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
  • Walks
  • Hop-on-off buses
  • Jogging and long walks
  • Excursions and day trips
• Eating
• Shopping
• Music
• Museums
• Security

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 and 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 and 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 the Hotel Lancelot.

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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.

Eating

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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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 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 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 more!

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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.

Interactive map

All museums, except the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Palazzo delle Esposizioni and the Vatican, are closed on Monday.

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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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