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

If temperatures are steadily rising throughout summer , which is common in central Italy and Rome , you will find that on the other hand hotel rates in Rome tend to be cheaper which is definitely ideal since most families are on summer vacation.

Rome is the absolutely perfect location for a family holiday so check out our Rome hotel family packages.

Indeed during your stay in Rome there are plenty of things to do for every age : in a hot day kids will love the Aquapiper, a water park at the outskirts of Rome, while the whole family will enjoy the Time Elevator in the heart of the city , which brings you back to the birth of Rome in a fun way.

 

 

For those who want to relax some a city tour bus is a must, and you can take advantage of our getaway package which includes city tours and restaurant.

And last but not least , going out at night during summer in Rome is an absolute delight as pounding life seems to resume only after dark as the it gets fresher ! Rome by night is another must-do for all.

Our Yes Hotel Rome in the centre of Rome is the perfect base to start off , since we are steps away from Termini Station and bus routes and more importantly Yes Hotel Rome and My hotel Rome are located in walking distance from most major sights such as the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain only to name a few.

So do not miss out all the fun and culture in one of the most amazing ancient city of Rome and book your My Hotel Rome.

On my day off the other week I decided to go to another church, as is my usual habit, to go have a look at some art. However, this wasn’t just any church, this was St. Peter’s Basilica. After being here for nine months and still not having gone inside and taking a look at the Vatican Museums too, I decided it was about time.

 

After organising a tour with Angel Tours I was told to meet at the taxi rank outside St. Peters Square at 12:30. I was met by a group of cheerfull guys and gals holding umbrellas with angels on all of them. They were really nice and asked me to wait in the corner just a few metres down as it was out of the sun and a lot cooler. At around ten to one we were given a quick introduction and then divided into smaller groups and taken off by our guides.

 

 

 My guide, Steve, was absolutely fantastic and he was a virtual walking talking encyclopoedia. He was very funny too and we weren’t bored to death about too many facts but the ones that he did give us were extremely interesting and entertaining. The queue was really long to get into the museums but Steve told us to go off and have a coffee and he would keep our place in the line. So after an espresso and two chocolate bombe I was ready to get back in the queue.

So after getting inside, going through security and then a quick toilet break we were then on our way up the escelator to the museums. At the top of the stairs we went through to the garden which had a huge pine cone in it and a globe of the earth. We were then given an explanation of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel as we weren’t allowed to talk inside. Then we went through to a small garden and had a look at some beautiful carved marble pieces.

After that it was through to another hall containing what historians believe to be a huge bird bath made out of Egyptian red marble. It has since been mined into exhaustion. We saw three more pieces made out of the same marble. The price tag for each of these pieces is unbelievable. 44 000 euros per square inch.

 After a few more rooms and quite a bit more walking we finally got to the icing on the cake, the Sistine Chapel. We weren’t allowed to take any photographs but that didn’t stop people from snapping away and filming with their video cameras. It was a bit disappointing that it wasnt lit very well but this must have something to do with preserving the restored frescos. After the chapel we exited from a door on the right hand side and then we were off to St. Peter’s. Just remember to take off your hat and the rules about the dresscode and you should be ok to get in.

The place is huge and it is full of really great pieces of art. One of the great and most well known pieces must be Michelangelo’s Pieta. It was the only piece of sculpture he ever signed. There is just too much to mention here. This place is full of Bernini, Michelangelo, Bramante, Rafaello and all the other great masters.

This place is well worth a visit even if you have to wait for a while in the queues. How often are you going to be in Rome and when will you get another chance to see this magnificent place. Thanks Angel Tours for making my day.

Now that the weather is warming up and the daylight hours are longer, a nice idea would be to take a nice luxurious cruise down the Tevere.

The Tevere was once a crucial water supply and a means for moving goods in and out of the city. However with the building of the aqueducts and the improvement of roads over time it eventually became unnecessary for this use. That doesn’t mean that you can’t relax for a few hours on a nice warm sunny afternoon. This is also another unusual and different way to se the city and you will also save your legs from all the walking.

Or would you like to get married and have your wedding reception on the river. The Tiber II motorboat makes this possible. It has a maximum passenger capacity of 350 people, air conditioning, heating and 5 toilets too. So it won’t be any problem for a party either. The boat can also be rented for private parties too. Having a length of 40 metres is more than enough space to dance the night away.

This would be a great way to make the most important day in your life also the most memorable. Nothing could be better than newlyweds cruising down the river in the Eternal City.

The city of Rome was born – or, according to an ancient Roman legend, founded by a mythical hero – on seven hills on the two sides of a river. The river Tiber, Tevere, was very significant to the develpoment and growth of the city, as was the case of most of the important historical cities of Europe. For more than two thousand years, the river was the most important means of transportation and therefore of an enormous importance to the city’s economy.

Nowadays, the river has long ago lost its importance as a transport passage, but it is still vitally characteristic of the city: the two “Lungotevere” are amongst the most important streets of the city center: they are very long, just changing names every once in a while but always beginning with “Lungotevere”, “along the river”. These streets – and the river itself – are two of the main arteries dividing the city. For example one of the oldest areas of the city, Trastevere, bears a name meaning literally “on the other side of Tiber”, because in the times it was first inhabited, theneighbourhood was new, and the until then most of the city had been on the other bank of the river.

An interesting way of seeing the city from this historically important point of view is to take a boat tour of Rome. There are tours with different contents to choose between: you can pick a simple guided tour that lasts a little over one hour and includes just the guidance and information about all you see. There are also dinner criuses available, with the perfect romantic atmosphere and dinner on board – ideal for honey mooners! Another way of pampering yourself is to take a Wine bar cruise with appetizers included. The Ostia Antica cruise will show you the ancient port of Rome as well as the nature of the delta area. The cruises start at the Ponte Sant’Angelo, the bridge near the Castel Sant’Angelo, and you can book the tours on line. For example from the Termini station you can easily get there by bus: the express bus number 40 will take you right there.

Be sure to book your accomodation somewhere weel connected, such as the newly opened Yes Hotel near Termini, or the budget hotel Carlito’s Way, also near the Rome Termini station. Other options for different budgets are offered by the Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes.

Rome is certainly different in every aspect at night and you will be delighted to be able to enjoy all the wonderful sights so brightly illuminated and which makes you see the major monuments as the Colosseum with another perspective.

You cannot get any better treat than a romantic night bus tour followed by dinner in a typical roman restaurant where to rest and savor the excellent genuine food on offer. The tour lasts about 4 hours

You will be picked up from your hotel in central Rome and your bus tour will start with the Imperial Forum and the Colosseum and then heading to Piazza Venezia, where the Capitoline Museums stand, and then continuing towards the Tiber River and alongside Circus Maximus before driving along the Jewish Ghetto with its Synagogue and the extraordinary St Peter’s Basilica Rome.

You will pass Piazzale Flaminio and see the wonderful Piazza del Popolo, and also the central park Villa Borghese. Your night tour will lead you to the Trevi Fountain near our Rome B&B De Cappuccini where it is usual to throw a coin so that you will come back to Rome. Eventually you will have a special typical dinner in a local restaurant, and you can book your tour here

The easy way of getting to know Rome – if you only have loittle time or are not too keen on walking or public transport – are the guided tours, great for any age or any interests. If you want a quick overall view of the Eternal City and do not feel up to walking much, pick a good long bus tour that show you all the most important attractions accompanied either by a live guide or an audio guide, and usually they’ll make you get off the bus in the most interesting stops. If you are not scared of walking, even a long way, choose a walking tour with a good guide: that will permit you to see more and on a different, more “concrete” level, and get answers to all your questions: the groups of a walking tour are often smaller than the bus tour groups, and therefore the tours can be more personalised.

There are general city tours that’ll show you all the obligatory attractions, or specified tours that do for example a certain area or certain kind of interests. Especially the walking tour are often more local, like the Trastevere area, the city center or the Appian way. For example the Enjoy Rome tourist agency does walking tours, and the Greenline tour company offers a variety of bus tours even outside the city. You can also book Rome bike tours on line. Then there are all sorts of “specialities”, such as vintage scooter tours(!) in the spirit of Audrey Hepburn and the Roman Holiday, or tours to get to know the haunted Rome and its ghosts… Booking a guided tour may also be a way of avoiding the infinite queue to for example the Vatican Museums.

To book your tours in Rome or in the surroundings, try these links for tour companies. For walking tours try for example the Enjoy Rome, and while you’re at it, book your hotel/hostel on-line as well: the centrally located Rome Hotel Des Artistes, Nice Hotel and My Hotel have great on-line offers for the winter months for all budgets and tastes!

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.

Have you ever wanted to do some sight-seeing and have a work out at the same time? Well now you can. It is called sight-jogging.

The company uses experienced and qualified trainers that will take you on a running tour of Rome. They have several different historical routes that they use. Piazza Navona, St Peter’s and Campidoglio are just a few examples. The jogging routes vary in length and difficulty and the trainers also set the pace according to the individual’s age and level of fitness. They also arrange to meet you outside your hotel so it is very convenient.

Heart monitors are also provided for the safety of the clients and there is also an extra option of hiring body guards if needed. For additional info and reservations for sight jogging see here.

Prices start from 70 euros and there are also group options available. This is a perfect way to get some exercise and see the city at the same time. You will also have a great excuse to load up on some more carbs and you wont feel so bad about having that extra helping of pasta.

The importance of having a comfortable and flat soled pair of shoes for Rome cannot be stressed enough. Make no mistake you are going to need them, but if you have forgotten them then they are easy to buy in the numerous stores and boutiques in Rome. The only way to really see this city is to do it by walking. Many tour companies specialise in walking tours and you can find more information about the tours at the hotel upon your arrival.

As most of you will also know, Rome is famous for it’s hills Palatine, Capitoline etc. Which without a doubt you will eventually walk up or down at some point during your stay. There could possibly be nothing worse than walking around in a pair of stilettos, unless you have done your site – seeing for the day and are off to paint the town. Rome has lots of cobbled streets that tend to get a little slippery when wet and there is always some kind of street or road works going on.

After you have spent your day walking you can rest and relax in the comfort of your hotel room and have a nice relaxing bath or shower, to recharge your batteries for the next day.

Just use some common sense when deciding what kind of shoes to get. You don’t want to have to worry about sore feet and let that spoil your holiday now do you?

If you are tired of walking around the city here is an alternative entertaining and relaxing way of sightseeing : cruising the river Tiber in the afternoon. The guided tour lasts 1 hour and 10 mins and starts from the Ponte Sant’Angelo. You first cruise towards the Tiber Island, then to Ponte Risorgimento and then back again to Sant’Angelo dock. The comments, in English and Italian will help you have an even more enjoyable trip. The tour leaves at 4.00 pm, the rate is 8,75 euro and for bookings click here.

For those who still have not seen the Ostia Antica site, now is time to get there by boat ! You will discover a wild Tiber just steps out of Rome. A definitely original trip that takes 2 hours and 20 mins, leaving from the central Rome Ponte Marconi at 9.15 am and dropping you in Ostia Antica at 11.30 am, leaving you with 2 hours to visit the excavations of the Ancient port of Rome, and then hop on again at 1.30 pm and arrive in Rome at 4 pm, in time for a nice gelato. The round trip is 13 euro and for more details read here.

Finally, for a romantic dinner while you sail the Eternal City under the city lights here is the Premier Dinner Cruise on the Tiver River. This exclusive tour leaves at 9 pm and you will enjoy 2 hours and 15 mins with a lovely aperitif followed by a very refined dinner, with music accompanying you during the whole trip. The rate per person is only 51,25 euro and we recommend you book it now !

… And since you will be most likely staying a few days in Rome we can only recommend you to stay in a central location and either you prefer a budget accommodation or a 3 star hotel the choice is yours.