Hotelrome.net Blog : A guide to news and events in Rome

When travelling in Rome, you may feel helpless sometimes, with all the locals who speak hardly any English, and all that talk about pickpockets, beggars, thieves, dishonest taxi drivers… Well’ it’s true you should pay particular attention to all your belongings when going about the city, especially on board of the public transport, and never trust anybody too easily. After all it is foreign country and a strange city whose culture and way of life you don’t know that well.

Anyway, there’s no reason for you to waste your Roman holiday worrying about your every move and closing your mind from the people and city around you. The important thing is to be alert and, in case anything happened, to know how to find help and resolve the problems. So here are some essential numbers and addresses:

To prevent getting lost, first of all get a good map; usually you can get one at your hotel. Plan your moves and find out about the buses in advance. With this you can get help at the Tourist information points (Punti di Informazione Turistica) for example in the square in front of the Termini station (Piazza dei Cinquecento) or on Via del Corso (Largo Goldoni). If you can’t find any, try the Tourist call center (+39) 06 8205 9127 that answers from 9.00 A.M. to 7.30 P.M. And if you’re really out of your way, you can get a taxi (one of the official city taxis) at the following numbers: 06 3570, 06 4994, 06 5551.

For information about the public transport you can turn to the ATAC-office for city transport at Via Volturno 65, even though often the reception staff of your hotel can help you more, and in English. The tickets can be bought in any tobacco shop or in vending machines.

In case you get robbed or need any kind of immediate assistance, the police forces in Italy consist of the Carabinieri and the Polizia, and you can denounce a stolen passport at any police station. The one where they are most used to tourists and able to help you in English is the police station of Via Farina near the Termini station. The number for emergency calls for the police is 112, but that should only be used in cases of emergency. In case of a robbery don’t forget to cancel immediately all your credit cards!

To call an ambulance use the number 118, and for less urgent cases it’s best to use the doctors appointed by your insurance company. You can also go to the emergency department of any hospital, for free, but be prepared to wait quite a while. The biggest hospital is the Policlinico (metro B, stop “Policlinico�).

For stolen or lost passports or any kind of help and support you can always turn to your country’s embassy. For example the British Embassy is located in the center, at Via XX Settembre 80 (Tel. (+39) 06 4220 0001; out of office hours: (+39 06 4220 2603). The Rome American Embassy is on via Vittorio Veneto, 119/A (+39 06.46741), and the French consulate on Via Giulia 251 (+39 0688 064 37). The German embassy is on Via San Martino della Battaglia, 4 (Tel. +39 06 49 213-1) near the Termini station and the Spanish Embassy in Largo Fontanella di Borghese, 19 (Tel. +39 06 684 04 01).

With this “emergency kit� you should be fine, so now just go ahead and book your holidays. The hotel and hostel Des Artistes is located comfortably in the city center and has a helpful and knowledgeable staff who all do speak English!

New Year’s is the high peak of the winter season in Rome, as in any European city, and that’s when everybody seems to want to travel. However, for a budget traveller, the rates may sometimes seem out of reach… The solution? Well, wait a week or two and travel in January instead!

In a city like Rome you don’t need to worry about getting bored in any time of the year, and least of all in January – at least if you happen to be a shopping freak! And even if you weren’t, if you happen to be in Rome, the promised ad of the shoppers, during the winter sales, you may just get crazy anyway… The famous sales of Rome start this year on the 14th January, which is a Sunday just to make sure nobody will have to miss the event!

The places to go, depending on your personal style and preferences, are innumerable: for high fashion, head for the Spanish steps area, Via Condotti and Via Frattina (metro line A, stops Spagna or Barberini); for stylish every day wear take the miles-long shopping street Via del Corso starting from the Venice Square (bus 40 from Termini station) or Via Nazionale near Termini; if you want the same look but on slightly lower prices, try the neighbourhood of Prati near the Vatican (metro line A stops Ottaviano and Lepanto). For a more ethnic look, and actually for anybody who wants to spice up their style with something extravagant without having to spend a lot, you can find marvellous pieces of clothing and accessories on the many famous markets of the city, such as the Porta Portese in Trastevere on Sunday mornings (bus 75 from Termini station) or the Via Sannio market next to the Saint John’s Basilica (metro line A, stop San Giovanni). Or, for a less Italian but maybe more comfortable shopping experience, try the new, huge shopping center of Parco Leonardo in Fiumicino with more than 200 shops, an enormous cinema and dozens of restaurant, bars and even a disco! To get there, first take the metro B from Termini to Piramide, then from the Ostiense station at Piramide get a local train to Parco Leonardo.

To save your pennies for the main thing (that’s shopping!), try the fabulous winter rates of these fabulous hotels: the popular Hotel Des Artistes which offers great value for your money, the budget-but-classy Nice Hotel or the three star My Hotel, all near the Termini station and therefore with perfect bus and underground connections with all the shopping venues of the city!

A belated new year’s treat for everyone visiting Rome from the 30th of January next year. The Domus Aurea or Golden House will be partially opened again for small groups of tourists. This excellent site is located between the Colosseum and the train station Termini and is conveniently situated in walking distance from My Hotel Rome.

This amazing palace was built by possibly the most insane person ever to rule over Rome. Nero built this house after the great fire of Rome, which he blamed the Christians for starting. However many people thought contrary and said that Nero probably had the fires started himself to make space for this sprawling complex.

The Golden House was so called because its walls were covered in gold leaves. The walls and ceilings were also encrusted with pearls and ivory. The surrounding grounds, before being buried buy Trajan , who then used the remains of the house for the foundation of the baths, contained magnificent gardens. There was even a giant gold statue of Nero himself on the premises.

The building of the house commenced in A.D. 64 and was finished in the same year in which Nero killed himself which was A.D. 68.

The house had a main room which also revolved with the direction of the sun and there was an entrance where guests would enter and petals and perfume would rain down upon them. The house even had hot and cold bathwater. Quite an architectural and design accomplishment for almost 2000 years ago.

The Domus Aurea is also the house of beautiful frescoes on the wall, which tourists will be able to see upon entering the house. There will be scaffolding available and you can get a really good detailed view of the frescoes while the restorers are painstakingly repairing them.

4 million euros will be spent over a period of 2 years to repair the damage that was done to the house last year after heavy rain caused water damage. When you go to visit the museum, even in summer, take some warm clothing with you. The area has to be kept at an even temperature of 10 degrees and it is also very humid.

Location : Via della Domus Aurea – Giardini di Colle Oppio

Area : Termini – Esquilino – Metro Stop : Line A Termini / Line B Cavour

Opening hours : 09.00 am -7.45 pm

Booking in advance only on +39 06 39967700

The Gardens of the Vatican are often considered as the most beautiful in the world. Fact is that they are filled of rare plants and flowers, and its fountains, towers, and paths and grottoes simply make it gorgeous. Only a 5 minute walk from the metro station Ottaviano-San Pietro and in easy reach from My Hotel Rome

In the past some of its areas were dedicated to various food cultures or were forrests.

During the Renaissance the gardens were embellished with ancient statues and fountains were built. And as from 1870 when the Vatican became the only residence of the Popes, the Gardens became more important as a result and more attention was paid to its care. While you are in the area, do not miss either a tour of the Vatican Museums.

Many great italian artists are the authors of some of the works done in the 1500 and 1600s, and to name a few, Antonio Tempesta, Giambattista Falda and Giovanni Maggi.

One of the most striking sight is certainly the Leonine wall which used to protect the Vatican from the invaders. The fountain of the Sacramento and the fountain of the Torri are great sights too. You will no doubt also be surprised by the grandness of the Tower of the Radio with its huge plate (radio vaticana) and the helicopter landing space reserved to the Pope.

During spring the gardens are at their best, the air filling with the perfumes of the exotic flowers and the parrotsm brought back from a trip, singing from the heights of the huge secular trees.

If you also wish to join the Papal audience of Benedict XVI at the vatican, you can book here now.

Looking for something a little different from the norm during your stay in Rome. Maybe the supernatural is something you are fascinated with and would like to know this side of the city’s history a little more.

It is said that the ghost of Emperor Caligula can be seen in the Lamian Gardens, in the Esquilino area of Piazza Vittorio where he was buried after being assassinated. The gardens are minutes away from My hotel Rome.

Also during the night sounds of chariots and horses, sword fighting and the shouting and screams of people can be heard coming from the Coliseum . A woman was also once reported as having been pulled back into the Coliseum by her hair.

Shades of people have also been reported moving amongst the shadows of the Roman Forum at night. Other famous ghosts include Beatrice Cenci, Dame Olimpia and Costanza Conti De Cupis.

There is also a Ghost in Rome walking tour you can take at night, of course, through Rome to all the places that the ghosts are reported to haunt.

The tour gives a history and background to the legends of the ghosts and the circumstances surrounding their often grisly deaths.

You will also be taken to some of the most beautiful and historic locations in Rome.

When ? Between 1 december 2006 and 6 january 2007, all day long until late at night.

What ? This year again in Piazza Navona in Rome is taking place the traditional Christmas market. The star of this event is no doubt the “Befana�, the witch children adore so much ! The Befana is represented in many ways and looks.
The square fills up with stalls that propose food specialities, other that have the Christmas socks with a wide choice of chocolates and sweets for all tastes. You will also find artisans that have on show and sale the traditional Christmas decorations and mangers to put under your tree.
An old Austrian roundabout with its horses play music and go round and round for the fun of the younger and older crowds.
And in the middle of Piazza Navona is a huge manger, different every year.

The atmosphere is light and festive, and people of all ages will just love it. And if you have a sweet tooth you cannot miss this event.
Apart from this event you will be able to admire the beautiful fountains designed by Bernini who also has numerous works exposed in the Galleria Borghese ; the most impressive fountain in Piazza Navona is certainly the Fontana dei Fiumi.

Where ? Piazza Navona is in the centre of Rome, not far from the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps and for those who prefer a guided tour you can book here. It is in easy reach of our accommodation and hotel My Hotel Rome.

How to get there ? From our hotel My Hotel, walk to Termini station, where an exceptional exhibition of Caravaggio is taking place and take bus 70. A 15 min trip, and you get off in Corso Rinascimento : Piazza Navona is just behind.

Upon request of an expert of the art of the 1600, Sir D. Mahon,who also is a lover of Italy, will take place for the first time in Rome an exhibition with some paintings of Caravaggio.

Caravaggio, whose birth name is Michelangelo Merisi was born in Caravaggio, Italy in 1571 and died in Porto Ercole, Italy in 1610 after years of enduring malaria, at only 39 years old. He moved to Rome when he was still very young and after some harsh years he was finally discovered by Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte who launched him and protected him. Some of his works are also exposed in Galleria Borghese in Rome, near Via Veneto and the Bed and Breakfasts Jonella and Dei Cappuccini, and in the Galleria Doria Pamphili in Rome.

One of these works is called “La chiamata dei Santi Pietro e Andrea”,also well known as “Queen Elizabeth’s Caravaggio”. This painting, finished in 1601 probably in Rome, has been kept for years in the private collection of the Queen in the Royal Gallery of Hampton Court and was freshened up in Windsor Castle. The painting had been varnished a few times over the years, and after years of uncertainty and research as to who was his author, Sir Mahon finally ascertained that the painting was by Caravaggio.

The exhibition which takes place in Gate Termini station in Rome, close to Via Veneto and the American Embassy in Rome also holds other beautiful paintings by Caravaggio but also a few radiographies of the very paintings, a method used to ensure the authenticity of the works. Other works such as Il cavadenti, come from the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.

Gate Termini Art Gallery is right in the city centre in the Rome central train station close to many accomodations such as My Hotel Rome and Yes Hotel Rome. The gallery is modern and aims at brief exhibitions.

Tickets are 8 euro for the adults, free for the children under 6.

Tickets are 5 euro for the students and over 60 and for families of 2 adults with at least 1 child.

Gate Termini Art Gallery – Via Giolitti – Platform 24

From 22 november 2006 to 31 january 2007