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Rome
The cult pocket city guides and mobile
apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler

CITI PRESENTS LUXE CITY GUIDES www.luxecityguides.com

THERE ARE FEW CITIES The sheer scale and breathtaking figura and of course la dolce vita. The
ON THE PLANET MORE preservation of many of the cities Romans love life, and who are we to deny
greatest monuments is a joy to behold. them? Embrace Rome with open arms,
STEEPED IN HISTORY,
And then of course, there is the cooking, and go as often as you can, theres simply
INTRIGUE, POLITICS,
the staggering art, the fashion, la bella nowhere like it.
CULTURE, ROMANCE,
AND JAW-DROPPING
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE
THAN ROME.

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Blah blah
R
 ome is super-saturated with
visitors on all major holidays,
particularly religious ones; the best
times to visit are Nov, Jan or Feb;
Aug broils, the population flee en
masse and the city all but shuts, but
at least the streets are relatively
crowd free your call
F
 iumicino to Centro set fare by taxi:
45 / 40 mins
S
 tillies + cobble streets dont mix, so S
 ervice is always included, but add
break out the flats up to 10% anyway
S
 pring: Settimana della Cultura A
 ll indoor restaurants and bars are
Culture Week, all state museums non-smoking
are free / beniculturali.it. Sep/
Oct: Roma Europa Art Festival
music, dance and theatre / http://
www.romaeuropa.net. Oct/Nov: B
 ars are legally required to let non-
Festa del Cinema / http://www. patrons use loos which is terribly
romacinemafest.it. useful if your caught short

S
 hops generally open from 10am- C
 offee etiquette: caff/espresso is a
C
 ycling and walking are great
7:30pm, although smaller ones take single shot, doppio is a double shot,
options around Centro. Beyond,
an afternoon pause from 1-4pm, and Americano is a long black
the metro and trams are easy and
most close all day Sun and on Mon
frequent
mornings too

D
 rinking cappuccino after midday is
considered a tad declass
C
 iampino to Centro set fare by taxi:
R
 estaurants and services tend to
35 / 35 mins
close on Sunday as well, so use this
day for museums and activities
T
 he intl dialing code for Italy is +39,
Romes city code is 6, although this
T
 axi drivers are notorious for adding
prefix is not needed when calling
extras, so watch the meter, Peter. In
A
 lways book well ahead for the citys mobiles; for general emergencies
town, the meters red dot should be
best tables and be sure to reconfirm dial 113
next to the #1; if not, hes diddling
as reservations often get lost
you...

C
 heck your change, Romans rarely
tip their drivers

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LUXE INSIDER

Kika Repetto / PERSONAL SHOPPER

Style consultant Kika Repetto is

the citys go-to personal shopper
offering full or half-day bespoke
itineraries tailored to match
each clients budget and taste.
Commuting between Rome, So
Paulo, Paris and London she keeps
a firm finger on the pulse of all
the latest trends and forecasts,
openings, closings and city secrets.

By appt only +39 328 696 4886

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LUXE INSIDER

Kika Repetto / PERSONAL SHOPPER

1) WHATS THE BEST TIME
OF YEAR TO VISIT ROME
AND WHY? ARE THERE
ANY SPECIAL EVENTS TO
LOOK OUT FOR?
May, flowers everywhere, walls
covered in jasmine, the entire town
is jasmine scented! Visit the Roseto
Comunale (open from May to October
an amazing rose garden with 1100
different varieties of roses Via di
Valle Murcia, 6 (Aventino)
3) WHERE CAN YOU BE
FOUND ON A SATURDAY OR
SUNDAY MORNING?
In spring or on a sunny winter day, for
lunch at Ciampini at Piazza Trinita dei
Monti by the Spanish Steps, or Bar
Cafe Ciampini in Piazza San Lorenzo
in Lucina for cappuccino and cornetti
or a light lunch.
www.caffeciampini.com
www.ciampini.net
5) WHERE WOULD YOU
GO FOR A COCKTAIL AND
WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?
Salotto 42 at Piazza di Pietra 42.
Very good drinks in a cool modern
atmosphere in front of the most
striking columns in Rome, steps away
from the Pantheon. Good music, and a
young and hip Roman crowd that give
a sense of where the citys scene is
at right now! I love their Bloody Mary
with lots of lemon.

www.salotto42.it

4) WHATS THE BEST

2) WHATS THE ONE THING LOCAL DELICACY IN ROME,
EVERY VISITOR TO ROME AND WHY AND WHERE IS IT
MUST DO AND WHY? WORTH TRYING?
View Rome from the top! From the
Burrata and dried pachino tomatoes
Passeggiata del Gianicolo by the
with nut bread you could die for
statue of Garibaldi, from the terrace
at Roscioli, one of the best Italian
of Musei Capitoline, or Hotel Edens
gourmet shops that has a small
La Terrazza dellEden (fantastic
restaurant in the back. Make sure
for drinks), from the Pincio Villa
you book!
Borghese, or from the terrace of
Castel Santngelo. All offer sublime www.salumeriaroscioli.com
views of the city around sunset.

www.museicapitolini.org
www.laterrazzadelleden.com
www.castelsantangelo.com

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LUXE Loves
SANTA LUCIA
Dining
In late spring and all through summer
can there be anything lovelier than
dining alfresco at night on the little
triangular, tree-lined terrazza of Santa
Lucia? The freshest of ingredients
are paraded for your delectation, the
waiters are beyond friendly, and its
location means its literally steps from
the Raphael Hotel and its glorious little
rooftop bar where you will no doubt
wish to sit pre and post. Cin cin!
Largo Febo, 12 / Navona /
+39 6 6880 2427
www.santaluciaristorante.it
P5 / LUXE ROME Intro
LA TAVERNA DEI FORI
IMPERIALI
Dining
Packed to the rafters and always
popular, the serious, no nonsense, big
flavors cooking, and cheerful, swift
service keep the diners coming back
for more. If you like gingham on your
table, and classic dishes like carbonara
or meat loaf on your plate, youll be in
heaven.
Via Madonna dei Monti 9 / Monti /
+39 6 679 8643 / closed Tuesday
www.latavernadeiforiimperiali.com
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AL MORO
Dining
Fellini was a fan, and Valentino still is.
Head to this charming time warp for
polished woods, nostalgic photographs
and traditional recipes served up
with old-fashioned finesse. Try the
house speciality, Spaghetti Al Moro (a
version of carbonara) and dont worry,
Franco the grumpy owner is grumpy
to everyone, not just you!
Vicolo delle Bollette, 13 / Trevi /
+39 6 678 3495 / closed Sunday
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GELATERIA SAN CRISPINO
Dining
Theres ice cream, and then theres
San Crispino gelati. This traditional
parlour delivers divine homemade
honey, meringue, ginger and fig
amongst many, many others, and
while you have to run the gauntlet of
the Trevi milling masses to get to it, it
sure is worth it when you do. Dreamy
and creamy!
Via della Panetteria, 42 / Trevi /
+39 6 679 3924 / closed Tuesdays
in autumn and winter
www.ilgelatodisancrispino.it
LUCIA ODESCALCHI
Shopping
If contemporary jewelry rings your
bell, then dont dare miss these
stunning collections housed in Ms.
Odescalchis beautiful family palazzo.
Pairing bronze and iron and steel with
diamonds and precious stones, Lucia
has set the fashion world alight, and
more than a few hearts fluttering.
Piazza Santi Apostoli, 81 /
+39 6 699 2556
www.luciaodescalchi.com
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SALOTTO 42
Bar
Romes fashionistas love the relaxed,
but chic vibe of this book-lined salon
with its great cocktails, sounds and
plush places to perch. Tucked in the
back streets behind the Pantheon and
open throughout the day, its a great
bolt-hole for a coffee too.
Piazza di Pietra, 42 / Pantheon /
+39 6 678 5804 / closed Monday
www.salotto42.it
MORIONDO & GARIGLIO
Shopping
Who can resist sweets for the sweet?
No matter what time of year you visit
this confetteria youre guaranteed
a seasonal delight of homemade
chocolates and candies, from
marron glacs in winter to sugar
violets in spring. Adorable and sinful,
in equal measure.
Via del Pie di Marmo, 21 / Pantheon /
+39 6 699 0856 / closed Sunday
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IL GOCCETTO
Bar
As you amble down Via dei Banchi
Vecchi, at lunchtime, but more
especially in the evening, youll
see patrons spilling out onto the
street at this greatly loved and
mellow institution that specialises
in small labels from Sicily to Venice.
Fun and friendly.
Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 14 / Campo
di Fioro / +39 6 686 4268 /
closed Sunday
www.ilgoccetto.com
GALLERIA BORGHESE
Activity
Not only is the villa pretty, but the
superb, perfectly-sized museum inside
it contains gorgeous works by Titian,
Raphael, Caravaggio and Rubens, as
well as staggering Bernini and Canova
marble masterpieces that seem to be
alive. Whats more, tickets are limited
and timed, so there is no push or shove
and no over-crowding. A joy!
Villa Borghese / Piazzale Scipione
Borghese, 5 / +39 6 328 10 / tickets
must be booked in advance
www.galleriaborghese.it
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THE SCAVI TOUR
Activity
Not for the fainthearted, nor those
suffering from claustrophobia, this
unique tour is severely restricted
in numbers, highly atmospheric
and takes you into the bowels of St.
Peters Basilica to visit the original
pagan necropolis underneath it and
purported last resting place of St.
Peter himself.
You can only book (in advance) via the
Vatican Excavations Office by email
or fax scavi@fsp.va / +39 6 69 873
017 / for full application details type in
excavations office scavi on the search
engine at www.vatican.va
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BABUINO 181
Hotel
Fabulously situated, molto elegante
contemporary chambers wrapped
in a C.18th palazzo, with comp WiFi,
snappy service and quieter courtyard-
facing rooms for light sleepers, and all
but a Gucci loafers toss from Piazza
Popolo, Hotel de Russie and the lovely
shopping of Via Margutta and Via
Condotti. Bliss!
Via del Babuino, 181 / Popolo /
+39 6 6992 1907
www.romeluxurysuites.com
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PORTRAIT SUITES
Hotel
This 14-suite residence oozes
Ferragamo attention to detail and
style, attentive staff, a calm palette
of limed woods and dove grey, plus a
fabulous rooftop deck thats perfect for
sunset views of the city. All rooms have
kitchenettes, while #51 has a private
terrace and #52 is super-doop duplex.
Via Bocca di Leone, 23 / Spagna /
+39 6 6938 0742 /
www.lungarnocollection.com/en
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LUXE Loathes
TAXI DRIVERS WAITERS OPENING TIMES
Notorious for adding extras, watch out You could expire and be buried before What do Roman shopkeepers do on
for the red dot scam (see Blah blah). being served. Sunday, Monday morning and daily
between 1-4pm?

GRAFFITI CENTURIONS AT THE

Everywhere, particularly Trastevere, COLISEUM
such a shame. These photo ops, are photo flops.

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Fab vs. Drab

VATICAN VISIT
Nothing can be more drab than
standing in line outside the Vatican
Museums with literally thousands of
other grumpy people, so to cut your
queue time to only minutes, book a
personal guided tour with Context
Travel ta-dah!
www.contexttravel.com
GETTING AROUND
Romes myriad of tiny streets can
mean getting stuck in noisy traffic
on baking summer days is a strong
possibility, consider instead zipping
around town on your very own scooter
or bicycle from Bici e baci.
www.bicibaci.com
COOL OFF
Being all hot and bothered with
nowhere to cool off and relax is not
ideal, but rather than throw yourself
in the Trevi Fountain, all you have to
do is simply buy lunch at the Parco
dei Principi Hotel and you can treat
yourself to an afternoon poolside at
the hotels lovely oasis, one of the
very few swimming pools in the city.

www.parcodeiprincipi.com

PICNIC
Dont waste time racing all around
town trying to put together hamper
ingredients, pop into Gina and pick
up a picnic cestino packed with
summery goodies.
www.ginaroma.com
WINE APPRECIATION
If you enjoy drinking delicious Italian
wine with every meal, youll enjoy it
all the more once you understand its
nuances. Arrange a fab wine tasting
masterclass at Vino Roma and amaze
your friends back home with your
newfound knowledge.
www.vinoroma.com

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Romance
Start your day viewing the charming
private family collection housed at
the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. This vast
palazzo is still home to the Pamphilj
family, and is a fascinating insight into
the art and daily life of the house. The
audio tour is narrated in English by
Prince Jonathan himself. Afterwards
head to Ciampini for a well-earned
coffee, or better yet, a large portion of
their scandalously good pistachio ice-
cream, before zipping to the Spanish
Steps and popping into Gina to pick
up a picnic (see Fab vs Drab). Now,
off with you to the sylvan grounds of
the Villa Borghese, the perfect park
to eat your lunch alfresco. Having
booked your tickets in advance you
will now be perfectly placed to saunter
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into your timed opening slot at the
sublime Galleria Borghese (see LUXE
Loves), home to some to the loveliest
treasures in the city, and with limited
numbers allowed in at any one time,
there are none of the heaving crowds
of the Vatican Museum. Well, youve
certainly earned a pamper, and the
glorious, limpid Wellness Zone spa
at the Hotel de Russie is the perfect
place to relax in the company of the
citys divas and divos who cant get
enough of the Watsu and hydro-
relaxation. As the clock hits 5pm your
thoughts should be turning to Campari
time atop the pretty roof of the
Raphael Hotel for the inevitably lovely
sunset over the ravishing city skyline.
Cocktails here come with a handsome
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selection of tidbits, but dont fill up,
youve only a few steps to go outside
the hotel to find the gracefully
romantic, tree-lined terrazza of Santa
Lucia (see LUXE Loves) where a high
likelihood of Cupidity is always in
the air. Saunter homewards now, but
stop for a nightcap if you can at Bar
della Pace the streetside tables of
this eternal favorite line one of the
citys most picturesque backstreets,
drenched in atmosphere and always
lively.
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LUXE ITINERARY
Style
Well, youve certainly got a stylish
day ahead, but dont skimp on the
most important meal of the day,
instead make a beeline to chicster
caf La Buvette where they even offer
delicious health and low-cal breakfasts
(mostly unheard of in Roma). Suitably
replete, can there be any greater joy
than shopping the nearby streets
Babuino, Margutta and legendary
Condotti? So many shopportunities;
from fashion staples Eleonora and
TAD, glove emporium Sermoneta, and
home dcor at Pratesi, to labelista
Marni and shoe maestro Caovilla.
Its always important, of course, to
balance retail with culture, so dont
miss Richard Meiers stupendous
glass and travertine temple that
houses the utterly beautiful Ara
P11 / LUXE ROME Intro
Pacis, or Altar of Peace. It sits rather
conveniently in the same square as
stylish, all day flop-spot Gusto, equally
great for coffee, lunch or supper,
and rightly famous for its jazzy
Sunday brunch buffet. Drop those
heavy shopping bags back at the
hotel and off with you velocemente
to the fabulous MAXXI. Zaha Hadids
architectural tour de force is alone
worth a viz, but the contemporary art
makes it an afternoon well spent and
theres also a natty caf in case you
get a sudden attack of gallery-itis.
When the weather is fine there is little
more pleasant occupation in Rome
than escaping the milling streets to a
rooftop bar for alfresco sundowners
surrounded by the amber rapture
of ancient buildings, and the lounge
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bar of I Sofa di Via Giulia atop the
St. George Hotel perfectly matches
sophisticated cocktails with stunning
views. Hungry? Ask yourself how
are you feeling; chic, urbane and in
the mood for elegant dining? Then
make sleekster Baby your choice
with its poolside garden terrace. Or,
if something a little grittier, relaxed
and local is called for, hotfoot it to
Monti and the always popular, organic
regional cooking of Urbana 47. It just
remains to take nightcaps at the book-
lined social salon Salotto 42 (see LUXE
Loves), and thats one stylish day in
the bag!
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LUXE ITINERARY
Business
Having a summer breakfast meeting?
Try to arrange it at the Hotel De
Russie so you can enjoy the alfresco
perfection of the 2 Michelin star
Jardin de Russie, with its pretty,
clipped shrubs and roses. Should
you have forgotten the mandatory
sunglasses that no Italian would be
seen dead without, fret not, simply
scoot across the road from the hotel
to Ottica Spieza and get yourself
suitably shaded from their up to
the moment range of specs. There
is little or no excuse for being badly
turned out in Rome with a plethora
of mens and womens outfitters, but
for serious mens shirt tailoring and
excellent suits saunter down Condotti
to find Battistoni, and classically
tasteful mens and womenswear at
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Brunello Cucinelli. Now that youre
sartorially sorted, you will need to
think of grooming. Romes ladies in
the know all make tracks to the head-
turning Noi salon where up-dos and
blowouts rule the day from celebs
to contessas. Gentlemen meanwhile,
should check into one-stop guy spot
Wonderfool. This groovy groomer
features a barber, spa, Turkish
bath, mini-gym, massages, facials,
male-nails and great Art of Shaving
products to buy. Lunch! When great
value and a great venue are called
for, book ahead for the 2-course set
lunch at Open Colonna. This soaring
glass conservatory attracts a very
stylish, professional clientele and is
also a social hub at aperitivi hour.
Speaking of which, on the occasion
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that you may prefer a quiet business
drink away from the eyes of all, the
gloriously old fashioned Bar Bistro
Mascagni scores top marks hidden
away in the Grand Hotel Plaza, this
step-back-in-time capsule of brass and
red velvet serves up a very decent
martini and peaceful Proseccos, safely
undiscovered by the milling hordes.
For dinner, Dal Bolognese is packed
with the Estab crowd, politicos, WAGS
and celebs, but for a venue where
the accent is more firmly on the food,
your clients will love Antico Arco
great cuisine, swish crowd and lovely
surroundings.
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LUXE ITINERARY

The Essentials
ROMANTIC ITINERARY STYLISH ITINERARY

Galleria Doria Pamphilj La Buvette Ara Pacis

Via del Corso, 305 / Patheon / Via Vittoria, 47 / Spagna / Lungotevere in Augusta / Corso /
+39 6 679 7323 / +39 6 679 0383 +39 6 8205 9127
www.doriapamphilj.it www.labuvetteroma.it www.arapacis.it

Ciampini Eleonora Gusto

Plazza Trinita dei Monti / Centro / Via del Babuino, 97 / Spagna / Piazza Augusto Imperatore, 9 /
+39 6 678 5678 +39 6 6919 0554 / Centro / +39 6 322 6273
www.caffeciampini.com www.eleonoraboutique.it www.gusto.it

Gina TAD MAXXI

(see Fab vs Drab) Via del Babuino, 155a / Spagna / Via Guido Reni, 6 / Flaminio /
+39 6 3269 5122 +39 6 678 4350
Villa Borghese www.fondazionemaxxi.it
Via Pinciana Sermoneta
Piazza di Spagna, 61 / Spagna / I Sofa di Via Giulia
Galleria Borghese +39 6 679 1960 Via Giulia, 62 / Pantheon /
(see LUXE Loves) www.sermonetagloves.com +39 6 6866 1826
Wellness Zone www.isofadiviagiulia.com
Hotel de Russie / Via del Babuino, 9 Pratesi
/ Popolo / +39 6 3288 820 / Via Vittoria, 67a / Spagna / Baby
www.hotelderussie.it +39 6 6819 0252 (Closed but other restaurants
www.ue.pratesi.com available: www.aldrovandi.com/
Raphael Hotel en/48/restaurants-and-bars.aspx)
Large Febo, 2 / Piazza Navona / Marni
00186 Rome / +39 6 682 831 / Via Bocca di Leone 8 / Spagna / Urbana 47
www.hotelraphael.it +39 6 786 320 Via Urbana, 47 / Monti /
+39 6 4788 406
Santa Lucia Caovilla www.urbana47.it
(see LUXE Loves) Via Borgognona, 10 / Spagna /
+39 6 678 3879 / Salotto 42
Bar della Pace www.caovilla.com (see LUXE Loves)
Via della Pace 3-7 / Navona /
+39 6 686 1216
www.caffedellapace.it

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The Essentials
BUSINESS ITINERARY

Jardin de Russie Open Colonna

Hotel de Russie / Via del Babuino, 9 Scalinata di via Milano, 9a / 00184
/ Popolo / +39 6 3288 8870 / Roma / +39 6 4782 2641 /
www.hotelderussie.it www.opencolonna.it

Ottica Spieza Bar Bistro Mascagni

Via del Babuino, 199 / Popolo / Grand Hotel Plaza / Via del Corso,
+39 6 361 0593 126 / Corso / +39 6 674 952 /
www.grandhotelplaza.com
Battistoni
Via Condotti 60/61a / Tridente / Grand Hotel Plaza
+39 6 697 6111 / Via del Corso, 126 / Corso /
www.battistoni.com +39 6 674 952 393
www.grandhotelplaza.com
Brunello Cucinelli
Via Borgognona, 33 / Spagna / Dal Bolognese
+39 6 678 7680 Piazza del Popolo, 1 / Popolo /
www.brunellocucinelli.it +39 6 361 1426

Noi Antico Arco

Piazza del Popolo, 3 / Popolo / Piazzale Aurelio, 7 / Janiculum /
+39 6 3600 6284 +39 6 581 5274
www.noisalon.com www.anticoarco.it

Wonderfool
Via dei Banchi Nuovi, 39 / Navona /
+39 6 6889 2315
www.wonderfool.it

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Your LUXE notes

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