Within a 20-minute stroll from Spagna Metro Station, Hotel Vilon offers guests a convenient base when visiting Rome. It is conveniently located in the city centre. 

The hotel is ideally set in the Latium Wine Region, allowing guests to easily sample the area's specialities. It is within a 20-minute stroll of Flaminio - Piazza del Popolo Metro Station, which allows convenient access in and around Rome.​

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The St. Regis Rome 

Introduced to Rome society in 1894, the architecturally iconic St. Regis Rome is located in one of the city’s most impressive palazzos. The pioneer St. Regis in Europe and a social beacon for Romans and international travelers, the hotel has emerged to define a new era of luminosity. Blending a noble heritage with fearless, elegant interiors has transformed this grand dame into a supremely luxurious and artful residence. High-ceilinged and light-filled, the guestrooms and suites are styled with luxurious Rubelli fabrics.

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Hotel Hassler

Only two minutes from Piazza di Spagna, Hassler Roma is set in the heart of Rome. This elegant hotel is a convenient base for exploring the local vineyards as it is situated in the Latium Wine Region.

Hassler Roma is conveniently situated for sightseeing in Rome with Trevi Fountain, Tiber and Via del Corso within walking distance. Quirinal Palace is within walking distance.

HOTTEST RESTAURANTS RIGHT NOW

La Pergola

$$$$ 

Fine dining restaurant

La Pergola is located within the fabulous hotel Rome Cavalieri, part of the exclusive collection of the Waldorf Astoria, and the restaurant and hotel share one common philosophy – perfection in service. From the concierge of the hotel, to the waiters in the restaurant, this is a place where comfort is taken seriously.

 

 

 

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The Mirabelle

$$$$ 

Fine dining restaurant

A gourmet terrace with views that span from Villa Medici and the Trinità dei Monti all the way to St. Peter’s and the Gianicolo. Exquisite food that gratifies both the eyes and the palate. The refined style, the sophisticated live music, the dishes prepared with expertise and passion, and the elegance of one of the most spectacular rooftop gardens in Rome will make your meal more than just memorable.

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Valentyne Restaurant

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Fine dining restaurant

Valentyne, Restaurant&Club è un progetto di ristorazione dedicata al mondo della Mixology. Legni e velluti pregiati con un tocco underground, fanno da cornice ad una cucina che mira a riscoprire i grandi classici della cucina francese e statunitense in abbinamento a cocktail preparati a regola d’arte da maestri mixologist.​​

 

 

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day tours to book before to leave 

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SKIP THE LINE

VATICAN, SISTINE CHAPEL AND ST PETER'S BASILICA TOUR

Discover the Vatican on a 3-hour St Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums tour. Navigate the vast complex of rooms, artwork and history with a guide, who will bring the ancient collection to life. Skip all the entrance lines to explore halls such as the Gallery of the Maps and Raphael’s Rooms; step inside the Sistine Chapel to admire ‘The Creation of Adam’ by Michelangelo’; and hear little-known tales about sacred St Peter’s Basilica. Choose from several departures, or upgrade to an evening experience or small-group tour with 12 people.
 

From:

$102 

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SKIP THE LINE ANCIENT ROME AND COLOSSEUM HALF DAY WALKING TOUR

Skip the entrance line at the Colosseum so you won’t waste any time getting inside to marvel at this Roman icon. On this walking tour of Ancient Rome, you’ll explore the amphitheater’s first and second levels with a guide, who entertains you with tales of gruesome gladiator battles. Then visit the Roman Forum to see its ancient ruins like the Temple of Julius Caesar. This tour is limited to 25 people. If you want to enhance your experience, upgrade to a tour of the Colosseum’s restricted underground chambers, arena and upper tier.

From:

$82 

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CRYPTS AND ROMAN CATACOMBS SMALL GROUP WALKING TOUR

Go underground to see Rome’s ancient catacombs and crypts on a 3.5-hour walking tour. Visit the Domitilla Catacomb and Basilica of San Clemente with skip-the-line access, plus visit the Capuchin Crypt, where you’ll see a Caravaggio painting and marvel at a chapel made entirely out of human bones. Learn about past burial customs and secret Christian worship spots during this fascinating exploration into the history of Rome.

From:

$110 

TRAVEL PLANNER PERSONAL INSIGHT

I clocked up 17.2km of walking in one day and I didn’t even get to see it all. Spanish steps to Trevi Fountain, Mouth of Truth to Piazza Navona, the Pantheon to the Vatican City. Who would’ve thought that there is so much beauty in ancient ruins. The history alone is astounding. The wonderous Colosseum took 8 years to build and the metro railway that lines the streets is still in construction after 17 years. This was the running joke of our local history major tour guide.

As a foodie, walking food tours are a must for all 
cities that I visit. Walking through a nearby, less tourist trodden neighbourhood of Trastevere, I got to walk through the many piazzas to sample some of Rome’s finest street food - suppli (similar to arancini), freshly baked focaccia, pizza, cacio e pepe - just the way the Romans do it. How do they get al dente pasta so right? Mine is usually still raw when I’m done. I have a new found love for pistachio gelato and pana (freshly made cream). The debate continues for where or which city has the best gelato. When the Romans do fine dining, they mean business. We had the pleasure of dining at La Pergola at the top of the Waldorf Astoria overlooking the rooftops of the Vatican. Men, don’t forget a smart jacket, collared shirt and dress shoes. This is a must! They really do ‘do’ fine dining. The food, service and atmosphere does
 come with a price tag but an experience never to be forgotten.

Rome, I love you and I’ve only just scratched the surface!!

 

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