Tag Archives: Rome

Things to do in Rome

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TO SEE

Vatican City (Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica): Take the metro to Ottaviano. From there it’s a three minute walk to the great walls of the Vatican City where you queue to buy tickets and enter the Vatican museums and Sistine chapel. Resist the queue-jumping promises from the commission-hungry tour guides and wait in the fast moving queue. Or to avoid the queues and the hassle completely, buy tickets in advance.

After weaving your way through the scores of tourists and amateur photographers in the Vatican Museums to the ultimate, wondrous Sistine Chapel, follow the city wall to the epic St Peter’s Basilica.

MAXXI (Contemporary Art Gallery): Back onto the metro for two stops to Flaminio then jump on a U2 tram up Via Flaminia four stops along where you’ll discover the wildly creative MAXXI museum. Opened in 2010 and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the building itself is as impressive as the art within. Free entry with the Roma Pass.

Aventino Keyhole: Hike up the hill to Aventino, and peek through the keyhole near Santa Sabina church to spy an amazing view of St Peter’s.

Coliseum: The colossal stadium ruins are familiar from Ridley Scott’s film, Gladiator, and are just as impressive in real life. Skip the queue with a Roma Pass.

TO DO

Trevi Fountain: this spectacular fountain and sculpture is hidden among the cobbled streets of Tridente. Throw a coin in and make a wish.

Porta Portese flea market: Rome’s biggest and most famous flea market is found just across the Ponte Sublicio Bridge on Sunday mornings. Search through the stalls to pick up a bargain.

Spa at Boscolo Palace: After a day on foot seeing all the city’s sights, enjoy a relaxing massage in the oriental Kamispa at the Boscolo Palace Roma Hotel.

TO SHOP

Fendi: Pop into the flagship store of Italian designer brand, Fendi, and gawp at the luxury clothing and accessories on display.

Super: Located in the artesian area of Monti, Super is a lovely little concept store selling unique clothes and fun gifts.

Spiezia: Rumoured to be one of the smallest stores in Rome, Spiezia has been run by optician Alessandro Spiezia since 1967. Stocking prestigious designer brands alongside his own glasses and sunglasses, this store is sure to satisfy even the most demanding and unconventional of clientele.

Riga Dritto: This recently opened stationery shop from Milan stocks the cutest pencils and pens from Japan, and pretty paper products made in Italy.

D Cube Heritage: As night falls on Piazza del Fico, this small store lights up the street with its stylish homeware from Italian brands such as Seletti, and some quirky imported speciality brands including Falcon.

TO EAT AND DRINK

Antico Caffe Greco: Founded in 1760, this opulent cafe on the main street of Via dei Condotti is always crammed full of tourists but I recommend standing at the bar with the locals to enjoy a strong espresso.

Pipero Al Rex: Stop off for a speedy Michelin-star lunch at an intimate friendly restaurant. I recommend Chef Pipero’s famous carbonara with thick cut chunks of bacon, rich creamy egg-yolk sauce and a sprinkling of the very best Parmigiano.

Trattoria Settimio all’Arancia: Aperitivo is a must in Italy. As they are laying out the tables for dinner, enjoy a delicious glass of Prosecco and an accompanying plate of prosciutto while watching the sun set.

00100 Pizza: This inconspicuous little pizza outlet was one of the few open at lunchtime on a Sunday (believe me, we did our research). From the owner of renowned pizzeria Sforno comes this chunky, cheap pizza sold by the slice. I loved the Patate e Pancetta and the Classico Suppli with irresistible arancini-esque balls of deliciousness.

Pompi: There is only one place to try Tiramisu in Rome. Tourists and locals alike queue for this speciality at Pompi. Available in different varieties, the boxed dessert costs just €3,50 and can be enjoyed in or out. Get there early to avoid disappointment. Who said Tiramisu for breakfast wasn’t a good idea?

Bar del Fico: Late night drinks are best enjoyed in the atmospheric Piazza del Fico. If you’re hungry, dine in the super trendy restaurant, otherwise enjoy a cocktail or beer in the chic Parisian-style bar.

Frigidarium: There is always a queue outside Frigidarium. Stop off on your way home from a night out for a creamy gelato, available in an array of tempting flavours.

TO STAY

Boscolo Palace: There are three  Boscolo hotels in Rome, the 5 star palace has a great range of facilities on offer. The large, luxurious rooms will provide an ideal home for your weekend in Rome.

Many thanks to the Rome Tourist Board for their help with this trip:

www.turismoroma.it and Tourist information service: Roma 0039 060608.

Boscolo Palace, Rome

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Everyone has to visit Rome at least once in their lifetime, but it’s difficult to know where to stay when there is so much to see all over the city. The Boscolo brand has prestigious hotels in many Italian cities; each has a different character and feel but they all hope to evoke an elegant, authentic Italian style.

Of the three Boscolo hotels in Rome, we stayed at the Palace, which is well located for the city’s attractions and not far from Rome Ciampino airport. The most memorable aspect of our stay here was the efficient and friendly service throughout the weekend. We were picked up promptly from the airport, whisked to our hotel, given an in-depth description of the best places to see and visit, and treated to the most wonderful Thai spa experience on our final morning. I cannot fault the staff and I’m sure the excellence of the service results in a high return rate of guests.

The rooms and suites, of which there are many, are grand but a little dated and feel in need of a renovation. We were very comfortable in our huge bed and should guests need it, there is plenty of space to while away an afternoon. The grey, pink and off-white colour scheme feels a bit like a 1960s pad and not quite to my taste but definitely different. The bathroom is filled with numbered multi-coloured toiletries (1-21) displayed like intriguing test tubes – it is tempting to try them all out.

Breakfast and dinner is served downstairs in the main restaurant, a selection of Italian and continental options. When we visited, off-season, we were the only people dining for supper, the casual lounge felt a bit sad and quiet but perhaps there is most atmosphere during the summer months.

We had the spa to ourselves as well, and the team there made an enormous effort to give us a lovely and relaxing experience. After our revitalising treatments, we enjoyed a refreshing fruit tea by the jacuzzi. Sat in our soft dressing gowns, sightseeing suddenly seemed less important.

The 5 star Palace has a great variety of facilities on offer and the large luxurious rooms will provide an ideal base for your weekend away in Rome.

More information and book here: palace-roma.boscolohotels.com

Many thanks to the Rome Tourist Board for their help with this trip:

www.turismoroma.it and Tourist information service: Roma 0039 060608.

Pipero Al Rex, Rome

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Eager to discover the best food on the streets of Rome, I headed to a small, intimate restaurant in the centre of the city, Pipero Al Rex.

Hidden in the unlikely home of the Hotel Rex, the restaurant-dining room is sleek and chic. With stylish minimalist decor and intriguing contemporary lighting, it is an attractive room but simple enough to let the food be the focus. For its commendable food it has been awarded a Michelin star.

Chef Pipero prepared us the perfect Italian lunch. We were the only visitors so had all the attention of the staff and consequently, exemplary service.

Settling down with a glass of chilled white wine from Tuscany, we anticipated the feast before us. With no menu nor information, we had no idea of what we would be presented with.

The palest mini roll of ham with thick balsamic dressing was first. Wonderfully simple and delicious. Pork crisps with yoghurt were a textually satisfying next course. Each plate was delivered and removed with staggering speed, replaced with the next surprise. Soon a leaf-like rubber plate was placed down containing a selection of homemade bread, of which the intensely flavoured lemon focaccia was my favourite.

Then we moved onto the more traditional three-course meal. I struggled a bit with the first course, raw duck sandwiched in a thick crisp with diced apple and mustard. The flavour was nice though the cold and chewy texture made it difficult to forget what we were eating.

The famous Pipero Carbonara was spectacular. A pile of canary yellow strands with wonderful salty, thick chunks of bacon and a sprinkling of Parmesan. The homemade pasta was cooked al dente and coated in the creamiest of egg-yolk sauces, seasoned with coarsely ground black pepper. The bacon was devilishly indulgent, it crackled in your mouth and tasted deep-fried… I want to eat it again now!

Before dessert we devoured mini strawberry meringues with chocolate mousse and apple jelly. A strong combination of sweet and tangy flavours.

A well-balanced dessert wine was served next. And then the proper pudding arrived, an obscure white ball of foam in a big white bowl. Our waiter explained it to be white chocolate mousse with cherries, crumble and hazelnut ice cream hidden underneath. It was as good as it looked and thankfully light.

Pipero creates artistic dishes that remain true to his country’s culture whilst also showcasing his personality and culinary flair. This is no ordinary hotel restaurant, but a foodie destination in its own right.

More information and book here: www.hotelrex.net/restaurant

Many thanks to Rome Tourist Board for their help with the trip, more information here: www.turismoroma.it