Posts by author Samantha Collins
Whether you are seeking designer dresses or affordable chic, Rome has some of the best places to shop in Italy. It’s easy to find the high-end spots, but where can you find the best Rome shopping on the cheap? The names of Italy’s finest designers sit alongside independent boutiques and market stalls as shopping in » Read more
While the Vatican Museums and Pantheon in Rome may keep the grown-ups enthralled, the endless “old stuff” may not captivate kids for long. So for anyone traveling with younger ones to Rome, what can the ancient city offer to keep everyone amused? Well, many things, as it turns out! Plus, many of the city’s kid-friendly » Read more
ATAC bikes in Rome. Photo: Daniel X. O'Neil
Over the last couple of years around Rome, ATAC’s bikesharing program has become a popular fixture around the city center and the beach resort of Ostia. Taking to the streets in Rome can be scary, as traffic is plentiful, but for the brave and those with padded clothing (those cobbles can be a challenge), it » Read more
The Trastevere Hood in Rome. Photo by controvento ®.
Whether you like romantic cobbled streets, nightlife, shopping or convenience to the main transport hubs, choosing the right Rome neighborhood can make or break your holiday experience. Here is our guide to help you make your choice. Trastevere For scenic streets and nightlife Literally meaning “across the Tevere” (or the River Tiber), Trastevere is a » Read more
St Peters Basilica, which offers free admission. Photo by nilexuk.
If you are watching the euros during your trip to Rome, fear not. We’re on hand with five simple tips to add a sprinkle of free froth to your freshly served Roman holiday. 1. St Peters Basilica The most famous Catholic church in the world is free to enter. Don’t be deterred by the queue » Read more
Enjoying wine on Aventine Hill. Photo: Ratio Partners
After visiting all the historic sites of Rome, what better way to spend your evening than sipping a glass of wine to quench that thirst? But where do you start with that long list proudly presented to you by the waiter? Fear not: Whether you are a wine buff or a wine buffoon, we are » Read more
A bus in Rome. Photo by Samantha Collins.
One of the things about Rome that never fails to impress me is the value for money offered by the public transport system. While locals complain about the limited metro system (only two lines at present) and the endless strikes, you cannot help but be impressed at the simplicity of the “one ticket fits all” » Read more
The fountain in St. Peter's Square. Photo by David O.
A visit to Rome is not complete without seeing the Vatican. With its world-famous St. Peter’s Square, imposing dome, rather nice painted chapel ceiling, and fairly well-known resident, it has plenty of attractions. But with so much to see, where should you start? 1. St. Peter’s Square This vast space is famous for being the » Read more
Exploring the Piazza Navona. Photos by Samantha Collins.
Exploring the Piazza Navona in Rome’s historic center is like visiting London’s Covent Garden but with a warmer climate and with much older buildings. The Piazza Navona is where you can find street entertainers, mime artists, portrait painters, and street cafes set amongst the backdrop of baroque fountains and elegant period buildings. You are likely to » Read more
Dinner at La Carbonara. Photo: Andy M.
While Italian food is considered to be among the best in the world, sadly you do not always get what you pay for. Tales of tourists being asked to pay €700 for a meal in Rome’s center (as happened during the summer) are happily rare, but substandard, overpriced fare is far more common that anyone » Read more
The Christmas market at Piazza Navona. Photo by Elizabeth Buie.
Whether your idea of a good Christmas break is ice-skating under the watchful eye of an ancient castle, sharing midnight mass with the Pope, or simply eating and drinking too much, Rome is the perfect place to indulge and celebrate. So just how should you spend the festive season in Italy’s Eternal City? The Christmas » Read more
See two Caravaggio paintings at Santa Maria Del Popolo for free. Photo: Carlo Raso
There is something about Caravaggio that fascinates people. Even those who would normally prefer to cross a street of hot coals than spend time looking at paintings seem happy to make an exception for this rebel of Counter-Renaissance Art. To celebrate Rome’s Caravaggio exhibition that has just opened at the Villa Borghese (and runs through January » Read more
The Roma Pass includes admission to the Capitoline Museums. Photo by Samantha Collins.
By Samantha Collins in Rome– Note: This post was updated with new prices in May 2013. The Roma Pass is a three-day discount card that gives you free or discounted access to some of Rome’s top museums, as well as free use of the public transport system. Launched to encourage visitors into the museums, the » Read more
