Discussion
We are looking to take a long weekend break in September and wondered if the PH collective have any HOTEL or general recomendations for ROME?
Ideally, we like a modern 'boutique' style hotel, minimum 4 stars, but flexible on style.
Also any recomendations on Do's and Don't, must's and must not on visiting the sights ?
Ideally, we like a modern 'boutique' style hotel, minimum 4 stars, but flexible on style.
Also any recomendations on Do's and Don't, must's and must not on visiting the sights ?
Hi Shady, can't help much with hotel recommendations as the last couple of times there I was with mates kinda slumming it in cheapo accommodation for footie and beer based breaks. However, on each occasion we stayed near what is locally called 'Roma Terminus' (the main bus station) as we found it easy to walk to attractions from that area.
There's also a fantastic bar/kiosk that sits in the middle of the south side of that square (facing the terminus) that sells the best drought lager in the city!
Ok, do's and don'ts. Don't hire a car as driving's a nightmare there.
Don't expect to be allowed into the Vatican if either of you are wearing shorts or have bare shoulders showing etc.(not worth it anyway as it takes aaaages before you reach the Sistine Chapel and once you do, it's dark and there's no photography allowed- pointless). Instead, visit the Castel Sant'Angelo which is opposite. Originally the tomb of Hadrian and then turned into a fortress- there's more info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Sant'Angelo
Yes, the Colosseum is worth a visit (but expect a long queue and it's now very touristy/tacky since Ridley Scott's Gladiator).
In my mind a not to be missed building is the Pantheon! After 2'000 years, it still contains the widest/biggest unreinforced concrete dome ever built- just fantastic and if it's raining the shower just pours straight onto the floor via the huge circular hole in the centre of the dome!
Brilliant city- you wil love it.
There's also a fantastic bar/kiosk that sits in the middle of the south side of that square (facing the terminus) that sells the best drought lager in the city!
Ok, do's and don'ts. Don't hire a car as driving's a nightmare there.
Don't expect to be allowed into the Vatican if either of you are wearing shorts or have bare shoulders showing etc.(not worth it anyway as it takes aaaages before you reach the Sistine Chapel and once you do, it's dark and there's no photography allowed- pointless). Instead, visit the Castel Sant'Angelo which is opposite. Originally the tomb of Hadrian and then turned into a fortress- there's more info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Sant'Angelo
Yes, the Colosseum is worth a visit (but expect a long queue and it's now very touristy/tacky since Ridley Scott's Gladiator).
In my mind a not to be missed building is the Pantheon! After 2'000 years, it still contains the widest/biggest unreinforced concrete dome ever built- just fantastic and if it's raining the shower just pours straight onto the floor via the huge circular hole in the centre of the dome!
Brilliant city- you wil love it.
I went there with the wife in December 2008. The weather was freakishly good. T-shirt weather in December! We stayed at Villa Morgagni. Can't fault the place to be honest-I'd definitely stay there again and you've got a metro station opposite the hotel so everywhere is within easy reach (Front door of the hotel to standing outside the colloseum in less than 10 minutes). The staff were very friendly and recommended some cracking local restaurants off the tourist trail. It's just a shame my Italian is shockingly bad/non-existant but my murdering their language usually resulted in them speaking perfect English!
I'm not particularly religious but enjoyed the Vatican and that is a full day visit-you can book your tickets online before you go-I'm not sure if it is cheaper but it's certainly easier and beats the queues of people buying tickets on the day.
Foodwise, we tried La Gelateria Frigidarium which got excellent reviews on Tripadvisor-it was good but not a patch on Joes in Mumbles! There are loads of decent places though and a good rule of thumb is to stay away from restaurants beside tourist attractions as they're just tourist traps. I found one place (can't remember the name of it but put me back in Rome and I'd find it in about 10 minutes) that did absolutely stunning pear and blue cheese pasta in a carrot sauce.
We did go to Hard Rock Cafe one night though (it's a tradition for the wife and I) and whilst it was good, it was very very pricey.
I'm not particularly religious but enjoyed the Vatican and that is a full day visit-you can book your tickets online before you go-I'm not sure if it is cheaper but it's certainly easier and beats the queues of people buying tickets on the day.
Foodwise, we tried La Gelateria Frigidarium which got excellent reviews on Tripadvisor-it was good but not a patch on Joes in Mumbles! There are loads of decent places though and a good rule of thumb is to stay away from restaurants beside tourist attractions as they're just tourist traps. I found one place (can't remember the name of it but put me back in Rome and I'd find it in about 10 minutes) that did absolutely stunning pear and blue cheese pasta in a carrot sauce.
We did go to Hard Rock Cafe one night though (it's a tradition for the wife and I) and whilst it was good, it was very very pricey.
I'd could wax lyrically for hours - probably my favourite European city.
As for a hotel I can recommend the Hotel Forum. I wouldn't describe it as boutique but it is distinctly Roman and a great location for breakfast (or dinner) views over the Forum and the Victor Emmanuel monument.
As for things to do - well just walk around the centre of Rome and take in what you fancy, The Spansih Steps, Trevi fountain, Pantheon, various piazzas but particularly Piazza del Popolo and the church Santa Maria del Popolo. After that have a coffee/beer/lunch at Canova (P.del Pop) and people watch. Central Rome and all the well-known spots can be covered entirely on foot with the exception of the Vatican which is a bit of a hike so depending on the temperature a taxi for that one.
Tips for the Colosseum - get there early to avoid the bussed in tourists and/or take advantage of the personal guided tours; they neatly avoid the queues and you get an awful lot more from the visit albeit it costs a bit more.
Once you've done the A list there are a large number of lesser known sites that are good eg Basilica di San Clemente (quite near the Colosseum).
And finally restaurants; well take your pick. As others have said avoid those in the main tourist areas (Piazza Navona for example) and take advise from the hotel. I've never been recommended a bad restaurant yet!
As for a hotel I can recommend the Hotel Forum. I wouldn't describe it as boutique but it is distinctly Roman and a great location for breakfast (or dinner) views over the Forum and the Victor Emmanuel monument.
As for things to do - well just walk around the centre of Rome and take in what you fancy, The Spansih Steps, Trevi fountain, Pantheon, various piazzas but particularly Piazza del Popolo and the church Santa Maria del Popolo. After that have a coffee/beer/lunch at Canova (P.del Pop) and people watch. Central Rome and all the well-known spots can be covered entirely on foot with the exception of the Vatican which is a bit of a hike so depending on the temperature a taxi for that one.
Tips for the Colosseum - get there early to avoid the bussed in tourists and/or take advantage of the personal guided tours; they neatly avoid the queues and you get an awful lot more from the visit albeit it costs a bit more.
Once you've done the A list there are a large number of lesser known sites that are good eg Basilica di San Clemente (quite near the Colosseum).
And finally restaurants; well take your pick. As others have said avoid those in the main tourist areas (Piazza Navona for example) and take advise from the hotel. I've never been recommended a bad restaurant yet!
I always pass on this tip for Rome. Get up one day at 4.00am and head for the Colleseum. Watch the sun come up and wander through the empty streets. When it starts to get busy find a cafe to chill in and then back to your hotel for a nap. Seeing Rome when there's no traffic is absolutely worth the early start.
Stayed here for a long weekend;
http://www.theinnattheromanforum.com/
Not modern but boutique with a capital B! Brilliant spot, next to the Forum and only a few minutes from the Colosseum. Great breakfast/sundowner terrace on the roof with fantastic views.
Just picked it off the web, maxed out on brownie points with that one!
http://www.theinnattheromanforum.com/
Not modern but boutique with a capital B! Brilliant spot, next to the Forum and only a few minutes from the Colosseum. Great breakfast/sundowner terrace on the roof with fantastic views.
Just picked it off the web, maxed out on brownie points with that one!
kenny Chim 4 said:
.......it takes aaaages before you reach the Sistine Chapel and once you do, it's dark and there's no photography allowed
I've got some photos from inside the Sistine Chapel. Some bloke was being berated by the staff for getting his camera out, so I took the distraction as an opportunity to take a few surreptitious pics of my own.
One of my favourite cities too. Very warm and busy in summer but worth the effort to do as much as you can while there. We stayed as a place called Hotel Daphne near the Trevi Fountain which was pretty basic but the staff were incredible. Every day at breakfast an "advisor" would come and see you and recommend tours, sightseeing, restaurants, everything really. Then book and make calls on our behalf so everything ran smoothly. Definetly not a boutique hotel though.
We went on a few walking tours which were recommended by the hotel. Great way to see things rather than have your head stuck in a guidebook and the ones we were on gave you time to explore on your own as well. You get to see some of the places that are a bit off the tourist trail and a lot quieter. Colluseum and Pantheon were impressive though and the Vatican is pretty awe inspiring if you can handle the queues. As for photos I found that many of the ones I took, especially in Vatican and St Peters barely do the scale of the place justice. Try to experience it as well as photograph it.
I would say restaurants are best recommended and booked through the hotel as I've found tripadvisor etc disappointing on many occasions and the quality of places can change quickly so locals always have up to date opinions
We went on a few walking tours which were recommended by the hotel. Great way to see things rather than have your head stuck in a guidebook and the ones we were on gave you time to explore on your own as well. You get to see some of the places that are a bit off the tourist trail and a lot quieter. Colluseum and Pantheon were impressive though and the Vatican is pretty awe inspiring if you can handle the queues. As for photos I found that many of the ones I took, especially in Vatican and St Peters barely do the scale of the place justice. Try to experience it as well as photograph it.
I would say restaurants are best recommended and booked through the hotel as I've found tripadvisor etc disappointing on many occasions and the quality of places can change quickly so locals always have up to date opinions
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