Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Previous issues for Rome

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Italy : Rome - March 2009

Country Code: Dial for Italy

Wear your sunglasses and unbutton your coat because the spring is here – the time for long Roman walks and alfresco meals. Visitors should examine the life of Charles Darwin at the Palaexpo (until 3 May) and explore the Futurism exhibition (until 24 May) at Scuderie del Quirinale. Solveig Steinhardt enjoys the warmer weather

Getting around

Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport

Bus: The Terravision bus is cheap (about €15 for a return), but the timetable less frequent – there’s approximately one bus every two hours and the journey takes 45 minutes.
Train: The Leonardo Express runs every 30 minutes into Termini station. The journey takes 35 minutes and costs €11.
Taxi: The journey from the airport to the city centre takes 50 minutes. Expect to pay around €40-60.
Tourist information: The main office is at 11 Via Parigi (, www.romaturismo.com).

CENTRO STORICO

There’s no better time to discover the city centre. Admire the buildings as you take in the scented breeze.

Sleep soundly – The Hotel Pantheon (131 Via Dei Pastini, tel. , hotelpantheon.com, rooms from €200) is a small but luxurious hotel.

Culture vultures – The Futurism exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale, (16 Via XXIV Maggio) explores the early 20th-century Futurist movement and its strong links to Cubism. The exibits include work by Picasso, Braque and Duchamp.

Must eat – Gourmets come to Giulio Passami L’Olio (28 Via di Monte Giordano, ) to sample cheese and cured meats or to warm up with a light soup and croûtons, among a thousand wine bottles.

Must drink – A cosy bar with a bohemian feel and the occasional live gig, Bartaruga (9 Piazza Mattei) pulls in a young and lively crowd.

Shop til you drop – Do as Audrey Hepburn once did, and treat your feet to made-to-measure shoes by Dal Co’ (65 Via Vittoria).

PRATI

With a number of sinful boutiques, the Vatican’s surroundings are perfect for a spot of shopping.

Sleep soundly – The Hotel Cicerone (55c Via Cicerone, tel. , hotelciceronerome.com, rooms from €150) is conveniently situated between the Vatican and Piazza del Popolo.

Must eat – Laurus (33-35 Via GG Belli, tel. ) serves dishes like lemon and mint ravioli and checchette laurus, little dumplings made with lardo di Colonnata (cured pork fat) and courgettes. If you’re after something slightly more exotic, book a table at Zen Sushi (243 Via degli Scipioni, tel. ), the best Japanese in town.

Must drink – Sip espresso at Castroni (196 Via Cola di Rienzo), famous for its endless selection of coffee blends.

Dance the night away – Fonclea (82 Via Crescenzio) serves up live music and beers until early morning.

Shop til you drop – Gente Outlet (246 Via Cola di Rienzo) carries lots of designer labels with slashed prices. Head to the nearby soap heaven that is Sabon (241 Via Cola di Rienzo) for luxurious but affordable products.

SAN LORENZO

Students and artists make up the beating heart of San Lorenzo, an alternative night-time favourite.

Must eat – Housed in an old chocolate factory, B-Said (135 Via Tiburtina, tel. ) serves nine types of hot chocolate and the most indulgent pralines and cakes.

Must drink – Relax with a glass of whisky on the sofas of Solea (51 Via dei Latini). Or sip a beer in the garden at Bar Marani (57 Via dei Volsci).

Dance the night away – Popular club Locanda Atlantide (22b Via dei Lucani) has a packed concert calendar.

Shop til you drop – Pick up designer labels at L’Anatra all’Arancia (105-109 Via Tiburtina) and accessorise with unusual leather bags by Claudio Sanò (67a Largo degli Osci).

TRASTEVERE / TESTACCIO

These two neighbouring districts have some of the best restaurants and nightclubs around, and really come alive at sunset.

Culture vultures – History buffs and lovers of local tradition should make a beeline for the tiny Trastevere Museum (1b Piazza S Egidio), which houses watercolour paintings by Ettore Roesler Franz and hosts interesting temporary exhibitions.

Must eat – Modern Doppio Zero (68 Via Ostiense, ) does authentic Italian breakfast, with cakes and pizza bianca (pizza topped with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, drizzled with olive oil). Uovo (86 Viale Trastevere, tel. ) serves creative dishes in a minimalist setting. Try the pineapple veal.

Must drink – Prize-winning Enoteca Ferrara (41 Piazza Trilussa) is the place to go for a pre- and post-dinner drinks.

Compiled by Solveig Steinhardt