Category } Travel Tips

The answer is yes and the damage is €2 per night for a maximum of 10 nights.

Until 1965 bananas were considered a luxury item and therefore taxed.

The most you will ever pay is €20 – the price of a pizza in fairly good restaurant.

The Rome City Tax was introduce at the beginning of the year to help the administration pay for the upkeep of the city.

One can then assume that Rome’s authorities are not happy with the millions of Euros that tourists spend in the City when they visit.

Romans are relieved. For once they are not the ones getting taxed. A quick look at the National Consumer’s Union website reminds us of the ridiculous taxes they have had to endure:

• Bananas – These were considered a luxury item between 1965 and 1991
• Coffee – When this tax was introduced in 1917 Italians soon discovered that you could make coffee out of chicory. The tax was also abolished in 1991
• Chicory – Introduced in 1924 to discourage those who were using it instead of coffee
• Balconies – Introduced in 1931 because they ‘insisted’ over roads.
• Gardens – Still applicable today

And if you ever plan to develop march land into something useful there is a tax for that too.

To be fair, Rome isn’t the only city to tax for occupancy. New York City has been doing it for a while now and it isn’t as straight forward as Rome’s version.

So, next time you’re in Rome visting the Trevi fountain you may think twice before throwing your hard earned Euros in.

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

Roma Pass is Rome's first cultural tourist card offering discounts and services to encourage visits to the city museums.

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

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.

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.