Get your hands on the Kids' Guide to Rome 2010

Wanted in Rome, the English-language guide listing all sorts of local events and activities, is giving it away with the 9 June edition of the publication.

For 1 Euro Wanted in Rome offers great value for money considering how useful the information they provide is:

• News
• Cultural listings
• Classified

Not only useful to ex-pats but a good alternative to guides and more established publications.

Stuff for kids too

The Kids’ Guide to Rome is a great source of inspiration for things to do for the young ones for activites other than looking at monuments or visting churches.

Lets be honest here, the attention span of a kid looking at something cultural is the same length as an adult trying to figure out Pet Society on Facebook. It’s their holiday too.

Get your hands on a copy

Wanted in Rome is sold at news stands or, better still, visit Wanter in Rome’s HQs in the Jewish ghetto at Via dei Falegnami 79. If you’re not in Rome you ask them to send you a copy.

Roma Pass - A particularly good initiative

A good deal offered by Rome's council includes free entry to 2 museums, discounts to other ones and free access to public transportation.

If you search the web for feedback about the Roma Pass you’ll find it difficult to come across negative comments about the scheme. That’s because it offers…

• Free access to the first 2 of a network of over 40 monuments, museums and archaeological sites
• Discounts the other museums and sites you visit after that
• Free travel on Rome’s public transport
• A map of Rome
• Guides listing participating museums, sites, events and services where the pass will get you discounts
• A health assistance service

The pass costs €23 and is valid 3 days.

Plan ahead to make the most of it

As the first 2 places you will visit will be free it’s worth visiting the most pricey ones first. You can find a list of participating sites on the official site.

Also, as some places need reservation make sure you mention Roma Pass when you book.

More information about the Roma Pass

Check out www.romapass.it to get the full details of the scheme. Other contact details are:

Telelphone: +39 060608
Email: info@romapass.it

Stay healthy and save money: carry your own water bottle

Why buy water when you can get it free from fountains?

If you’re visiting Rome in the summer you can expect very hot and dry weather. Drinking water throughout the day is essential to avoid de-hydration. In fact, drinking water regularly is one of the best thing you can do to keep healthy.

When visiting sights such as the Colosseum, Forum or Piazza Navona you will notice mobile stalls selling sandwiches, beer, soft drinks and water. The reason why you will not see a price list is because that would scare people off. A litre of water can set you back 3 to 5 Euros.

Instead, invest in a water bottle and carry along with you. Look out for fountains where you can re-fill… for free and invest the saved money in a nice ice-cream.

Alternatively, buy some mineral water from a grocery store at a fraction of the price you would pay at one of the mobile stalls. You will get good tasing water (try Uliveto) and a bottle too.

Beware of pick-pockets

Be careful on buses (particularly the 64 route).

Bus number 64 departs from Termini train station and arrives at the Vatican passing through the hear of Rome. It is often full of tourists and therefore a target by the city’s criminals.

Pick-pockets are resourceful. Don’t assume that your valuables are safe if your bag is zipped up. They may, for example, use a blade to cut into a bag and reach your wallet.

Often pick-pockets operate in groups whereby one member of the gang does something to distract you whilst another proceeds to rob you. Beware of any unusual behaviour or odd requests by people.

If you’re carrying your valuables in a bag keep it tight and in front of you. If you carry your wallet in your back pocket put it in your front one for the journey. Always be ‘on guard’ that there may be someone eyeing your valuables.

Invest in a money belt. They are very effective at keeping your valuables safe.