Moon Travel Guides - Moon Rome Walks

Step off the plane and head straight for the newest, hippest coffee joint in town. Discover where to get the best seafood in the city or where to find locally brewed beer on tap. In Moon Rome Walks, our local authors let you in on all the hotspots and best kept secrets. This way, you can skip the busy shopping streets and stroll through the city at your own pace, taking in a local attraction on your way to the latest and greatest concept stores. Savor every second and make your city trip a truly feel-good experience.

Youre about to discover Rome. According to legend, Rome was built in 753 B.C., and almost 2,800 year later, the city has developed a modern vibe. Ancient theaters found new life as restaurants, and workers districts are now hip yuppie neighborhoods. The Colosseum, the Foro Romano, the Vatican, and the Spanish Stepsthese are just a few of the monuments that support Romes status as the Eternal City. Every street corner provides an opportunity to explore something from a different era, and in between all that history is the here and now: strong Italian coffee, ice cream in all imaginable flavors, wine from Romes region of Lazio, pasta a-la-Romana, and hidden independent businesses. Follow us and well unveil all the secrets of the Eternal City!

In this book, local authors share with you the genuine highlights of their city. Discover the city by foot and at your own pace, so you can relax and experience the local lifestyle without having to do a lot of preparation beforehand. That means more time for youwhat we call time to momo. Our walks take you past our favorite restaurants, cafs, museums, galleries, shops, and other notable attractionsplaces we ourselves like to go.

None of the places mentioned here have paid to appear in either the text or the photos, and all text has been written by an independent editorial staff. This is true for the places in this book as well as for the information in the time to momo app and all the latest tips, themed routes, neighborhood information, blogs, and the selection of the best hotels on www.timetomomo.com.

LOCAL

TESSA D.M. VRIJMOED

CITY

ROME

WORK & ACTIVITIES

TEACHER

Tessa always looks farther than the general tourist attractions. From the quiet courtyard of the Chiostro del Bramante, to the Testaccio neighborhood where you can eat with the locals at Pizzeria Nuovo Mondo, she will make you fall in love with the magic of this city, especially with its beautiful museums and plentiful concerts.

The six walks in this book allow you to discover the best neighborhoods in the city by foot and at your own pace. The walks will take you past museums and notable attractions, but, more importantly, theyll show you where to go for good food and drinks, shopping, entertainment, and an overall fun time. Check out the map at the front of this book to see which areas of the city the walks will take you through.

Each route is clearly indicated on a detailed map at the beginning of the relevant chapter. The map also specifies where each listing is located. The color of the number tells you what type of venue it is (see the key at the bottom of this page). A description of each place is given later in the chapter.

Without taking into consideration extended stops at various locations, each walk will take a maximum of three hours. The approximate distance is indicated at the top of the page, before the directions.

We give an idea of how much you can expect to spend at each location, along with its address and contact details. Unless otherwise stated, the amount given in restaurant listings is the average price of a main course. For sights and attractions, we indicate the cost of a regular full-price ticket.

Your idea of efficiency will probably be challenged when visiting Rome. So, relax and dont worry too much when you cant find an up-to-date timetable, if a restaurant opens later than their sign says, or when a museum closes sooner than listed.

LEGEND

>> SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS

>> SHOPPING

>> FOOD & DRINK

>> MORE TO EXPLORE

Eating is a vital part of Italian life. Romans tend to eat late. Lunch is usually from 1pm to 3pm, and only the most touristy restaurants open their doors before 8pm for dinner. Avoid restaurants where waiters stand outside praising the menu. Instead, visit a Roman trattoria, osteria, or family restaurant with no pretense. Romans are not good with change, but slowly and steadily more trendy restaurants and bars are opening their doors. At these trendy places, its more about seeing and being seen than the quality of the food. For truly good food, choose basic places with fluorescent lights and paper table covers. An enoteca is a wine bar where you can enjoy small bites and light fair, while in a ristorante youll sit down to an elaborate mealoften chic and with service some other places lack. On the bill youll generally see a cover charge of two to three euros per person, listed as coperto or pane. If you see this charge listed, dont tip unless the service was exceptionally good. If there is no cover charge on the bill, a 10% tip is customary.

The Roman kitchen is famous for its simple dishes, such as pasta alla gricia (with pork jowl) or cacio e pepe (with cheese and black pepper), fried specialties like stuffed zucchini flowers or baccal (salted cod), and hearty meats like lamb shank or oxtail. Italians like to drink wine with their meals and usually start with an aperitivo with a few small bites. After a hearty meal, they order a digestif: a distilled drink like grappa or limoncello that massages the insides.

Romans dont have elaborate breakfasts. They tend to have a cappuccino and a cornetto (croissant) at their neighborhood bar. Pay at the checkout first, then take your receipt to the bar to collect your order. Within two minutes youre out. You can be served at a table, but you will be charged slightly more.

Most shops close for lunchroughly between 1:30pm and 3pmand they remain closed all day Sunday and Monday mornings. Many shops and restaurants close for the entire month of August. This is less common in the city center, but dont be surprised at how quiet it can be in other neighborhoods. Museums often close their cash registers an hour before the official closing time. Are you under 18 or a student under 26? Take your passport or student card with you when you visit a museum. Youll get a discount but only upon identification.