Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Italy : Rome - March 2010

Country Code: Dial for Italy

Spring has arrived, and Rome’s verdant parks await you. Take in the warm Italian breeze with a long walk in the Villa Borghese gardens, then catch the Caravaggio exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale (scuderie quirinale.it), which runs until 13 June. In the city, restaurant owners are moving their tables outside, so make sure to get a spot in the sun. Solveig Steinhardt welcomes the warmth

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

A plate of carbonara is best enjoyed al fresco – preferably in clear view of a Baroque church – in one of Rome’s oldest inhabited districts.

Sleep soundly – Lovers of history will appreciate the collection of antiques at Hotel Forum (25 Via Tor de’Conti, tel. , hotelforumrome.com, double rooms from €150), a former convent with an unbeatable rooftop view over the Forum and Trajan’s Market.

Culture vultures – Until 13 June 2010, marvel at the use of light in Caravaggio’s work in the large exhibition at Scuderie del Quirinale (16 Via XXIV Maggio).

Must eat – If the sun is shining, book an outside table overlooking the piazza at Cul de Sac (73 Piazza Pasquino, ). Order a cheese platter and choose your favourite wine from the bottle-filled walls.

Dance the night away – Progressive sounds and lounge music are the soundtrack at La Maison (3 Vicolo dei Granai), an elegant club with purple velvet furnishings and crystal chandeliers. Head straight to the back and grab a couch.

Shop til you drop – Pick up some one-of-a-kind pieces for your home, such as richly coloured glasses or vintage wallpaper revisited, at Mia (224 Via di Ripetta).

TRASTEVERE

Founded in the Middle Ages, picturesque Trastevere is now an evening hangout for the young and the young-at-heart.

Sleep soundly – Romantic Hotel Santa Maria (2 Vicolo del Piede, tel. , hotelsantamaria.info, double rooms from around €170), offers comfortable rooms arranged around a lovely courtyard with orange trees.

Must eat – Classic recipes plus skillful creativity define Alberto Ciarla (40 Piazza di San Cosimato, tel. ), a legendary haute cuisine address. Ask for one of the fish tasting menus.

Must drink – Trendy crowds meet at Caffè della Scala (4 Via della Scala) to enjoy fabulous cocktails and the occasional live concert.

Dance the night away – Groove to the sound of live blues, jazz, and rock at Big Mama (18 Vicolo San Francesco a Ripa).

Shop til you drop – Sweeten up your day by picking handmade pralines at Fabbrica di Cioccolato (27 Via San Francesco a Ripa).

PRATI

With the Vatican so close by, plus the myriad of shops, Prati is the perfect place to spend a day.

Sleep soundly – Entirely decorated in orange and grey, Hotel Orange (86 Via Crescenzio, tel. , orangehotelrome.com, doubles from €100) is one of the city’s trendiest stays. Ask for the junior suite with a bathtub in the bedroom, and check the website for special offers.

Must eat – Try the famous Chianina beef steak at traditional restaurant Da Cesare (13 Via Crescenzio, tel. ).

Must drink – Sing along to ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ and ‘Ticket To Ride’ at Fonclea (82a Via Crescenzio), one of the first pubs in Rome with live music.

Shop til you drop – A wonderland for children and adults alike, La Città del Sole (5 Via Marcantonio Colonna) sells scientific toys including telescopes, fake solar systems and adventure gadgets.

MONTI

Ancient Rome’s red-light district is now a tangle of alleys lined with small bottegas and traditional restaurants.

Culture vultures – Examine busts and mosaics and learn about Roman history at Rome’s archaeological museum, Palazzo Massimo (68 Piazza dei Cinquecento).

Must eat – The beef comes from Argentina at Baires (315 Via Cavour, ), an informal eatery steps away from the Forum.

Must drink – Perfect for a business meeting or a night out, wood-panelled enoteca Cavour 313 (313 Via Cavour) is heaven for the wine lover.

Shop til you drop – The owners of mega-cool concept store Super (42 Via Leonina) scan Europe to find unique clothing items and objects for the home from yesterday and today.

Compiled by Solveig Steinhardt