Lonely Planet India - August 2016

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Essentials

Make it Happen: Rome

BASE YOURSELF IN ONE OF ThESE FINE ROMAN NEIGhBOURhOODS

stay

tucked behind the forum the Nerva

Boutique hotel is the perfect spot from

which to explore rome’s imperial sites –

some rooms and the breakfast lounge look

out directly onto the millennia-old ruins.

complimentary afternoon tea is a bonus

(00-39-6-678-1835; http://www.hotelnerva.

com; Via Tor de’Conti 3/ 4; from ` 12785).

...you’ve taken a ride

in a Fiat 500

forget vespas ferraris

and chariots – a pint-

sized fiat 500 is the

most stylish way around

rome’s twisting streets

(00 -39-6-7049-4983;

http://www.rome500exp.com;

three-hour self-drive

convoy from ` 14375).

...you’ve seen the

greatest landmarks

without scaffolding

for the past few years

the colosseum the

spanish steps and the trevi

fountain (above) have all

been under restoration –

the trevi fountain just

reopened and 2016 will

see the unveiling anew

of the spanish steps.

steps away from the villa borghese

gardens on via Margutta hotel Art

has rebooted a period building with

art and splashes of colour. rooms are

on the small side but the vaulted lobby

(above) and courtyard are great places

to relax (00-39-6-32-8711; http://www.hotelart.

it; Via Margutta 56; from ` 13390).

...you’ve seen lazio

play roma

Making battles in the

colosseum look like

child’s play the rome derby

sets the whole city’s pulse

racing. Go soon to see roma

captain francesco totti

(pictured in red) gladiator

of the pitch since 1993

before he retires (www.as

roma.com http://www.sslazio.it).

...you’ve climbed

all seven hills

Many cities have been built

on seven hills – Jerusalem

istanbul sheffield torquay

• but rome has the most
  famous claim. for our
  money there is no hilltop
  view finer than from atop
  the capitoline hill looking
  south across the ruins
  of the forum (above).

The Fifteen Keys hotel is decorated in

a bright palette and nods to mid-century

design. rooms have views onto roman

rooftops or the hotel’s private courtyard.

Pastel-coloured bicycles are free to

borrow and vespa rental is offered too

(00-39-6-4891-3446; http://www.fifteenkeys.

com; Via Urbana 6/ 7; from ` 16715).

...you’ve seen it rain

through the roof

of the pantheon

this 1900-year-old temple

is defined by a hole. few

sights are more sublime

than watching the rain

cascade into the rotunda

where all the classical gods

were worshipped (Piazza

della Rotunda; 8.30am –

7.30pm; free).

ANCIENT ROME

YOU hAVEN’T SEEN ROME UNTIL...

CAMPO MARZO MONTI

R IONE IX

PIGNA

R IONE II

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Italy
Rome
click on the
links to Find
out more!
B EST TIME TO VISIT
roman summers tend to be
hot all the better to drown
yourself in gelati and lounge
at outdoor cafés. It is also
when most tourists visit
this historic city. the weather
is pleasant through spring
and early autumn though
prices don’t change much.
GETTING ThERE
Alitalia emirates Jet Airways
etihad Airways turkish
Airlines and Air India are some
of the airlines that fly from
mumbai and new delhi
to rome’s Fumicino Airport
(return fares from 42000). GETTING AROUND rome’s combined metro tram and bus system is relatively cheap and efficient with single trips costing 110.
A week-long unlimited-use
pass costs 1800 (www.atac. roma.it). the city centre is quite compact so walking is often the easiest option. the roma pass is great value too – it’s valid for three days on public transport and includes entry to two museums or archaeological sites of your choice (www.roma pass.it; 2725/ 72 hours).
VISA
Apply for a short-stay
schengen visa through
VFs (www.vfs-italy.co.in).
the visa costs 4470 (plus 1015 visa fee) and takes up
to 15 working days to process.
EMBASSY ALERT
Embassy of India Rome:
http://www.indianembassyrome.in
CURRENCY
€ 1 = 76 VEG OUT/ FANCY A CURRY? Kohinoor a stone's throw away from the Vatican is a cosy little place that promises to satiate your desi food cravings. the chicken tikka masala is a winner (00-39-6-3937-0025; Via Aurelia 32 – 34; 12pm – 2.30pm 7pm – 11.30pm; mains from 900).
FURThER READING
see lonely planet’s Make
My Day: Rome or for a more
in-depth guide try lonely
planet’s Rome and the official
website http://www.turismoroma.it.
click to
view on
google
maps