Rome

Set among its Seven Hills, is the city of Rome, Italy. When you fly with Austrian Airlines to Rome and step back in time, you also confront a very modern culture as well. You may stroll through the city and view the Spanish Steps, or the Pantheon, turn the corner and shop for a lovely pair of Italian pumps. As you turn another corner, the narrow street opens up to a wide piazza, filled with cafes and ancient fountains. To the west, across the River Tiber, sits St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican. A day spent at the Vatican Museum is worthwhile, be quiet as you enter the Sistine Chapel. Further south along the river is Trastevere, teeming with nightlife and wonderful restaurants. Known as The Eternal City, you cannot walk very far in Rome without confronting ancient history, as the modern world hums along all around you. It is a beautiful country with a rich history and incredible culture. The capital city of Italy, its history spans more than 2500 years and it was also the capital city of the Roman Empire and one of the birthplaces of Western Civilisation. The architecture is astounding, with examples of classical architecture everywhere you look, ranging from Romanesque to Renaissance to Baroque. One of the most famous landmarks is the Colosseum, an outdoor amphitheatre built during the Roman Empire. The city has been home to many famous artists such as Michelangelo and consequently has many museums and art galleries, ensuring culture lovers will find much to see and do. For those more interested in a vibrant nightlife, there is lots to explore when the sun goes down. The city is home to excellent cuisine ranging from high dining to delicious authentic street food. Campo di Fiori is where young and old alike come to have a good time and is the perfect place to spend an evening, enjoying food and drink and observing the sights around you. The public transport is excellent and the city is served by a reliable and affordable metro service running long into the night. It also has numerous buses and taxis to help you get where you want to go. It is the perfect place to start exploring Italy and has its own unique style you cannot find elsewhere in the world. With our flights to Rome come and see for yourself the beauty and fun it has to offer.

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Worth knowing

Airport

Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino (FCO): The airport is located 32 km (20 miles) southwest of Rome, in the Lazio region of central Italy.
Address: Via dell’ Aeroporto di Fiumicino, 320, 00054 Fiumicino Rome, Italy
Telephone: +39-06 65 951

Airport Rome

Where to stay in Rome

Lord Byron Hotel

Rome was built on seven hills, on the eighth stands the Hotel Byron. It goes without saying that the view from rooms with balconies or terraces is awesome. Yet you can enjoy more than the view of Rome, but also of the amazing gardens of Villa Borghese and the ritzy neighbourhood Paroli. The Byron Hotel is no less classy with its lavish Art Deco. We are back in the 1930s, carefully watched from the walls by the painted VIPs of the past. Marble bath, walk-in wardrobe and all sorts of modern facilities that would have been unthinkable in Byron's days top the experience: W-Lan, satellite TV and air-conditioning. The cuisine of the restaurant Sapori del Lord Byron is just as modern. It's rumoured to be one of Rome's best and offers excellent wines. Double starting at 280,- Euro per night.

San Carlo Suite

They are small and luxurious, the new guest houses in the Italian capital. To reside classically is out of date, it's way more cosier to check into a mini hotel where you can feel better than at home. No surprise, given the location and its equipment! The San Carlo suites on Via del Corso in the historic part of Rom are situated on the second floor of a historic palazzo. On the one side you'll find the Piazza del Popolo, on the other one the Via Condotti. It really doesn't get any better as regards location. By the way, the interior is dominated by elegant designer furniture, an electric fire, crystalline room dividers and a bath tub with hydro-massage function. In addition you're provided with information touch screens and a virtual reception. Nothing stands in the way of some intimate togetherness. The continental breakfast includes eggs and bacon. The round-the-clock Open Bar in the lounge area offers snacks and drinks. In case that all suites are booked, don't worry: a few streets further down, near the Piazza Navona, you'll find the Gigli d'Oro suites - run by the same management. The boutique hotel with unfinished wooden floors and high-tech elevator spreads across three floors of a venerable renaissance palace. An the interior? Luxurious - what else?

Orange Hotel

No juice bar, but a refreshing and fruity boutique hotel: The Orange Hotel wins you over with its original design and wonderful view. You guessed it? Yes, it's orange all over. Yet they didn't overdo it and mixed the strong colour with a subdued grey, resulting in a joyful impression. A clear concept, modern and stylish execution, the rooms are straightforward and not overloaded. The Deluxe Orange even offers free room service for an extra serving of vitamins, however, those who have enough of orange on grey should move over to red and take a wine on the amazing rooftop terrace. Along with the Chianti you get a free view of cupola of St. Peter's Basilica, which is less than a hallelujah away from the hotel. Big plus: It's a juicy deal, with doubles starting at 69,- Euro.

Where to eat in Rome

Gusto

Feel like something completely different? Then you shouldn't miss the Gusto: With its brick walls, the bright ship planks and the solid wooden tables the restaurant is definitely one of the most modern in Rome.The interior design, the guests, the ambience: Everything seems cool and relaxed like in New York, the old Rome seems miles away. The cuisine is simple but trendy, undoubtedly Mediterranean, but with a modern twist.The downstairs Pizzeria serves specialities from the wood oven, such as Salami Pizza with Ricotta Cheese, mainly to a young crowd. The restaurant upstairs is a bit more classy, but still rather unpretentious for Rome. The wine bar starts at 18.00 with an aperitif for 9 Euro, and every Tuesday and Thursday it's Swing and Jazz night. If you want to try the recipes at home, take a look in the shop next door, where you can buy cookbooks and the right utensils.

Glass Hostaria

Who lives in a glass house shouldn't throw food. That's good advice in the Glass Hostaria, since that might be an expensive proposition: The beef filet alone costs 26,- Euro. So don't be childish and keep your cool, enjoying the great view: The stylish eatery with its high ceiling, the industrial look and brick columns is worth the visit.The scaled-up prices might be caused by the upscale clientele. The young and cool come to the Glass Hostaria, not so much to eat but to see and be seen. Nevertheless, the menu deserves a closer look: Michelin awarded it one star in 2010.

Spanish Steps

Up and down the steps, nothing to see but sights: The Spanish Steps are surly THE starting point for all the attractions of the city. The locals know that, too, congregating there for wine, women and La Dolce Vita. Warm summer nights see the young sitting on the steps and celebrating late into the night. So sit down and take in the view! Turn one way and you see the church Trinità dei Monti at the upper end. Turn the other way and the ship shaped Fontana della Barcaccia bubbles along in its pomp. On the right hand side there is the Keats-Shelley museum, where John Keats lived and died. To your left Babington's Tea Room invites you to have a tea at English tea time. When you get up and follow the Via Condotti you'll be surrounded by the most exclusive shops and restaurants in the city. Can you pass this by? Just stay for a little while longer. Enjoy your vino. Enjoy the Dolce Vita with the Romans. Sightseeing can wait!

What to see in Rome

Maxxi Museum

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).

Moa Casa

Who's better, the Swedes or the Italians? Last year most would have said that it depends on your tastes. The Italians have traditionally specialized in baroque knickknacks, lots of brocade and kitsch ribbons, while the Swedes swore by practical, striped and minimalist furniture. Now everything is different, because today everyone agrees: Back to the roots, charming and cosy furniture made of precious wood should help you live the easy life! Europe is finally united. Each year more than a thousand visitors storm the Moa Casa. Some are there to evaluate the trends and others to buy the newest in interior design. 200 exhibitors work their customers on 20,000 square meters. If you need a break from all the furniture, you don't need to walk very far: Next to the MOA Casa the MOA Gustibus offers tastes of traditional Italian specialties, and naturally for purchase, too.

Dell `Orologio

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!

Where to shop in Rome

weTAD Store

A concept store should have a clear concept. The weTAD founders knew from the beginning that they wanted to open a flower shop. Still, you have to put them into something and so they also started to sell vases. And once there is such a nice smell, why not sell a few beautifully scented cosmetics along with it? O.k. And a hairdresser would also go well with the cosmetics. Wearing artistic creations on your head, why not put some on the wall, too? Oh, you look tired, how about an espresso in our café? Or just lay down for a bit on our sofas here, which, by the way, are also for sale. This is how it probably happened, because today the weTAD Concept Store sells just about anything: Flowers, modern art, furniture, coffee and night lotions. And, of course, fashion, preferably from Vivienne Westwood and Alexander Wang. Never seen anything like that? Then it's time to take a look into the weTAD Concept Store, which has everything except for a concept.

Fahrenheit 451

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.

Saddlers Union

Not all ways lead directly to the goal: the Roman Micaela Calabresi Marconi made a detour and studied law. Only afterwards she was certain: she needs something where she can build and maintain relationships, a job in communication. Armani, Pucci, Zegna and Versace crossed her way, and she eventually opened an own event agency. But that wasn't enough. At the peak of the economic crisis Marconi took over Saddlers Union and together with her brother Paolo she dusted off the forgotten brand that specialises in historic, handmade leather articles. The new address? Via Margutta 11, the street of craftsmen, similar to Montmartre in Paris. Federico Fellini had his residence here - and for Marconi it was the ideal spot for a Saddlers Union boutique. Today only those who know where they want to go will find Saddlers Union. A door plate is missing - it's a cosy, private house with a workshop where favourite pieces can be repaired on the spot if need be. Marconi found her calling.