Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Italy : Rome - November 2009

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This elegant 19th-century district is just steps away from the Vatican and hosts a fabulous shopping area.

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).

TRASTEVERE / TESTACCIO

These two neighbouring districts are the beating heart of Rome’s nightlife.

Must eat – The sea is just 20km away, so it’s no surprise that informal restaurant Miraggio Porta Portese (2 Largo Alessandro Toja, tel. ) has the freshest seafood. Ask for the baked fish in a potato crust.

Must drink – Right in front of the Trastevere museum, Ombre Rosse Caffè (12 Piazza Sant’Egidio) is one of the busiest bars around. Sit outside and watch the Romans walk by. On the way up to the Janiculum, Il Baretto (27f Via Garibaldi) is a fashionable spot with gorgeous vintage furnishings.

Dance the night away – Celeb spot to an R&B and hip-hop soundtrack at Dolly (53 Via di Monte Testaccio), one of Testaccio’s coolest clubs.

CENTRO STORICO

Discover Rome’s grand government buildings, baroque churches and ancient temples. Not to mention some of the city’s best boutiques.

Sleep soundly – Art and design define Fortyseven hotel (47 Via Petroselli, tel. , fortysevenhotel.com, rooms from €210), which serves up very modern luxury just steps away from the ancient ruins. Staying elsewhere? Then have a drink at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant to view the Forum from a different angle.

Culture vultures – American artist Alexander Calder used little more than iron wire and weights for his poetic mobile sculptures. You can admire the magic at Palaexpo (194 Via Nazionale). The exhibition continues until 14 February next year.

Must eat – The perfect spot for a business meeting, elegant El Toulà (29b Via della Lupa, tel. ) is known for its risottos.

Dance the night away – Gilda (97 Via Mario de’Fiori) stays lively all year round; head here for upfront house.

Shop til you drop – Get framed with a pair of artful glasses from Mondelliani (49 Via dei Bergamaschi), which stocks a selection of eyewear by young international designers.

ESQUILINO / MONTI

This neighborhood is home to some important theatres, colourful markets and small shops. It makes the perfect getaway from the busy centre.

Culture vultures – Visit Rome’s most ancient – and breathtaking– mosaics, housed inside Saint Zeno’s Chapel in the church of Saint Praxedes (Via di Santa Prassede), around the corner from Santa Maria Maggiore.

Must eat – Saturday is “tripe day” at La Carbonara (214 Via Panisperna, tel. ). The rest of the week, taste perfect regional dishes in a classic Roman setting.

Must drink – Sip a glass of red wine from Urbana 47 (47 Via Urbana), a fun restaurant and bar that will let you buy everything – even the very table you’re sitting at!

Shop til you drop – Bread comes in all shapes and sizes at Panella (54 Via Merulana), feted as Rome’s most delicious bakery, and with good reason.

Compiled by Solveig Steinhardt