M C N E I L L L U X U R Y T R A V E L d e s t i n a t i o n g u i d e

W W W . M C N E I L L L U X U R Y T R A V E L . C O M W W W . M C N E I L L L U X U R Y T R A V E L . C O M Hey there! Travel is vital to our overall well- Rome is known as the Eternal City being because it connects us with for a few very good reasons. people & cultures around the world. Ultimately, it empowers us It's an ancient city filled to the to live a more meaningful life. brim with incredible art & architecture, hearty cuisine & Each month, I'll provide you with a refreshing cocktails, and a history beautifully-designed, highly- rich in politics & religion. curated Destination Guide to help make your travel dreams a reality. Let's take a virtual trip to Rome in this comprehensive Destination I want to inspire you to fantasize Guide. about places you haven’t visited, adventures you yearn to take, and To more adventures, bucket lists trips you haven’t Tee McNeill completed yet. LUXURY TRAVEL CONCIERGE

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INSRAGRAM FACEBOOK TWITTER PINTEREST YOUTUBE P L A N N I N G Y O U R T R I P The Ultimate Guide The city of Rome is served by three airports. The Rome– to Visiting Rome Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" International Airport Rome is the capital city of , the home of the Vatican & (FCO) is the primary the Papacy, and once the center of a vast, ancient empire. international airport. The other two airports are Rome Ciampino Giovan Battista Pastine Airport (CIA) and Roma Urbe Airport. FCO is one of the busiest airports in Europe with almost 43 million passenger traffic.

P A S S P O R T / V I S A

Italy is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond Located in the region of Lazio, Rome's origins are your planned date of traced to the legend of Romulus and Remus, twin sons departure. After Jan 2020, of Mars, the god of war. According to Roman U.S. citizens will be required mythology, the brothers disagreed over where to to apply for the ETIAS visa locate the new city. waiver.

Each brother stood on one of Rome's seven hills, and T R A N S P O R T A T I O N six vultures circled over Romulus, signaling Mars' favor. Thus, on April 21, 753BC, the city that is now a The public transport system world icon was founded. in Rome is very varied, cheap and user friendly. Rome has Like the ancient city, today's Rome is built on seven an extensive urban transport hills: Capitolino, Palatino, Quirinale, Viminale, network which consists of Esquilino, Celio, and Aventino. The central area is buses, trams, rapid transit called Campo Marzio, named after the Roman god of lines, light rail and suburban war, and was the ancient army’s training grounds. This railways. Roma Termini is where many of the famous sights are located. railway station is Rome’s largest & most important An open-air museum, the city has an ever-growing list station with 800 trains of spectacular archaeological sites and monuments, arriving & departing daily. gilded churches filled with paintings by Italy’s top master artists, exquisitely sculpted , and Regarding taxis: if you don't beautifully manicured public parks. Rome is, without a speak Italian, bypass them to doubt, one the most beautiful cities in the world! avoid any unpleasantries.

W W W . M C N E I L L L U X U R Y T R A V E L . C O M Essential Travel Info to Ensure a GREAT Trip My best advice is to know before you go. If you work with a travel agent they will advise you on these issues. If you're planning your own trip, please do your own independent research and use this guide as a starting point. As always, feel free to contact me for assistance.

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C L I M A T E P R O T I P The climate in Rome is Mediterranean, The Country Code for Rome is +39. with some elements of continentality. WIFI is readily available everywhere. Winter is mild and rainy, and at night it Buy a SIM card device from TIM, Tre Ita can get cold. Summer is hot and sunny, or 3Store at the FCO airport. with a few afternoon thunderstorms.

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C L O T H I N G C U R R E N C Y The city style is tailored and chic, yet The official currency is the Euro (EUR). conservative with an edge. Think neutral All major currencies can be exchanged lightweight colors & layers, and sturdy at the airport, banks and currency walking shoes. When visiting the exchanges. Use your debit card to Vatican cover your knees & shoulders. withdraw EUR from major bank ATMs.

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D A Y L I G H T C R E D I T C A R D S & C A S H From mid-May to late June, the days are In Rome, ATMs are called bancomats. long and the crowds are intense. The Visa & MasterCard are accepted almost best times to visit Rome are spring & everywhere, though some merchants autumn, from mid-April to mid-June and may not accept American Express. ATMs from September to early October. are abundantly available everywhere.

W W W . M C N E I L L L U X U R Y T R A V E L . C O M More Essential Info to Ensure a FABULOUS Trip My best advice is to know before you go. If you work with a travel agent they will advise you on these issues. If you're planning your own trip, please do your own independent research and use this guide as a starting point. As always, feel free to contact me for assistance.

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E L E C T R I C I T Y P R O T I P Electrical outlets in Rome deliver more The Roma Pass provides access to power at 220 volts, twice the power of transportation & admission to 60+ North American sockets. That means museums and attractions, etc.. Includes you'll need both an adapter & converter. skip the line benefits & other discounts. Wall outlets typically are two-pronged.

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T I P P I N G L A N G U A G E Service is usually included in your cafe & Italian is the most widely spoken restaurant bill in most tourist areas, language in Rome. It's one of the 30 otherwise you can just round up. Okay romance languages descended from to tip porters, concierge & guides 5- Latin. Almost everyone working in the 10%. No need to tip taxis or bartenders. tourism industry speaks English.

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L G B T + T R A V E L R E L I G I O N Despite the conservative influence of Roman Catholicism is the major religion the Catholic Church, Rome has an active in Italy. is the hub of the LGBT+ community. Via di San Giovanni Catholic Church where the Pope resides. in Laterano is a popular street for bars & Roman Catholics and other Christians clubs that cater to this community. make up 80 percent of the population.

W W W . M C N E I L L L U X U R Y T R A V E L . C O M 10 Must-Visit Locations in Rome Here's a handy list of the top 10 things to do and see during your visit to Rome. Be sure to check with the local tourism board to learn the best time to visit and what to bring.

Vatican City is HQ for the Trastevere is a colorful Catholic church & also home medieval village where locals 01 to several must-see museums 06 like to hang out. There are & galleries. Use your Roma plenty of restaurants, bars & card to skip the line! cafes to entice you.

Formerly a segregated slum, Marvel at the , the the Jewish Ghetto is now a largest ampitheatre in the 02 haven for foodies. You can 07 Roman Empire. It was built in spend the entire day there 72 AD and used for gladiator and not repeat a meal. fights & hunting simulations.

Built in the 1st Century, Michaelangelo's statue of is a massive, David lives in the Accademia 03 historical marvel. Enjoy the 08 Galleria. If it's too crowded, fountains, palaces, cafes, there's an exact replica in churches & restaurants. front of the Palazzo Vecchio

Arrive early at the 18th The separate Century Trevi to the & Piazza 04 avoid the crowds and don't 09 Trinità dei Monti, while the forget to toss in a coin or two Trinità dei Montione Church to guarantee your return. presides over all at the top.

A visit to the Uffizi Museum Travel back in time with a is a must! Check out the leisurely stroll along the 05 priceless collection of Italian 10 , an ancient Renaissance art by da Vinci, Roman road built in 312–264 Botticelli, Raphael & Titian. BC and spanning 39 miles.

W W W . M C N E I L L L U X U R Y T R A V E L . C O M CITY GUIDE Rome has, of course, a vast collection of art, dating back to the Roman Empire.

Rome, The 18th-century Spanish Steps sit at the heart of Rome’s high-end shopping district, with designer boutiques lining Via Italy Condotti and Via Borgognona. Rome is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of influential art, Visitors make wishes &toss coins into the architecture and culture on display. baroque . The Pantheon, dating from the second-century AD, holds Raphael’s Renaissance-era tomb.

R ome is an extraordinary capital filled The city is well-known for its delicious with more ancient ruins than you can cuisine which mainly consists of meat, imagine, and it could easily take you cheese and vegetables. Rome’s hearty several weeks or more to see all the sites cuisine includes such traditional dishes as and do everything. carbonara, amatriciana and saltimbocca. Even the pizza al taglio is delicious! Ancient ruins such as the Forum and the Colosseum evoke the power of the former Evening activities range from seeing one Roman Empire. Vatican City, home of the of Verdi’s classic operas at Teatro Roman Catholic Church, has St. Peter’s dell’Opera to club-hopping in working- Basilica and the Vatican Museums, class Testaccio. There is something for which house masterpieces such as everyone to enjoy! Here is an overview of Michelangelo’s frescoes. all the major neighborhoods in Rome.

W W W . M C N E I L L L U X U R Y T R A V E L . C O M WHERE TO STAY

ST. REGIS ROME Via Vittorio Emanuele Orlando 3 Rome 00185 Italy

Classic sophistication & elegance in a former 1894 palazzo within walking distance of all the landmarks. Known for their signature Butler Service.

HOTEL EDEN ROC ROME Via Ludovisi 49 Rome 00187 Italy

Comfort and exceptional service with a Roman flair in this boutique located between Villa Borghese & Spanish Steps, Recently renovated with a spa.

HOTEL DE RUSSI Via del 9 Rome 00187 Italy

An oasis of Italian charm in bustling Rome between Spanish Steps & . A lush secret garden, spa & impeccable service make this a winner.

WHERE TO EAT/DRINK From Top, Left to Right: Leather, a popular shopping commodity; silky smooth tiramisu dessert; and the Pantheon, the best-preserved building from ancient CESARE AL CASALETTO Rome. Click on the business names to the right to open a new window. Via del Casaletto 45 Rome 00151 Italy

Check off your Roman food bucket list Campo Marzio: Commonly referred to as Centro, this at this classic trattoria, from rich cacio aristocratic neighborhood offers the best of Italian e pepe to tender lamb chops, washed down with a glass of classic Sangiovese. luxury-goods shops (Fendi, Bulgari, Valentino). IL SAN LORENZO Prati: Edging the west bank of the Tiber River, this Via dei Chiavari 4/5 Rome 00186 Italy lesser-known suburb is filled with affordable boutiques and excellent gelaterie. Central Rome’s finest fish restaurant. Pasta dishes based on seasonal availability & often featuring local Testaccio: This former working-class district is not shellfish caught fresh off the coast. terrifically picturesque, but authentic pleasures await you: artisanal butchers, shops, and trattorias. PIPERO ROMA corso Vittorio Emanuele 246 Roma 00186 Italy Trastevere: The chic quarter trades in medieval Rome's most reliable postcard perfection, from its Simple dishes made with just a few key cobblestoned lanes to the Basilica of Santa Maria. ingredients, and yet full of character. This eatery has long been favored by local food enthusiasts. Jewish Ghetto: Once a crowded slum, and now a IL PAGLIACCIO cultural, religious & culinary experience due to the via dei Banchi Vecchi 129/a Synagogue & Jewish Museum and trendy restaurants Roma 00186 Italy scattered throughout. Creative, sophisticated & vegetarian- friendly. The simple menu hides the Vatican City: Come here to explore treasured sites fact that this restaurant serves some of such as the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. the most original dishes in Rome. 24 Hours in Rome, Italy If you only have a day and are challenged to fit everything in, here's how to use your 24 hours wisely. All stops are accessed on foot & the Metro.

8 A M Classic Rome awaits! After a quick espresso, buy a Roma Pass which entitles you to unlimited Metro rides and skip-the-line access to all the popular sites. 1 0 A M Head to the Spanish Steps, find a comfy spot & watch the city slowly come alive & the high-end shops open. If time permits, pop into a leather goods shop to browse. 1 2 P M Just a block and a half away is the Trevi Fountain, presided over by Triton himself. Keep with tradition & toss in a coin for good luck and to ensure your return! 2 P M Walk southeast on via del Tritone to the Pantheon, a former temple built between 25-27 AD and dedicated to the Roman gods. The oculus is a true thing of beauty. 4 P M Directly across is the Piazza Navona. This elegant showcase square was built on the Stadium of . Visit at sunset for awe-inspiring lighting. 6 P M Save the Vatican for an evening visit when there are fewer crowds & cooler temps. If your visit falls on a Friday, opt for the guided tour, happy hour & concert. 8 P M Be sure to visit these specific Vatican museums: the Galleries of Maps, Candelabras & Tapestries & Michelangelo’s stunning frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. 1 0 P M Most Italians don't eat dinner until late. Choose a local trattoria and indulge your senses in fried artichokes, classic Roman pasta dishes, and tiramisu for dessert.

W W W . M C N E I L L L U X U R Y T R A V E L . C O M My Top 10 Travel Essentials Traveling to Rome soon? You'll want to make sure you're prepared for your visit. My Travel Essentials are good for year-round visits. Images are clickable.

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