Information about ROME?

Question

My family (wife & 2 daughters) and I are going to Rome in January, where is the best place for clothes shopping for a day. also any good open top bus trips? Any good cheap hotels close to all the sights

Answer 1

Hi there. I lived in Rome and worked as a guide for 5 years. Here are some tips:

For cheaper places to stay try www.italialodging.com. Aviod anywhere that is out of the city as public transport is terrible at the best of times and you don't want to be waiting for 40 minutes for a bus in the rain.

For shopping check out the via Appia Nuova. It runs from the Basilica of St John out of the city. You will find great and reasonably priced Italian shops. The via del Corso in the centre is also worth a look. Avoid via Veneto. It is incredibly over priced. All the designer shops are located near to the Spanish Steps. You can find some good deals when sales are on, but since Italy switched from the Lira to the Euro prices are comparable to the UK and the USA.

Bus trips run from Termini station, but may not be running in Jan due to the low volume of tourists. The centre of Rome is  incredibly small and you can easily walk everywhere.

Try doing the Colosseum and Forum one day.

The historic Centre (Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Navona) another day.

The Vatican also needs its own seperate day.

For good places to eat try La Vittoria on via della Fornaci (by the Vatican). L'Archetto on via del'Archetto by the Trevi Fountain and Da Luigi opposite the church of San Clemente by the Colosseum.

Don't forget to visit the churches even if you are not religious. Don't miss San Clemente, St Peter in Chains, excavations under San Giovanni e Paolo, St Ignazio, the Jesu church and San Luigi de Francese. All of these contain great paintings, sculptures of excavations.

Rome is generally a safe city but do watch out for pickpockets (groups of gypsy children). I would also recommend not carrying valuables with you and leaving your passports in the hotel safe just in case.

One final tip, if you are going to see the Sistine Chapel make sure you bring binoculars with you.

Hope you have a great trip!

Answer 2

January is chilly, but very likely to be sunny! (but still chilly)

You mean designed clothes? If so Via Condotti and Piazza di Spagna.

If you mean street trends, Via del Corso is the place, but they're all very close and you will happen to stroll there for sure.

Via veneto is not the place for shopping, but there lies the Hard Rock Cafè and some of the most luxurious hotels ever (not exactly a bargain in terms of price)

There are several City sightseeing buses, I recommend you the "110 open", which leaves from Termini (the main train station) and "Roma Cristiana" which is a tour of all the most antique and beautiful churches, if you are interested in art!

Answer 3

My husband and I went to Italy last year, and for the three days we were in Rome, we stayed at StarHotels Michelangelo.  It is about a 3 block walk from St. Peter's Square, from which you can access Vatican City and the Vatican Museums as well as St. Peter's.   I thought the hotel was very reasonable and the accommodations were great.  I booked a Green Line Shuttle tour - it's a bus that goes all around the city stopping at the major attractions, and you can get on just outside of St. Peter's Square.  You get out and see what you want to see, stay as long as you want and then get on the bus when it comes back around.  It makes an endless loop - that was a good investment and I highly recommend it.  It wasn't an open top trip, but I wanted to get off and walk through the various stops, so it worked well for me.

Answer 4

The best place for clothes shopping is Via Nazionale nice and cheap near the main train station, Termini Station, and not too far Via del Corso near Piazza Venezia.( like oxford st in London)

Answer 5

Rome in January tends to be chilly and sometimes rainy.  There is an open top sight seeing bus.  Any hotels around the sights will tend to be pricey.  For shopping, try the Via Veneto

Answer 6

we stayed in hotel porta maggiore and was fine for the price. plus the tram stopped right outside the door and was only 2 stops to nearest metro(vittorio emmanuele). even on foot it's not far to the sights.

there are loads of sight seeing buses but why not buy a BIG ticket for €4 a head and you can use the metro, trams and city buses for a whole day. it also means you can go to less touristy places for lunch/dinner and get some REAL food. just get off wherever looks good.

Answer 7

Here is some helpful information.

Rome information

http://www.impariamo.com/forum/viewtopic...

http://www.impariamo.com/forum/viewtopic...

Sightseeing Guide in Rome

http://www.enjoyrome.com/tourist/citygui...

http://www.romecity.it/

http://www.romasegreta.it/index.html

Transportation in Rome

http://www.enjoyrome.com/tourist/citygui...

Sports Tips in Rome -- Where to run, bike etc.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Eur...

Walking and Biking Tours in Rome

http://www.viator.com/Rome-tours/Walking...

Entertaining Kids in Rome

http://www.inromenow.com/site%20template...

Dining in Rome on a budget

http://www.ehow.com/how_14346_eat-rome-c...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Dining in Rome

(At some places in Rome, it is possible to order a half portion of pasta (but not for half price) )

*** Always visit the bathrooms in the local restaurants before you leave. They are usually very clean and are free of charge. I always make this a point on my trips to use them.

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/rome/restau...

Here are some recommended places

Trotteria Monti

Via San Vito, 13A

[phone]

Pizzeria la Montecarlo

Vicolo Savelli, 13

[phone]

Gelateria Della Palma - Near the Trevi Fountain

Via della Maddelena

(If you are facing the Trevi Fountain, Della Palma is about two doors down Via della Maddelena which goes off to the right.)

La Botticella- Near Piazza Navona

Via di Tor Millina, 32

Campo dei Fiori Market

Campo dei Fiori

Just north of the Jewish ghetto along the east bank of the Tiber River

(For a cheap lunch just come by early, buy some tomatoes, vegetables, cheese, meats, and some bread and stuff them in your bag. Then go sit by the river, the Bernini fountain, The Fiountain of Trevi, or wherever your heart desires and enough your lunch. Don't forget to buy a drink , or a bottle of wine.)

Gelateria at Giolitti

Via Uffici del Vicario,40

It is the oldest gelateria in Rome

www.giolitti.it/

Gelateria di San Crispino--Near Trevi Fountain

City Centre -Fountain of Trevi

Via della Panetteria,42

www.ilgelatodisancrispino.com

Felice a Testaccio

Via Mastro Giorgio,29

[phone]

Tre Scalini

Piazza Navona, 28

[phone]

(In the middle of the north side of the piazza)

Serves the best authentic home made TARTUFO ice cream. One is enough for two.

Osteria Pucci--Trastevere

Piazzia Mastai,2

+ 39 06 5819870

Osteria della Stazione---Castelli/Marino

Via Scalinata della Stazione

[phone]

http://www.osteriadellastazione.com

Osteria della Frezza---Centro Storico

Via della Frezza 16

[phone]

http://www.gusto.it

If you are looking for inexpensive restaurants, look for the term osteria, tavola calda, rosticceria, trattoria, pizzeria, or "self-service

Robertina

Answer 8

I cant help you much with the shopping except to say that shopping is not a problem in Rome your best bet is to stay away from the main tourist areas they tend to charge more as far as a hotel is concerned i can personally recommend the saint Angelo in Rome have stayed there myself and was very satisfied they are very helpful there the food is good the rooms clean and it is very central for more information go to

http://www.nycerome.com/accommodation/ro...