Going to and from the airport

The Leonardo da Vinci airport, Fiumicino, (www.adr.it) is situated 26 km southwest of Rome.

There is a train that goes directly to and from Stazione Termini every 30 minutes. It takes about half an hour and costs €9,5.
 
Local trains leave every 15 minutes. It lasts an hour and costs €5.

Taxi (pick the yellow or white ones that have a license): From the airport it’s an additional €6 to what is shown on the metre. In total around 4

€5. The drive lasts 45-50 minutes to the center.

Bus to and from Stazione Termini. Lasts about one hour. Price for a single ticket: €9, return: €15. Children between 2 and 12 cost respectively 5 and 10 €.

Ciampino (www.adr.it) is located 15 km southeast of the center. Taxies cost between 40 and 50 € and the drive lasts 30 min.

It is worthwhile to order a transfer. You will be picked up in the airport and taken directly to the hotel at a cost of €35 and up, each way. If you’re going to or from the Ciampino airport it costs from €42 and up. Get more information and make a reservation at: www.airportshuttle.it.

Getting around in Rom

In Rome, buses are probably the best means of transportation. A few subway lines exist, but they will hardly get you all the places you want to go.
A one-way-ticket with bus/metro/tram (BIT) costs 1 € and lasts 75 minutes from the moment it’s stamped.
A one-day-ticket (BIG) costs 4 € and gives you unlimited transportation until midnight on the day it’s stamped.
A one-week-ticket (CIS) costs 16 €.
All tickets and passes are valid for both bus and metro and can be bought in ATAC and COTRAL centers and with special dealers.

By David Rich

Hotel Locarno

A great hotel that completely lives up to the praising words that it receives in various travel guides. The rooms are individually designed with hand-made wallpaper and classical Italian style. The service is great and there are bikes available free of charge. That is awesome in Rome, if you don’t have the guts to rent a Vespa.

Hotel Locarno, Via della Penna 22
www.hotellocarno.com

Aleph

Decadent and chic are some of the adjectives that you can put on this price-winning hotel. The hotel’s theme circles around love and hate and angels and sinners – and in the lobby, two Samurais will greet you!  You have to enjoy design, attitude and details that are over-the-top in order to appreciate a stay here. It’s not for the minimalist aesthetes!

Aleph, Via di San Basilio 15
www.bosocolohotels.com

Hotel de Russie

Expensive, but wonderful and trendy. Celebrities stay here when they’re in Rome and the rooms are large, beautifully decorated in the 1930’s style – and situated right by the Piazza del Popolo. You can actually book rooms at reasonable prices outside the peak seasons, which applies to most hotels in Rome.

Hotel de Russie, Via del Babuino 9
www.hotelderussie.it

By David Rich

Supperclub

The Dutch group of architects, Concrete, has transformed the former baths, Neros, into a modern cabaret concept. You come and eat while DJs will take care of the musical menu. The food isn’t outstanding, but you can easily just come for a drink and hang out.

Supperclub,Via de’Nari 14
www.supperclub.com

Fluid

As the name suggests, the theme of this bar is fluids. There’s an artificial waterfall built into one of the walls. The patrons are sitting on what looks like lit-up ice cubes, and the ceiling gives the impression of an underwater cavern. It’s corny and funky, and they offer brilliant “aperitivo” and good DJ-music.

Fluid, Via del Governo Vecchio 46

Cocktails on top

It’s super trendy to have cocktails at the fashionable hotels – and preferably the ones with a fabulous view of Rome.
Like in Zest Bar on top of the Radisson SAS Hotel, which most people don’t know is open for others than those staying at the hotel.
Hotel Aleph as well has a great view from its roof bar, 7th Heaven.
The view from Hotel la Russie is not overwhelming, but nevertheless Rome’s most up-scale hotel has a great bar, which is frequented by many locals. There is a view of a beautiful courtyard though, but at street level.

By David Rich

Tridente

Tridente is the place to go for up-scale shopping. All the big designer brands are located here and on Via del Corso, Via dei Condotti and Via Borgognona. Armani, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Versace etc.  At Piazza di Spagna, Via Due Marcelli, Via del Tritone and Piazza Barberini you can also find expensive designer stores.

Palazzo Fendi

Fendi’s flagship store is located in a Neo-Classic palace from the 19th century and it’s very stylish with the antique elegance spiced up with Fendi’s collections.

Palazzo Fendi, Via dei Condotti 36/39

DA Dress Agency

Luxury haute couture that’s fun to have a look at.

DA Dress Agency, Via del Vantaggio 1b.

TAD Concept Store

As the name suggests, it’s a concept store that sells everything it takes to be up-dated in the areas of clothes, perfume, hair products, interior design objects, music, literature and food. Über-funky place.

TAD Concept Store, Via del Babuino 155 a

Gente

If you like more edgy stuff than the luxury brands offer, this unisex shop is great!

Gente, Via Frattina 69

By David Rich

Photo by Scalleja 

At 7am the Romans hit the bars for espresso. At 1pm they take their lunch, consisting of three courses and wine. Around 7pm, it’s time for an “aperitivo”, typically a Prosecco Negroni with Campari, Martini rosso and Gin. Then you’re ready for dinner, starting at 8.30pm!

il Pomodorino

A few steps from the top of Via Veneto, behind Grand Hotel Flora in Via Campania, you will find il Pomodorino. A large, sizzling restaurant with two pizza ovens. They have specialized in Neapolitan food and dishes that you usually don’t connect with the Italian kitchen – such as suppli (deep fried risotto balls) and crocette (deep fried mashed potatoes). The pizzas are fabulous and they have a counter with a guys who is solely there to hand-cut different kinds of prosciutto. Pasta is not their force, but they have a lot of traditional rustic dishes and a wide selection of antipasti (starters). Everything at reasonable prices. Lots of locals and few tourists.

il Pomodorino, Via Campania

Tullio

At the foot of Via Veneto, behind Hotel Bernini on Piazza Barberini, is this classical Florentine restaurant, Tullio.  Everything is wonderful, but particular stand-outs are the steaks and the risotto with tartufo bianco (white truffle), when in season. Also try the grilled artichoke, but be aware of the check. It’s a pricy place.

Tullio, Via San Nicola da Tolentino 26.

Nino

A dark wooden ceiling and tall wood panels set the atmosphere. It is often crowded, so you should reserve a table. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes came here often when he was shooting in Rome, and this has been brought to the ears of the Americans. They take up a lot of the space and the tense smiles don’t leave the waiters’ faces until 10pm where the local Italians pour in – and the Americans leave. On Fridays, they serve seafood pasta, and it’s so good it will make your eyes water. The spaghetti is cooked to perfection, the shellfish is al dente and the parsley and the famous sauce bianco are perfetto!
Don’t forget to ask for the house olive oil to dip your bread in – it’s the best oil you can get.

Nino, Via Borgognona 11

Nueva Fiorentina

An amazing restaurant, solely visited by locals. It’s lovely to sit outside on the green chairs and enjoy the evening and the delicious food served by the nice waiters. Their thin pizza-like bread sprinkled with olive oil is wonderful and the Cacio e Pepe spaghetti topped with parmesan and pepper is second to none! If you can make it before they are all gone, order the house pastry.

Nueva Fiorentina, Via Angelo Brofferio 41/51

Top three Gelateria (Ice cream parlors)

Cremaria Monteforte

To the right of the Pantheon, you will find this little place – almost hidden behind the crowd of people gathering in front of it. But it’s a little treasure and you have to try their gelato rosa and black chocolate. It’s almost poetic.

Cremaria Monteforte, Via del Rotonda 22

Ciampini

Located on one of the greatest squares in Rome, which is actually not that great looking, but the atmosphere is great. It’s awesome to sit here and enjoy the best ice cream or coffee in the city, watching well-dressed gentlemen in tight suits and beautiful women in high heels walking by. Even the nuns wear heels! Choose from the metal board and have your ice cream served in small silver bowls. But don’t forget to check the glass cupboards behind you. It would be a shame to miss the mini cones from the top shelf!

Ciampini, Piazza de San Lorenza, Lucina 29

Gelateria di San Crispino

A small and narrow ice cream parlor. You will hardly notice it, if it’s not one of those days where the line goes all the way out in the street. Look for bright marble and a tiny glass sign with blue writing. Treat yourself to an ice cream with a distinct flavor. You can try the ginger-cinnamon or their signature ice cream: San Crispino Honey.

Gelateria di San Crispino, Via della Panetteria 42

By David Rich