When in Rome
Rome is a living museum offering much to see and do. You will find excellent food, shopping, exhibitions and a lively nightlife. 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 past is to be found in every street and corner of the city. You can explore Rome on your own with a map and a guidebook, or join a group guided tour. Tours by bus allow you to cover many sights but are often impersonal due to the fact that the group is usually quite large. Guided walking 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).Open top buses are a popular way to see Rome and its monuments. These buses run a circular route that stops at all major sites, where you can choose to get on and off. Audio devices provide information and commentary 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 the 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.
Neighbourhood walk
The Churches, Parks and Monuments walk includes numerous sites in a circuit of about 2 km. Each site is less than 10 minutes walking distance from the Hotel and can be visited separately or as part of the circuit route.
Forum
The imperial forum, Palatine and Trajan's forum. (2 km, 2-3 hours)
Historical Centre
The 'Centro Storico' or historical city-centre includes the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. At night enjoy the stunning effects of flood-lit monuments and lively nightlife. (4 km, 4-5 hours)
St. Peters to Piazza Venezia
This walk covers part of the Papal route taken by the first Popes of Rome between the Papal residence at S. Giovanni to S. Peter's. (3.5 kms, 4-5 hours)
Aventino
This circuit is about 3 km, starting and ending at 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)
Borghese
This walk covers the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps while taking you through Rome's largest park (4 kms, 4 hours)
Quirinale
From Trajan's Forum, past the President's palace, Piazza Barberini, Piazza della Repubblica and Santa Maria Maggiore. (3 kms, 3-4 hours)
The Ghetto & San Teodoro
The Ghetto - formerly the ancient Jewish quarter of Rome - lacks any coherent architectural unity and is a colourful conglomeration of narrow streets. (3 kms, 2-3 hours)
Trastevere
A walk through Rome's popular quarters. (3 kms, 3-4 hours)
Museums
Location and opening hours Rome's most important museums.
Hop-on-off bus routes
Open top bus
A two hour open-top bus circuit of central Rome. Board the bus from the Colosseum.
Archeobus
Appian way and Catacombs are covered in this route.
Jogging Routes
Jogging Routes
Four jogging circuits of increasing length that can be covered from the Hotel.
Appia Antica
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.
Eating
Hotel Lancelot offers a wholesome buffet breakfast to start the day. This includes a selection of cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt, fruit juices, ham, croissants, buns and rolls, tea, coffee.A special feature of the Lancelot are the "Arthurian round tables" of the breakfast room/restaurant, at which guests from all over the world meet and converse on sightseeing and share interesting experiences. This makes the Lancelot truly a home away from home.
Around these round tables you may enjoy the three-course evening meal prepared with fresh local produce and served with complimentary wine. Our menus propose selections from the vast variety of Italian regional dishes with occasional excursions into European and International cuisine.
Although we would like you to take part in the lively Lancelot dining experience at least once during your stay, Rome of course 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 the local restaurants that we can suggest:
Luzzi
Via Celimontana 3
Rustic and lively neighbourhood trattoria, serves both pasta &
pizza.
Closed Wednesday. Tel. 06 7096332
Pizzeria Li Rioni
Via S.S. Quattro
Popular and busy for a wide selection of pizzas for
dinner.
Closed Tuesday. Tel. 06 70450605
Da Domenico
Via San Giovanni in Laterano,
1
Few dishes but excellent and absolutely fresh. Try the homemade
ravioli.
Closed Sunday pm and Monday. Tel. 06 77590225
Taverna dei Quaranta
Via Claudia, 24
Popular with locals. Good food, pleasant outdoor tables.
Moderately priced.
Always open. Tel. 06 7000550
Osteria da Nerone
Viale delle Terme di Tito, 96
Close to S. Pietro in Vincoli (St Peter in chains). Pleasant
atmosphere, honest prices and hearty Roman fare.
Closed Sunday. Tel. 06 4817952
Il Tempio di Iside
Via Pietro Verri,
11
Good fish restaurant. Reservation essential. Higher range
price.
Closed Sunday. Tel. 06 7004741
Café Café
Via SS. Quattro, 44
A friendly and easygoing spot for quick bite or a salad just by the
Colosseum.
Always open. Tel. 06 7008743
Charly's Sauciere
Via San Giovanni in Laterano,
270
Excellent French cuisine. Open for lunch & dinner.
Closed on Sunday. Tel. 06 70495666
Divin Ostilia
Via Ostilia, 4
Cosy wine bar. Tasty selection of cheeses and salamis to accompany
an excellent selection of wine. A limited selection of
cooked dishes also available. Open late.
Closed on Sunday. Tel. 06 70496526
Antica Gelateria de Matteis
Via Celimontana, 34
Excellent Italian ice cream.
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 ,Via Borgognona and Via Frattina 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. Take extra care as pickpockets operate in this crowded market.
If you are looking for something in particular our front desk staff will do their best to help you.
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 avant-garde.
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 Jarrett. Experience a concert in one of Rome’s awe inspiring churches , or in a shaded cloister. In summer the Orchestra di Santa Cecilia has an open-air season in front of the nymphaeum in the gardens of Villa Giulia.
The Auditorium Parco della Musica, designed by world famous architect Renzo Piano, is worth the visit for the architecture alone and proposes top quality events year round.
On summer evenings the Basilica di San Clemente, in the close vicinity of the Lancelot, stages operas and classical concerts in the candlelit cloister.
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 more!
Museums
In Rome one breathes history and art at every corner, needless to say there are innumerable museums and galleries to choose from. To find locations and opening times you may view our interactive map listing major museums with indications on how to reach them from the Hotel.
All museums, except the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Palazzo delle Esposizioni and the Vatican, are closed on Monday.
Galleria Borghese
P.le Scipione Borghese - Villa Borghese
Reservations for the Borghese Gallery are compulsory, and can be
made online at the
gallery's official site. If you have difficulty reserving
online, the Hotel Lancelot can assist you. Reservations can
be made starting 30 days in advance. Entrance is at 2
hour intervals from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel
To avoid queuing for the
Vatican Museums, tickets can be purchased online.
You may also purchase an
individual guided tour to the Vatican Museums online.
The Colosseum
There is an entrance fee to visit the Colosseum. The ticket includes also the Palatine and the Roman Forum. The Lancelot is at a short stroll from this site and you can generally avoid queues if you go there before 9.00 a.m. Otherwise we suggest you purchase the tickets from the entrance to the Palatine which is also close by and avoids the long queues. You may also buy the tickets online.
Roma Pass – Tourist card
The 'Roma Pass' card is valid for three days and includes free full access to the public transport system, free admission to the first two museums and/or archaeological sites visited and discounts and reductions to all other museums, sites and numerous exhibitions, music events, theatrical and dance performances. The Roma Pass can be purchased online.
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.
Hotel Lancelot
Via Capo D'Africa 47, 00184 Rome, Italy
Tel +39 06 7045 0615 Fax +39 06 7045 0640
email: info@lancelothotel.com
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