You will probably travel to Rome by air. There are two airports that serve the city. These are Fiumicino (sometimes referred to as Leonardo da Vinci) and Ciampino. Fiumicino is the larger of the two and is used by the major airlines. Ciampino is smaller and may be a better option for those wishing to economise by using one of the budget airlines. They are both about 40 minutes from the city centre.

For booking information the following links may be useful:

On arrival at Fiumicino you will either be met by a chauffeur, as arranged in your wedding package, and driven directly to your hotel or you may choose to make your own way into the city.

Trains - There is an extremely good train service (the Leonardo Express) which runs every 30 minutes between Fiumicino and Termini (the main railway station in Rome). The journey takes 35 minutes and is non-stop. The train is signposted from the arrivals hall at the airport. Tickets cost €9.50 one way.

Buses - Alternatively, there is a bus service between Fiumicino airport and Termini or Tiburtina (a suburban station on the Eastern side of the City) stations. Departures are every hour on the hour with extra buses at peak times. The cost is €9 one way (€5 for children 2-12) or €15 return (€10 for children 2–12). Tickets are available at Terravision-Cotral box offices at all terminals.

Taxis - If you would prefer, there are taxis available outside the Arrivals halls. Authorised taxis are white and have a taximeter. The price should be about €60 for the trip into town. Supplements may be payable for luggage, night-time runs and public holidays.

www.terravision.it

On arrival at Ciampino you will either be met by a chauffeur (as above) or you can use the airport bus service.

The Terravision Bus - operates in conjunction with Ryanair and Easyjet flights to take passengers to Termini railway station. The cost is €8 one way or €13.50 return. Tickets may be purchased at the booth in the Arrivals hall at Ciampino.

The Schiaffini Travel Bus - also goes to Termini. The cost is €8 daily and tickets may be purchased at the ticket booth at Ciampino or on the bus.

Check with your airline as they may provide special buses for travellers booked with them.

Taxis - As before, there are also taxis available outside the Arrivals hall. The price should be about €50 for the trip into town.

Train - It is a little more complicated to travel from Ciampino by train but if you require further information on this please contact us.

For further details about Fiumicino and Ciampino, including Leonardo Express and bus timetables and car hire information go to www.adr.it. There is an English language option available.

(Please note: Unless your wedding has been arranged to take place at an out-of-town venue, we would not recommend that you hire a car for your stay in Rome. However, if you wish to take trips outside of the city then we will be happy to provide you with details of car hire companies. Your hotel may also be able to offer this information. There are also car hire facilities at both airports.)

Entry into the centre of the city is restricted to public vehicles, pass holders and pedestrians and parking in all areas is extremely limited. Public transport is plentiful and efficient. Bus and metro tickets (the same ticket for both) can be purchased from tobacconists (Tabacchi), from machines at the metro stations or from kiosks nearby. The current cost is €1 per ticket. One ticket lasts for one journey on the metro or for 75 minutes on the bus system. There are often inspectors on the metros or buses so you will need to make sure that you have validated your ticket by punching it in the machine provided on the bus or at the barrier in the metro station. There are on-the-spot fines if you do not have a valid ticket.

The easiest way to get around is on foot. The city centre is small by comparison with London or Paris and exploring on foot is the best way to appreciate all that it has to offer.

Tourists are welcomed of course and visitors will find that English is spoken in many shops and restaurants. There is usually an English translation on most menus. Prices at restaurants vary according to the season and the restaurant’s proximity to major tourist attractions, although it is usually quite easy to find reasonably priced restaurants. Generally, it is possible to eat out in Rome more cheaply than in the UK.

There are many good shopping areas in Rome. The most famous, and the most expensive, is the area near the Spanish Steps. This area encompasses the Piazza di Spagna, the Via Condotti, the Via del Babuino and the surrounding small streets between the Piazza di Spagna and the Via del Corso. The Via del Corso itself is also a very good shopping street. It runs for a mile from the Piazza del Popolo to the Piazza Venezia and has many varied shops. These areas are all within the Centro Storico (Historic Centre). There are other streets such as the Cola di Rienzo not far from the Vatican and areas like San Giovanni just outside the Centre which are also well worth a visit. Opening hours are generally about 9 am – 1 pm and 4 pm – 8 pm. As you can see, the Italians like to take a long lunch break - although some shops in the Centre may stay open all day without a break. Most shops are closed on Monday mornings.

There are also numerous street sellers in the main tourist areas who will be delighted to sell you copies of designer goods at knock-down prices. Of course, you always purchase at your own risk but, if you are prepared to haggle, you may pick up a bargain.

Markets are another good source of souvenir shopping. There is a huge Sunday morning market every week at Porta Portese which sells just about anything you could imagine. Also well worth a visit is the large ethnic covered market every morning near the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, and a very good Friday morning market at Ponte Milvio selling clothes, household items, food, footwear, handbags and much more. Depending upon where you are staying there may also be a local market. A word of warning though – be aware that markets are a haven for pickpockets. Take with you only what you will need for the trip. Take care of your purse and other possessions at all times. Do not put wallets or any other valuables in your back pocket or in a backpack with an outward facing fastening.

Rome enjoys a climate that is predictable on the one hand and dramatic on the other. Between January and March there are many fine days and moderate temperatures. The temperature hardly ever falls below freezing. However, there are also many rainy days. Snow is unlikely apart from an occasional few flakes. Maximum temperatures are around 10°C.

From April onwards the temperatures start to climb. Early spring can be a glorious time of year with warm days and cool nights. Rain can still be frequent with occasional brief torrential downpours. Temperatures may rise to about 22°C by the end of May.

From June through to September is the hottest part of the year with temperatures sometimes rising to 40°C. The days can be long and humid with pleasant balmy evenings. Rain is infrequent.

There are usually many fine autumn days as temperatures begin to cool a bit from between 21°C in October to 12°C by December.

The list of sights worth seeing in Rome is overwhelming. We have compiled a ‘Top Ten’ list that we feel are ‘must sees’ if your stay is limited to a few days only.

St Peter’s Basilica (The Vatican)
The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
The Colosseum
The Roman Forum
The Trevi Fountain
Piazza Navona
The Spanish Steps
The Pantheon and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
The Galleria Borghese
Santa Maria Maggiore

We are sure you will be pleased with your choice to come to Rome for your wedding and we look forward to being able to help you make your dreams come true.