AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE

Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport is 16 miles or 23 kms S.W. of Rome. There is a twice hourly direct rail service to Termini (The main station in Rome). The service from platform 22 will cost €11.00 for a one-way non stop 30 minute journey.
A Taxi will cost €40.00, which is a set fare.

Ciampino Airport is 9 miles south-east of Rome. The SIT Bus Shuttle every 30-45 minutes will take you to the centre of Rome (Termini rail station) in 30 minutes for €5.00 each way. Tickets can be bought on the bus. A taxi will cost €30 again a set fare.
It would be wise to confirm this with your taxi driver before beginning your journey as if you don’t, they may try to take advantage of an unsuspecting tourist.

ROME AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The Metro system has only two lines, A and B, which cross at Termini. You'll find that the Metro bypasses much of the historical centre, which can be frustrating when you're trying to reach the famous sights and characteristic neighbourhoods. The reason for this is that there is still so much of ancient Rome beneath the modern city that they can't dig a tunnel for the trains without running into 2,000 year-old brick walls, mosaic pavements, and marble columns! You can see some evidence of this in the Repubblica and Termini stations.
Trains run approximately every 7-10 minutes, from 5:30am until 11:30pm every day (until 12:30am on Saturdays).
Licensed taxis are white or yellow, have a name, an identification number and are equipped with a taxi-meter.  Do not trust people who approach you offering private taxi service, in most cases they are illegal and will heavily overcharge
There are hundreds of bus lines, running from 5:30am until midnight. All buses run in both directions.

TOURIST OFFICE
Rome’s main tourist offices are open Monday to Saturday 8:15am to 7:15pm
The Central office is at Via Parigi 5, by The Grand Hotel Tel: 06.48.89.9255
There are also tourist offices at the Termini Rail Station (between platforms 2 and 3) and at Leonardo da Vinci Airport which is close to the Customs desk.

EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Tel – 113, 
Police Headquarters-Foreigners Office 06-4686-2928/2216.
Carabinieri   Tel   112
Fire Brigade Tel    115
Ambulance   Tel 118/5510

In Italy, chemists shops can easily be identified by a red or a green cross.
The opening time is usually from Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 1.30pm. Some pharmacies are also open on Saturday and Sunday on shifts.
Chemist's working the nightshifts are open from 8.00pm until 8.30am. During this time a surcharge is applied to the medicines.
There are also some chemists shops open 24 hours a day which usually don't apply any extra cost during the night.

BRITISH CONSULATE
Via XX Settembre 80a, Tel 06 4220 0001, www.britain.it

BANKING HOURS
The Italian banks vary from city to city, but generally the hours of opening are:
Monday - Friday 0830 - 1330 and 1445 - 1545. Foreign exchange offices are normally open without breaks between 08.30 and 19.30 hrs.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Colosseum
The Colosseum is probably the most impressive building of the Roman Empire. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, it was the largest building of the era.
The monumental structure has fallen into ruins, but even today it is an imposing and beautiful sight.

St. Peter's Basilica
This great building is the centre of Christianity. The opulence of the building's interior bears testimony to the wealth of the Catholic Church in the 16th century.
St. Peter's is located in Vatican state, across the river Tiber, west of Rome's centre. Vatican State is completely surrounded by the city of Rome.

Trevi Fountain
The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district.
The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain. The number 110 City Tour bus from Stazione Termini (main rail station)
The 110 Open tourist line takes you to all the major historical and artistic sights of the city and it gives passengers a unique, spectacular view as it passes close by the main archaeological sites and monuments. The open double-deckers equipped with audio guide system in 8 languages (Italian, French, English, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese) and disabled people position, runs every day, holidays included, with a 20-minute-frequency from 08:30 a.m. to 08:30 p.m. with terminus in Piazza dei Cinquecento (Termini Railway Station). The whole tour lasts about 2 hours. Tickets have 24 hours validity and Stop-Go formula which allows you to hop on/off at any of the stops all day long. Tickets can be bought on line, on board, at our Info Box in Piazza dei Cinquecento (Termini Railway Station) info box Colosseum or at Trambus Open authorized dealers. On board, free distribution of the official map of the Municipality of Rome and disposable earphones.

The Time Elevator Roma
Is a multi-sensoral attraction that show 3000 years of Roman history, from Romulus and Remus right up to the present day, in an exciting and fun way. The Time Elevator Roma combines entertainment and education in such a unique way that it has become an essential part of a visit to Rome for all ages. Via dei S.S. Apostoli 20, close to Piazza Venezia.

BARS

Finnegan Irish Pub, Via Leonina, 66.
Just by Via Cavour at the point opposite the steps leading up to Piazza San Pietro in Vincoli, 100m from metro Cavour.

Mulligans, Via Del Boschetto, 28
Just 20 yards off the super-central Via Nazionale (road that leads from Termini area to Piazza Venezia), Mulligan’s Irish Pub Rome could not be easier to find. 

Druids Rock, Piazza del’Esquilini, 1, closest metro Termini
The Druid's Rock was opened five years ago and was an immediate success with both the locals and the tourists.

Druids Den, Via di San Martino ai Monti, 28
The Druid's Den is the third oldest Irish Pub in Rome Established in 1982 the Druid's Den has for 22 years provided both residents and travellers to Rome with warm hospitality.

RESTAURANTS AND CAFES

Osteria Del Gallo Vicolo di Montevecchio, 27 (near Piazza Navona, off Via di Tor Millina).
A haven just off the busy lanes west of Piazza Navona, the Osteria serves classy meals at a touch more than average tourist prices.

Pastarito - Pizzarito
There are several branches of this chain around the centre of Rome and although they have little atmosphere the service is swift and efficient (everything is computerised and when you've finished there's no need to wait for the bill - simply go to the cash till with your table number). You can choose your own combinations of pasta and sauce, or pizza and toppings, from the long list in the menu. Portions are generous and good value for money.

Zio Ciro
Another chain, this time serving Neapolitan pizzas and rich desserts. There's a branch with a very handy location near Piazza Navona, on Via della Pace. It has tables inside and outside.

Tullio - 26 Via San Nicola da Tolentino, tel. 481 8564
Loyal clients and waiters who have been with the restaurant for more than a decade makes Tullio a worthy stop. Much of the food-for instance, the steak classic bistecca alla fiorentina and most of the excellent wines originated in Tuscany. The quality and the quantity are abundant.

Tavema Giulia - 23 Vicolo dell'Oro, tel. 686 9768
The menu is Ligurian, which means great pasta made properly, with pesto and potatoes. Another draw is Rome's best crème brulee. Prelates, who know good food, like to lunch here, since it's the only fine restaurant near Vatican City.

Il Drappo - 9 Vicolo Del Malpasso, tel. 687 7365.
A candy box of a restaurant - the walls that aren't covered in mirrors are draped in fabrics whose colours are changed with the seasons. The set menu, which is different every day, lists Sardinian specialties, such as baby pig with myrtle.

Colline Emiliane - 22 Via degli Avignonesi, tel. 481 7538
Displays a touch of Emilia-Romagna, the region known for Italy's best cuisine. The restaurant excels in traditional Emilian recipes, from the tortellini in broth to the homemade tagliatelle. The mixed boiled meats with green sauce and the stuffed pork chops are excellent. The wine selections are almost exclusively from Emilia. 

Osteria Marcello 37 Via Aurora, tel. 481 9467
Around the block from Via Veneto, has a friendly, lively ambience. It's always packed with movie people-both working crews and nostalgics of la dolce vita. If you can attract Marcello's attention, you will be treated well; you can trust him to bring you the best the kitchen has to offer. Known for pasta with vegetables (fusilli with eggplant, pasta with artichokes and olive oil) and stracotto or brasato (pot roasts simmered for hours in red or white wine). 

La Buca di Ripetta 36 Via di Ripetta, tel. 321 9391
A line often extends outside this restaurant known for dependably good food at fair prices. Once persistence gains you entry, you find tightly spaced tables and a jovial atmosphere. A short stroll from the Piazza del Popolo, La Buca is a favourite with the actors and directors who live in the area.

Beltramme 39 Via della Croce. No telephone:
An institution in Via della Croce. Everybody calls it Da Cesaretto, and the sign on the door simply says FIASCHETTERIA (wine bar): Go figure. Good hearty pasta e ceci, bean soups, and pastas at good prices. Paintings by well-known clients of yesteryear line the walls, and everybody sits together wherever they can find a spot. Not the place if you're feeling unsociable.

STAYING IN TOUCH INTERNET CAFES

Easy Internet Cafe
Via Barberini 2, just off Piazza Barberini. This is the biggest place in Rome, with 350 stations, connected with fibre optics, always open 24/7 (very unusual in Italy!). It is located downtown, on the main bus lines, within walking distance from Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps).