Rome

Can you still remember the good old days? Chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, period. Good kids could have them all, bad kids none at all. If you go the Gelateria della Palma today, you will be bowled over. With an estimated 150 ice cream flavours, you won't just be spoilt for choice but shocked and awed. And this is how it works: Go in, buy a coupon at the cash register, and then queue. It is almost impossible to decide on the flavours beforehand, considering that there are exotic options such as liquorice, passion fruit, chilli pepper or cherry chocolate.For tourists without advanced Italian the garnishing gives enough hints on what a flavour might be all about. There is soy ice cream for the lactose intolerant and sugar free for the calorie conscious, spoiling the choice even more. Since the cone for 150 flavours hasn't been invented just yet, you'll simply have to come back.

The Trattoria pre-empts demanding guests and their complaints, letting them decide what to eat: If you desire you can put together your own menu. The kitchen can be observed through a glass window, so you can verify that the Trattoria is only using the finest ingredients for its creations.Onion and garlic are rather rare, while citrus is more common as a flavour enhancer. The ambiance is classy, too: The Trattoria occupies two floors of a 17th century palace, while the inside is decorated with much glass, chrome and modern furnishing.

Karl is the name of one of the suites. The pictures and sketches on the wall come from their godfather, Karl Lagerfeld. In another room, the atelier suite, sketches and drafts by Chanel and Dior adorn the walls. We are in the haute couture of the Roman boutique hotel: fashion is the topic in the Villa Laetitia. The reason for it is quite obvious: the mansion is one of the private residences of the Fendi clan. And it is rented to fashion-conscious and stylish visitors of Rome.   The apartment complex run by the Italian fashion dynasty can be found in Rome, on the bank of the Tiber on the Piazza del Popolo, within a patrician house. The well-built stone men at the entrance remind of ancient times, and vintage objects and design pieces fit just perfectly. So does the filigree circular staircase. Each suite is designed individually, but chequered patterns and geometrical forms obviously range among the owners' favourite motifs.   There is no hotel restaurant but If you like to you can order a candlelight dinner. Or you cook on your own in the kitchen. Afterwards you can enjoy a divine tranquility in the enchanted garden.

Style: Minimus. Fun: Maximus! The Ripa Hotel has set is own standards, transcending Roman opulence. The result is beautifully low key: White walls with fluffy carpets and retro-style furniture that adds nice colour accents. Clear lines, indirect lighting and a lot of room for artistic expression, this was the idea of the Ripa Hotel. Another plus: The personal trainer in the fitness centre and the hotel owned restaurant are two house numbers down. It doesn't happen too often in boutique hotels that there is something to eat. The view from suites' terraces is incredible. This alone is worth the trip. The location is impressive: Circus Maximus, Vatican and Colloseum are the complete opposite of the futuristic looking hotel, yet in perfect harmony. Classical meets avant-garde in this distinguished boutique hotel: Simple, functional, and simply beautiful! Doubles starting at 136,- Euro a night.

It took ten years, various culture secretaries and 150 million euro to complete the eccentric building designed by star architect Zaha Hadid. She especially put emphasis on the interaction between glass, fair-faced concrete and metal. Once again it becomes obvious: it's not only art, but also architecture which is maximal here in the Flaminio quarter.   The 27.000 square metres of the area with its 20 metres high entrance hall forms an open, urban space and guides the visitors along curved walls and interwoven levels on unexpected paths through five galleries. In the well-lit museum (thanks to the glass roof) we find the two museums MAXXI art and MAXXI architecture. The house is devoted to preserve and conserve the cultural heritage by means of exhibitions, workshops, performances and (educational) projects. But more: it offers space for experimenting and exploring modern aesthetic contents.   Tickets for 11 euro (reductions possible).

Once the Globe theatre was the centre of the action, today the Teatro Dell'Orologio is rocking the boat: This small theatre has left the mainstream and is as off-Broadway as you can be. Far beyond classical tragedy, the theatre is experimenting to such an extent that critics are left speechless. You might recognize the plays, but you will never have seen them like this: Ionesco, Genet, Becket and Maeterlinck are all rediscovered in strange ways. Shakespeare would be delighted and Brecht overjoyed: The Teatro dell'Orologia lacks the technical sophistication of the great stages, but its dedication to the art that makes this theatre so special. Valentino Orfeo is the artistic director, but other directors also play their parts. To be there or not to be? Poor Yorick would have had no doubt!

Did you know? It's so hard to say good-bye to Rome, you would love to pack a piece of it and take it with you. If not for yourself, then at least for friends and family at home, since no one can describe how delicious this particular pasta or that pesto sauce was. A hot tip to make things easier for you: The Cerasari is a shop for delicacies in which you can buy all your most favourite treats and take them home with you. Endless wine shelves contain the best of Barolo & Co, wide counters seduce with Tramezzini and fish platters, the shop windows lure you with unusual pasta and sauces that are stacked to the ceiling. If you cannot decide, just buy a gift hamper, with wine, parmesan, canned goods, sausages and pasta all nicely wrapped for the undecided customer.

For all who don't know: 451° Fahrenheit is the temperature at which paper ignites and books burn. In contrast to Ray Bradbury's congenial novel there are no flames engulfing this charming bookshop. Bookworms are welcome. The Campo de Fiori is a bustling place so it's no wonder that the shop is full of customers. However, you won't find much Science Fiction here, the main topic being the arts and photography. Independent thinking is still allowed: The shop promotes smaller publishers and invites young authors to readings. If the firefighters have to come, then because you have caught fire: The staff are always in good spirits, and the atmosphere so relaxed that you'll definitely want to come back.