A Friend in Rome

MUSEUMS of ROME
Inside the archaeological park of the Colosseum/Forum since a couple of years you can visit what is known as the "Domus Tiberiana": massive structures of the Imperial palace with some interesting displays of the objects found during the digs.

The passage is open to everybody, while for the showcases you need the "SUPER" ticket.

Be a responsible tourist in Rome: how?

Instead of just talking about theoretical “tourist ethic”, maybe listing few practical tips can help the cause of responsible tourism:

1. pick off-season whenever possible (in Rome from November to March, excluding the Christmas holidays). Avoid visiting main sites on weekends.

2. travel slowly, take a bit extra time in each destination of your itinerary and include less sites.

3. go off the beaten path: ask yourself which are your interests and which experience do you wish for, maybe the colosseum is not necessarily a must!

4. book local services directly: the margins of international platforms don’t go to local business nor to local taxes. Contact hotels, BB, tour guides to make your reservations as much as possible, and make a little research about restaurants or shops which are family-run businesses instead of chains

5. learn a bit of the local language, it is always a kind attitude

6. ask permission before taking pictures involving people or holy places

7. prepare to walk more than your average and maybe consider a bike to move in town, it’s fun and eco friendly (we can also rent e-bikes since we live in a hilly city!)

8. bring a bottle and refill at drinking fountains, we don’t need extra plastic.

9. Take coffee at the counter in a ceramic small cup, embrace the local habit and avoid useless packaging: you are on holiday, you do not need a coffee to go!

10. Dress appropriately: Rome is not a beach city and even if it gets hot, we always wear shoes (not slippers) and a full outfit (also, churches are everywhere and they require covered shoulders and knees)

In the end, Rome is a welcoming city, but remember to treat a city like a city, not a resort or a theme park. Thank you!

The slope of the Palatine hill towards the Forum, now called "Domus Tiberiana" should have looked like this in the Imperial Age.

May has been busy ;)

Today first early morning walk of the season: we start at 7 am and we beat the heat and the crowds, we include a stop for a typical Italian breakfast (“cornetto e cappuccino”) and you have a nice orientation in town upon arrival.

A great option for the summer months!

To all of you who tried in these last months to book tickets for the colosseum and had problems (even if finally succeeded), can you please send a complain to the relevant offices of the archaeological park at these two email addresses ?

[email protected]

[email protected]

VIEWS over ROME

A good reason to visit Castel Sant'Angelo is the great view you get from there over the Vatican and the rest of the city!

DAY TRIPS from ROME

Spring is the perfect moment for a trip to Ninfa , a charming garden created in the XX century in an abandoned medieval city, still property of the Caetani family (now a foundation). Find all details to book your guided tour here >
https://www.giardinodininfa.eu/en

HIDDEN ROME

Along the main and busy shopping street of Via del Corso a new museum has recently opened, "Museo del Corso" and they give you also the opportunity to visit the apartment of the XVIII century upstairs.

It's the Cardinal apartment of Palazzo Sciarra Colonna and you find infos to book your visit here > https://museodelcorso.com/en/palazzo-sciarra-eng/

I tried to explain the critical situation with Colosseum tickets here and possible "legal" solutions/strategies. Read my article :

https://afriendinrome.it/?p=6351