tomassocroccante

For fun and interesting ideas of what's going on in Rome while you're there, check out InRomeNow.com - they list many cafes, restaurants, etc, as well as spas, health clubs. This week their saying the Celtics and Raptors were in town to play Oct 6,7. They have a write up of the cartoon festival ( and comic book trade show - see, Rome is not all history!) And their listings of musical events (everything from rock to roccoco) are updated weekly (they really do mean NOW) so you can see what's up while you are there - just not so perfect for planning ahead, though you'll find lots of events that run several weeks or longer.

For classical music try classictic.com which has calendars for events all over Europe - will have listings for Bologna, for instance.

Try the weather underground for forecasts - this is Bologna's page:
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/16140.html (Cloudy and 54 fahrenheit Thursday morning)

You might also like to check out websites for the towns you're visiting . Here's Bologna's official tourism page:
http://iat.comune.bologna.it/iat/iat...PageE?openpage Calendar pages there are much less specific than the Events pages. For instance, Nov 10-11 is the DECOMELA ART Handicraft market (happens once a month, apparently).
One antiques market is every Thursday. Another is on the first Tuesday of each month. etc. Tons of theater and music listings for Nov.

MartiB

tomassocroccante - wow! awesome! Thanks

caroline_edinburgh

What the Michelin website gives you is more step by step instructions than a map, just with a very high level map. Actual maps are useful too in case you get it wrong !

virgi

There's a tour-bus that leaves across the street from the Vatican entrance (forgot the name), I took the last bus, around 4-ish, & the bus at that time just goes around the sites, without stopping, like they do during the day, where tourist hop on & off, So what I did, was look at allthe local bus-numbers at the different sites I wanted to see that were too far to walk to, & the next day, I hopped on a local bus to that paarticular site.
About the train I found out AFTER I bought a train ticket the night before my trip, that pre-bought tickets are more expensive than going to the station the same day for the same ticket. (An American living in Rome on the train told me) Most important, remember to stamp your ticket at the machine you'll see as you go to the train's platform. Otherwise, you;ll get a fine on the train - they love giving out fines. For more off-the-beaten-path touring, see ricksteves.com on Rome or other parts of Italy. As chefs, just a suggestion: Naples is only a short train ride away from Rome. And all the authentic-original pizzas,as you know is made there. If interested, once you get to the main Naples station, take another train to Mergallina (sp) (merge'a'lean'a).Anyway, all the restaurants are right down the hill from the train station. The restaurants outside of the main-Naples station are set up for tourists.

virgi

And by the way, the trains are excellent from Rome (all over Italy really) to anywhere in Italy. Why would any one bother with a car - the gas alone in Italy is outragously expensive. When I was there in '01, and gas here (U.S.) was under a dollar or so a gallon, it equalled $5.99 there, & the gas stations were few with long lines. Also, liking the real thing, the trains give exposure to the local people, and the views from the windows.

ira

Hi M,

>Would you recommend renting a bike or vespa in Rome? <

Only if you wish to die.

>We will be traveling by train from city to city....

You can get the 20% off Amica fares up to 24 hr before departure - if they are still available. I take 2cl for trips under 4 hr.

Enjoy your visit.

jabez

We will be in Rome when you are there. This is my 6th visit. I do recommend a guide for the forum. Make sure and get a good map of Rome. There's lots to see.

romana

Hi MartiB. I probably do not have to add my 2 cents, as you have been warned by multiple posters. I live in Rome and definitely support those who urge you not to rent the bike or Vespa. The city of Rome seems to be encouraging the use of bikes by having painted bicycle icons on many sidewalks, but I cringe every time I see tourists risking their lives in Roman traffic. There was even a recent NYT article encouraging tourists to bike - the writer apparently visited Rome in August (when the Romans are away and traffic is practically non-existent). That being said, Rome is a great walking city, since you say you like walking, I suggest you get around in an enjoyable, stress-free manner. I also second the suggestion to map your car journey with the Michelin site. I use it everywhere I travel in Italy - the routes/directions are excellent. Buon viaggio!

MartiB

Thanks so much everyone! I will definitely write a trip report when I get back. Just 3 more weeks!! As chefs, we are of course planning on eating our way through the entire trip, so most of my report will be food related, but I'll try to get some sightseeing done in between meals!

tomassocroccante

Marti - There are tons of restaurant recs for all your locations, but thought I'd throw one in.
Asinocotto in Trastevere is a "contemporary" Italian cuisine. Enjoyed meeting chef Giuliano Brenna.
http://www.asinocotto.com/

cheryllj

<i>Definitely do not rent a vespa or a bike, unless you have a death wish!</i>

That is exactly what I was going to say! Only Dr. Kevorkian would suggest you rent a bike or vespa in Rome. That's crazy talk. I barely survived some of my cab rides there.

MartiB

You're all so funny (I mean this in a good way!) We will definitely NOT be renting a bike or vespa. Walking it is!

MartiB

tomassocroccante - Thanks for the tip! How was the food? I just checked out the site and the menu looks great, but wanted to know what you thought of the food. Also, what night of the week did you go there? Was it lively? Thanks!

tomassocroccante

It's been a while, but I think it was a Wednesday or Thursday (!) There was a good crowd. Mostly Romans, I think, and I remember a number of couples - and a table of business people, which is something I personally haven't seen as often at dinner in Rome.

We liked the food and the atmosphere. A bit more contemporary than typical, though Rome has lots of &quot;modern&quot; restaurants.

At that, a meal we loved was in Testaccio on a Sunday night, a local restaurant filled with famillies (well-mannered ones, by the way, no kids running wild) that felt like being part of a tradition. Don't have the name of the place, though, as the card I picked up was lost somewhere between there and home.

Testaccio is also where you'll find Volpetti (AKA Formaggiomania) - if nothing else, stop there to pick up supplies for your train picnic on the way north. It's a memorable experience.

dedec

We have just returned on the 6th...car rental through Auto Europe and car came from Eurocar...we dropped off our car in Chuisi and the place is only a block from the train station. NO, do not do scooters in Rome or anywhere in Italy. Walking is the way to go. We are in our mid 60's and our only transportation was our feet....except for pick-up service to and from our apartment on arrival and departure day.
Scavi Tour is a definite is you can get the tickets...fax the Vatican for their audioguide tours of the museum and Sistine Chapel...you will avoid the very long lines that way...go to St Peter's early and you will have not line to enter at all...it opens at 7...by 10 the line was nearly 2 hours long. Julia at Rome Walks is a wonderful and knowledgable tour guide for ancient Rome....you will learn so much and it is the only way to actually know what you are seeing. Have a wonderful trip.

tomassocroccante

Also, note that while a taxi in London might set you back $50, in Rome you'll get off cheaper. One approach: have the hotel get you a taxi in the morning to take you to your furthest destination. Then work your way back through the day. Or choose another moment when you have a long distance and grab a taxi that one trip. Takes a big chunk of miles off, leaves extra time for sitting with a coffee or glass of wine, and you still see everything on your list - plus walk the roads that Caesar trod!

tomassocroccante

Marti,
You all might like to get hold of an interesting little book - not available easily here, but you may find it in Rome. &quot;Roma Staordinaria&quot; is a little guidebook (likely sponsored by the several hundred businesses in it) to shops (trendy and classic) hotels, restaurants (nuova cuisine, sushi, etc) and services (salons, spas) that could be a lot of fun for a young couple interested in food. Ask for it. If you don't find it for sale, maybe your hotel desk will have a copy.

There are others in the series for Milan, Florence, Torino and Genoa.

MartiB

Thanks so much for all of your tips! I can't wait to go, but I'm also looking forward to my return so that I can tell all of you about the trip Thanks again!

jaylaveglia

bookmarking for the great driving links and tips. thanks!