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Introduction to Rome
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 First, a few notes about Rome, which on one hand is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and on the other is one of the most frustrating.
Romans do a lot of complaining about the weather but generally the climate is mild, although during the very hot weeks of the summer air conditioning is not considered a necessity.
Actually, Italians tend to shun it, feeling that it provokes colds, aches, and pains. The city is making in effort for the Jubilee of 2000 and hope to be selected for the 2004 Olympics, although some citizens feel that the Holy Year will create more than enough disturbance.
The following are special holidays where most museums, shops, etc. are closed: January 6, Easter Monday, April 25, May 1, June 29, August 15, November 2, December 8, and December 26. Also, most general shops like clothing boutiques are closed Monday mornings all year except for summer when they close Saturday afternoons. Other shops, considered "technical" like camera, stationery, optical stores, and such are closed Saturday afternoon and open Monday morning year-round. Except for downtown, where some large stores are open throughout lunch, others close from 1pm to 3:30pm. Food shops (closed 1:30 to 5pm) are closed Thursday afternoons except for the summer when they close Saturday afternoon. After living in Rome almost 30 years I'm still forgetting that, fortunately now there are supermarkets that stay open all day, a few even on Sunday mornings!
Ten new information centers for tourists with convenient locations dispense information: They offer er a free monthly magazine in English called "Where Rome" with a calendar of events, tips on shopping, restaurants, maps, and other pamphlets about Rome:
- Largo Goldoni (corner Via del Corso and Via Condotti), Tel: 0668136061
- Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, Tel: 0677203598
- Lungotevere Castel Sant'Angelo (Piazza Pia), Tel: 0668809707
- Piazza del Tempio della Pace (Foro Imperiali), Tel: 0669924307
- Grandi Magazzini "La Rinascente" Via del Tritone, Tel: 0669200435
- Via Nazionale "Palazzo delle Esposizione", Tel: 0647824525
- Stazione Termini = Galleria Gommata, Tel: 0648906300
- Azienda Promozione Turistica di Roma, Via Parigi 5, Tel: 488991
For last-minute culturual events not listed in the brochure the attendant prints a schedule on the computer. A calendar with photographs of Rome's cats near the historic monuments, and books about Rome are available to buy.
In the summer check out the places along the Lungotevere (river) where they sell watermelon and grattaceccha, a kind of cooling drink made from shaved ice and fruit syrups such as mint, cherries, strawberry, and lemon. One is at the end of Via Zanardelli near Piazza Navona. In the residential district called Parioli, at the corner of Via Tagliamento and Viale Regina Margherita, street vendors sell a drink called Lemon Cocco of fresh lemon and coconut juice, very refreshing during the hot weather.
Rome is full of Catholic churches so different one another that it takes any Roman more than a lifetime to visit them all, a few have some special thing to them. At S. Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini in Via Acciaioli 2,tel. (06) 6880 2401 just at the beginning of Via Giulia,one of the most Ancient Roman Streets, people are permitted to take their dogs to mass on Sundays and Catholic holidays at 8 am, 10 am, 12 am, and 7 pm. Saturday afternoon and the day before holidays at 7 pm.
- TELEPHONE
- The prefix for Italy is 39, the prefix for Rome is 06. NEW! The phone company has changed things - even when making local calls you must first dial the area code (06 for Rome) and when calling Italy from abroad you must place a zero (0) after the 36 for the country code. Public phones take tokens, coins, and phone cards which can be bought at tobacco stores (don't forget to remove the card before you leave).
- LIMOUSINE
- We don't have stretch limos in Rome, mostly Mercedes-Benz sedans. Two suggestions: Corrado speaks English, will pick you up at the airport and it costs less than a taxi ride. He will take you sightseeing or shopping around town. tel. 6792320 portable phone (0337) 788232. Gianni Ceglia ferries celebrities to and from the RAI television studios, call him at (0338) 8089397, 8620-9589.
- PHARMACY
- Pharmacy that is open all night long: Farmacia Internazionale Piazza Barberini 49, 00187, Tel: 4825456-487119
- CANNOLICCHIO
- Via Basento 34, A magician with shoes, he turns an old pair into new with special polishing, doesen't have a telephone (is part of the old fashioned style) just sit down and they polish your shoes while you wait.
- RENTING BICYCLES
- Most bikes are rented in the middle of the street but I BIKE ROME takes reservation. They are located under the parking lot of the "Villa Borghese" at (06) 322 5240. For 5,000 lire an hour rent a bike with gears or a "tandem". Other spots are in the middle of the street at Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona next to the Bar Navona. Make sure you take an ID card with you to leave as a guarantee.
- IN THE SUMMER
- There are places along the Lungotevere where they sell watermelon and grattaceccha, a refreshing drink made from shaved ice and fruit syrups such as mint, cherry, strawberry, and lemon. One is at the end of Via Zanardelli near Piazza Navona. Try the drink called Lemon Cocco of fresh lemon and coconut juice found at the corner of Via Tagliamento and Viale Regina Margherita.
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Galleria Roma Virtuale 2001 contains both paintings and photographs for the enjoyment of our visitors. It was our first web, created in 1994 for the First Night event. 
