Plan Your Trip to Rome

By Go City Expert

Planning a trip to Rome and seeing all the best rome attractions is no mean feat; it’s a city of great cultural and historic importance and the thought of trying to fit everything into just a few short days can seem impossible. Whether you’re a veteran tourist, or a first-timer, it’s hard to prioritise your favourite monuments and landmarks when you really want to see them all! How to do it? With the OMNIA Vatican & Rome card it’s easy. For three consecutive days, the card acts as your complete sightseeing package while on holiday. Giving you free entry to the Vatican Museums and tours, including Michelangelo’s famous Sistine Chapel, you can skip the queues and save up to four hours in the busy months. If anyone is planning on traveling to the city in the summer, not having to wait in line is a definite added bonus. When in Rome...

  • The Coliseum, Roman Forum and Capitoline Museums are also high on people’s itineraries, as is the Villa Borghese Gallery and the National Museum of Castel Sant’angelo; so it’s just as well the card gives you free entry to two out of those five must-not-miss landmarks, as well as discounted entry to a further 30 top attractions.
  • If you fancy something a little different and want to put your feet up and see the city through a different perspective, why not try the hop-on, hop-off bus tour. The perfect way to see the sights – and give yourself a much needed break! Included in the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card is a free bus tour ticket, valid for three consecutive days, giving you a bit of extra flexibility to plan your itinerary just how you want it.

Many tourists who visit Rome like the independence and to explore things the local way. If this sounds like you, there’s a travelcard valid for the entire duration of your three days, allowing you access to Rome’s extensive transport system; including the Metro, buses and rail service. Explore Rome the Roman way and don’t worry about having to carry any spare change to flag down taxis. Hassle-free holiday The run up to any holiday is both exciting and stressful. What the OMNIA Vatican & Rome card does is minimises the stress, but allows you time to plan and think about what you want to see and where you want to go. Free with the Card is a detailed guidebook about the city and its monuments – providing you will all the information you need to start to work out what you want to see. It’s hassle free and saves you lots of time and money and you can order online and pick it up whenever you’re in Rome from one of three central collection points. If you haven’t got a date in the diary yet, the card is valid for 12 months from purchase, so you can start planning and thinking ahead with the free guidebook. There’s really no easier option; this package is the perfect travel companion and will make your trip to Rome that bit easier, cheaper and definitely more fulfilling!

Go City Expert
Rome Travel Expert

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Best Bars for Aperitivo in Rome

Forget your regular happy hours, here's where to enjoy aperitivo in Rome Aperitivo in Rome is a cultural pastime, with people all over the capital spilling out of offices and into trendy bars and restaurants. With affordably priced drinks and lush buffets piled high with Roman dishes, there's no end of places that put their own distinctive spin on aperitivo from jazzing things up with an extensive cocktail list or stepping up their recipe game. If you're travelling to the city, it's worth joining in the tradition at some of the best places for aperitivo in Rome below. Image via Freni e Frizoni Freni e Frizoni Converted from an old mechanic's garage, this effortlessly trendy aperitivo bar in the heart of the hip and happening Trastevere Neighbourhood. With a young eclectic crowd that spills out onto the piazza outside, it derives its name 'brakes and clutches' from its past life. Its team of mixologists make a mean cocktail and it has a large buffet serving up couscous, pizzas, bruschetta and vegetarian dishes. I wish mondays could always be like this.. #roma #rome #italy #italia #italygram #monday #mondays #drink #drinks #delicious #travelgram #travel #explore #traveler #travelingram #ig_daily #igtravel #ig_shotz #ig_europe #ig_italia #instapic A post shared by Irina Bykovskaya (@laitalianka) on Apr 3, 2017 at 10:11am PDT Salotto42 Specialising in aperitivo, Salotto42 is a great bar within throwing distance of the Piazza di Pietra. Founded by a Swedish supermodel, the entire space is filled with Swedish design touches and its shelves are stacked with curated art magazines and indie books, making it an Instagram goldmine for those looking for their next great shot. Curl up on one of its cosy couches with a sophisticated cocktail and blend in with its stylish clientele as the bar comes to life during aperitivo hour. While it's a little strapped for room, as the night draws on people spill onto the piazza with wine glasses and bar snacks in hand. Friday night. #photooftheday A post shared by Simone Bottaro (@simonebottaro) on Mar 24, 2017 at 4:43pm PDT Doppio Zeroo This welcoming bar and restaurant has a killer aperitivo offer for those on a budget - for just €10-12 you can snag yourself an alcoholic drink and pile your plate high at their all you can eat buffet. Think couscous, pasta, grilled vegetables and even a cheeky nutella pizza for dessert. Converted from an old bakery, it's a popular choice for locals and packs up quick so it's worth making a reservation if you don't want to hang around for half an hour. Image via Momart facebook Momart It's impossible not to fall in love with Momart's romantic design, from its moody dark flooring to its sprawling veranda, but particularly its aperitivo offering that starts from 6pm. People from all over Rome come here for its buffet which includes pizzas served fresh out of their wood fire ovens, pasta, salads and naturally its selection of alcoholic offerings. Popular with students from nearby universities, it generally caters to a younger crowd. I weekend sotto al portico di Piazza Augusto Imperatore sono i migliori della città. ____________________________________ #gustopizzeria #gustoristorante #gusto #piazzaaugustoimperatore #bestplacetogo #brunch #eatanddrink #rome #brunchinrome #romanity #italianrestaurant #italianfod #romefood #mangiarearoma #mangiareitaliano #loverome #centrostoricoroma #architecture #bestrestaurantinrome A post shared by Follow GUSTO_ROMA (@gusto_roma) on Feb 25, 2017 at 1:43am PST Gusto Gusto is all things to all people: a wine bar, a restaurant, a pizzeria, a bookshop and an awesome place for aperitivo. This trendy joint with its exposed brick walls and industrial details is always filled with customers and its unlimited aperitivo buffet is particularly high in demand, serving up pizzette, arancini and more. Affordably priced, there's also a great selection of cocktails and an extensive wine list to enjoy.
Megan Hills
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A Guide to Christmas in Rome

Christmas in Rome is an amazing experience and there are a vast array of different things to do. We made a guide to get you started on what you could do over the festive period: See the Pope Over Christmas you have a lot of opportunities. If you can get tickets midnight mass is magical but if not ‘Urbi et Orbi’ on Christmas day is another opportunity, and you don’t need tickets! Visit a Christmas market There are markets all over Rome during December and early January. The most famous is the market in Piazza Navona which is always bustling and is lit up with lights. Go ice skating Here’s an ice skating rink in the shadow of Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo which is perfect for getting in the Christmas spirit. You can also ice skate at the Auditorium which also houses a Christmas fair and lots of concerts. Discover the tradition of nativity scenes Rome boasts a museum of over 3000 nativity scenes and also a pop-up exhibition over Christmas of a further 200 scenes imagined by artists from around the world. Appreciate the Christmas lights Wander the streets of Rome and see it from a new perspective. The city comes alive over the festive period with lights lining the roads. Go to a bakery The bakeries fill up with delicious holiday treats like panettone and torrone that aren’t sold in the other months. You won’t regret it!
Go City Expert
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Things to do in Rome this Summer

Rome is a great place to spend time in the summer – the days are warm, the sun sets late and honestly there’s no better place to be outside when you’re surrounded by breath-taking historic landmarks and ruins. Despite the notion that all locals flee the city in the summer, it’s simply not true as there are so many events and celebrations going on that no one wants to miss! Traditionally, festivals have always played an important part of Roman life – ever since the ancient Roman times when religious festivals made up a significant part of the Roman calendar. Whether they were public, private or holy days – they were all to be celebrated. Now, it’s much the same and the institution of celebrating has been upheld. Whilst the celebrations and festivities might take a different form these days than 2000 years ago, the excitement and anticipation is just as high! If you’re visiting Rome in July or September, here are some summer highlights and events over the coming months: Roma Incontra il Mondo – Villa Ada Festival June – July 2015 @ Villa Ada, ​Via di Ponte Salario, 28, Roma - Italia Villa Ada is one of the most picturesque parks in Rome and welcomes hundreds of picnickers over the summer months to take in the landscape. As of mid-June, however, here’s another reason to climb the hill and walk through the sprawling green meadows and lakes. The Villa Ada Festival is back another year and this year it looks to be better than ever. With an impressive line up of musical talents like the international Cocorosie, Angus & Julia Stone and De La Soul, the local festival also champions Italian musicians and pop favourites. If you’re a fan of the whole festival vibe, you can also enjoy longer weekend events such as Roma Bruicia and Rome Folk Fest to keep you going from morning til night! Festa de Noantri Wednesday 15th July – Thursday 30th July @ Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere The Festa de Noantri is one of the most humble but religious celebrations in the summer and is really a local festival – so definitely one to see if you’re wanting that authentic Roman experience. Typically held in Trastevere, the festival is supported by the residents of the Trastevere neighbourhood who all get together in a procession and parade the Madonna Fiumarola through the cobbled streets. The tradition comes from the myth whereby a wooden statue of the Virgin was caught in a net by some fishermen, many many years ago. The statue was then considered an object of veneration and ever since has been paraded through the streets. Now, this is also celebrated with free flowing food and wine at street vendors for the duration of the festivities. Jazz&Image Festival June – August 2015 @ Villa Celimontana, Via Alessandro Poerio, 112, 00152 Roma, Italy This leafy park, Villa Celimonata, plays host to the Jazz&Image Festival throughtout the summer. Any jazz lover will adore the line up and will swoon at the variety of classical and modern names taking centre stage between June and August. When the sun sets, you’ll be wrapped up in a soft romantic setting, lit by candles and torches to accentuate the mood of the music. You can expect to see names like Incognito and Stefano Bollani, among many others. It truly is a magical experience if you’re into your musical moody blues! Estate Romana June – September @ various locations Many of Rome’s main summer events are under the umbrella event of Estate Romana. This summer-long event has a packed timetable of films, bands and food festivals spread across the city. If you want to explore the rich events Estate Romana is hosting, head down to the popular piazze, palazzi and parks to catch a glimpse of what’s going on. Most events are free which is handy for those who just want to stop by, just make sure you bring enough small change for the local delicacies and artisanal souvenirs sold at the stalls and stands along the way. Comophonies – Festival Internazionale di Ostia Antica June – mid-September @ Teatro Romano-Scavi Archeologici di Ostia Antica, viale dei Romagnoli 717 Slightly outside Rome city centre is Ostia Antica. The stunning archaeological site provides the breath-taking backdrop to Cosmophonies, an international festival of theatre, dance and music. It’s not one to be sniffed at, headlining the Festival in the past have been Sonic Youth, Morrissey and Caetano Veloso. There few other, if any, festivals where you can sit in an ancient amphitheatre under the shadow of pine trees being entertained by live performers on a warm Rome summer night... Terme di Caracalla 2015 23rs June – 8th August @ Terme di Caracalla, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Roma, Italy The world-acclaimed Terme di Caracalla Festival is back with an incredible programme to take you through the summer once again for 2015. Held in the stunning and historic ancient public baths, the Terme di Caracalla were built between 212 – 217 AD during the reign of Emperor Caracalla so you’ll can’t beat the location for a true historic Roman experience. It’s definitely one to tick off your bucket list! The iconic arts festival started in the 1930s and has grown in popularity welcoming the likes of Elton John and Bob Dylan this year, among other world-class acts. 2015 also features Madame Butterfly and Pink Floyd Ballet on the packed programme. As you can see there is plenty to take part in when you’re visiting Rome this summer. Romans love a celebration and festival, whether it be championing international and Italian music greats; feasting on great food and wine; or celebrating the lives of the holy saints they worship. Either way, each summer celebration and festival is a unique experience of true, Roman traditions!
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