The apartments we offer are all situated in areas interesting to tourists (center, St. Peter’s, San Giovanni) or in areas well connected by public transportation.There is a long story behind the choice of enjoying Rome while having an apartment as a home base. For centuries many tourists, once choosing an apartment to rent in Rome, conveyed a happy, gallant life, allowing independence and extravagance which should have provoked popularity with the Romans.The atmosphere in Rome is also a subject which many tourists in the past centuries have taken in consideration., and in fact, there is a feature which helps determine the decision to rent an apartment in Rome: “the air in this city makes me want to rest, and not work”, affirms Stendhal.Furthermore, the intense light and blue sky, the rosy sunset, the calm nights, the changing winds, the alternation of the hot Mediterranean to the cool Why rent an apartment in Rome? Because it’s one of the most unique cities in the world, which has seen two different periods of artistic and cultural development: Rome from the Latins, and Rome from the Christians. No other city in the world has had moments of glory like Rome.Once you have chosen an apartment to rent in Rome, you can alternate you r visit with these two different worlds. In the morning you can see the ruins of Augusto’s apartment, in the afternoon you can see Saint Peter’s or the Borgia apartment in the Vatican, and you can think of the 1500 year difference there is in the two buildings.Even more – having an apartment as a home base in Rome, you can indulge in shopping.
Index of the Turism in Rome
WHAT TO BUY
Leather goods, including shoes and purses, are of best of quality. The ready fashion of Italian stylists is not cheap, but is certainly less expensive compared to other countries. Armani jeans is an excellent example. You can also find lamps signed by famous designers at better prices than anywhere else.SALES
The period of sales is from the middle of July until the middle of September and from the days following Jan. 6th until the first week of March. The most affirmed designers mark things down to half price, but their clothes still remain expensive. You can, however, find things a much cheaper prices at the stores of younger designers where you can find things on sale, at convenient prices and the highest quality shoes. Anyhow, Rome does not offer very big discounts, even during the sale season. Many close-outs are of authentic quality and are offered because the store is closing down or changing owners so it is definitely worth taking a look (look for the word “liquidazione”). Most stores which declare to offer promotions and good discounts are usually only trying to attract clients and possibility to save money is very rare.STORE HOURS
Stores are usually open from 9am until 1pm and from 3:30pm until 7:30pm (from 4pm until 8pm in the summer). Some stores in the centre are always open, from 10:30am until 7:30pm. Most stores are closed on Sundays, (except for the period before christmas). Stores are also closed on Monday mornings, except for supermarkets (or “alimentari”) which close on Thursday afternoon in the winter and on Saturday afternoon in the summer. The city is practically deserted during the month of August, most Romans either go to the sea or to the mountains in order to escape from the hot summer. Most stores are closed during this month, especially during the two weeks around August 15th.LOCAL HABITS
Apart from a few warehouses, the most part of shops in Rome are small family activities. Most sizes and measurements aren’t always the same and therefore, it is advisable to try things on before buying them because most stores will only exchange your items and not give you back your money.HOW TO PAY
Most stores accept all major credit cards, some stores accept other money currencies from tourists (however, you may not get an acceptable exchange rate).If you pay cash you could also try and ask for a discount, even if by now most stores used fixed prices.WAREHOUSES AND SHOPPING MALLS
There are relatively few warehouses in Rome and are found in different parts around the city. Both the Rinascente and Coin have are a good place to find clothes, house ware, cosmetics and perfumes. The Rinascente group is part of the Croff, the popular chain of stores which sells things for the house. Standa and Upim have high quality evening ware at moderate prices.An alternative to these stores are two shopping malls. Cinecittà Due Centro Commerciale, built in 1988, it contains about 100 stores, banks bars and restaurants, it is easily accessible from the centre of Rome with metro A line towards Cinecittà. An even bigger mall is the Granai, it is open in Via Laurentina and accessible with the metro B line towards the Laurentina.Clnecittà Due Centro Commerciale
Via Tuscolana.
Coin
Piazzale Appio 7. tel. 06-7080020
I Granai
Via Laurentina
La Rinascente
Via del Corso 189 tel. 06-6797691
La Rinascente
Piazza Fiume tel. 06-8841231
Standa
Via Cola di Rienzo 173 tel. 06-3243283
Standa
Viale Trastevere 60 tel. 06-5816036
Standa
Via Appia Nuova 181, tel. 06-7024896.
Upim
Via del Tritone 172, tel. 06-6783336.
Upim
Via Nazionale 211, tel. 06-48 45 02.
Upim
Piazza S. Maria Maggiore, tel. 06-446 55 79.
JEWELRY Bulgari
is in Rome what Cartier is in Paris, Tiffany’s in New York, Asprey’s in
London. You will always find people lined up at their store windows to
see their precious stones exposed. Their front window is somewhat strange
because there are small panels inserted into the walls with either one
or two pieces shown, it seems as if you are admiring a piece of work in
a museum. Bulgari watches, especially men’s watches are very well-known,
including their necklaces. Their jewels are known for the large colour
stones used, as well as the Renaissance style setting, but also produce
modern jewelry. This was one of Andy Warhol’s preferred stores and one
of the most lavish stores on Via Condotti.Buccellati
is a stem from the famous Florentine dynasty, begun by Mario Bucellati
during the 20’s and honoured by Gabriele D’Annunzio. The delicate engraving
of each jewel inspire the Italian Renaissance, they are true classics
in which the ability of the master jeweller shines through.Ansuini
jewels are classic and yet at the same time they are modern, and every
collection introduces new bizarre theme. Massoni, founded in 1790 is one
of the oldest jewellers in Rome. Their refined, unique pieces and fantastic
pins are expectional.Peroso
is one shop with an “old-style”, opened in 1891 and specializes in antique
jewellery along with very expensive silver objects. Ouroboros is famous
for their pieces in gold and silver which are hand made and cost less.
In Via dei Pettinati and in Piazza del Monte di Pietà you can find traditional
jewellery at reasonable prices.
COSTUME JEWELLRY
For who has less conventional taste, you can find different shops which
sells innovative jewellery, often using hard stones or metals with are
somewhat precious. It is worth taking a trip to Via dei Coronari 193 and
in Via del Pettinari 80, where you can find a mix of “Art Nouveau” and
contemporary jewellery.
HANDCRAFTED SILVER AND GOLD JEWELLRY
The centre column of roman jewellery production is still formed by craftsmen who transform gold and silver into custom-made jewellery. Almost all work out of small laboratories condensed within the Jewish ghetto of Rome (Campo de’Fiori, Ponte Sisto near Via Giulia and Montepietà). You can also find custom-made jewellery in Via Coronari, Via dell’Orso and Via del Pellegrino. The craftsmen, which have often learned from their family background, draw the jewels which they with make themselves. They also repair jewellery, as well as collecting old jewellery, which can later be used to create something new, requested by the client.Among the new shops we suggest, WISH. You can find silver, hand made and which arrive from all over the world. You can find pieces from Fks, the famous Venezuelan creator. You can also find marks from Rimini, Athens and products from Zavota, which works with wax. Original and stylish creations always fashionable.Wish, via Farnesina, 35 tel. 06-3336326 – Hours 10:00-1:00/3:30-7:30 – closed Sunday and Monday morning.SHOPPING AND CURIOUS SHOPS
If you want to dedicate a day to shopping while your in Rome and don’t have an idea as to where to begin or what to buy, don’t worry, you have plenty to choose from. In the past centuries, Rome ordered their craftsmen to be on certain streets in the centre of Rome, which carry their names still today: Via dei Cappellari, Via dei Giubbonari, Via dei Baullari, Via degli Staderari, Via dei Canestrari, Via dei Sediari, Via dei Chiavari, Via dei Leutari, Via dei Chiodari, Via dei Cartari. Evidence of this are the small shops which continue to work on these streets and still use the old tradition. Like the “Canestrarti, able weaving master or the “Staderari”, who sell and repair scales. The religious shops are one true peculiarity, and absolutely unique: religious cloaks, chalices, even the reproduction of “Sacra Sindone”. You can find anything in the centre, from jukeboxes to modern art.
PAPIRUS
Via Capo le Case, 5S – Business cards, agendas and hand-made paper.
BIGGIE BEST
Via del Corso 43S. This shop is ideal for the typical romantic. You can find pillows, lamps, stationary and different fabrics.
PUNTO PANDA WWF
Via di Ripetta, 22 – It is the first Italian store organized and run by the WWF. They have a vast choice from nutrition and biological products to toys, notebooks, etc.
DAKOTA
Via del Corso, 494 – Extraordinary shop of modern art work. You can find “Geloso” tape recorders, war telescopes and old juke boxes that still work.
VERTECCHI
Via della Croce 38 – The supermarket of stationary, from paper cups to huge heart-shaped boxes.
CURIOSITÀ E MAGIA
Via in Equino 70 – If you’re a magician and would like to have a little practice, there is no problem! Here you will find everything for you, from the enchanted ring, to the candle that never goes out, along with prestigious games.
BERTOZZINI
Via Cola di Rienzo, 64 – One of the oldest profume shops of the city, where most movie and theatre actors are supplied.
PANELIA L'ARTE DEL PANE
Largo Leopardi, 10 – (corner of Via Merulana) – All types of bread for everyone at all hours, and many, many deserts and pastry according to ancient and international traditions.
DURANTE DI ALONZO
.Piazza del Pantheon, 64 – Knife-lovers can find all types of blades and knifes here…and for any pocket size.
L'IMAGE
Via della Scrofa, 67/68 – Poster, advertisements and announcements.
DITA DEL SOLE
Via della Scrofa 6S – A toy store…,but what toys! Toys from a another time, wooden and tin, including board games. Its heaven for both big and small.A.N. MINERALI
Via della Scrofa 52/53 – For fossil and shell lovers.
LABORATORIO DELLE SCATOLE
Via della Stelletta 27 – Boxes big and small for every occasion.
ARTI E MESTIERI
Via dei Cappellari – paper, ceramic and terracotta products, everything rigorously hand-made.HOLLYWOOD
Via Monserrato 107 – Everything is interesting, from the antique posters to the video tapes.
ALVARO
Vicolo del Cinque 30 – Airbrushed shirts, with a “rock”, punk inspiration but also creative.
LUNADICARTA
Vicolo dell’Atleta 10 – Paper, everything is made out of paper. And what paper! Sculptures
STRATEGIA E TATTICA
Via del Colosseo, Board games
BECKER E MUSICO'
Via San Vincenzo 2’ – tel. 06 6785435 – Hours: 11:00-7:00 – A living room instead of a store, a space for complete relax, to chat and sniff the aroma of scented tobacco. Here pipes are loved, they are made and repaired here, and is the right place to find something for someone who likes cigars. They also sell particular objects such as kaleidoscopes, games and story books.