Lauren Tabbron shares her favourite things to do in Manchester
Jess Astbury regales tales of festivities in warmer climates.
Written by Gaia Stigliani
The perfect time
Sometimes queuing can be really tiring and if it is during summer it can be even more so. May is definitely the best time to go and enjoy Rome. It is perfect if you want to get a great tan but at the same time be able to walk without having to stop to drink from one of the fontanelle every ten minutes! Book in advance and save so much money!
It is extremely important to arrange your journey a couple of months before leaving for Rome. You can buy a return flight for as little as £30 with Ryanair or Easyjet. Both of them fly from London to Ciampino Airport, which is located in the south-east part of the city (15km from the centre). From Ciampino it is possible to take a taxi which costs €30, or to jump on the coach that will bring you to the main train station of Rome (Stazione Termini). Terravision coaches are every 20 minutes and a return ticket is €14.
Where can I stay?
If you are looking for a nice hotel in the centro storico of Rome Hotel Ara Pacis is the right one for you (double bedroom 105€)! It’s just 10 minutes from the battello that navigates the Tiber along with many more tours that can be organized. 10 e lode is a lovely family run b&b (double bedroom 59€) located in a residential area only 15 minutes from the centro storico which is therefore really easy to reach by bus.
Let’s go for an aperitif!
Rome offers mountainous buffets and live music especially in the city centre where bars open from 6pm. Fluid , where Medieval walls and ceilings are combined with modern art is situated right in the centro storico. Lovely herbed pastas, porcini mushrooms and carpaccios of meat must be tasted! In Piazza Bologna, Momart is a brand new bar and restaurant where you can enjoy pizza and crostini on a beautiful terrace. On Piazza Farnese, Camponeschi offers fabulous buffets in a luxurious environment.
Delicious Food!
Like everywhere in Italy, Rome is famous for having delicious food! Michelin starred restaurants can be found right in the centro storico: La Pergola, La Terrazza, Ristorante La Rosetta, Quinzi Gabrieli! Hostaria dell’Orso is a luxurious restaurant built on Roman ruins…Dante is also said to have been there! If you like Italian cuisine Taverna del Ghetto, Vecchia Roma and Taverna Giulia are three restaurants you must have a meal at! L’Abbruzzese is just outside the centre of Rome: the food is extremely good and prices are affordable! For a quick lunch Ciampini is higly recommended: stunning panorama on Piazza di Spagna!
After Dinner
La Cabala is one of the most frequented disco-bars in Rome…on the top floor of the building in an idyllic setting (right in the centre of town)it offers comfortable sofas and very good music (Wednesday to Saturday). Charro Caffè (Testaccio) is a fantastic disco-bar and restaurant with one of the most crowded dance-floors of the capital! In spring and summer you can enjoy a cocktail just outside the bar that boasts a lovely garden
5 things you can’t miss
La Barcaccia (1627) in Piazza di Spagna is a lovely baroque fontain. Right in the centre of Rome, the square is very close to the Spanish steps: it definitely is in the top five best things in Rome! Scuderie del Quirinale is an impressive palace that hosts many different exhibitions: you can’t miss ‘L’Ottocento’(till 10th june)! ‘India Immagini per Samdhya’ is a fascinating exhibition located in the lovely Chiostro del Bramante (fabulous cafè inside!). Ara Pacis Augustae (9 BC) is an altar to Peace that must be included in your tour around Rome as well as stunning Piazza San Pietro!
Alessandro Palace or Downtown are two of the best hostels in Rome, cheap, well run and near Termini. Also take your passport with you when you go to the Colesseum - all EU citizens under 25 get a discount. Your colesseum ticket also includes the Palatine Hill above the Forum which has some pretty good views as well. Best View ever? Climb to the top of the Vittoriano monument in Piazza Venezia and see practically a 360 degree view of Rome!
You must log in to submit a comment.
Report