Rome Vacations

Be certain not to miss the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Forum Romanum. And take some time to visit a few of the world-famous churches, such as San Giovanni in Laterano and Sta. Maria Maggiore; and the Vatican, which features the incredibly huge St. Peter's Basilica. Shop along Rome's magnificent streets and squares, eat absolutely wonderful Italian meals and always leave room for gelato, the Italian ice-cream.

 

Rome is not on the Mediterranean however there are some beaches easily accessible from central Rome. Do keep in mind they are not spectacular: The beach at Lido di Ostia is the closest and easiest to reach from Rome. Beach clubs will charge you an access fee, look for the free-access portions between the clubs. Fregene is where most Romans go to tan themselves during the day and party at night. Sabaudia is home to a 1km stretch of sand and also faces a lake with water sports facilities. Santa Severa is quite beautiful and unusual with its 9th century castle facing the sea.

Rome remains one of the world's great capitals for dining, with more diversity today than ever. The trattoria is usually a family-run concern serving home-cooking. A ristorante is more formal, with a wider selection of dishes. Pizzerias can serve antipasto, pasta, meat and vegetable dishes as well as pizza. The wine is so excellent and affordable that you might want to do as the Romans do and have it with both lunch and dinner. Restaurants generally serve lunch between 1 and 3 pm, and dinner between about 8 and 10:30 pm; at all other times, restaurants are closed. The city centre obviously has the highest concentration of tourists so it can quite easy to fall into the tourist traps but if you see a restaurant packed with locals, go for it, as you can't go wrong.

 

You don't have to look far to be entertained in Rome. Opera or soccer, dance or drinking - partying in Rome is a pretty easy thing to do. The bar and club scene are mainly in the historic centre, Trastevere and Testaccio. Head down there around 11pm and listen for music. The outsides of the clubs will give you no idea what the insides are like. This area is best in the summer when the dancing moves outside. In the winter, most clubs close.

 

Rome in an expensive city, so don't expect to find too many bargains. Nevertheless, window shopping is a joy and you will find good value for money, especially if buying leather goods (shoes, bags, gloves and belts) and certain decorative items (lamps, Italian modern designer goods and glassware). Designer stores are found at Piazza di Spagna and the surrounding Via del Babuino while the more mainstream shops are on the Via Nazionale and Via del Corso. Vintage second hand clothes can be picked up in abundance on Via del Governo Vecchio or in San Giovanni`s Via Sannio market or failing that, check out the Via Appia Nuova - the longest shopping street in Europe.

 

Flying time from:
Toronto: Approximately 11 hours
Montreal: Approximately 10 hours
Calgary: Approximately 13 hours
Vancouver: Approximately 13 hours

Languages: Italian
Currency: Euros
Climate: Mediterranean Climate - spring and autumn are the best times to visit, with generally sunny skies and mild temperatures. July and August are unpleasantly hot. From December to February there is briskly cold weather, although it's rarely grey and gloomy.
Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Documents
A passport is mandatory for Canadian Citizens, although no visa is required. For other countries, please check the Italian Government Tourist Board to get a complete list and other details.

Note:
Italian Government Tourist Board website - www.italiantourism.com/

Italian Embassy
Ottawa - www.ambottawa.esteri.it
Toronto - www.constoronto.esteri.it
Vancouver - www.consvancouver.esteri.it
Montreal - www.consmontreal.esteri.it
Edmonton - www.consedmonton.esteri.it

Information from MSN weather website