Greetings fellow Italia connoisseurs. I have some questions on Rome:

Our last stay in Rome was at the Intercontinental (near the Spanish Steps), which was quite nice. We're going back in November to catch a cruise, and are trying to figure out the best place to stay for the day beforehand. We'd like someplace near restaurants and shops (preferably non-touristy), and were thinking that we'd try to be near the Trevi Fountain so that we can throw our obligatory coins in it to assure our return (but we can always take a taxi there if need be). Our travel agent has recommended the Grand Hotel de la Minerve, but the rates seem extraordinarily high. Has anyone stayed there before and do you think it's worth the money? Also wondering whether it would make more sense to be closer to the pier, but have no idea what that area is like. Looking for suggestions for a nice hotel (Intercontinental level or up).

Since it's going to be November, I am also wondering whether the outdoor cafes going to be closed or whether they have some sort of weather-proofing that they put up so that they stay open throughout the year? I'd like to take my husband over to Tre Scalini so that he can try the tartufo, but I can't remember whether they have an inside restaurant as well as their outdoor seating. Anyone know?

And last but not least... looking for suggestions on what we should make sure we see/do on our day in Rome? We've already done the major sights - looking for something that would be off the main tourist track but worth the effort. Probably not looking for anything strenuous since we'll most likely be jet-lagged when we arrive.

Any ideas are welcome -- I appreciate your input! Thank you!

The Minerve is centrally located near the Pantheon, so you would be close to lots of restaurants and shops. Of course, there are tourists all around too, but you can't escape that in the centro storico. I'm not a fan of staying in the Trevi Fountain area as it is too crowded for me. You might like the Albergo del Senato on Piazza della Rotonda. It's a three star because it doesn't have a full service restaurant but is a wonderful hotel, perfectly located.

Your cruise ship will be docked at Civitavecchia which is about an hour away from Rome by train. I don't think you want to stay there.

Some restaurants have outside tables enclosed by awnings and warmed by heaters. In any event, Tre Scalini has an indoor seating area.

As for other sights to see, if you haven't been out to San Agnese Fuori la Mura and Santa Costanza, I highly recommend a visit to both these churches (they are next to each other) and the catacombs under San Agnese.

On March it will become possible to visit La Casa di Augusto al Palatino and it is very interesting also because never before of now it was possible to visit it.
About hotel Minerva, I know it because of my job, but never I slept there and I know that it is expensive and, anyway, close to Pantheon rather than to Piazza Navona (then, of course, Piazza Navona is close to Pantheon !!!).
About weather in November, don't be so worried as, in the first half of that month, we have "estate di San Martino", meaning a dummy short replay of summer !

Ciao.

Vincenzo

Thank you Grinisa! We've already seem the catacombs, but we'll be sure to check out the churches. I've also start looking at reviews for Albergo del Senato.

If any other ideas pop into your head, please pass them on!

Grazie Vincenzo!

Could you tell me more about La Casa di Augusto al Palatino? Most of the sites I have seen are all in Italian.

Thanks!

The Casa di Augusto is only being opened to the public on March 2, 2008. Admission will only be for a limited number of people at a time, and they will have to be accompanied by a guide (supplied by the site).

I don't think the details have been figured out yet.

Zerlina:
What is the history behind La Casa di Augusto al Palatino?

Oh, I will try !
Ottaviano Augusto decided to build his home in Palatino (36 b.C.) when Palatino was a simple quarter where upper-class lived.
Therefore, Palatino became, let's say so, the same that now White House in USA and Quirinale in Italy.
And after Augusto, also the next emperors went there to live and work.
The place where the Casa was built was the most holy place of the Palatino hill because, as the legend says, in that place Romolo founded the town more than 7 centuries before.
Very close to his Casa, the Emperor Augusto decided to build also the temple di Apollo Aziaco, the god who helped him to win the battle of Azio (31 b.C.) against Antonio and Cleopatra (do you know their love story !?!).
The Casa di Augusto has very interesting rooms whose walls were painted using very bright colors.
It will be possible to visit also his study.
The visit will be possible only 5 people at a time so, I presume, it will become mandatory to reserve.
But I will have time enough to tell you because before March 2 the rules will be clear.


Vincenzo

It's the house of the emperor Augustus. Incidentally, not the whole house has been restored (or perhaps even found); only about four or five rooms are included in the tour.

Thank you both! You have deinitely picqued our interest! We will wait until March to find out more.

Do you have any other suggestions for seeing some of the lesser known treasures in Roma?

Auhammer, maybe you've heard of some of these, but here are a few that aren't usually on first-timers' lists:

St. Cecilia's in Trastavere, Piazza di Santa Cecilia. Built 4th C on site of the saint’s house, pay to go into the crypt, walk past the excavations and right at the end of the passage you will find an amazing mosaic chapel. I was down there with only 2 other people.

San Francesco a Ripa, Piazza San Francesco d’Assisi 88 in Trastavere. 7:30-noon, 4-7 pm daily. Bernini’s Ecstasy of Beata Ludovica Albertoni.

At the other end of Trastavere – Villa Farnesina, via dela Lungara 230, 9-1 Mon-Sat. Built 1508 by Chigi, frescoes by Raphael (“Three Graces”) & Sebastiano del Piombo. Vault of the main hall (Sala di Galatea) has astrological scenes w/position of stars at time of Chigi’s birth.

Palazzo Corsini & Galleria Corsini – Via della Lungara 10, 9-7 Tues-Fri, 9-2 Sat, 9-1 Sun. Built for Cardinal Domenico Riario in 1510-12. Queen Christina of Sweden’s bedroom (died here 1689). Rebuilt by Ferdinando Fuga, who planned façade to be viewed from an angle. (It's across from Farnesina - I didn't get in because it was closed due to lack of staff.)

Botanical Gardens – Largo Cristina di Svezia 24, 9:30-6:30 (5:30 Oct-March) Tues-Sat. 7,000 plants. Beautiful grounds, very peaceful. There were maybe 3 other people there when I was there in July.

Santa Maria degli Angeli – Termini train station was named “Termini” because it was next to the “terme” or baths-- specifically, the Terme di Diocleziano, which could accommodate 3000 people. From the outside, looks like an ancient building or part of a ruin. Michelangelo was actually commissioned to convert the interior into a church. (I didn't get to this one either, it's still on my list.)

SS. Quattro Coronati, Via dei Santi Quattro Coronati 20, 9:30-noon & 3:30-6 daily. Fortified convent, 4th C, relics of 4 Persian stonemasons (martyred). Garden cloister, Chapel of St. Sylvester (12th C frescoes of legend of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity). There is a double courtyard, then in the 2nd courtyard are beautiful frescoes. You ring a bell at the side of the altar to summon a nun to open the cloister (although there was no bell when I was there). I was the only one there.

Enjoy!

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