Quick Rome Trip

Old Apr 5th, 2011, 05:50 PM
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Quick Rome Trip

Hi, I decided to do a quick trip to Rome to see the exhibition at Palazzo Farnese before it closes. I'm visiting on Sunday before I head to the airport. I'll be arriving Saturday early afternoon.

Is there anything new or a major attraction I've missed in the past that I should think about? I'm thinking of going to Maxxi, where I've never been. Otherwise I've been to most of the big attractions in Rome (Vatican, Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Borghese Gallery, some of the other major squares, churches, etc. -- but I've not been to Castel Sant'Angelo).

I think I'll be perfectly happy walking around and doing some shopping. I've been very busy so I just want a change of scenery and look forward to your suggestions!

Thanks!
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Old Apr 5th, 2011, 06:09 PM
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Definitely see the castello.

Have you been to Ara Pacis? If you go, check for any special exhibits in the basement of the building.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ara_Pacis

We also very much enjoyed the sculptures, frescoes and mosaics at the National Museum of Rome in Palazzo Massimo alle Terme.
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Old Apr 5th, 2011, 06:19 PM
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Thanks, I know of Ara Pacis (and Meier's extension), but I've never been. I was under the impression that not much from Augustus's times remains, but I'm probably wrong about it.

Your suggestions reminded me of Palatine Hill and House of Livia. I don't think I actually saw it when I was there though I tried to find it. Is that actually open and/or worth a visit? But maybe I should leave it for another trip when I have more time.
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Old Apr 5th, 2011, 08:18 PM
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The new underground tours of the Colosseum.
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Old Apr 6th, 2011, 07:33 AM
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We took the underground tour of the Colosseum last week. I would say this depends on your level of interest. My friends and I enjoyed it very much but no one else on the little tour other than some Swiss guy seemed to. So that was weird.

Lines were looong at Farnese so build in a little time. We hadn't reserved so didn't go but it looked as if you could just stand in line. Rome felt very--even unusually, especially--crowded to me and we skipped almost anything we had to wait for. Of course I regret that now!

Have a great trip.
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Old Apr 6th, 2011, 07:35 AM
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p.s. Food was great at Asinolo d'Oro, Antico Arco, Checchino dal 1887 (or 1886?) and Roma Sparita. I'd skip Grano.
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Old Apr 6th, 2011, 08:08 AM
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There's a very good Lorenzo Lotto exhibition at the Scuderie.
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Old Apr 6th, 2011, 09:24 AM
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Please let me know how you liked MAXXI, if you go, and how you got there.

Last year I visited Centrale Montemartini and loved it; take a look at their website. I took the #271 bus there from the Via Arenula stop around the corner from my hotel.

Meier's building for Ara Pacis shows off the sculpture beautifully, but I can understand why the Roman's hate the exterior and I hear the whole thing may be moved to another site.
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Old Apr 6th, 2011, 02:55 PM
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Thanks everyone.

I wasn't aware of the Lorenzo Lotto exhibition. Maybe I'll do that instead of going to Maxxi. They are both open late on Saturday. I didn't realize Maxxi is so far out of town (just took a look at the map, and there are directions on the website).

Thanks for the restaurant recs as well!

I literally just bought my tix yesterday, and I managed to reserve a spot at 9 am on Sunday for Palazzo Farnese. The tix online had sold out and I had also called and was told the same, but they must have released a few more tix when I checked last night. I was told that indeed I could wait in line, and they suggested lunch time. But I like a reservation at 9 am on Sunday much better, as I don't have to waste my time waiting in line.
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Old Apr 10th, 2011, 03:53 PM
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I am back already.

I liked Maxxi. It's quite easy to get there. Get to the Metro stop at Fiaminio and the take tram #2 heading north. Soon you'll see the Stadium and then you can get off at the stop right near there (it's helpful to have a map). Turn left (or west) and you'll see Maxxi. It's also worthwhile heading right (or east). You'll see Palazzetto della Sport by Pier Luigi Nervi, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be well maintained. There was some kind of school basketball game going on and I walked inside. Further on is Parco della Musica designed by Renzo Piano.

Then I took a cab from there to Quirinale for the Lotto exhibition, which I also enjoyed.

I did make it to Ara Pacis, but as I arrived after 6 pm, I couldn't go inside.

Palazzo Farnese was quite beautiful. I couldn't have imagined what was inside by looking at the imposing facade outside. I think the Ambassador's Office is only open during the weekends, so if there's anyone here who's thinking of going before the exhibition closes in a few weeks, that could be relevant. The Office has frescoes by Salviati, and you definitely get the sense that it's being used -- at least three copies of Le Robert (Palazzo Farnese is the French Embassy), a computer, a printer and constumes for a production of "Tosca" (I think one act is partially set there).

I also went to Sant'Ivo before I got on the plane. I think it's only open Sundays 9-12. So I was quite lucky. Like Palazzo Farnese, you'd never be able to guess what's inside from the outside.

And the weather was excellent.

All in all, very enjoyable, and thanks again, everyone.
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Old Apr 10th, 2011, 03:54 PM
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Another tip about the Palazzo Farnese exhibition. The line seemed short at 9 am, so I'd probably go first thing in the morning if I didn't have any reservations.
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Old Apr 11th, 2011, 06:55 AM
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Sounds great. I'm envious--and impressed. I have no idea how you can still keep up your breakneck pace.
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Old Apr 11th, 2011, 03:00 PM
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I think I'm slowing down, that's for sure. And you were just in Rome yourself!

I still don't understand Roman taxis. This time my ride from FCO to my hotel not far from Termini was 60 euros. It must have been a scam.
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Old Apr 11th, 2011, 03:27 PM
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It used to be the taxis registered in the town of Fiumicino could charge 60€ for a trip into Rome while the taxis registered in the city of Rome weren't allowed to charge more than 40€ for 4 people including luggage. Rome has been going through the approval process to get this raised to 45€ this past year. I think it has already taken effect, but FCO hasn't updated their website yet.
http://www.adr.it/static/en/portal/p...axi_FCO.1.html
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Old Apr 11th, 2011, 03:31 PM
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The 45 Euro rate has not taken effect, and they're now talking about 48 Euro for both Fiumicino and Rome taxis.
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Old Apr 11th, 2011, 03:45 PM
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I think I did have a white taxi. But she ran the meter and it was 50+, and the number under "Extras" was 6+. She rounded it all to 60.

I read about the 40 euro rate in the "Where" magazine (or whatever that magazine is called) at my hotel.

She even gave me a receipt, but obviously there was no license number.

Anyway I just can't figure out these taxis. It seemed like her meter was going faster than usual. From the Baths of Caracalla to my hotel, her meter must have jumped over 10 euros.
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Old Apr 11th, 2011, 04:46 PM
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I'm afraid you got scammed: a) she should not have run the meter unless you specifically asked her to; b) she probably left the meter on Tariffa 2, which applies outside the GRA (ring road), when she should have turned it to Tariffa 1 once you had crossed the GRA into the local-tariff area.
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Old Apr 11th, 2011, 04:56 PM
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I guess I should have asked someone at the hotel to intervene. Well, next time I'll know.
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