A time for meditation
by celsomollo
I've always heard about the Vatican, I'm a catholic, so when I was in Rome I wanted to visit it.
The St Peter square is very nice and huge with all those columns lined up in a perfect simetry.
The inside of the Cathedral is so rich that I think it is almost too much.
I climbed hundreds of steps to get to the top of the tower overlooking the city, from there I was able to spot most of the main attractions and it helped me finding my way.
I would love to be able to visit Rome once again. Although many people think that the building isn't in the right place, one of the best moments I had was when I visited the Monument of Emmanuel the Second. It's just out of this world.
Another place I liked a lot was the Pathernon.
Big Noses
by OttoMarzo
"Big Nose" is a familiar Roman name to call those small fountains where you can drink at. They are always opened and it's not a waste of water. I've read anywhere that Rome is just upon a huge water reserve and its level is stable. Once you don't use that water you are gonna loose ita anyway. Maybe it's a bit immoral, but it's super comfortable. Bars and stands will make you pay big amounts of money for small bottles of mineral water. Don't do that. Springing water is perfect, clean, fresh and delicious, and it's brought to you through the original Roman Acquedoct. So... it tastes of history. One of the funniest things is watching tourists on their first approach to the Big Noses. The easiest way to drink is: close the bottom (main) hole and water will spring out from the smaller hole on top. Then just drink!
Fellini for film faces
by icunme
Rome's International Museum of Film and Entertainment, 101 Via Portuense, 370-0266, is a small, serendipitous place in Trastevere with Fellini memorabilia and exhibits chronicling the full history of Italian moviemaking; open at 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, guided visits in English by appointment.
Curios of international filmmaking: cameras, projectors, posters etc. An important collection of Italian silent films.
Hours: guided tours only, Tuesday, Thursday 16 - 17.30 (French),
and Saturday 17 (Italian). Other languages only by appointment.
On airports
by baronedivandastad
Rome has two airports, Fiumicino (the main one), situated west of the city 30 minutes by train from the railway station (direct service), and Ciampino, located east of the city some 25 minutes away by bus.
Fiumicino is served by all major airlines, and is Europe's 5th largest airport as per passenger traffic. Ciampino is the homebase of several low-cost airline, and its traffic is growing steadily with the expansion of the industry.
Both airports are quite efficient, clean and well organized, save for luggage handling which can be really slow at times.
In order to be sure to catch your flight, plan to be at the airport 1h before for domestic and European flights in Fiumicino and for all flights in Ciampino, and around 1h30' before for intercontinental flights in Fiumicino (save for flights to the US and Israel, for which you should arrive up to 4h early).
For a nice break near the Pantheon
by alza about Le Cave di San Ignazio
Le Cave di San Ignazio is a famous/popular restaurant on Piazza di San Ignazio. In the early 1900's, it was the site of Rome's first pizzeria. Now a rendez-vous place for politicians, show business people and actors -- and the international crowd.
Lovely terrace on the square, where I stopped for a short break for appetizers and a pastry. I didn't see Berlusconi but I'm sure I saw a few of his sbirri there. Service was swift and very attentive. I had vegetables au gratin, some ham and delicious ricotta. For energy to make my way back to the hostel, I chose the millefoglie (mille feuille pastry) and it was heavenly! They also have tiramisù that looked wonderful.
This is not a tea-room but I got there at a quiet time, after meal service, and was able to order just what I needed to keep walking. Very relaxing spot in a quiet square.
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Souvenir envelope for the bill
May 2009
Welcom to my favorite spot
Colosseum - "there it is".
