Hotel Des Artistes Rome Travel Guide

Do you know what’s all the rage right now in Rome? Bus tickets.

Well, not ordinary bus tickets:  Atac, the company resposible for the public transportation in Rome has just issued tickets with Pope Francis’ image on them.  The company claims that since the limited edition of the tickets hit the streets on March 27th sales have increased by 32%.

If you get one hold on to it– something tells me they’ll become vintage souvenirs!

The traditional Roman cuisine, is based on  dishes that are simple but rich in flavor and often in cholesterol too! Romans have always snubbed the dishes too complicated in favor of those of rustic inspiration. The most famous first  roman courses are:

Spaghetti Carbonara:   The whole story of the origin of this dish and its place in cucina romana is vague. The origin of carbonara is much discussed. Someone attributes it to Umbrian Coal workers that would have introduced this dish to the Romans in the nineteenth century, someone else argues instead that the inventor is Ippolito Cavalcanti, a Neapolitan nobleman who published this recipe in a book. The ingredients are very simple: spaghetti, eggs, bacon, grated cheese, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Click here for the recipe.

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe: spaghetti with Cacio e pepe (literally, cheese and pepper) is a typical first course of the Roman tradition: cheese, however, has certainly been in the history of food: the first dressing added with pasta, widely used even before the introduction of the tomato.
The recipe of spaghetti Cacio e Pepe is very simple but, for this reason, the attention to detail must be maniacal or you risk getting a simple pasta with cheese. Click here for the recipe

Bucatini Amatriciana: Spaghetti Amatriciana, is a symbol of the roman culinary tradition.
The original recipe was born Amatrice, a small town on the border beetwen Abruzzo and  Lazio region.
In the past, the recipe was a meal of the poor shepherds and unlike today’s tomato-based version, it was mostly white: spaghetti, bacon, cheese and nothing else. Click here for the recipe

How to see Rome in one day

I get this very often: “Can I see the most important things in Rome in only one day?”

Yes, you can! And here’s how:

07:30. Colosseum. Let’s say you are staying at Hotel Des Artistes. Go to the station Castro Pretorio (just around the corner!) or to Termini and take the blue subway line. Get off at the station Colosseo. The Colisseum opens an 08:30, and it’s advisable to make a booking beforehand. You can do so through this website.

12:30 The Vatican. Wasn’t that something? Now brace yourself for the Vatican museums. Go back to the subway station, get off at Termini, take the red line there (direction Battistini) and get off at Ottaviano, then walk to the museum. The Vatican museums are open until 18:00 but the entrance is allowed only until 16:00. The Sistine Chapel is part of the same complex, which means you get to see it once you are inside the museum.

Again, your experience will be greatly improved if you book your tickets before. Click here to visit the official Vatican website and make a booking.

Once you finish your visit to the museum you can head to Saint Peter’s (winter 7:00-18:30/ summer 7.00/19:00). You don’t have to pay to visit the Basilica.

17:00 Piazza del Popolo, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon. Alright, now take the subway from Ottaviano and get off at Flaminio. You’ll find yourself in front of Piazza del Popolo, a beautiful square from which you can start walking down Via del Corso, which is also the main avenue to do shoping in Rome. Walk down Via del Corso and follow the signs to the Spanish Steps, then walk to the Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon and Navona Square. I know, it’s a lot, but I’ve prepared a map for you.

20:00 Se Magna (”Time to eat”, for those of you not very well-versed in the Roman dialect) Out of breath? I don’t blame you: you have conquered Rome in one day!. Now, from Navona Square walk to Largo Torre Argentina, and walk accross the river or take the Tram 8 to Trastevere, a paradise of typical restaurants where I’m sure you will find something that fits both your taste and your budget.

Whoa! We did it!
Did you know that we have a special discount for those who venture last minute into the Eternal City? Just send us a line of call us to find more about it! You have a deal, you have a plan, what else are you waiting for?!

Probably one of the least likely places to look for a guru of Rock and Roll is Autlan, a little Mexican town near the Pacific coast, but that’s where Carlos Santana was born.

Santana’s family moved from Autlan to Tijuana, near the border with the United States, and then to San Francisco. It was there where Carlos was going to amaze the world with his bold fusion of rock, African and latin rythms and oriental mysticism.

Carlos spent the 70′s and 80′s at the forefront of rock but the sales of his records slowed down and by the end of the 90′s he didn’t have a contract with any record label. His luck changed with Supernatural, an album studded with rock celebrities that marked Santanas’ comeback as a big name in rock.

Now as a part of his Sentient tour Santana will visit Rome next July 28. The concert will take place at the Foro Italico, that can be easily reached from Hotel Des Artistes (red subway line until Ottaviano, the bus 32).

Finalmente Roma tiene un nuevo papa.

El mundo se mostro sorprendido al descubrir que la eleccion habia sido mas rapida de lo esperado, pero la sopresa mayor fue descubrir que el nuevo papa – que tomara el nombre de Francesco, o Francisco en espanol- no era otro que Jorge Mario Bergoglio, arzobispo de Buenos Aires, quien no habia sido incluido en ninguna de las listas preliminares elaboradas por expertos en cuestiones vaticanas y por los genios de las probabilidades de las casas de apuestas de todo el mundo. Como se dice en Roma, quien entra al conclave como papa sale como cardenal.

Vista en retrospectiva, la eleccion del arzobispo Bergoglio- quien sera el primer papa “extra-europeo” de la historia-  es una eleccion inteligente. Se trata de un hombre austero, quien eligio su nombre como homenaje a San Francisco de Asis y que sin duda dara a la iglesia calor humano y fuerza, eso sin mencionar las inmensas reservas de apoyo y devocion que lo respaldan en America Latina, donde la mayor parte de la pobacion profesa la fe catolica.

El proximo domingo el papa Francisco ofrecera su primer Angelus, la bendicion publica que los papas ofrecen cada semana a medio dia. Sera sin duda una gran oportunidad para presenciar un evento historico! Si necesita ayuda o informacion para encontrar alojamiento en Roma, no dude en contactarnos por e-mail. o usando nuestro sitio de internet, para que asi obtenga las tarifas mas convenientes en la Ciudad Eterna.

So, we finally have a Pope.

The world was surprised to learn the election was so quick, but was even more surprised to learn that the new pope – who will go under the name Francesco, or Francis in English- was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, who wasn’t included in any of the preliminary lists made by Vatican experts and probability whizzes at the gambling companies around the world. As the  Roman saying  goes, whoever enters the conclave as a pope, leaves as a cardinal.

With hindsight, the election of archbishop Bergoglio, who will become the first pope to arrive from outside Europe, is a smart one. An austere man who chose his papal name inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, he is sure to bring warmth and vigour to the church he is called to lead, that without mentioning the immense reserve of devotion and support he will find in Latin America, where the majority of the population is catholic.

Next Sunday, Pope Francis will offer his first Angelus, the public blessing the pope offers every week at noon. It will be a great opportunity to be part of a historical event! If you need help with your accomodation in Rome, don’t hesitate to contact us, or check our website to get the  best rates in the Eternal City!

Next Sunday we’ll have a new edition of the Rome Marathon. Athletes from all around the world will visit the city to compete but also to admire one of the most beautiful and suggesting cities while doing so.

Since is more than likely that the official ceremony to present the new pope will also take place on Sunday mayor Alemanno has already announced that if that should be the case, the papal ceremony will take place during the morning and the marathon will be moved to the evening, so people visiting the city that day can expect a day full of surprises and emotions.

Want to join in the fun? Make a booking with us through our website or make an inquiry by e-mail, we’ll be happy to offer you the best rates for accommodation in Rome!

Today, cardinals from all around the world will meet in Rome to elect a new leader for the catholic church.

According to the Italian media there are a couple of strong names, namely cardinal Scola from Milano and cardinal Scherer from Sao Paolo but none of them seems to be able to get the 77 votes that are necessary to reach the majority of the preferences. Specialists do not expect a quick decision but it’s almost certain that the new pope will be elected before the week ends, probably on Sunday, a possibility that the city council has already contemplated, making arrangements to move the annual city marathonf from the morning to the evening in case Sunday turns out to be the big day.

Tonight rains in Rome and there is in the air a feel of anticipation while the eyes and cameras of the world turn to the Sistine chapel waiting for the white smoke signal that will open the next chapter in the history of catholicism.

Want to witness history? check our availability on-line or send us an e-mail to book your accommodation for this memorable day.