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When
in Rome
Rome
is a living museum offering much to see and do. Rome offers
excellent food, shopping, theatre
and a lively night life. Below are some
suggestions to help you plan and make the most of
your stay in the eternal city.
Sightseeing
Evidence of
Rome's rich history and part are to be found in every
street and corner of the city.
You can explore Rome with map and guide book or take
a guided tour. Tour groups by bus
can help you to cover many
sights but are often large and impersonal.
Walking guided tours are more intimate and enable you
to enjoy a site or museum with greater
intensity. (see our Links
page for more information on tour operators and
other tourist information).
Open
buses are a popular way to see the Rome & its
sites. The buses run a circuit route stopping
at all the major sites, where you can get on and
off. Audio decises provide information
& commentry in various languages. (for
more information see our page on the open
top bus service)
The Lancelot staff are happy
to offer you suggestions and assistance to help you
make the most of your sightseeing.
Our page Neighbourhood
Treasures provides a write-up on the amazing
sites and monuments surrounding Hotel Lancelot.
Walks
Below are the links to suggested itineraries, each of
which includes a map and a list of sites - click
on the map or the site list for photos and comments on each
site. The itineraries can be started at either
end and modified or combined to suit your needs and interests. Some
itineraries indicate optional routes as dotted
lines.
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Churches, Parks and Monuments
walk includes numerous sites in a circuit of
about 2 kms. Each site is less than 10
minutes walking distance from the Hotel and
can be visited seperately or as part of the
circuit route. |
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The
imperial forum, Palatine and Trajan's forum. (2
kms, 2-3 hours) |
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The
'centro storico' or historical city-centre
includes the Trevi Fountains, Pantheon and
Piazza Navona. At night enjoy the
stunning effects of flood-lit monuments and
lively nightlife. (4 kms, 4-5 hours) |
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Part of
the Papal inaugurational route taken the first
Popes of Rome between the papal residensed at S Giovanni and St
Peters. (3.5 kms, 4-5 hours) |
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This
circuit is about 3 kms, starting and ending
the Hotel. It covers the imperial
forum and the Aventine hill and returns either
via circo massimo or the baths of Caracalla. (3
kms, 2-3 hours) . |
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This
walk covers the Trevi Fountain and Spanish
steps while taking you through Rome's largest
park (4 kms, 4 hours) |
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From
Trajan's forum, past the President's palace,
Piazza Barberini, Piazza Republica and Santa
Maria Maggiore. (3 kms, 3-4 hours) |
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A walk
through Rome's popular quarters. (3 kms,
3-4 hours) |
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Location
and opening hours Rome's most important museums.. |
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Hop-on-off bus routes
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A two
hour open-top bus circuit of central
Rome. Board the bus from the Colosseum. |
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Appian way and Catacombs are covered in this route. |
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Jogging Routes
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Four
jogging circuits of increasing length that can
be covered from the Hotel. |
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On
Sundays between 10.00 and 16.00 the Appia
Antica is closed to traffic. The
Appia Antica is located in a park
and conservation area which is delightful for jogging, cycling,
long walks and picnics. |
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Eating
(inter-active
map)
Hotel Lancelot offers a wholesome buffet breakfast
to start the day. This includes a selection of cereals,
fresh fruit, yogurt, fruit juices, ham, croissants, buns
and rolls, tea, coffee.
A special
feature of the Lancelot are the "Arthurian
round tables" at which guests from all over the
world meet and converse, exchanging tips on
sightseeing
and interesting experiences. This makes the Lancelot
truly a home away from home.
In the
evening our restaurant serves Italian dishes with
occasional excursions into other European and international
cuisine. The three course meal includes complimentary
wine, coffee, fruit, dessert or cheese.
Although
we would like you to take part in the Lancelot dining
experience at least once during your stay here, of
course Rome offers innumerable culinary temptations
from the rustic to the contemporary, from simple
to luxurious. Our staff will be happy to help
you find the restaurant that suits your mood.
Here are some of local local restaurants that we can suggest:
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Luzzi-
Via Celimontana 3
Rustic
and lively neighbourhood trattoria, serves both
pasta & pizza.
Il
Bocconcino -
Via Ostilia 23
Roman
Cuisine with a little elegance.
Pasqualino-Via dei
S.S Quattro 66
Picturesque and friendly, rich Roman cuisine.
La
Tana dei Golosi -
Via San Giovanni in Laterano 220
A retreat
for gourmands and wine lovers. Regional dishes and
organic produce. Adhers to the "Slow Food"
philosophy. (www.lalocandadeigolosi.it).
Pizzeria
Li Rioni
-Via S.S. Quattro
Popular
and busy for a fast pizza meal.
Domenico
-Via San Giovanni in Laterano
Few
dishes but excellent. Try the homemade ravioli.
Cafè
Cafe - Via S.S. Quattro
A friendly
and easygoing spot for quick bite or a salad just
by the Colosseum.
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Shopping
Rome
offers excellent shopping for designer clothes,
leather, jewelery, antiques and many other temptations.
You
may visit the busy Via del Corso or Via Nazionale,
lined with shops and boutiques. For elegant "griffes",
the Via Condotti, Via del Babuino and Via Borgonona
are a must.
Just
15 minutes away from the Hotel, the Via Appia Nuova is
a favourite among fashion conscious Romans. Just
by the Basilica di San Giovanni the street market
Via Sannio (open Tuesday to Saturday in the morning)
is a favourite with trendy young people.
If you want to experience the charm and excitement
of the Roman flea market, the Sunday morning market
" Porta Portese " will overwhelm you with innumerable
wares from antiques to bric-a-brac to imitation
designer bags and clothes. In this crowded market
take extra care as pickpockets operate there.
If
you are looking for something in particular our
front desk staff will do their best to help you.
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Music
If
you are an art and music lover Rome is the place
for you.
With
each season the city welcomes new cultural events
that range from the classical to the avantguard.
The Teatro dell’Opera stages high quality ballets
and Operas. Founded in the 16th century the Accademia
di Santa Cecilia has a year long concert season
ranging from Monteverdi to Keith Jarret. Experience
a concert in one of Rome’s awe inspiring churches ,
or in a shaded cloister. In summer the Orchestra
of Santa Cecilia has an open-air season in front
of the nymphaeum in the gardens of Villa Giulia.
On summer evenings the nearby Basilica di San
Clemente stages operas and classical concerts
in the cloister lit by Roman candles.
The
summer festival "Jazz Image" held in the Villa
Celimontana park, a 5 minute walk from the
Hotel, is one of the best open air venues to listen
to excellent jazz, ethnic music and gospels in
a stunning setting and has become a regular haunt
for jazz enthusiasts.
This
of course is just a "prelude" ....... there is so
much , much more!
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Museums
(inter-active
map)
In Rome
one breathes history and art at every corner , needless
to say there are innumerable museums and galleries
to choose from . Below are some of the most important
and a few of our favourites to give you an
idea. You can also view our interactive
map which indicates the location, opening times
and how to get to there.
All
museums except the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Palazzo
delle Esposizioni and the Vatican Museums are closed
on Monday.
(opening
times are subject to change, please check)
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Galleria Borghese
-P.le-Scipione Borghese - Villa Borghese
Built
in 1613 to hold Cardinal Scipione Borghese's unique
art collection. Sculptures by Bernini and Canova, paintings by Titian, Caravaggio,
Raffael and
Correggio in an incomparable setting in the Borghese
park. Visit every two hours from 9am to 9pm, booking
compulsory. We will be glad to help you with reservations.
The ticket office will take bookings one month
in advance at the earliest.
Capitoline-Piazza
del Campidoglio
Based
on a design by Michelangelo, the Palazzo Nuovo
and the Palazzo dei Consevatori house the recently
restored Musei Capitolini where you will find
masterpieces of ancient sculptures and a rich
"pinacoteca" (picture gallery) with paintings
by the masters of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Open
10am to 9pm.
Centrale
Montemartini
ACEA- Via Ostiense 106
Permanent exhibition "Gli Dei e Le macchine"- The Gods and machines
In
the unusual and spectacular setting of Rome's
first power plant are over 400 classical sculptures. Ancient art set against industrial archeology.
10am to 6pm. A little off the beaten track, but
still one of our favourites.
Galleria
Doria Pampilij
-Via della Pilotta 17
Inside a majestic "palazzo", one of the most distinguished
private collections of art. Paintings by Caravaggio,
Titian, Raffael, Velasquez and many others.
Open10 am to 7 pm.
Etruscan
Museum at Villa Giulia
- Piazza Villa Giulia 9
Located in a villa built by Il Vignola in 1500.
Marvellous
jewellery, ceramics and terracottas of the mysterious
Etruscan civilization. Enchanting. Open 9am to 7pm.
Galleria
Nazionale d'Arte Moderna -
Viale delle Belle Arti 131
The largest collection of nineteenth and twentieth
century art including works by Balla, Boccioni,
De Chirico, Van Gogh, Klimt, a recent and most
pleasing addition is the "Cafè degli Artisti"
restaurant and bar on a vast terrace. Open 9am
to 7pm
Palazzo
delle Esposizioni -Via
Nazionale 194
Rome's
multi-cultral arts centre, holds major themed
exhibitions. Also features films and performances, and has well stocked bookshop,
a bar and rooftop restaurant. Open 10am to 9pm. (closed Tuesday).
Palazzo
Massimo alle Terme
- Largo di Villa Peretti 1
Important Roman paintings, mosaics, sculptures
and coins from the Museo Nazionale Romano, including
the Kircherian collection. Open 9am to 7pm.
Terme
di Diocleziano -
Viale E. De Nicola
The
6th Century ex-convent built on the ruins Diocletian
Baths, reopened after years of resetoration in
June 2000. Ancient Art and a wonderful cloister
by Michelangelo. Open 9am to 7.45.pm.
Vatican
Museums & Sistine Chapels
-Viale del Vaticano
Not
only the Sistine Chapel, but also Egyptian, Etruscan, Roman,
Renaissance
and Baroque Art. Closed Sunday. Open 8.45 am to 16.45pm
- Saturday 8.45am to 1.35.pm.
Opening
times are subject to change, please check before
going.
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Security
Physical violence is extremely rare in Rome, and
you will be perfectly safe in Rome if you follow
basic precautions. As in all major cities, petty theft
is endemic and visitors are
particularly vulnerable to pick-pocketing on crowded
buses and near tourist sites.
We
advise you not carry too much cash, jewellery
or documents with you when sightseeing. These can
be left for safe keeping in the security boxes
available in our office.
Pick-pockets in Rome are particularly clever,
and even the most seasoned of travelers have been
known to fall victim.
Pick-pockets generally work in groups. Children
or women with small babies will distract you by
grabbing or tugging your sleeve, while another
will make off with your wallet - even from within
two or three layers of clothing..
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