Rome

BELOW, YOU WILL FIND LOTS OF INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ROME. MANY OF THESE ITEMS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE FOR PARIS (PASSPORT, CELL PHONE, INSURANCE ETC.), BUT SOME ARE UNIQUE TO ROME. AS WITH THE PARIS PAGE, THE ITEMS ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY AND THEN ARE DETAILED BELOW THE LIST.

ARCHEOBUS TO VISIT ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES IN ROME

CELL PHONECURRENCY

HOTEL--pdf maps--(a link to an interactive map web page is found under "Hotel" below)

map of centro storico,

INSURANCE

LAUNDROMATS--WHERE CAN YOU GO TO WASH YOUR CLOTHES

PACKING LIST

PASSPORTS

RESTAURANTS

ROME TRANSPORTATION

TRAVEL TIPS

WEATHER--FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TEN DAYS

ARCHEOBUS

The Archeobus (Bus to visit archeological sites)

CELL PHONE

There are several companies that do global cell phones. Some use French telephone numbers and others have American numbers. Go to this web site to contact one with American numbers.

CURRENCY CONVERTER AND MONEY MATTERS

If you want to use ATM machines while overseas, you must have a check card that has the logos PLUS, INTERLINK, STAR, and or CIRRUS on it. Most savings account ATM cards do not have the logos and can not be used at foreign teller machines. You must have a check card that is linked to a checking account in order to use ATM machines. With certain banks, underage minors are not allowed to have checking accounts with one of these check cards attached. The only other alternative for underage minors is to get travelers cheques, however, travelers cheques are not as convenient as ATM machines.

In Italy, they now use Euros instead of Liras. To convert from Dollars to Euros or vice versa, go to http://www.xe.com/ucc/.

HOTEL

In Rome, our reservations are at the Hotel Smeraldo right near the Campo di Fiori. The Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Piazza Navona are all within a few minites walk in the Centro Storico

INSURANCE

If you are interested in purchasing travel insurance, there are many firms that advertise on the web.

One of them with comparison quotes for various companies is Insuremytrip.

Another is with the Lonely Planet guides.

LAUNDROMATS

Phone: 06/4744647
Website: http://www.ondablu.com

Information from Rome Travel Guide about Onda Blu--2005:

This is a chain of launderettes. For the one that is only 20 metres from Roma Termini train station, it costs 3.2€ to wash the clothes (40 minutes) and another 3.2€ (20 minutes) to dry them. The maximum load allowed is 6.5kg. Washing powder costs an additional 1€. The assistants here are very helpful.

From the left side of the train station, walk along Via Gioberti and turn right when you reach Via Principe Amedeo. It is open daily from 8am to 10pm.

V. La Mora, 7 (info 800 861 346). Other locations throughout Rome. Wash €3.20 per 6½kg load; dry €3.20 per 6½kg load; soap €0.75. Open daily 8am-10pm.
Bolle Blu

V. Palestro, 59/61 (06 446 58 04), and V. Milazzo, 20b. Wash and dry €6.20 for 6.5kg load, soap €0.75. 15mins of free Internet while you do laundry. Open daily 8am-midnight.
Acqua & Sapone Lavanderia

V. Montebello, 66 (06 488 32 09). Wash €3.20 per 6-8kg; dry €3.20 per 6-8kg. Open daily 8:30am-10pm.

PASSPORTS

If you have not done so already, you should apply for a passport. Go to their website to get information. The county clerk can provide you with applications and you can apply right there provided you are ready to pay the fees ($85 for over 16 and $70 for under 16), you have your birth certificate and you have two passport photos with you. (If you have the capability of downloading PDF files, you can print your own passport application by going to their download site). The nearest U.S. Passport Office is in San Francisco.

PACKING LIST

Go to this page and print it for a sample packing list for your trip.

RESTAURANTS

CLICK HERE TO GO TO A SEPARATE ROME RESTAURANT PAGE

ROME TRANSPORTATION

For information about bus and subway transportation, go to the official site: http://www.atac.roma.it/

TRAVEL TIPS FOR ROME AND TOURIST SITES

For additional useful tips about Rome and photos, go to