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Published: December 13th 2008
Hello dears,
Here below I'll give you some suggests (sure based on my personal experience so it may be only one point of view) for who is coming to Rome even if it's the first time, so in this way a guest may have an idea of the city. I've divided it in different arguments that may be usefuel:
TRANSPORTATION: How far is the airport? Where can I park my car? What transportations are there?
Now speaking about Transportation we are thinking about train, flight, car and bus.
Let's begin about the airplane, so the aiports. Rome has 2 airports, the biggest one is Fiumicino or FCO, a good aiport well served by most of the national and international connections to the other cities.
Arriving at the airport, if you choose to take the train to reach the city, you may take the Leonardo Express that goes directly to the main railway station "Stazione Termini". From there you can take a bus or better a taxi, if it's the first time you are coming to the city, reach your location. Another transport I've seen are the buses named "Terravision", it seems they bring you to some main points
waiting the pope
Waiting in the morning the pope from the airport like Stazione Termini.
Outside of the airport there is also the bus station (I think I've never used it), it's okay but I suggest you to take the train, since the traffic may be a problem in Rome so the train gaurantees you a better time arrival into the city. Another idea is you take a taxi; in that case it's good before taking it, to ask to the driver how much you are going to pay for the ride. You may also take a rental car, but driving in the city is not funny, so I would left this idea if you are on your departure from Rome and looking to reach another city like in South Italy or to the north to Florence or Umbria.
The airport inside has many services like shops (booking shops, electronics, presents, dresses and so go on) and restaurants and so, even if you have to waiste your time at the arrival or on the departure there are much opportunities.
The other airport is Ciampino CIA. That is a small airport, there are landing usually the low cost companies planes. It is closer to the city (Fiumicino is around
my marriage in rome
to not forget such a day in the eternal city 30 km), but the time to reach the city may be the same if you find some traffic in the city. It is located on the east side of the city. The good point is that if you got it to reach the metro station the line A red line, you may go through the central area in a short time and crossing through the main areas like Trevi (Barberini Stop), Spagna, Vatican (Ottaviano Stop). I've seen often, even buses that goeas to the center from the airport. If it's the first time for you and you like the comfort, I suggest you to take a cab so the taxi, they are fast, friendly and most of all so roman that it may be also funny to speak with them.
Arriving by car. As I wrote before, in Rome there are so many cars and specially when it's raining arriving by car could be really hard. Than, once you reach the city, finding a parking place is not funny too and may be expensive. If you have a good car, the best think I suggest you is too reach Rome in certain hours, like in the early morning around
Via del Corso
Here is the famous via del Corso, long street that cut the Navona and Spanish area 7:30 am or in the evening after 21:00 so that the traffic is not so heavy. Avoid driving by car in the working houres, for example in the afternoon around 18:00 and when it's raining. In the city you may park or in a private garage (there is a big one in front of the station termini where I remind I paid not much something like 13 € the day, but the prices are usually around 20 € and 24 €, other good area for private garage I've seen is in Vatican Area) or you may park at the blu line parking places, but this cost much more since you are paying each hour. In general I would suggest you to rent a car only in the moment you are leaving Rome so you can visit the region during your stay in Italy or directly other destinations. In case you have to drive in Rome a good suggest about driving in the city, since not always drivers respect other drivers, is: drive not too fast and take a good distance from the next car, this is the best way to drive in the city, maybe listening a CD of classic
Via Condotti
VIa Condotti is not so long but it's very elegant. Take also the chance to visit the other streets that cross via Condotti like. music like Mozart!
Arriving by train. Train is a good transportation specially if you are coming from Milan, Venice Florence or Napel; the only suggest is to check if there is any strike or a delay on your travel day. I would reccomend this transportation as the best one to arrive in Rome if you are coming from other italian cities.
MOVING in the city: Splendid. You are in the capital and ready to enjoy the city. Now the best thing you may do is to buy a weekly or a daily or a 3 days ticket for all pubblic transportation in the capital (TRAM, BUS, METRO) you can buy the ticket at a TABACCHERIA (small shops that sell sigarettes) you may recognice with a white T. Mixed together these transportations (Bus, Metro and Tram), allow you to move from one part to another part of an area in a very fast way and you have not always to open the wallet to bill the ticket once you change transportation (in particular it's terrible when the bus is so full that you have only the chance to stay in one point of the bus and cant move). Rome
Via Margutta
You should walk on Via Margutta looking everthing, starting from the single shops to the top of the buildings. In Antropology exams I learned that in the big city you shoul look on the roof of the houses. is a big city, the number of buses are very high so this would be the easiest transport to take. You have just to check that you are on the right bus number so check before on the yellow segnalation the ride of that bus, you will see a list of names of the places or streets where the bus stops. For the rest it's funny and if it is empty it's similar as you are doing a city tour. The tram is not so often to see. In Trastevere it's very usefeul since it cut all the area and bring you directly to Navona area (Largo Argentina).
Regarding the Underground or METRO in Rome there are 2 principal lines: the BLU LINE B and the RED LINE A. They are very fast, the Blu Line may be interest you to reach Colosseo area so looking for ancient Rome or Piramide or Circo Massimo (even a great nice stop for ancient Rome, looking to the Circo Massimo and the ancient building over the hills facing over Circo Massimo or the Colosseo on the other side), while for the rest, the most used by tourist is the RED LINE A
The Evening
The Evening in Rome is so lovely, full of lights, and invites you to discover the Romans customs. This is Via Crispi close to Spagna since it reaches all principal areas like Spanish (Spagna Stop or Flaminio Stop) Area, Trevi (Barberini Stop), Vatican Area (Ottaviano Stop). The 2 lines crosses at Station Termini. The Station is big and there could be a lot of persons, really a crowd of persons, so the best is to move out soon to other quite areas.
One point when you are on all these transportation (Bus, Metro, Tram). If there are too many persons. put a hand on your wallet or handbag just to be sure and put some cash in another pocket that you often can use just to make a quick shopping or taking a caffe. That's the way I've done always since my childhood and nothing happened to me. Rome is a very friendly city and so there is nothing to be afraid of, but if you have a wallet with passport, credit card and much cash, it's better to put a hand on it. Finally, in the city you may move also by taxi but it's convenient only for short distances and if you are 3 or 4 persons; use it at least one time since it's funny because the taxi driver are friendly
VIa del Babuino
If you look on the Spanish Area you will see 3 are the streets that cross the area. The central Via del Corso, ivia di Ripetta and the other 2 via Margutta and Via del Babuino that are very quiet and they go through historical center streets so a sort of a "city tour" arranged by yourself ;-) To get a taxi you may take it at the orange taxi stand or call them on the number you see on the side of the door of the white taxi cars. They are usueful in the evening when other transportation are not so easy to take (check for example at what time the Metro Close). One small note, I like most of all the Tram for a short ride, it's so nice, moving slowly and often I find it empty or not so crowd and in the summer I've seen they have a good air conditioning, so it could be a lovely idea to try it one time (I've seen in Trastevere area on viale Trastevere or in Piazza Risorgimento in Vatican Area).
PS At station termini at the information center you should find the chance to get a map of Rome and ask some informations, study the map some minutes so that you have a general idea on how to move in the city. The historical center is not too big so most turistic points like Spagna, Trevi and
Spanish Square
Take a break! This is the perfect place to take a break! Taste there the excellent Cafe del Greco and the chocolate shop Navona may be visited with a nice walk. To reach Vatican or Colosseo a bus or metro is better!
SHOPPING: Where can I do shopping?
Rome is great and gives big chances to do shopping, but it's good to know when and where.
In my opinion the best shopping streets may be Via del Corso, Via Condotti and Via Cola di Rienzo. The first 2 in the spanish area and the last one in the Vatican Area. They are connected and the best way is to begin from Via Condotti to take a look; go ahead until you cross Via del Corso, than go ahead along via del Corso until you reach Piazza del Popolo. There, take a break at a cafe bar in the Square of Piazza del Popolo and walk over the river to the Vatican Area along Via Cola die Rienzo. On the bridge that connect the two areas you can do several nice photos. The first 2 are famous streets, where you can buy, dresses, shoes, bags, handbags, products for your house but they are yes very nice but as well very expensive; while via Cola di Rienzo is better budget street (most of
Park Il Pincio
Il Pincio is a green space to take a break it's up of Spanish Square, bring there you children! From the top you may see the city Roman buy there regularly even me!), at the and you can look also on Via Ottaviano that is a nice street that starts from the Metro A Station Ottaviano and at the end if you continue you can reach directly the Vatican Square Piazza San Pietro.
Than, the best time to do shopping is to avoid the afternoon or any hours that may begin from Friday Evening to Saturday evening since that time is nicer to just walk and see the people around you. While If you like to look at all the products of a shop, maybe even with the assistance of the shop employer take a working day like Tuesday's or Wednesday's Morning, it will be fantastic to be so few in a so big shop with so much assistance!!!
Than once you spent 2 days for shopping take a walk on particular silent streets like Via Margutta (it is a street of painters) or Via del Babuino or some corners in Navona area, that are so lovely specially if you are a couple or on honeymoon. These streets are delicious to take a break, to find antique dealers! In Trastevere finally it could be funny to discover
Navona Area
Here is a tipical street of Navona , there you may find everthing, antique dealer, shops, restaurant, bar. Just walk and discover the roman world some particular shops. In Piazza Navona than you can take a good rest; big open spaces, nice drinks to taste and even ice creams, lovely for a family.
One usueful point if you have very young children could be to take a look at some majopr local shops. Here after an experience of 3 years the best shops I've found and that I reccomend are PRENATAL or CHICCO, two big companies with good products, helpful for tourist where you can but good products like a transportable cot. If you have than a friend in Rome you can go even to a grocery center "Centro Commerciale"; there are several in Rome but they are not central, but once you reached one you can see a great number of shops. One reachable by train is Parco Leonardo it's on the west side; but if you have a friend who bring you ther it's better than the train (a taxi may be even an idea).
When you are going shopping maybe sometimes you need a break, so visit a Library like at the Galleria Alberto Sordi (at the middle point of the street), these are quiet places where sometimes you have
The Tiber
Nice view of the Tiber, walking along a space to read a book and take a coffe; some minutes of silence of a bookshop are fantastic!
Finally if you want to look at your budget come on a discounted period like after New Year so from around the 7th january or in July, it's marvellous to buy some products sometimes even with a 50%!o(MISSING)ff or even more; You can find a lot of products and also locations at a very convenient rate. I mean for example I bought a jacket for 5 € when it costs on high season was 65 € .....and the quality is good but these lucky events are not so often to find!
A one day walking and shopping in Rome Example (one day Spagna / Vatican Area) Here are some ideas about shopping; I got it during my walk in the historical center. Despite to the crisis, I’m glad that in Rome you can still spend a nice journey probably even for a reasonable price. One more time I began to walk through Via Condotti coming from Via Tomacelli. Again the shops you can see on Via Condotti are impressive, high quality products and several of them without
Relax in a Square
Relaxing in a square price signs, so sure the target is for only a minority of guests, but it’s so nice to see and to look through the windows what fashion has realized, the combinations of colors, material, lights and jewelers; a final nice impression for an esthetic eye. The street is not so long around 10 minutes, maybe 30 minutes if you look into each shop; at the end you reach the Spanish Square and before on your left you can at least take a good coffee at the Antico Caffe del Greco. One short stop looking to the fountain, to the stairs and the crowd of people in Spanish Square and than I suggest you to take some smaller streets along via Condotti, like Via delle Carozze; these smaller streets where so romantic, with nice small shops so accurate and single restaurant; again a 10 minutes walk and you reach the main street of Via del Corso. This main street is really long, it connect Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia and here you can find every sort of shops, high quality and common shops; shops for children, cosmetic, shoes with a great variety of prices and as I wrote on his
cross undeer the wall
You can see often in hidden places a Christian Cross or a Sign of Christianity quality: The street is quite big so more than looking each shop I would walk on the central way and taking a general look. I would start from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo and at the end of that Square after a short rest I would start again (If you have still the forces to compare the shops of Spanish area with that one on Via Cola di Rienzo. This street is much easier, the prices are good and it’s a place where I often buy something.
The sun and the weather Even if the climate already changes in the world and so it can be that the weather plays in a funny way (as in May this year it rains much while it was dry in March, where it always rains), the weather in Rome is often quite sunny and clear. The Tourists usually are coming from March, and that's well done, the winter indeed has been past and so you just begin to feel that the spring is at the door, the air is more effective and you have a great desire to do something, and this mood goes further, over in April through May.
castel sant angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo Between the Trees From June you should have to place your long pants in the box and you should prepare yourself for the summer (I advise for June, July, August, sandals, shorts, t shirt, sunglasses, a casual hat, and a small backpack with fresh drinks). August is really hot in Rome; that works for many accommodations as low season period (most Romans are out of town, by the sea), so if you love heat that is an ideal month to get the whole town to look. The Roman city also works much for whose who remain in the city to keep fit for this month. A good idea would at least one time to take the train to the sea, to places like Ostia, Sperlonga, Terracina, Santa Marinella and jump in the sea and eat fresh fish along the restaurants on the coast. In the evening there is a wonderful air and a romantic mood (many people fall in love in the evening in summer and in July or August).
In September, the sun is still strong and it can be easy that this weather continues through October, and you can even see somebody in October with shorts on the street. It's
sanpietrini
The so common streets of Sanpietrini in Rome; very nice the noise they do while you walk on them but when it's raining you may slide on them fresh but still nice and the country of "O Sole Mio" song (I have read it comes from the mouths of soldiers who have prayed slowly on the Napoleonic winter campaign dreaming to see the sun again until today it has become a strong national song) is still fascinating , and September and October continue to be two good months for the city.
From November to February you probably should bring something for the rain, snow is rare to see (I've seen it a few times in 30 years), so a raincoat, a sweater and long pants are required (though you're in Rome can shop quite well with good taste, so if something is missing, it is not a problem), it can be cold, especially in January and February, even if it may be to have some sunny days but the temperatures are still low but the city you can ejoy enough.
A small note on some dates: in Rome some dates that are famous and neet take an attention since many activity are closed and they are:
1st of May "1 Maggio", it's festivity for workers, a concert in San Giovanni usually is played; 2 June
distances vatican navona
The distance of Vatican and Navona area is not far as you can see here; the distance of a bridge; but the prices on the side of the vatican area may be much more convenient Festivity of Italian Republic "Festa della Repubblica"; 29 June festivity or Roman Saints of San Pietro and San Paolo; 15 Agosto National Fesitivity named "Ferragosto" a strong national festivity; sure even Easter week and Christmas and New Year 1 January are dates that should be not choosed for an arrival or a departure since it can be quite complicated to manage it;
Lunch / Dinner at a bar / pizza / Ristorante / Trattoria The Italians gave a great importance to the food and the Romans are about to be the same afterwards, so you can really eat well in Rome. Overall, the Italian way of cooking is light and with a glass of wine it can be that in an hour later you are ready to do something in the city. Lunch will be made usually from 12:00 to 15:00 and you can take a fast lunch going to a Bar or Pizzeria or if you want to spend more time to a Ristorante or Trattoria. When I go into a Bar on lunch time the best think you can get is a "Tramezzino" (white bread) with one or two of various contents (tuna, tomatoes, chicken, ham,
churches
in Rome there are hundred of churches and so the feeling of religion is strong; here is one of the church I'm very bond; it's the one where I got married cheese) they are cheap, normally done in the same morning, and with a glass of water it be a quick rest. Instead than to the Tramezzino you can also take a Sandwich "panino" or a piece of Pizza filled with one of the contents you see in the Tramezzino. In all these variants in 15 minutes you have taken enough and you can start again for your city tour. The pizzeria is also an inexpensive and quick idea, which may be taken as "pizza al taglio" where you take a few pieces, or "Pizza Tonda" round pizza that is good taken in the evening with a small glass of beer. The pizzeria is a good, fast and cheap idea, it is important to eat the pizza if it is still hot; you can divide it into different pieces and eat by hand each part (or with the usual cutlery), typical is the Pizza Margherita (tomatos and Mozzarrella) simply and good. A good pizza is normally not too high and you can eat it in 15 minutes. If the pizza is cold, than it may be no more so good, so hurry up to eat it while it's warm.
If
green rome
Rome is a green capital, indeed it's easy to see here and there green areas where take a rest you are planning for a dinner in the evening (dinner time hours may be from 19:00 to 21:00) and so like to stay with the whole family look for a restaurant "Ristorante". A good way to choose the right one may be to see if inside other Italians are eating there (that could be people who comes often and so have already tested the restaurant). At the restaurant they give you sure a Menu to select your choices , to give an idea a normal start may be in taking an "Antipasto" that can be given to all guests, they bring you also much bread and so you can quickly start to taste something; a glass wine is even nice; I personally take some "bruschette" bread coming from the wood oven with olive oil and salt and a simply and well Italian snack. You can choose for a first dish "Primo" or directly for the main dish "Secondo". I would think for a first plate “Primo” where they bring you one kind of Pasta (there can be Spaghetti, Pennette, Tortiglioni) with a good sauce, with sure one small glass of wine (red wine). That can be already a fine dinner.
walking via della conciliazione
via della conciliazione is a great and large street; on one side you reach Vatican Square on the other you are on the bridge that brings you over to navona area In Rome as first plate classic names are "Spaghetti alla Carbonara"; "Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino" "Spaghetti con le Vongole" (sea fruit). When I think of a main plate I prefer fish, especially if I can eat it along the coast with a white wine. At the end I would take a coffee or a "Amaro" a liquor. Trastevere may be famous as area but even other areas as well like Vatican "Prati" or even in Navona and Spanish Steps are well provided as I have said many Italians are lovers of food.
Caffè - Coffee I would say that for the Caffè it can be written even an entire book since it is a so Italian tradition ; until my 27 years I was not a coffee drinker, while when I began my temporary Job in the Navy it starts even for me and still today I can forget about a lot of things even at the lunch time but I always take a nice coffee that is the best way to start the day. When you go into a Bar you can take the coffee standing up or if there are any chairs and
buildings
While I studied Anthropology I've learned that while you are visiting a city it's good to take a look even above your eyeline on the top of the buildings; and on this in Rome you can see often particular buildings that may impress you a table even sitting while taking a relax and reading a newspaper. Looking the Italians at the Bar is quite funny and marvellous since there is not only one Caffe you can ask but these different types:
a) Caffè Espresso or Caffè Normale or even just say “un caffè” and they should understand the right one; but this Caffee can be also different ltoo ike 1) “Caffè Lungo” that is a long coffee with more water 2)”Caffè ristretto” that means a stronger caffè 3) “Caffè al Vetro” means coffee served in a glass cup, somebody told me in this way you can see how much foam is there; 4) “Caffè Decaffeinato” that is a lighter caffe;
b) Caffè Macchiato. This coffee is the once I often take it is mixed with milk and it can mixed with hot milk “Macchiato Caldo” or with cold milk “Macchiato freddo”;
c) Caffè Corretto. That means a caffè mixed with some light alcohol like “Sambuca” or “Anice”; I suggest this one after a lunch;
d) Cappuccino. This is a quite bigger cup, this one I would match with a Cornetto or some cookies ; I would take a Cappuccino when
sculptures
Rome has plenty of sculpures and several of them show the influence oh his history I like to seat down and stay for some minutes talking with a friend, the best is in the afternoon or middle morning;
One time I took a good Caffè in Pantheon Area in via di Sant’Eustacchio there was a caffè named “Gran Caffè”.
The Caffè in Italy and so in Rome is taken often, usually you can take it in the morning before beginning the day; in the middle morning around 11:00 am; after lunch time; in the afternoon and when you see a dear friend or you want to talk with somebody about either heavy or light arguments, you could just invite him to take a caffè to talk better together;
As you can see the Caffè is a social and a traditional valour; I guess that if you invite somebody for a caffè anybody will always accept this invitation. I would say it’s a way to show your friendship, like to say “I like to spend some time of mine with you” in an easy way since you can take and finish the caffè in 5 minutes.
Ciaooo Marco
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