From Wikitravel

The Modern Center of Rome, home to the Via Veneto, Quirinale, Castro Pretorio, Repubblica, and Trevi neighborhoods, is the city's hub of activity, especially shopping and nightlife. It's also home to a huge assortment of hotels, and it's likely that you'll be staying here, despite the fact that most of Rome's historic attractions are elsewhere.

[edit] Get in

The Modern Center of Rome is not hard to find as the Termini Station brings you into the west edge of it. As you leave the station, the Castro Pretorio neighborhood is to your right, with many smaller hotels. To the left the main roads of Via Cavour and Via Nazionale lead down the hill. Larger hotels here, catering more for groups than independent travellers.

Termini Station is a major bus hub with buses to all parts of town. Beware taxi drivers who operate at the station as it seems to attract the most crooked ones. Always insist that you see the meter is turned on after you get into the cab. No matter what time of day or night the starting price should never be more than 6 Euros (during the day less)and a figure 1 on the meter should indicate that the correct rate is being applied.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Trevi Fountain

Completed in 1762 to a design by Nicola Salvi, this spectacular Baroque fountain features a mythological sculptural composition of Neptune, god of the sea, flanked by two Tritons: one Triton labours to control a violent sea-horse, the other controls a pacified creature, both symbolising the dual nature of the world's oceans. The location of the Trevi fountain marks the terminus of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, completed in 19 BCE in order to supply the Baths of Agrippa, and is so named on account of its position at the junction of three roads (tre vie). The fountain appeared in an unforgettable scene of Fellini's film Dolce Vita. The legend says that one who throws a coin in the fountain shall one day return to Rome. The coins in the fountain are regularly collected to finance charities. The fountain has been made even more famous as the target for the Three Coins in the Fountain, soaking the actress Anita Ekberg in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita. According to popular superstition and custom, throwing coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain is a practice endowed with good luck. Throwing one coin ensures that the thrower will return to Rome; throwing two coins will ensure that the thrower will fall in love with a beautiful Roman girl (or handsome boy); throwing three coins, finally, ensures that the thrower will marry that girl or boy in Rome itself.

[edit] Other attractions

• Aurelian walls (Mura aureliane), (so close you can almost touch it). Remains of city walls built between 271 and 275 enclosing all seven hills of Rome, Campus Martius and the Trastevere district.  edit

• Capuchin Monastery, Via Veneto (right by Piazza Barberini). Built in 1645, the crypt of the church contains a macabre display - a series of chapels decorated with the bones of thousands of dead monks. The bones are glued to the walls and ceilings in bizarre and striking decorations.  edit

• Le Quattro Fontane, Intersection of Via delle Quattro Fontane and Via del Quirinale, [1]. Four fountains from the time of Pope Sixtus V when much of Rome was redeveloped. A reclining deity is the theme of each sculpture. This is a busy intersection and if you don't look twice you may miss these exquisite examples of Roman mythology.  edit

• Museo delle Paste Alimentari, Piazza Scanderberg 117, ☎ 06 699 1119. Daily 9.30am-5.30pm, closed public holidays. A museum devoted to pasta, Italy's premier gift to world cuisine.  edit

• Palazzo Massimo, ☎ 06 39967700. Mo-Sa 9AM-1:30PM, 2:30PM-5PM. A magnificent collection of ancient Roman sculptures, mosaics and wall paintings, including the famous paintings from the Imperial-era villa discovered under the Villa Farnesina, as well as the dining room from the Empress Livia's villa at Prima Porta. Located across the piazza from Termini, opposite the Baths of Diocletian. € 7,00.  edit
• Rome's National Museum at the Baths of Diocletian, Via Enrico de Nicola 79 (Facing the Termini Station. Next to Santa Maria degli Angeli.), [2]. On the site of the Roman baths this museum houses an enormous collection of statues, etc. 7 euros gives admission to all four of Rome's National Museums, including Palazzo Massimo (above).  edit

• Palazzo Barberini (Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica), Via Quattro Fontane 13, ☎ +39 06 482 4184, [3]. Tu-Su 9-19.30. This remarkable building, designed partly by Bernini, houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art, including some famous paintings by Lippo Lippi, Caravaggio as well as Raphaels famous La Fornarina. € 5,00, serveral discounts available, Free entrance for people under 18 and over 65..  edit

• Piazza Barberini. With Bernini's famous Triton Fountain. Via Veneto starts here too.  edit

• Quirinal Palace (Palazzo del Quirinale), Via del Quirinale (atop the Quirinale, highest of the famous Roman hills), ☎ +39 06 8530 1758, [4]. 8:30a-12:30p Su. Home of the President of the Italian Republic, and the Quirinal Gardens. Built in 1573 as a papal summer residence, and has since also served as the residence for the pope and later for the king of Italy.  edit

• San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, Via del Quirinale, 23, ☎ +39 06 48 83 261. A very small and beautiful church, the first design commission of Francesco Borromini.  edit

• Santa Maria degli Angeli, Via Cernaia 9 (Piazza della Repubblica), ☎ +39 06 48 80 812. This church was built inside the former baths of Diocletian. Very light and airy inside. Note the unusual art on the outside doors. Around solar noon check out the sun's image on Francesco Bianchini's meridian line inside.  edit
• Santa Maria della Vittoria, (bottom of Via XX Settembre, close to Piazza della Repubblica). Now unfortunately invaded by readers of Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" this is an interesting Baroque church containing Bernini's "Ecstasy of St. Teresa". Either side of this chapel are characters in what can best be described as theatre boxes. These are members of the Cornaro family, who paid for Bernini's sculpture.  edit
• St Paul's Within the Walls, (Just down Via Nazionale from Piazza della Repubblica, on the corner with Via Napoli.), [5]. More modern than most Roman churches: it was not started until 1873. This is Rome’s Episcopalian church. Some very interesting artwork, particularly the mosaics by Edward Burne-Jones of the Pre-Raphaelite school.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Palazzo delle Esposizione, Via Nazionale 194 (Imposing exhibition center half-way down Via Nazionale.), [6]. Rotating exhibitions, usually three at one time. Avoid Sunday morning, when the Romans go, as queues to get in can be long.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

For a little bit shopping, the Via Nazionale is perfect: souvenirs, clothes, Italian shoes, etc. But the main attraction is without a doubt, the Via Veneto.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• al Piccolo Arancino, Vicolo Scanderberg 112 (near the Trevi Fountain). Small restaurant with a lot of Italian guests and moderate prices.  edit

• Aqui, Ristorante Pizzeria, Via Principe Amedeo 49-5 (Near Via Cavour and Termini station, close to the corner of Via Amedeo and Via Daniele Manin, next to Hotel California). A street side restaurant with excellent food, attentive service and warm atmosphere. Eat outside or inside, depending on the weather. Try the fish fillet baked in potato which should please anyone who likes fish - it is excellent. Their marketing says they are a pub, perhaps to pull in tourists hankering after home but this is an Italian restaurant. The waiters hustle passers by into becoming satisfied diners. The white table cloths, linen and cutlery are presentable. The menu is varied and does not stress Pizza, though they do have it. There are a variety of meat and fish dishes and pasta. The house wine is modest but good value. There seems to be no wine list. Euro 25-35 for dinner including wine and bottled water.  edit

• Est! Est!! Est !!!, Via Genova, 32 (Metro A Republica (Via Nazionale/Piazza della Repubblica)), ☎ 06 48 81 107, [7]. Open Tue-Sun 7pm-midnight, closed on Mon. The chefs here make a relatively small but amazingly good pizza. Every pizza here is outstanding, and the calzone, one of their specialties, is excellent too. The staff speak English, and this is one of the few places where there is both plenty of tourists and very good food. Reservation is advisable. In the same neighborhood, there's another EST,EST,EST pizzeria, beware the difference!  edit

• Trattoria al camoscio d'abruzzo, Via castelfidardo 78 roma 00185, [8].  edit

• Il Pavone Restaurant, Via Palestro 19/b, 00185 Roma, ☎ +39 06 4451463 (info@ristoranteilpavone.it), [9]. . Restaurant in the centre of Rome  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Dagnino Tea Room, Galleria, Esedra Via V. Emanuele Orlando 75, ☎ 064818660. If you haven't tried a "Cannolo" or a "Cassatina" then get one here, they are simply great. Don't sit at the tables (it's pretty expensive) just take them away. Good pastries too.  edit

• Harrys Bar. You can't visit Via Veneto and not go to Harrys Bar, immortalized in Fellinis' La Dolce Vita Harrys' is now a swanky upmarket {read expensive} bar/eatery where celebs can still be spotted. A piano bar, it has a regular {as of May 2007} duet performing nightly from 9pm. Sometimes guest artistes will avail themselves of the piano and entertain the patrons. Most recently Australian Pianist Fiona Cohn played there.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Alessandro Hostels, Via Vicenza 42, ☎ +39.06.446.1958 fax +39.06.493.80.534, [10]. Other brach: Alessandro Downtown, Via C. Cattaneo 23. 2nd Floor, +39.06.443.40.147. All locations are 5 minutes on foot from Termini, include free breakfast, free linens, no curfew, cheap internet, video security, free pizza parties at the Palace pub, internet PCs & Wi-Fi available at both hostels. From €15 for dorms.  edit

• Evergreen Italy B&B, Via Milazzo 23, ☎ (+39) 0644363186, [11]. No curfew, no lock-out. Towels and bed linen are included. Daily room cleaning. English and Italian spoken. Singles from €40, breakfast included.  edit

• Freedom Traveller Hostel, Via Gaeta 25, ☎ (+39) 06 47823862, [12]. A four-minute walk from the central train station, this hostel has adequate dorms, som have nice balconies. Kitchens and communal areas. No curfew, but lockout is from 11.00 - 15.00. From €23 per night, including free breakfast, internet and dinner.  edit

• Hotel / Hostel Papa Germano, Via Calatafimi, 14/a, ☎ (+39) 06486919 (fax: +39 0647825202), [13]. Near the station. Free internet, sat TV, minifridge, telephone, air conditioning, free maps, no curfew, credit cards accepted. €16 for dorms / €50 for private rooms.  edit

• M&J Place Hostel Roma, Via Solferino 9, ☎ (+39) 064462802 (info@mejplacehostel.com), [14]. Within spitting distance of the train station. Friendly staff and reasonable dorms, this popular hostel has a paltry free breakfast but no lockout or curfew. Dorms from €22..  edit

• Stargate Hostel, Via Palestro 88, ☎ (+39) 064457164 (info@stargatehotels.net, fax: (+39) 0649384134), [15]. Great hostel situated 5 minutes away by foot from the termini central station, near the Castro Pretorio metro stop. Bed in a dormitory costs €22 including breakfast..  edit

[edit] Mid range

• Alex Inn Rome, Via Emilia 47,, ☎ (+39) 06 97273360 (fax: (+39) 06 97273150), [16]. Small guest house in the centre of Rome near the classy Via Veneto street. Relatively new and pretty good facilities, and a small terrace off each guestroom Doubles from €110 including breakfast..  edit

• Hotel I Giardini del Quirinale Rome, Via Firenze 43, ☎ +39 06 48930388 (fax: +39 06 48989945), [17]. Upscale B&B situated very close to the central road of Via Nazionale and the Presidential Palace of Quirinale. All the bedrooms offer internet connection, mini bar, air conditioning, telephone with direct line and LCD television. Also available private parking and continental breakfast. From €165 including breakfast.  edit

• Hotel Atlantico, Via Cavour, 23, ☎ +39 06.485951 (atlantico@bettojahotels.it, fax: +39 06.4827492), [18]. Toll Free 800 860004 - Hotel Atlantico, a four-star hotel in Rome, welcomes its guests into a 1912 building constructed on the highest of Rome's seven hills, the Esquilino, from where there is a splendid view of the city. From €145  edit

• Hotel Cervia Rome, Via Palestro, 55, ☎ 0039 06 491057 (fax: (+39) 06 491056), [19]. Great little 2 star budget hotel located in the centre of Rome near Termini. Run by two lovely ladies, this accommodation is ideal for the low-cost traveller looking for clean, simple and secure accommodation in a great location in Rome. From €40 for singles  edit

• Hotel Fawlty Towers Rome, Via Magenta 39, ☎ (+39) 06 4450374 (fax: (+39) 06 45435942), [20]. You can choose between a two star hotel or a hostel accommodation, shared or private services and dorms or private rooms, all located around the Termini Station area. Singles from €55.  edit

• Hotel Mediterraneo, Via Cavour, 15, ☎ +39 06.4884051 (mediterraneo@bettojahotels.it, fax: +39 06.4744105), [21]. Toll Free 800 860004 - Hotel Mediterraneo, a 4-star hotel in the historic center of Rome, was designed in 1938 by Mario Loreti, and is located on the highest of Rome's seven hills, the Esquilino. Singes from €210.  edit

• Hotel Quirinale, Via Nazionale, 7, 00184 Roma, ☎ +39 06 4707 (info@hotelquirinale.it, fax: +39 06 482 00 99), [22]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: noon. 4 star Hotel close to the Piazza Repubblica. Style from the mid 19th Century, reasonably large rooms and high ceilings. Internet connection costs €15 for 24 hours. Service at reception can be very poor, on occasions, it is down right rude. From around 200 Euro.  edit

• Hotel Romanico Palace, Via Boncompagni, 37, ☎ +39 06.42083881 (info@hotelromanico.com, fax: +39 06.42815558), [23]. This exclusive four stars hotel offers to all its Guests 64 rooms divided between six floors, on the 7th floor there is a terrific 360 degrees panoramic terrace with a charming view on Rome historical center. From €180 all exclusive.  edit

• Hotel Rubino Rome, Via Milazzo 3, ☎ (+39) 06 4452323 (fax: (+39) 06 445425), [24]. Cheap and cheerful low budget hotel right in the centre of Rome near the train station and public transport, caters mainly to young people. Clean and secure. Singles from €50.  edit

• Holiday Rome B&B, Via Palestro, 49, ☎ (+39) 06 4453024 (holidayrome@yahoo.it), [25]. Bed and Breakfast in Rome near Termini Train Station. Three rooms with private bathrooms and an air-conditioning system. Price from 45€ x person x night.  edit

[edit] Contact

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!