The '''Modern Center''' of Rome, home to the Via Veneto, Quirinale, Castro Pretorio, Reppublica, and Trevi neighborhoods, is the city's hub of activity, especially shopping and nightlife. It's also home to a ''huge'' assortment of hotels, and it's likely that you'll be staying here, despite the fact that most of Rome's historic attractions are elsewhere.
Get in
The Modern Center of Rome is not hard to find—Castro Pretorio is the first neighborhood you'll find if arriving in Rome through the train station, Roma Termini.
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See
Trevi Fountain
Completed in 1762 to a design by Nicola Salvi, this spectacular Baroque fountain features a mythological sculptural composition of Neptune, god of the sea, flanked by two Tritons: one Triton labours to control a violent sea-horse, the other controls a pacified creature, both symbolising the dual nature of the world's oceans. The location of the Trevi fountain marks the terminus of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, completed in 19 BCE in order to supply the Baths of Agrippa, and is so named on account of its position at the junction of three roads (''tre vie''). The fountain appeared in an unforgettable scene of Fellini's film Dolce Vita. The legend says that one who throws a coin in the fountain shall one day return to Rome. The coins in the fountain are regularly collected to finance charityies. The fountain has been made even more famous as the target for the ''Three Coins in the Fountain'', soaking the actress Anita Ekberg in Federico Fellini's film ''La Dolce Vita''. According to popular superstition and custom, throwing coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain is a practice endowed with good luck. Throwing one coin ensures that the thrower will return to Rome; throwing two coins will ensure that the thrower will fall in love with a beautiful Roman girl (or handsome boy); throwing three coins, finally, ensures that the thrower will marry that girl or boy in Rome itself.
Other attractions
Aurelian walls. ura aureliane. o close you can almost touch it. Remains of city walls built between 271 and 275 enclosing all seven hills of Rome, Campus Martius and the Trastevere district.
Capuchin Monastery. ia Veneto. ight by Piazza Barberini. Built in 1645, the crypt of the church contains a macabre display - a series of chapels decorated with the bones of thousands of dead monks. The bones are glued to the walls and ceilings in bizarre and striking decorations.
Le Quattro Fontane. ntersection of Via delle Quattro Fontane and Via del Quirinale. ttp://www.romanlife-romeitaly.com. Four fountains from the time of Pope Sixtus V when much of Rome was redeveloped. A reclining deity is the theme of each sculpture. This is a busy intersection and if you don't look twice you may miss these exquisite examples of Roman mythology.
Museo delle Paste Alimentari. iazza Scanderberg 117. 6 699 1119. aily 9.30am-5.30pm, closed public holidays. A museum devoted to pasta, Italy's premier gift to world cuisine.
Palazzo Massimo. 6 39967700. Mo-Sa 9AM-1:30PM, 2:30PM-5PM. 7,00. A magnificent collection of ancient Roman sculptures, mosaics and wall paintings, including the famous paintings from the Imperial-era villa discovered under the Villa Farnesina, as well as the dining room from the Empress Livia's villa at Prima Porta. Located across the piazza from Termini, opposite the Baths of Diocletian.
Palazzo Barberini. alleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica. ia Quattro Fontane 13. 39 06 482 4184. ttp://www.galleriaborghese.it/barberini/it/default.htm. u-Su 9-19.30. 5,00, serveral discounts available, Free entrance for people under 18 and over 65.. This remarkable building, designed partly by Bernini, houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art, including some famous paintings by Lippo Lippi, Caravaggio as well as Raphaels famous La Fornarina.
Piazza Barberini. With Bernini's famous Triton Fountain. Via Veneto starts here too.
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Quirinal Palace. alazzo del Quirinale. ia del Quirinale. top the Quirinale, highest of the famous Roman hills. 39 06 8530 1758. ttp://www.quirinale.it/Z_visita/flash/index.htm. :30a-12:30p Su. Home of the President of the Italian Republic, and the Quirinal Gardens. Built in 1573 as a papal summer residence, and has since also served as the residence for the pope and later for the king of Italy.
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. ia del Quirinale, 23. 39 06 48 83 261 . A very small and beautiful church, the first design commission of Francesco Borromini.
Santa Maria degli Angeli. ia Cernaia 9. iazza della Repubblica. 39 06 48 80 812 . This church was built inside the former baths of Diocletian. Very light and airy inside. Note the unusual art on the outside doors. Around solar noon check out the sun's image on Francesco Bianchini's meridian line inside.
Santa Maria della Vittoria. ottom of Via XX Settembre, close to Piazza della Repubblica. Now unfortunately invaded by readers of Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" this is an interesting Baroque church containing Bernini's "Ecstasy of St. Teresa". Either side of this chapel are characters in what can best be described as theatre boxes. These are members of the Cornaro family, who paid for Bernini's sculpture.
St Paul's Within the Walls. ust down Via Nazionale from Piazza della Repubblica, on the corner with Via Napoli. . ttp://www.stpaulsrome.it/english/nav.html . More modern than most Roman churches: it was not started until 1873. This is Rome_fs Episcopalian church. Some very interesting artwork, particularly the mosaics by Edward Burne-Jones of the Pre-Raphaelite school.
Do
Palazzo delle Esposizione. ia Nazionale 194. mposing exhibition center half-way down Via Nazionale.. ttp://english.palazzoesposizioni.it/. Rotating exhibitions, usually three at one time. Avoid Sunday morning, when the Romans go, as queues to get in can be long.
Buy
For a little bit shopping, the Via Nazionale is perfect: souvenirs, clothes, Italian shoes, etc. But the main attraction is without a doubt, the '''Via Veneto'''.
Eat
al Piccolo Arancino. icolo Scanderberg 112. ear the Trevi Fountain. Small restaurant with a lot of Italian guests and moderate prices.
Aqui, Ristorante Pizzeria. ia Principe Amedeo 49-5. ear Via Cavour and Termini station, close to the corner of Via Amedeo and Via Daniele Manin, next to Hotel California. /li>
Euro 25-35 for dinner including wine and bottled water">A street side restaurant with excellent food, attentive service and warm atmosphere. Eat outside or inside, depending on the weather. Try the fish fillet baked in potato which should please anyone who likes fish - it is excellent. Their marketing says they are a pub, perhaps to pull in tourists hankering after home but this is an Italian restaurant. The waiters hustle passers by into becoming satisfied diners. The white table cloths, linen and cutlery are presentable. The menu is varied and does not stress Pizza, though they do have it. There are a variety of meat and fish dishes and pasta. The house wine is modest but good value. There seems to be no wine list.</eat>
Est! Est!! Est !!!. ia Genova, 32. etro A Republica (Via Nazionale/Piazza della Repubblica). 6 48 81 107. ttp://www.pizzeriaricci.com. pen Tue-Sun 7pm-midnight, closed on Mon. The chefs here make a relatively small but amazingly good pizza. Every pizza here is outstanding, and the calzone, one of their specialties, is excellent too. The staff speak English, and this is one of the few places where there is both plenty of tourists and very good food. Reservation is advisable. In the same neighborhood, there's another EST,EST,EST pizzeria, beware the difference!
Trattoria al camoscio d'abruzzo. ia castelfidardo 78 roma 00185. ttp://www.independencesquareinn.com.
Drink
Dagnino Tea Room, Galleria. sedra Via V. Emanuele Orlando 75. 64818660. If you haven't tried a "Cannolo" or a "Cassatina" then get one here, they are simply great. Don't sit at the tables (it's pretty expensive) just take them away. Good pastries too.
Harrys Bar. You can't visit Via Veneto and not go to Harrys Bar, immortalized in Fellinis' ''La Dolce Vita'' Harrys' is now a swanky upmarket {read expensive} bar/eatery where celebs can still be spotted. A piano bar, it has a regular {as of May 2007} duet performing nightly from 9pm. Sometimes guest artistes will avail themselves of the piano and entertain the patrons. Most recently Australian Pianist Fiona Cohn played there.
Sleep
Budget
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Alessandro Hostels. ia Vicenza 42. 39.06.446.1958 fax +39.06.493.80.534. ttp://www.hostelsalessandro.com. rom ?15 for dorms. Other brach: Alessandro Downtown, Via C. Cattaneo 23. 2nd Floor, +39.06.443.40.147. All locations are 5 minutes on foot from Termini, include free breakfast, free linens, no curfew, cheap internet, video security, free pizza parties at the Palace pub, internet PCs & Wi-Fi available at both hostels.
Freedom Traveller Hostel. ia Gaeta 25. +39) 06 47823862. ttp://www.freedom-traveller.it/. rom ?23 per night, including free breakfast, internet and dinner. A four-minute walk from the central train station, this hostel has adequate dorms, som have nice balconies. Kitchens and communal areas. No curfew, but lockout is from 11.00 - 15.00.
Evergreen Italy B&B. ia Milazzo 23. +39) 0644363186. ttp://www.evergreenrome.com. ingles from ?40, breakfast included. No curfew, no lock-out. Towels and bed linen are included. Daily room cleaning. English and Italian spoken.
Hotel Cervia Rome. ia Palestro, 55. 039 06 491057. 039 06 491056. ttp://www.hotelcerviaroma.com/index-english.htm. Great little 2 star budget hotel located in the centre of Rome near Termini. Run by two lovely ladies, this accommodation is ideal for the low-cost traveller looking for clean, simple and secure accommodation in a great location in Rome. From ?40 for singles
Hotel Fawlty Towers Rome. ia Magenta 39. +39) 06 4450374. +39) 06 45435942. ttp://www.hotelfawltytowers.com. ingles from ?55. You can choose between a two star hotel or a hostel accommodation, shared or private services and dorms or private rooms, all located around the Termini Station area.
Hotel / Hostel Papa Germano. ia Calatafimi, 14/a. 39 06486919. 39 0647825202. ttp://www.hotelpapagermano.com. 16 for dorms / ?50 for private rooms. Near the station. Free internet, sat TV, minifridge, telephone, air conditioning, free maps, no curfew, credit cards accepted.
Hotel Rubino Rome. ia Milazzo 3. +39) 06 4452323. +39) 06 445425. ttp://www.hotelrubino.com. ingles from ?50. Cheap and cheerful low budget hotel right in the centre of Rome near the train station and public transport, caters mainly to young people. Clean and secure.
Holiday Rome B&B. ia Palestro, 49. h.+39 06 4453024. olidayrome@yahoo.it. rice from 45? x person x night. ttp://www.bed-and-breakfast-rome-near-termini.com/eng/bed_and_breakfast/rome/rooms/. Bed and Breakfast in Rome near Termini Train Station. Three rooms with private bathrooms and an air-conditioning system.
M&J Place Hostel Roma. ia Solferino 9. +39) 064462802. nfo@mejplacehostel.com. ttp://www.hostelinrome.com. orms from ?22.. Within spitting distance of the train station. Friendly staff and reasonable dorms, this popular hostel has a paltry free breakfast but no lockout or curfew.
Matisse B&B. ia Nazionale 243. 39.389.978.7112. ttp://www.matissebb.com. All the comforts of home right in the center of Rome on via Nazionale. Prices include free 24/7 breakfast, free internet access, comfortable rooms and a very helpful staff, including the owner Roberto. English and Italian spoken.
Stargate Hostel. ia Palestro 88. +39) 064457164. nfo@stargatehotels.net. +39) 0649384134. ttp://www.stargatehotels.com. ed in a dormitory costs ?22 including breakfast.. Great hostel situated 5 minutes away by foot from the termini central station, near the Castro Pretorio metro stop.
Mid range
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BEFORE ADDING A HOSTEL, HOTEL, OR ACCOMMODATION AGENCY ENTRY HERE:
1. Include enough information to make the entry useful when PRINTED OUT.
2. Include direct telephone numbers
3. INCLUDE expected range of PRICES for a single room (one person) and for a double (two persons).
4. State where the bathroom (toilet and bath or shower) is: in the room or communal?
5. Remove useless verbiage such as "nice", "cheap", "close to" and "near"
6. Only include "comfortable", or "friendly" if you as a paying guest felt that during a stay.
IF YOU FAIL TO ADHERE TO THESE GUIDELINES YOUR ENTRY WILL BE DELETED SUBJECT TO OTHER USERS DISCRETION
DUE TO EXCESSIVE PROBLEMS WITH SPAMMING AND USELESS LISTINGS ON OUR ROME GUIDES
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Alex Inn Rome. ia Emilia 47,. +39) 06 97273360. +39) 06 97273150. ttp://www.alexinnrome.com. oubles from ?110 including breakfast.. Small guest house in the centre of Rome near the classy Via Veneto street. Relatively new and pretty good facilities, and a small terrace off each guestroom
Hotel I Giardini del Quirinale Rome. ia Firenze 43. 39 06 48930388. 39 06 48989945. ttp://www.giardinidelquirinale.com. rom ?165 including breakfast. Upscale B&B situated very close to the central road of Via Nazionale and the Presidential Palace of Quirinale. All the bedrooms offer internet connection, mini bar, air conditioning, telephone with direct line and LCD television. Also available private parking and continental breakfast.
Hotel Atlantico. ia Cavour, 23. 39 06.485951. tlantico@bettojahotels.it. 39 06.4827492. ttp://www.romehotelatlantico.it. ''Toll Free 800 860004'' - Hotel Atlantico, a four-star hotel in Rome, welcomes its guests into a 1912 building constructed on the highest of Rome's seven hills, the Esquilino, from where there is a splendid view of the city. From ?145
Hotel Mediterraneo. ia Cavour, 15. 39 06.4884051. editerraneo@bettojahotels.it. 39 06.4744105. inges from ?210. ttp://www.romehotelmediterraneo.it. ''Toll Free 800 860004'' - Hotel Mediterraneo, a 4-star hotel in the historic center of Rome, was designed in 1938 by Mario Loreti, and is located on the highest of Rome's seven hills, the Esquilino.
Hotel Quirinale. ia Nazionale, 7, 00184 Roma. 39 06 4707. nfo@hotelquirinale.it. 39 06 482 00 99. PM. oon. rom around 200 Euro. ttp://www.hotelquirinale.it. 4 star Hotel close to the Piazza Repubblica. Style from the mid 19th Century, reasonably large rooms and high ceilings. Internet connection costs ?15 for 24 hours. Service at reception can be very poor, on occasions, it is down right rude.
Hotel Romanico Palace. ia Boncompagni, 37. 39 06.42083881. nfo@hotelromanico.com. 39 06.42815558. rom ?180 all exclusive. ttp://www.hotelromanico.com/. This exclusive four stars hotel offers to all its Guests 64 rooms divided between six floors, on the 7th floor there is a terrific 360 degrees panoramic terrace with a charming view on Rome historical center.
Apartments
G G Apartments. ia del Governo Vecchio/ Via Giulia. ttp://www.ggsuites91.com. Five apartments placed in two of the most characteristic streets of the historic centre of Rome: Via Giulia, and Via del Governo Vecchio.
Heart of Rome Apartment. ia Baccina, 45. olosseum area. 39 3292280626 |. ttp://www.myromeapartment.com/colosseum-apartment/. 00 ? / night approx.. 1.901829. 2.505746. Located in one of the oldest and vibrant areas of Rome, Rione Monti, on a side street named via Baccina. It_fs on the first floor and the access is from a beautiful courtyard.
PV-Holidays Adagio Rome Garden. 33 1 58 21 55 84. ttp://www.pv-holidays.com/scripts/fiche_produit.php?id_ofr=431&id_sai_passe=1. 5-floor building, surrounded by palm trees and overlooking a wonderful park, proposes 96 air-conditioned apartments of different sizes with fully-equipped kitchens, balcony, terrace or garden. The majority of the apartments are on two levels offering you a wonderful view on the unique architecture of the Castelli Romani (Roman hills).
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