Rome

Hedgemeister

Herself always wanted to see Rome so I intend bringing her there in the Spring.
If anyone can recommend a nice central Hotel I'd be grateful.
Neither of us have been to that historic city and would appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

coylemj

Haven't been there for a few years so don't have any current advice on hotels but general advice based on two trips is to bring your best walking shoes so leave the new shoes at home as you will do a lot of walking. You need to be reasonably modestly dressed to get into St. Peters and the other basilicas such as Maria Maggiore and St John Lateran. That means no miniskirts and no sleeveless tops.

In Italian cafes there are three prices for any one item such as a cup of espresso: the cheapest is if you are standing up indoors, then if sitting down indoors and the most expensive is when you take your coffee sitting down outdoors. So when you walk into a cafe, they will always identify you as a tourist and ask you to sit down, this is not local hospitality, it's to make sure that you pay more for whatever you order, note that the locals will all be standing at the counter drinking their coffee.

Bear this in mind, especially if you're within sight of any of the major tourist attractions. It may be nice to have a coffee or a glass of Coke while admiring St. Peters or the Coliseum but you'll pay through the nose for the privilege. Go down a side street and the price of drinks and snacks will be a lot less.

If you're hanging around the Coliseum you'll see lads dressed up as Roman legionnaires, they are hustlers who will jump into your photographs and then demand payment. You need to brush them away before they get near you though I believe the local cops are a lot less tolerant of them in recent times as the tourists started to complain.

Hedgemeister

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I heard it's an expensive city alright.

coylemj

Hedgemeister wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I heard it's an expensive city alright.

I never thought of it as an expensive city, the hotels are reasonably priced provided you avoid Easter and Christmas and if you have any smidgin of Italian, you can go down a side street into a local restaurant and eat a lot cheaper than in Dublin.

On hotels, don't expect to walk into a glittering marble foyer on arriving into a hotel (unless you're totally loaded), most of the smaller hotels have a tiny reception desk on the ground floor and then there's a lift to the rooms which are typically fairly small but with a spotlessly clean marble bathroom. Don't judge the room until you've seen the bathroom.

Hedgemeister

Thanks again.

ollaetta

We stayed in the Artemide Hotel and enjoyed it. Walking distance from the Temini Station and five minutes from the Trevi Fountain, it's as central as you'll get. Checked the latest reviews on Trip Advisor and they're good.

ardmacha

In Italian cafes there are three prices for any one item such as a cup of espresso: the cheapest is if you are standing up indoors, then if sitting down indoors and the most expensive is when you take your coffee sitting down outdoors. So when you walk into a cafe, they will always identify you as a tourist and ask you to sit down, this is not local hospitality, it's to make sure that you pay more for whatever you order, note that the locals will all be standing at the counter drinking their coffee.

Sitting down will not generally cost more than a coffee in Ireland, so don't be paranoid, although see below. It is the customers choice, you can stand at the bar if you wish or a local may sit down if they are tired walking about.

Bear this in mind, especially if you're within sight of any of the major tourist attractions. It may be nice to have a coffee or a glass of Coke while admiring St. Peters or the Coliseum but you'll pay through the nose for the privilege. Go down a side street and the price of drinks and snacks will be a lot less.

+100 There is no other city in the world where this is more true. You might pay 50% more in some other city near a monument, in Rome you could pay 500% more. The price mechanism is seriously out of kilter, there must be some sort of mafia control. Walk away a few hundred metres and prices are fairly OK.

Hedgemeister

Taking all your advice on board.
Many thanks guys.

CarrickMcJoe

Buy your water from the vending machines by the underground.
Speaking from experience, beware of the pickpockets on the underground.

Ask at your Hotel reception for a place to eat, they will reccommend somewhere close.

We stayed in the Londra and Cargill (about 10 mins walk from Trevi fountain).

Take the hop on hop off tour. Wear comfortable shoes, you will do a lot of walking.

naughtysmurf

Pickpockets are rampant especially on the metro, bus system & markets & they are very good at what they do so watch your money / cards etc. Having said that, it's a great city, the above is the only negative I have of my visit there

coylemj

A major landmark in Rome is the palace of Victor Emanuelle, it's a huge white building at the top of a hill and is known by tourists as the 'wedding cake'. Coming down the hill at the front of it you'll find the Via Del Corso, a very long, narrow street full of upmarket shops, their equivalent of Grafton St., the Trevi Fountain is off it, watch out for the sign for 'Fontana di Trevi'.

Unless they've spent a few million cleaning it up since I was there last, the metro (underground) in Rome is very smelly, it smells of soot if I recall correctly. There's only two lines (Linea A & and they intersect at the main railway station (Termini). St. Peter's is within walking distance of station Ottavianio St. Pietro. on the western side of Linea A (the red line).

Hedgemeister

The Londra & Cargill looks the business as we'll be avoiding the Easter & 6 Nations dates.
How far from the Airport is the City Centre, and are Taxis expensive - or is it best to get a bus?
Also, there seems to be more than one Airport ?

naughtysmurf

If you are flying into DaVinci, a train goes from the airport terminal to Termini train station in the centre, maybe 30mins, not sure about Ryan air and Campino

piptypibe

Lucky you!
In Rome last summer and really enjoyed it. Soooo much to see!
Stayed here: http://www.gambrinushotel.com/
Really nice hotel-some rooms nicer than others! Great breakfast! 15 min walk to Termini. Lovely place to eat across the road. Staff very helpful.
Advice?
Book your attractions online before you go. I had made out an itinerary and it worked really well because got to see everything I wanted to see. Also just wandered around and came upon very beautiful Churches and Cathedrals. Lonely Planet was with me at all times for info!
Day 1: Walked around the city seeing all the free things e.g. Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps etc etc LOTS of walking!!
Day 2: The Vatican-Booked the Museum online. Walked by the HUNDREDS of people queuing in the heat! Didn't book St Peters and had to queue. It moved fairly quickly though.
Day 3: The old stuff!! Colosseum (again tickets booked online so walked by all the people queuing!!) and everything else that was around there.
-Used Lonely Planet for restaurant recommendations.
-Used Terravision Bus to and from airport to Termini (yes you've guessed it-which I'd booked online beforehand! It's cheaper to do so)
You will love it! Enjoy!
P.S. Airports:
Da Vinci is the Aer Lingus one
Ciampino is the Ryanair one
Think it's much of muchness?!
Terravision go to/from both

Lapin

Hedgemeister wrote: »

If anyone can recommend a nice central Hotel I'd be grateful.
Thanks.

Hedgemeister wrote: »

How far from the Airport is the City Centre, and are Taxis expensive - or is

On my last visit I stayed at the Hotel Napoleon. Located within walking distance of the Colloseum and Roman Forum, the hotel is comfortable and has a metro station right outside the front door. But the best thing about it is the free airport transfers (from either airport) it lays on for guests staying 3 nights or more. Cuts out a lot of time and hassle.

piptypibe wrote: »

P.S. Airports:
Da Vinci is the Aer Lingus one
Ciampino is the Ryanair one
Think it's much of muchness?!
Terravision go to/from both

De Vinci (more commonly called Fiumicino ) is the principal airport and the main hub for Alitalia airlines who also fly from Ireland to Rome. Its located further from the centre of Rome than Ciampino but road and transport connections make it just as quick and easy to get to and from.

Tip - If flying with Ryanair, try and sit on the right hand side of the plane. There are stunning views of Rome and the Vatican to be had as the aircraft comes in to land at Ciampino.

coylemj wrote: »

A major landmark in Rome is the palace of Victor Emanuelle, it's a huge white building at the top of a hill and is known by tourists as the 'wedding cake'.

Its quite a hideous looking building that dominates the whole area.


But it is worth a visit, and the views from the top are well worth it.
But bear in mind, it is a national monument to Italy's war dead and it contains the tomb to the Unknown Soldier. Visitors are expected to show respect in terms of noise and photography. It might not be the best location to steal a passionate kiss from herself (as I discovered via a sharp tap on the shoulder from an immaculately uniformed Honour Guard ).

CarrickMcJoe wrote: »

Buy your water from the vending machines by the underground.

And from then on simply top it up from one of the 2,500 fountains located throughout the city and save yourself a few qiud.


The water from Rome's fountains is perfectly safe to drink and while some of the monumental fountains like the Trevi, Felice and Paola may be off limits, there are hundreds of decrotive fountains and many more like the one pictured above (known as Nasoni) dispensing perfectly good Aqua !

Hedgemeister

Many thanks to everybody for the info and advice.

callaway92

Sorry for the bump on an old thread

Flying into Ciampino Airport tonight arriving around 20:30 Italian time.

Staying just tonight in Hotel Villa Giulia (very near Ciampino Train Station) but can't find the best way to get there from the Airport.

Is Taxi the cheapest/most convenient way? I thought there'd have been a shuttle bus from the Airport to Ciampino Train Station.

Cheers!

callaway92

callaway92 wrote: »

Sorry for the bump on an old thread

Flying into Ciampino Airport tonight arriving around 20:30 Italian time.

Staying just tonight in Hotel Villa Giulia (very near Ciampino Train Station) but can't find the best way to get there from the Airport.

Is Taxi the cheapest/most convenient way? I thought there'd have been a shuttle bus from the Airport to Ciampino Train Station.

Cheers!

Never mind - got from airport to Ciampino for €1.20 on a bus outside arrivals - fair handy

naughtysmurf

callaway92 wrote: »

Never mind - got from airport to Ciampino for €1.20 on a bus outside arrivals - fair handy

You made a good call, the taxi drivers at Ciampino have or at least had a bit of a reputation for ripping off customers, last time we flew in there we used a private transfer to the historic center because of that