The “Best” Place to Stay in Rome is…

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Ron in Rome

hotel sign2 The Best Place to Stay in Rome is... The most visited pages on this website consistently answer the question, “Where should I stay when I visit Rome?”

There is perhaps no “best” answer! Your preferences may be driven by location, cost, comfort, transportation options, the need for a swimming pool, being close to shopping venues, parking your rental car, being able to walk to all sites, an early morning flight from FCO, or an interest in the arts. And there are hundreds of other factors! Further complicating the matter is the sheeer number of accommodations in the Roma area – well over 2,500 Continue reading →

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Roma Pass Increases in Price from 25€ to 30€ Effective January 2012

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Ron in Rome

Roma Pass thumb Roma Pass Increases in Price from 25€ to 30€ Effective January 2012Effective January, 1 2012, the Roma Pass increases in price  from 25€ to 30€. That’s a 20% increase in the price of this pass. It seems the Roma Pass folks are getting a jump on the proposed ATAC bus and metro ticket increase (one-usage tickets to increase 50%) slated for June 2012. Continue reading →

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XIV Culture Week in Italy, April 14 – April 22

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Ron in Rome

Ministerio Per I Beni XIV Culture Week in Italy, April 14 April 22The Settimana della Cultura (Culture Week), now in its fourteenth edition, will begin on Saturday, April 14 and will run through Sunday, April 22, 2012. For these nine days, monuments, museums, archaeological sites, archives, and libraries owned and operated by the State will be open FREE to the public. Continue reading →

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And You Thought Your ZTL Ticket Was Expensive?

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Ron in Rome

There are often debates on travel boards about, “Should I pay that ZTL violation ticket I received in Florence or Rome?” Folks wonder whether the Italian police will search you out. Well, apparently if the price is right – they will! Recently, a Florence resident was slapped with 90,000€ in traffic fines! And you thought your ZTL ticket was expensive? Here’s the story Continue reading →

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The Best Hotels and B&B’s Around the Spanish Steps

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Ron in Rome

Spanish Steps thumb The Best Hotels and B&B’s Around the Spanish StepsOne of the most popular places to stay in Rome is at a hotel, B&B, or apartment near the Spanish Steps. This historic area is also one of the “most posh” parts of Rome. Here you will see stores with designer names, tourist-seeking vendors, and narrow, cobblestone streets. It’s quite a contrast. The Spanish Steps are well-known as a destination for many first-time travelers to Rome. Throughout the year the Spanish Steps are decorated with azaleas and Christmas trees. In the evening, the Steps often become a gathering spot. Continue reading →

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ATAC Proposes 50% Increase in Fares for June 2012

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Ron in Rome

Carl Posti is the CEO of ATAC, which serves as the Mobility Agency in the Municipality of Rome. These are the folks that operate the bus, tram, and metro service in Rome. And if Carl and his company get their wish, ticket prices for the transportation systems in Rome will jump by 50% . Yes,  an incredible 50 cents jump from 1€ to 1.50€ for the standard BIT (biglietto integrato a tempo) ticket.

Mr. Posti states that the new rates would increase ATAC’s revenues by more than 35 million euro. The resolution is currently before the government board and Posti predicts that this resolution will be approved and that these price changes will be take place in June … just in time for your summer vacation. Continue reading →

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Trenitalia Announces “New” Frecciarossa Train With Four Levels of Service!

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Ron in Rome

New Freece train exterior Trenitalia Announces “New” Frecciarossa Train With Four Levels of Service!Just when we’ve finally figured out whether to sit in 1st or 2nd class, Trenitalia creates new “service levels” that may make your buying process more difficult. Starting in late November 2011, on runs from Milan to Naples, Trenitalia announces the “new” Frecciarossa train which has, not two “classes”, but FOUR levels of service! Yep, ticket buying – especially using the MINI discounted tickets – just became far more complex. The four classes of service on this train are called Executive, Business, Premium and Standard. Whatever happened to just 1st and 2nd class? Continue reading →

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New Rules for Taxis, Shuttles, and Carriages

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Ron in Rome

taxi sign thumb New Rules for Taxis, Shuttles, and CarriagesNow, the continuing odyssey of the Taxi Agreement… This month new rules were approved for taxi drivers, private shuttles (limousine services), and the horse-drawn carriages in the city of Rome. For taxis, the big news is – NO NEW RATE CHANGES – at least not yet. In light of the current economic challenges in Italy and the recent change in leadership, this was probably a wise decision. The taxi unions, as you would imagine, are none too pleased. Thus, your fixed-rate fees from the Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO) and Ciampino Airport (CIA) will remain at their current levels, €40 and €30 respectively. What will change? Continue reading →

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Billy & Anne’s Wonderful Adventure

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Ron in Rome

I get many, many emails each day. Often, these emails evolve into a dialogue and upon completion of a trip, I’ll get a “trip report.” One of the most detailed I’ve received was from Billy and Anne (last name deleted). Their trip incorporates many of the “logistics” that most travelers face – and Billy and Anne handled all these travel challenges with poise… because they were prepared. I asked them if I could post their report to provide some assistance for other travelers and so here it is – with links to many of the articles they read and some of the sites they visited. Trip reports are definitely one of the most valuable tools for future travelers. Thanks Billy and Anne for sharing! Continue reading →

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Traveling from Rome to Venice: The Train is Usually Better Than the Plane!

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Ron in Rome

Which is the best way to travel between Rome and Venice? Having lived in Spain, I remember this same debate when heading to Barcelona from Madrid. To provide some answers, we’ve again enlisted the expertise of GAC, a regular contributor on RinR and multiple travel boards. Again, we appreciate GAC allowing us to publish these observations. Here are those thoughts: Continue reading →

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Mamertine Prison – Il Carcere di Pietro Renovated & Reopened, but it is Better?

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Ron in Rome

Mammertine Prison mini view Mamertine Prison Il Carcere di Pietro Renovated & Reopened, but it is Better?In years past, after visiting the Forum, it was convenient to use the exit near the Arch of Septimus Severus and visit the Mamertine Prison. This prison was located on the northeastern slope of the Capitoline Hill, facing the Curia (Senate House). The prison was believed to have been constructed around 640-616 BC. Because of it’s close location to the center of the Forum, primarily high profile prisoners were kept here. Often these prisoners were paraded through the centro area and then Continue reading →

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Another Chaotic Morning at Fiumicino’s Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO)

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Ron in Rome

Too soon, our son’s trip to Europe ended. On our last night in Rome we headed for one of our favorite restaurants, meeting friends and celebrating our good fortune. It had been  a busy but rewarding few days and we were tired, but in that “good sense” of tired… knowing we’d shown our son a glimpse of why we loved living in Italy. The people, the food, the relaxed pace… it was a wonderful and enlightening trip. Then we headed to FCO the next morning… Continue reading →

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Flooding in Rome Causes Major Disruptions

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Ron in Rome

October 20 Rain in Rome 9 small Flooding in Rome Causes Major DisruptionsOn Thursday, October 20 we traveled from Siena to Rome via the SENA bus. Our ride on the bus was great… until we got about 8-10 miles from Rome. Then we entered one of the largest traffic jams in Rome history. The reason – a torrential rain storm that dropped 3 inches of rain in less than 5 hours. The ancient city, especially the northwest section, was overwhelmed. Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno called for a state of emergency and also activated a toll-free emergency hotline for people to report emergencies and request information. Continue reading →

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Our Recent Apartment Booking in Rome

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Ron in Rome

RomeIMG 1368A thumb Our Recent Apartment Booking in RomeLast week our oldest son came to visit us and we headed for a whirlwind tour of … Italy. This would be his first trip to Italy and so our agenda was filled with those “must-see, first-timer” sites. Unfortunately, his time – and ours – was limited so this would be a brief and busy adventure. Our last stop would be Rome and we only had three days in the city, certainly not enough time to show him ALL the spots we enjoyed… but we hoped to whet his interest so he would want to return to our “adopted” hometown. In planning this segment of the trip, I decided early on to seek an apartment. Continue reading →

Posted in Hotels & Spas, Traveling in Europe | 1 Comment

Metro Tram & Bus Map for Rome

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Ron in Rome

The buses in Rome are a great way to get around the city. Unfortunately, the ATAC website is often difficult to navigate. And the maps on their website are more difficult to read. One option is to purchase the Roma Metro, Tram, & Bus Map. This map is sold at numerous Tabacchi shops for €6. Continue reading →

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Pickpockets in Rome – Protect Your Vacation

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Ron in Rome

Carbinieri in Rome Pickpockets in Rome Protect Your VacationOne of the most-often discussed topics on any travel board is safety and security. More specifically, “How do I avoid the pickpockets in Italy?” For many first-time travelers the thought of losing your passport, money, credit cards, and identification in a foreign country can be intimidating. Many people ask, “Is Rome a safe city?”

Generally, Rome, like many European capitals is “safe.” Violent crime is almost nonexistent, but petty theft, and theft-of-opportunity… like pick-pocketing… is prevalent. And the pickpockets in Rome are artists! You may not even know you’ve been “targeted” until you reach for your wallet at a store. Believe me, they are that good. Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Traveling in Europe | 6 Comments