Ten of the most interesting facts to know about Rome

Ten of the most interesting facts to know about Rome

Here is how you should start planning your trip to Rome

• How to get the train from the airport

• How do I find the tickets to skip the line for the Vatican museums, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum, which are the best locations in Rome?

• Which hotel should I book?

• Is it safe to be outside the walls of Rome?

• Which restaurants should I go to?

• How is the nightlife in Rome?

• Where to get the best artichokes in Rome

• Is it worth it to visit the synagogue?

• How far is the Appian Way from the center?

Once you arrive at the airport, you will have a bunch of taxi drivers to take you to Rome. The fixed price should be 48 euros. Then you have the option to take the Uber, for which you will pay 60 euros, or you can take the fast train Leonardo DaVinci for 14 euros, for which you buy your ticket in the little kiosk, and then you have to stamp the ticket before getting on the train so you don't get a fine.

When you arrive at Termini Station and decide to take the subway, keep your eyes open; pickpockets are everywhere; keep your bags in the front and your wallet secure. There you can buy for 1,50 euros the tickets to get from point B to point A.

How do I get tickets to Vatican City, the Colosseum, and ancient Rome without having to wait in line? We have three options for you: look online for the official tickets or go to the main sites so you can wait online and buy the tickets cheaper, or simply prebook a tour guide from a local tour company using Trip Advisor. Check their reviews first to ensure it's official, so you don't end up in some tourist trap.

The Golden Triangle is the best place to stay during your vacation. Spanish steps, Campo de Fiori, Vatican area, and Trastevere are some of Rome's safest neighborhoods; you are always surrounded by police and polite people. Everyone is helpful, and most of them speak English. The Spanish Steps is probably the most expensive area to stay in because it is close to all the major sights such as the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Roman Forum. We recommend walking around instead of taking a taxi, or you will miss all the beautiful architecture, little cute corners, and gelato posts.

The three best hotels to stay at in Rome are Hotel de Russie for its famous cocktails in the garden, at Via del Babuino; Hotel de la Minerve near the Pantheon with a beautiful view of Rome from the third rooftop; and Eitch Borromini, right in Piazza Navona; it has only 20 rooms but is very elegant and sophisticated with an original fresco ceiling and unique cuisine. Last but not least is the rooftop, which is the best in Rome for the views. You can see the Pantheon and Saint Peter's Basilica from up there, while you sip some delicious red wine with good company and music.

Rome is a safe city, but we always suggest staying inside the historical center, which goes from San Giovanni to the Vatican City all the way to Circo Massimo. That way, the walking distance is always a 30 to 40-minute walk. Outside of Rome, you can visit places like the Catacombs or Roma castles, but you need to hire a car because taking the bus or the train gets complicated. Sometimes the subway and bus stop at 9 p.m. or earlier, or there may be bus strikes and the city gets blocked. At that point, you have to rent a car at Termini station or Villa Borghese from a company called Sixt Noleggio Auto, at Via Giovanni Giolitti, 34.

When it comes to restaurants, we have the best recommendations for you: Assunta Madre in Via Giulia, 14. Book ahead of time; this restaurant is pricey but delicious. If you're a big fish lover like me, I highly recommend Il Tempio di Iside, near the Colosseum, which is famous for its scampi oysters and seafood pasta. Our third choice is Dal Bolognese, just across from Piazza del Popolo. This elegant restaurant serving high-end cuisine is probably the most expensive in Rome, but if you want really good food, this is your place.

The nightlife can be quite amazing if you know where to go. If you are looking for karaoke, you have an Irish pub called Scalars Lounge at Via del Plebiscito 101B. Here you can find great beer, many American students, live music, and karaoke twice a week, on Tuesday and Sunday. It is located close to Piazza Venezia and the Altar of the Fatherland. Our next recommendation is the Cash Diner club in Largo del Teatro Valle 4, a good international club with crowded and commercial music from hip hop to RnB to reggaeton. If you are a woman, the entrance is free; the cover charge for men is 20 euros on Saturdays, but one drink is included.

The Sanctuary, Via delle Terme di Traiano, 4A, is a restaurant club with a garden, wellness center, and pool for the summer. We can say that this is the best place in town for fusion food, the best DJ, and beautiful people from 20 to 50 years old.

Artichokes are a big deal in Rome. Every restaurant competes to see who can do them better. In our opinion, the best are Osteria di Fortunato, Lo Scopettaro, Impicetta da Ilaria Pipola, or Armando al Patheon near the Pantheon. Once you have tried some of these places, you won’t regret it.

The synagogue has an impressive story; inside the Jewish ghetto neighborhood, it is one of the biggest in Europe. It was built between 1901 and 1904 from a few fascist-era buildings that were destroyed. The facade has Hebrew symbols like the seven-arm candelabra, the tables of the law, and the star of David. Inside the building, you have an exhibition that is always there. It is better to call and ask when they do the guided tours because they are not always open. From here, you can watch the beautiful theater of Marcellus in the heart of the Ghetto, with the ancient Roman ruins dedicated to Apollo Sosiano.

Situated right on Campo di Marte, between the theater of Marcello and the modern Piazza di Capitelli, the temple was built by the consul Gaio Giulio Mento.

The Appian Way is about to enter the patrimony of UNESCO. They have been debating it for the last few weeks: is it one of Rome's oldest streets, next to the Claudio aqueduct? Here you can admire the volcanic rooks that the road was built with; they queried them next to an extinct volcanic eruption that is 25 miles outside of Rome. On the side of the road, you will see some of Rome's most famous nobles who are buried there, such as Caecilia Metella, The Tomb of Seneca, The Tomb die Rabirii, and the tomb of Ilario Fusco. Nearby you have the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus and Saint Sebastian.