Rome

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Rome by Foot

A July 2000 trip to Rome by xine Best of IgoUgo

From tourist attractions to eateries and gelaterias, this journal covers all that I discovered during my week in Rome.

  • 11 reviews
  • 1 story/tip

Rome by FootBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Seeing Rome lit up at night is a definite must. Flip a coin into the Trevi Fountain to see if you will return to Rome again. Stroll around Piazza di Spagna and give your feet a break by resting on the Spanish Steps. People-watch while sipping cappucino at an outdoor cafe on Piazza Navona. Wander around the Pantheon and over to Della Palma or Giolitti for that post-midnight gelato.

Quick Tips:

Bread is not free in Rome. If you sit down at a restaurant, you will be expected to pay the mandatory bread/cover charge. That aside, the set menus for lunch and dinner are good deals and include salad (basically just green lettuce), pasta, meat dish, ice cream and wine or mineral water.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking is the best way to get to know Rome. Many sites are near each other so walking in Rome is very doable. Otherwise, take the subway or public bus. Purchase your tickets from any tabacci. Depending on how often you are going to use public transportation, you can buy tickets that are good for 75 minutes or opt for daily or weekly passes. Note: the 75 minute tickets are good for one subway ride, but unlimited bus transfers within the 75 minutes. Validate your ticket when you get on the bus or before you enter the subway.

Hotel Des ArtistesBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

We stayed in a double with two twin beds in the hostel part of Hotel Des Artistes. We paid 120,000 L per night for the room. There is also a Hotel section which is more expensive but uses the same reception area. The room was very clean and was equipped with a TV, phone, fan, hairdryer and sink. You share the toilets and showers in the hallway with other guests. Hotel Des Artistes was a 7 minute walk from Termini but in a safe area. There is a roof garden and dining area where you can hang out. They sell beer, soda, and water for very reasonable prices. There is also a 'library' of books that traveler's have left behind and you are free to look through them. Hotel Des Artistes also offers tours and daytrips in and around Rome. Hotel Des Artistes is more expensive than the average budget traveler's accommodation, but it is worth the extra money.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by xine on August 22, 2000

Hotel Des Artistes
Via Villafranca 20 Rome, Italy

Grand Hotel Beverly HillsBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

I was traveling as part of a tour for this portion of the trip, but 520,000 L is the price listed on the website for a double. The rooms were ok, but kind of old. Not great for the price paid. Breakfast was included, but wasn't that good either. You definitely don't get your money's worth here. It's also not as conveniently located. Good if you want to explore Villa Borghese, but not central to anywhere else.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by xine on August 22, 2000

Grand Hotel Beverly Hills
Largo Benedetto Marcello 220 Rome, Italy
39-068542141

Il MiraggioBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

'Il Miraggio' specializes in 'marinare carne e pesce fresco.' I had the best scampi risotto there! Very creamy and tasty. My mouth is still watering from it. For dessert you can't go wrong with their tiramisu, but the seadas (flakey pastry filled with cheese, fried and served with honey) are also quite good.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by xine on August 22, 2000

Il Miraggio
Via dell'Umiltà, 46 Rome, Italy 00187
+39 066780226

Tre ScaliniBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Possibly the best meal I had in Rome. I was so stuffed afterwards, but the food was great. The price really depends on how many courses you eat-- i.e. how much of a glutton you feel like being! The caprese salad (tomato and mozzarella) is very fresh and a great way to start off your meal. Share though-- the portions here are quite large. Four of us were eating so I got to sample the fettuccine with salmon, the fettuccine with truffle sauce, risotto with porcini mushrooms and spaghetti with clams (white sauce). I highly recommend all. Go for the spaghetti with clams if you want a lighter option. The fettuccine and risotto dishes are on the creamier/heavy side, but well-worth the extra calories. We also tried the eggplant parmigiana which was good, but on the salty side. I wasn't so impressed with the fried calamari and shrimp. Just not crisp enough. Stick with the pasta/risotto dishes and you won't be disappointed. For dessert, we had to try the Tre Scalini tartufo which is what they are famous for. It was very rich, but satisfying to those with a sweet tooth!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by xine on August 22, 2000

Tre Scalini
Piazza Navona, 8 Rome, Italy 00186
+39 066879148

GiolittiBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

'I had gelato at least twice a day!' was the most common phrase I heard from everyone who returned from Italy. I didn't believe how addictive gelato could be until I tried my first scoop at Giolitti, Rome's oldest gelato shop. The gelato here definitely melts in your mouth and there is quite a selection to choose from. They also sell some pastries, frulatti, and granita, but I only sampled to gelato. I liked the hazelnut and tiramisu gelato, but the rice gelato was also worth trying. Also heard that the watermelon with chocolate chips was very tasty.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by xine on August 22, 2000

Giolitti
Via Uffici del Vicario 40 Rome, Italy
(06) 699-1243

Della PalmaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

After discovering Della Palma, we visited it at least once a day to get our daily gelato fix. Their selection is amazing! Too many choices-- you're bound to go back for more! Flavors from pear and mango to Baci and Ferroro Rocher. The scoops here are larger than Giolitti's, but it's hard to say which is better. Pay and get a receipt from the cashier before ordering. The white tartufo is also quite tasty and at 3000 L, it's a bargain! Avoid the tiramisu which is frozen. Frulattis are good too but not quite chilled enough to make it refreshing. You can choose which fruits you want blended together. For mousse lovers, there are a variety of flavored mousses to choose from. Della Palma also sell candy if you're craving even more sugar.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by xine on August 22, 2000

Della Palma
V. d. Maddalena Rome, Italy

Aurora 10 da Pino il SommelierBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The house speciality which is not on the English menu is the linguine with lobster. The pasta is cooked al dente (as is most pasta in Italy) with a red sauce. Very tasty. We were less than impressed with the service which put a damper on our meal. Bread charge here is 3500 L. We wanted to avoid paying the bread charge so we didn't eat any bread. In fact, they took our bread away and gave it to another table. When we disputed that bread charge, the waiter laughed at us and told us we were paying for the use of the tablecloth. We were quite annoyed that we were charged for the bread that someone else was eating, but had no choice but to pay for it. In general, I think you have to suck it up and pay for the bread no matter what since it's more like a charge for the table.

We did not sample any of the other dishes, but the restaurant is supposed to be great for wine lovers as it carries over 250 wines from each province in Italy.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by xine on August 23, 2000

Aurora 10 da Pino il Sommelier
Via Aurora 10 Rome, Italy
(06) 474-2779

Galleria BorgheseBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Escape the hustle and bustle of Rome and wander over to the Galleria Borghese, a lovely art museum in the Villa Borghese. Since the museum contains both sculptures and paintings, you are bound to find one piece to your liking. Masterpieces include Caravaggio's 'Jerome,' Bernini's 'Apollo and Daphne,' Titian's 'Sacred and Profane Love' as well as Raphael's 'Disposition'.

Although our guidebooks said it was difficult to get in without a reservation, we did not have problems getting tickets. Admission is timed and you are allowed in for 90 minutes-- probably not quite enough time to do it justice. Depending on where you are from, you might be able to get a student discount. Americans don't qualify though.

After visiting the museum, be sure to stroll around the villa. It makes for a great picnic spot and is a nice retreat from the crowds.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by xine on August 22, 2000

Galleria Borghese
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5 Rome, Italy 00197
+39 068413979

Campo de' FioriBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Campo D. Fiori "

Vendors sell fresh vegetables and fruits. Visit this market in the morning. The later you go, the less there is to buy. The market was smaller than I had imagined, but I enjoyed poking around. There are also small boutiques and inexpensive clothing stores around the area so check those out if you like to shop. There are many cafes and restaurants around the square so come back here at night to experience Campo D. Fiori by night.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by xine on August 22, 2000

Campo de' Fiori
Piazza Campo de' Fiori Rome, Italy 00186

VaticanBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Vatican"

I happened to visit St. Peter's during Sunday mass. It was nice visiting while mass was going on because you actually experienced the church in its glory. Everything about St. Peter's is amazing-- the sculptures which include Michelangelo's "Pieta", paintings, ceiling, windows-- truly breathtaking. The frescoes in the Sistine Chapel are a definite must-see too. Unfortunately, we had to whiz through the rest of the museum so I did not get to spend as much time as I would've liked to. Be prepared for the crowds in the Sistine Chapel though.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by xine on August 22, 2000

Vatican
Vatican City Rome, Italy

Internet AccessBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

The best place we found for access to the Internet was the Internet Cafe in the Museo del Corso on Via del Corso. The connection is fast and costs 5000 L for 30 minutes.

We also tried to access the Internet at Trevi Net near the Trevi Fountain, but connection there was slow and frustrating. Prices are cheaper though, and they even give student discounts.

About the Writer

xine
xine
Santa Monica, California

Get the Word Out

Share this travel journal beyond IgoUgo with your favorite sharing tools.