Rome Journals

Rome by Foot

Best of IgoUgo

A July 2000 trip to Rome by xine

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

Rome by Foot

Overview

Quote:

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. B...Read More

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Hotel Des Artistes

Hotel

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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 da...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 22, 2000

Hotel Des Artistes
Via Villafranca 20
Rome, Italy

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Grand Hotel Beverly Hills, Rome

Hotel | "Grand Hotel Beverly Hills"

Quote:

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 on August 22, 2000

Grand Hotel Beverly Hills, Rome
Largo Benedetto Marcello 220
Rome, Italy 00198
39 068 542141

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Il Miraggio

Restaurant

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'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 on August 22, 2000

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

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Tre Scalini

Restaurant

Quote:

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....Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 22, 2000

Tre Scalini
Piazza Navona, 28
Rome, Italy 00186
39 0668801996

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Giolitti

Restaurant

Quote:

'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 on August 22, 2000

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

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Della Palma

Restaurant

Quote:

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 sel...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 22, 2000

Della Palma
V. d. Maddalena
Rome, Italy

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Aurora 10 da Pino il Sommelier

Restaurant

Quote:

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...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on August 23, 2000

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

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Borghese Gallery and Museum (Galleria Borghese)

Attraction | "Galleria Borghese"

Quote:

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 t...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 22, 2000

Borghese Gallery and Museum (Galleria Borghese)
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5
Rome, Italy 00197
+39 068413979

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Campo de' Fiori

Attraction | "Campo D. Fiori "

Quote:

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 on August 22, 2000

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

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Vatican

Attraction | "The Vatican"

Quote:

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 on August 22, 2000

Vatican
Vatican City
Rome, Italy

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Internet Access

Story/Tip

Quote:

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.