Rome

Must sees There’s a long checklist for Rome that really has to be ticked: The Vatican Colosseum Foro Romano Fontana di Trevi Pantheon Castel Sant’Angelo Piazza de Spagna Piazza del Poppolo Piazza Navona Campo de Fiori (worth a stretch to the ghetto, not so full of tourists and very interesting) and around 400 churches if you’re into that - you may want to focus on the ones with interesting art inside like Santa Maria sopra Minerva, or the ones that appeared on Angels and Demons : ). and whatever else the travel guides tell you to do! Off the beaten track - and kind of far actually - are two of my favourite places in Rome: MAXXI,a new contemporary art museum the Auditorium (check programme on website; acoustics there are great and the place is worth visiting anyway) MAXXI and Auditorium are walking distance form each other. Can't say they are must-sees if you are there for a short time and want to cover the basics though. As an alternative to the classics but still quite central you can visit MACRO (the municipal contemporary art museum - not as ambitious as MAXXI but quite nice too). I guess at this point my preference for contemporary is quite obvious, so to continue on that track, Palazzo delle Sposizioni always has very nice exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, and an awesome cafe/ restaurant on the top floor (also very central, near Republica and Cavour stations) Accommodation Capo d'Africa, near the Coliseum. Highly recommended: very charming and prices are usually quite reasonable/ good value. Hotel de Russie, Via del Babuino 9, Tridente, metro Flaminio. This is more of an indulgent stay (or just fine if you're on corporate budget!). Rooms are a very nice mix of modern design and classic luxury, and the highlight is the internal patio (which is worth visiting anyway for a drink or light lunch) Angela Restaurants - Gusto , Piazza Augusto Imperatore 9. A hybrid between restaurant and cook bookshop, very nice venue (more on the modern/trendy side) - Osteria dea Frezza - one of my favourites, very casual, serves the equivalent of Italian tapas and pintchos. Managed by the same group as Gusto. - Antica Birreria Peroni -on the touristic route, a classic for a heavy, informal lunch with beer. Quite a fun place, actually. - Near the coliseum there is a very nice healthy food called Cafe Cafe, great juices and salads. - Gina. Via San Sebastianello, 7/A. 06 6780251. Great spot for lunch, light ambiance with high shared tables, great salads. - Vizi Capitali. Vicolo della Renella, 94 (Trastevere). 065818840. Closed on Sunday evenings. Charming cantina, their strength is the super fresh seafood and fish. Pizza Ivo a Trastevere. Via San Francesco a Ripa, 158. Panificio Arnese. Via del Politeama 27, Trastevere. Baffetto. Via del Governo Vecchio 114, Pantheon.