Rome

TIPS FOR WHEN YOU'RE IN ROME

1. To avoid long queues at monuments and museums entrance, it may be worth joining a tour being formed. It doesn't cost very much (an additional $8-10), but saves you from waiting in line and provides information.

2. To see Rome, one of the best way is to rent a scooter. Some firms open every day are Romarent, in Vicolo dei Bovari 7/a, tel-fax +39 06 6896.555, near Campo de' Fiori & Piazza Navona (35-48 euros per day, with weekend and 3-day discounts), Scooters for Rent, Via della Purificazione 84, between Quirinale and Piazza Barberini, scooterrent@hotmail.com, tel. +39 06 4885485 (30-60 euros per day).

3. Most government museums are closed on mondays. The average cost of museum entrance is 4-8 euros. It's a good idea to get a pass: Romavision, with access to a number of monuments and sites; Itinere card, 12.91 euros, with free access to all archaelogical museums for 7 days; ReadyRoma, including for the first time transport and culture in 1 ticket, with access to 16 museums and artisic sites.

4. Shops selling designer clothes at discounted rates or second hand: Mercatino Michela Piazzale Clodio, 1c Roma, 00195 Neighborhood: Prati - Clodia - Trionfale - Foro Italico This second-hand shop sells designer clothes, accessories and costume jewellery in excellent condition. There are suits, evening and cocktail dresses for women and mostly accessories for men.
La Marchandise Formal and designer second-hand clothing Via Francesco Crispi, 21, Roma, 00187 Tel. +39 066794252.
Marcolino Quality second-hand clothes Via Plauto, 16, Roma, 00193 Tel. +39 066865782.
And don't forget the ultra famous flea market of Porta Portese, in Via Portuense, Trastevere, for real bargains.

5. A self-service laundromat is Bolle Blu, near Termini station, in Via Principe Amedeo 70.

FREE ROME

Several of the major and most beautiful sites in Rome are open to the public for free.
These are free at all times:

• Roman Forum
• Capitoline Hill
• Trevi Fountain
• Spanish Steps
• Pantheon
• Colosseum (exterior)
• Castel Sant'Angelo (exterior)
• Mouth of Truth
• Piazza Navona
• St. Peter's Basilica