Stay at this place here, The Beehive, if it's at all possible. Great people, great location. I stayed with them in one of the "apartments", which was tremendous fun. All their locations are near the train station and the only real grocery store in Rome, so you can self-cater somewhat. If you can't stay there, walk in and politely ask for a copy of their local travel guide. TRUST ME ON THIS ONE. Never, never did their travel guide steer me wrong, with gelato, museums, restaurants, anything. THE BEEHIVE KNOWS ALL!!!!
Last Sunday of the month is free day at the Vatican! Get there by 7:30 and the line only goes around the block once! Amuse yourself by taking turns to go on cornetto runs and counting nuns.
If at all possible, exchange money at the Vatican money exchange. Best rates in Rome.
There isn't much that's good in the Vatican neighborhood except the Vatican - it's strangely empty of any cafes that aren't blatant tourist traps. Also, I found it hard to find something good to eat near the Spanish Steps. Don't know why, maybe all the fashionable stores put everyone off their food. The area near the Trevi Fountain is full of good places - touristy as all get-out, but still good.
Go to the catacombs under a church near the Coliseum - you go down through the Renaissance layer, the Medieval layer, and the Mithraic/pagan layer. Also, the Coliseum neighborhood has some places that are good for dinner, if you go after 7:30, and do NOT eat anywhere with a VIEW of the Coliseum. Go around the corner or hit the back streets, the food's better and the prices are lower.
If you eat meat, eat some pasta alla amatriciana. The local specialty of salsi i pepi (salt and pepper) pasta is just boring.
I repeat: stay at the Beehive. The Beehive knows all!!!!
Thank you hugely for all of this - and sorry I've taken so long to thank you. We were already booked in a hotel (part of the deal on the travel, I think), but it sounds like the Beehive is definitely well worth a visit for the travel guide. And thank you for all the extra detail on prices and so on - all very much appreciated.
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Last Sunday of the month is free day at the Vatican! Get there by 7:30 and the line only goes around the block once! Amuse yourself by taking turns to go on cornetto runs and counting nuns.
If at all possible, exchange money at the Vatican money exchange. Best rates in Rome.
There isn't much that's good in the Vatican neighborhood except the Vatican - it's strangely empty of any cafes that aren't blatant tourist traps. Also, I found it hard to find something good to eat near the Spanish Steps. Don't know why, maybe all the fashionable stores put everyone off their food. The area near the Trevi Fountain is full of good places - touristy as all get-out, but still good.
Go to the catacombs under a church near the Coliseum - you go down through the Renaissance layer, the Medieval layer, and the Mithraic/pagan layer. Also, the Coliseum neighborhood has some places that are good for dinner, if you go after 7:30, and do NOT eat anywhere with a VIEW of the Coliseum. Go around the corner or hit the back streets, the food's better and the prices are lower.
If you eat meat, eat some pasta alla amatriciana. The local specialty of salsi i pepi (salt and pepper) pasta is just boring.
I repeat: stay at the Beehive. The Beehive knows all!!!!
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