Total Splurge - Restaurant

Photo of Raphael Hotel Terrace, from www.europeforvisitors.com
Raphael Hotel & Restaurant
2 Largo Febo, Piazza Navona

The Raphael Restaurant is situated on the Terrace of the Raphael Hotel. Around the corner from Piazza Navona, the Restaurant provides exquisite cuisine along with the pleasure of a 360 degree view of the splendors of Rome. It pays to book in advance and I would suggest that you get there before sunset ... the transformation from day to night is breathtaking. In the night light you can clearly see the Colosseum, the Vatican as well as the Forums and so much more. While you dine with the stars (stellar-type), you can feel every breeze, smell every aroma and you are taken aback as the food just melts in your mouth. Most of the staff speak English and truly add to your magical experience. I was swept off my feet with a romantic Anniversary dinner. It was for our 7th Wedding Anniversary and after dining at the Raphael, it certainly made sure that the 7-year itch never even made an appearance!

A dinner for two, which includes entrees, main, a glass of wine, desert and coffee, will set you back approximately $AU250 - $AU300. This is a special occasion splurge - and remember ... Dress Well! No Jeans, No T-Shirts and Definitely nothing ripped or torn!

Full details can be seen at www.raphaelhotelrome.com

** Highly Recommended **

TIPS

Getting from the Airport to your Accommodation
Book a direct transfer when you book your travel in Australia. This is cheaper than organising it once you land, as well as safer. Taxi's can be extremely expensive and whilst the train takes you straight to the city centre, you just can't beat door to door service, especially with luggage! The main rail station - Termini, is a fair walk to the city centre to say the Barberini area (near the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps). And we all know how tiring it is to haul luggage down streets, let alone cobble streets with peak hour traffic all day long.


Accommodation
Book this when you book your travel. Accommodation in Rome is at a premium and with that comes a price. You cannot get it cheaper than your travel agent right here in Australia.
Stay right in the city centre. This may be a little more expensive, but you can walk to every attraction. This will save you much on transport costs and time. I would recommend staying near either the Spanish Steps or the Trevi Fountain (again, in the Barberini area). It is close to most of the attractions, supermarkets and all the necessary evils. I would also recommend for those staying more than one week, to hire an apartment instead of a hotel. There is no price difference and the longer you stay, the less you pay, but the convenience of an apartment just can't be beat.


Dining
You can't go past having a slice of pizza from any of the shops in Rome. However, if you are buying pizza by the slice and not whole (only select bars/restaurants make whole pizza's) ensure that you ask for your slice to be "caldo" - hot. Otherwise you will get a cold or luke-warm bite of pizza. Given that pizza is eaten at any time in Italy, eating cold pizza is quite normal.

Unless you specifically want to experience Rome Restaurants, visit a trattoria, where you will find home-made dishes and authentic Italian cuisine (at a much more palatable price)! As is with most things, take a detour off the tourist run and that's where you will find the best trattoria's ... even one street away.

When having coffee's, you will find it much cheaper to stand at the bar to drink it. For example, if you drank a Caffe' Corto (short black) at the bar, it would cost you approximately 1.5Euros ($AU2.80). However, if you sat at any of the tables provided, you would be looking at around 2.5Euros ($AU4.80). The same applies for any meals as well. Check the Menu prices before entering and this way you know up front what you will be paying.


Train Use
Italy, believe it or not, has one of the best Train Systems in Europe. They are quite advanced and unless there is a strike or there are mechanical problems, if the train departure time is 8.30am, rest assured that the train will leave at 8.30am on the dot!
If you are going to do lengthy trips (and many of them) from Rome and throughout Europe, I would suggest that you buy a Eurail pass from Australia. However, if you are only doing short trips (1 - 5 hours), it is cheaper to buy your tickets on the day for that trip only.


Bargaining
If you are at one of the market stalls in Rome (or anywhere in Italy), bargain to your hearts content. But Do Not! bargain at retail stores as is this is highly frowned upon.

INTRODUCTION / WELCOME

WELCOME

When traveling, especially to distant countries, it pays to do your research. Where is it that you want to go? How long do you want to go for? And what will you do once you are there?

All you need to get yourself started, is to answer those three simple questions.

The information on this blog is gathered from countless trips that I have made to Italy and of course to Rome. Yes, of course I am biased in picking Rome, given that that is where my family is from. Rome is not only the capital of Italy, but it is also, I believe, the heart of it too.

I have also created this blog to try and encourage tourists to become Travellers! Revel in all the delights that Rome has to offer. Of course visit all the major attractions such as the Colosseum, the Vatican and St. Peters Square, the Pantheon or Castel St. Angelo, but why not visit the 'not so known' areas too.

Listed are also some Tips for Traveling around Rome, where to dine and of course, a splurge for you too.

I hope you enjoy reading about Rome as much as I enjoy breathing it in!

Ciao,
SIMONA

MUST SEE IN ROME

Some places not to miss on your next (or first)
trip to Rome, the Eternal City.

Where to start ...
Arm yourself with a map of the city - you can either buy one before you travel from any good bookstore, or most hotels in Rome have a fairly comprehensive and compact map of the city centre.

Remember ... never take your eyes off your belongings and do be wary of pickpockets.

Taxi's - Everything in Rome is within walking distance and apart from the beauty you see as you walk, you also get to discover places and shops you never would have gone to otherwise. So in short, you really don't need a taxi. However, if you really can't walk any more (or you have too much shopping to carry) and need to take a taxi, make sure that you line up at an official taxi line. Otherwise, you will unfortunately encounter taxi terrors charging you ridiculous prices and also being quite pushy.

Driving - in Rome ... DON'T! Not unless you are used to the hustle and bustle of Rome. Walk instead. I can also recommend hiring a Vespa on a Sunday (no one is on the streets on a Sunday). This way you also get the Italian Vespa experience.

Weather - May to September is Europe's summer, October to April is Winter.
*Note. August is holiday period for most Italians, so many shops close up or open quite late (sometimes at midday). Whilst there may not be many locals in August, rest assured that the number of tourists more than make up for it!

Money Exchanges (Cambios) - Give surprisingly good rates. As in Australia, make sure you have your passport with you. There are also other money exchange shop fronts, however, they are not as reputable as the Cambios.


Now Lets go to ...

Villa d'Este
Piazza Trento 5, Tivoli

Villa d'Este is just outside of Rome in the Tivoli Region. Although you can take a train, followed by a bus to Villa d'Este, it is much easier to take a day tour. Your hotel can give you the names of many tour companies that can take you to Villa d'Este (usually starting with a stop at Villa Adriana). When you first arrive there, it seems strange that a place that is revered for its thousand fountains, many sculptures and stunning art rooms, could possibly exist in the cities' Piazza. However, once you walk through the foyer and down the corridor, you are hit with one of the most beautiful and serene views ever known. The tour costs around $AU80 per person, and is worth every single cent. The photos I have do not do it justice, so visit the official website.
http://www.villadestetivoli.info/

** Highly Recommended **

Vittorio Emanuelle - Victor Emanuel Monument
Corso Via Vittorio Emanuelle II

Quite obviously, this monument was constructed in honour of Victor Emanuel the second, the first King of unified Italy. An extremely controversial monument, apart from the likings to a wedding cake, most Italians (when asked) are bitter towards Victor Emanuel's reign. Once you get past that, from the moment you walk up the first few flights of stairs, you are simply stunned at the sheer size of everything. The columns, the statues, the building itself ... everything. Inside is full of art and memorabilia from Victor Emanuel's reign.
Unless you enter the museum itself, there is Nil Cost for entry.

** Highly Recommended **

Musei Capitolini - Capitoline Museums
Corso Via Vittorio Emanuelle II

Around the corner from the Vittorio Emanuelle Monument, the museum is set up high on Capitolini Hill. Full of art, sculptures and even mosaics, the Capitoline Museums are a worthwhile visit. Sit on the steps, have a sandwich and enjoy the peace and beauty around you. Don't miss a trip up to the Terrazzo. Apart from experiencing one of the best coffee's in Rome, you will also get to experience a spectacular view of Rome.
Cost of entry is approx $AU15.
*Note, the museums do have free entry for students undertaking research as well as discounts for various groups.

http://www.museicapitolini.org/

Campo dei Fiori - Field of Flowers
off Corso Via Vittorio Emanuelle II

Brilliant for lovers of fresh food markets. The markets run every Monday through Saturday mornings. You can also find leather goods, souvenirs and hand made trinkets. More importantly, for us shoe lovers, you can find one of the largest selection of leather shoes in the one spot. This is where I would visit to stock-up on fresh fruit and vegetables as well as the odd fresh fish, to cook back at the apartment.

On Sunday's, when there is a rest day for market people, it gives you a chance to see all the little quaint shops that surround the Piazza. Because of the buzz of the markets, you often miss the true gems lining the streets.

Bocca della Verita' - Mouth of Truth
Piazza Bocca della Verita'

Located at the entrance of a church - Santa Maria in Cosmedin, the Mouth of Truth is a large marble sculpture believed to be one of the first Lie Detectors invented. Fable has it that if your hand was placed in the mouth of the marble sculpture and you lied, your hand would either be bitten off or crushed (I am assuming that this would depend on the severity of your lie)? Anyone that has seen Roman Holiday starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, will remember the sculpture as an integral part of the film. Apart from a wonderful photo opportunity, La Bocca della Verita' is a great story piece.
Nil Entry Fee.


Via Vittorio Veneto
off Piazza Barberini

Whilst 'just' a street, you can take a stroll down one of the most expensive streets in Italy. Home to so many exclusive Hotels, including the Westin Excelsior, this is also where many actors come to dine and drink. You may catch a glimpse of someone famous (if that is your thing) or you may even bump into James Bond - given that this is where the House of Brioni is. All you James Bond fans will know that Brioni is the choice of suit for 007.
Cost - Nil. ... for the walk!

Piazza di Spagnia - Spanish Steps
Piazza di Spagnia

A Roman Ritual to meet up with friends on the Spanish Steps to gossip about love, life and family. The men usually can't help but eye off the ladies and the ladies hope that the men notice them. It is another great photo opportunity and a great experience. Take special note, if you are coming down the Spanish Steps off Via Sistina, make sure you take great care as the steps are narrow and very slippery.
Cost - Nil.



Fontana di Trevi - Trevi Fountain
off Via del Lavatore

Rome's largest fountain and most famous, the Trevi Fountain brings with it the hope of lady luck. Rumour has it if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain and make a wish, your wish will come true soon. I tried a thousand times and still ... I am waiting. I'm not sure how long it takes before the wish comes true? But seriously, the Trevi Fountain is not a wishing well. The theory is that if you throw a coin in the fountain, it guarantees your return to Rome.
The Trevi Fountain is truly spectacular both by day and by night. Try and get there early as once the hoards of tourists arrive, your photo opportunities become extremely limited. Not far from the Trevi Fountain is also a great Internet shop where you can also call home, photocopy papers and hire scooters. The fountain is also surrounded by great eateries, cafe's and gelateria's. You also can't miss the shopping.
Cost - Nil.

Santa Maria Maggiore - the St. Maria Church
off Via Cavour

Some of the most impressive mosaic work you will ever see, is right here in Santa Maria Maggiore. The Church would be of interest to anyone that enjoys art, sculpture and of course, mosaics. Once inside the Church, you are blown away at the sight of such splendor and you can truly appreciate the amount of time, blood, sweat and tears that would have gone in to creating some of the finest and most magnificent works ever seen. Santa Maria Maggiore was designed for Pope Paul V who is now buried in the Church. A truly impressive visit.
Cost - Nil, however, donations are appreciated.

Of course you will still need to visit the super famous attractions of Rome such as:-

St. Peters Basilica;
Vatican Museums;
Sistine Chapel;
Raphael Rooms;
The Colosseum;
Castel St Angelo;
Pantheon; and
Piazza Navona

*NB. Remember, when entering any church, including St. Peters Basilica, there is a dress code. You will not be allowed entry unless you are appropriately dressed. Ie. No shorts, No bare arms and shoulders and definitely no skirts or dresses above the knee.
So those mini's are an absolute No-No!