Visiting Rome at any time throughout the year is like taking a journey through time. It doesn’t matter if you stroll through the centre or the outskirts; you are bound to come across incredible monuments and works of art: the Coliseum, the Fontana di Trevi, the majestic Papal Basilica of Saint Peter, the marvellous Sistine Chapel…
If you decide to visit Rome at Christmas, you will discover that this a European city that maintains its traditions by holding the typical Christmas Market in the Piazza Navona, as well as the multitude of nativity scenes and mangers that you can admire throughout the city: Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Termini, Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Sala Bramante at the Piazza del Popolo… the most impressive one however, is the one that has been set up for many years at Saint Peter’s Square…
If you would like to experience a really authentic, traditional Christmas, come to Rome and you will be delighted.

Don’t miss it!

Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is located in St. Peter’s Basilica and it is one of the places you must see if you go to Rome. It is known throughout the world for being the venue for the election of the new pope in a conclave and for capturing all the splendour and spirit of the Renaissance, with its renowned frescoes Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment, among others. There are 4 different itineraries in the Vatican museums with which to visit the Sistine Chapel, or you can go directly to the Chapel and avoid the crowds.
Where: Viale Vaticano
Tel: (+39) 06 6988 49 47
Timetable: Mon-Sat 8:45am-13:45pm

St. Peter’s Basilica
Saint Peter’s Square is a breathtaking sight for all travellers visiting Rome. The square is made up of two rows of colossal Tuscan colonnades that frame the entrance to the beautiful basilica. Famous artists such as Bramante, Rafael and Michelangelo all participated in building it, although Michelangelo is considered to be the mastermind behind it, especially as he designed its majestic dome. Its spectacular interior was decorated by Bernini and Giacomo Della Porta. We recommend going up into the dome to see Saint Peter’s statue, one foot of which is largely worn away from pilgrims kissing it for centuries. Don’t forget to also visit the papal tombs in the Vatican Grottoes.
Where: Piazza San Pietro
Tel: (+39) 06 6988 1662
Timetable: 7am-6pm (Apr-Sep until 7pm)

Roman Coliseum
The Roman Coliseum, which can seat up to 50,000 spectators, was originally an amphitheatre where the Roman public was entertained with battles between gladiators, wild animals and slaves. The outer wall is composed of three levels of arcades. It has suffered extensive damage with the passing of time, after having been left without care in the past. When you enter into its interior, you will be able to truly observe this grandiose monument and to travel back in time as you view the areas where the slaves were kept before they were released to the lions.

The Pantheon
The Pantheon is a building that dates back to Ancient Rome, which remains in relatively good condition, whereby allowing us to imagine how it used to look in the past. The Pantheon is a temple to all the gods and it has the largest dome in the world. This dome has a 9-metre central opening (oculus) that allows in natural light, as well as symbolising the union between the temple and the gods above. If you are in the Pantheon and it happens to start raining, you can watch the raindrops float down in perfect circles from the oculus and splatter against the marble flooring. The Pantheon contains the remains of the artist Rafael.
Where: Piazza della Rotonda
Timetable: Mon-Sat: 8.30am-7.30pm/ Sun: 9am-5.30pm
Phone nº: (+39) 06 6830 0230

Bocca della Verità
The famous Mouth of Truth is an enormous disk in the form of a mask, which is situated in the atrium of the Church of St. Mary in Cosmedin. According to the legend, it was said that if you put your right hand in this mouth and tell a lie, the mouth will close and you will not be able to withdraw it. Some even claim that the priests used to put scorpions inside it to perpetuate the myth. It is quite well-known, as it appears in several movies such as Roman Holiday, in which Gregory Peck pretends he loses his hand.
Where: Piazza della Bocca della Verità, 18, 00186 Rome

Where to eat

Osteria Der Belli Restaurant
This restaurant is located in the Trastevere, one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Rome, which is not as well-known as others. This restaurant is a simple, family-owned Osteria, which is run by two very friendly brothers, with an interesting menu and a good wine list. The prices are very reasonable, not at all expensive and its specialities are pasta and fish. It has a terrace for outdoor dining right in the square.
Where: Piazza S. Apollonia, 11, 00153 Rome
Tel: (+39) 06 5803 782

Vegetariano Il Margutta Restaurant
This vegetarian restaurant is very close to the Piazza di Spagna in Rome. It is an excellent option if you are in the area, for a bit of a change from pasta. This restaurant offers a wide range of very imaginative dishes. We recommend that you call first to make a reservation.
Where: Via Margutta, 118, 00187 Rome
Tel: (+39) 06 3265 0577

Cafetería Tazza D’oro
This traditional café in Rome makes a splendid cappuccino and after enjoying one, we are sure you will agree that it was one of the best you’ve ever had. They also make an excellent iced coffee with cream. It is very close to the Pantheon; it’s on one of the streets that branches out from the square, leaving the Pantheon behind you.
Where: Via degli Orfani, 84 (Pantheon), 00186 Rome
Tel: (+39) 06 6792 768

Hosteria Ulderico
This is a family-owned Roman Trattoria that is a real treasure. Its dishes are made using traditional Roman recipes, with a wide variety of pasta, rice (risotto), together with fish or meat for the main course.
Where: Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, 106, 00184 Rome
Timetable: Mon-Fri: 12pm-3pm and 7.30pm-10.30pm/Sat:12pm-3pm
Tel: (+39) 06 7046 0935

Hostaria la Piazzetta
Hostaria la Piazzetta is a restaurant situated on a medieval side street near the Roma Termini train station. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the staff is very pleasant. The dishes are delicious and quite varied; be sure to order the antipasti and the sweets. Try the rustic Italian dinner and the desserts. We would highly recommend La Crème Brûlé.
Where: Vicolo del Buon Consiglio, 23a, 00184 Roma
Timetable: 12pm-3pm / 7pm-11pm
Tel: (+39) 0669 91640

Shopping

Ai Monasteri
When you enter into this shop you will feel like you’ve gone back in time. It specialises in herbal essences, liquors, soaps, balms, deodorants, anti-aging creams, bath foams and different kinds of brandies elaborated by Italian monks.
Where: Corso del Rinascimento, 78, Rome
Timetable: 9am-1pm/ 4.30pm-7.30pm
Tel: (+39) 06 688 02 783

Piazza di Spagna and its surroundings
The boutiques with the top brands in fashion can be found near the Piazza di Spagna, on surrounding streets such as Via Condotti, Via Frattina and Via Borgognona.

Porta Portese Market
This is one of the most famous markets in Rome, where you are sure to find a bargain. It is also the oldest market in the capital and it is held on Sundays in the Trastevere, starting from 5 o’clock in the morning. This street market is similar to the ones held in Madrid (the Rastro) and in Notting Hill in London, where there are always lots of antiques and falsifications. There are also lots of places to get a bite to eat while you are wandering through the market. Be very careful with your possessions, as there are many pickpocketers around this market. If you go on the underground, get off at the Coliseum and then catch a bus to take you there.
Where: Viale Trastévere
Timetable: Until 1:00pm

CastelRomano Designer Outlet
This is an outlet shopping centre in the south of Rome. Here you will find all the top brands in clothing, footwear and accessories with products from previous seasons at prices reduced from 30 to 70%. To get there using public transport, take line B on the underground to Laurentina Station. When you come out of the underground, there is a COTRAL bus that goes to Pomezia, Latina or TorVajanica. Ask the bus driver if the bus stops at CastelRomano. You need to get off at the Via Pontina stop and the outlet is then a 10-minute walk away. We recommend you catch a taxi from the Laurentina stop.
Where: Via Ponte di Piscina Cupa, 64, 00128 – 13 Km from Rome
Timetable: Mon-Thurs: 10am-8pm /Fri-Sun: 10am-9pm Tel: (+39) 06 5050 050

Going out at night

Nightlife in Campo dei Fiori
The area of Campo dei Fiori in Rome is a good place to go out for a drink. It is full of restaurants, pubs and a few nightclubs. It has a great atmosphere and you can find people there of all ages. The most fashionable bars are: el Drunken Ship, which is right in Campo dei Fiori and is always full to overflowing, and the mojority of the crowd is in their 20’s. Spirit is quieter and has a minimalist decoration. Another option is the Shanti, which serves exotic teas and is also much quieter.

Going out in the area of Trastevere
This is one of the most beautiful and bohemian neighbourhoods in Rome. In Rome, the typical thing to do is to go out for dinner and then have a drink at a bar or an outdoor café. This area offers a wide variety of dining options and a number of small bars to go afterwards for a drink.

Bar Le Sorelle
This bar has a great atmosphere and is a good option to go for a drink after dinner. Here they play live music on Fridays and Saturday.

Nightlife in Testaccio – Matattoio
There are lots of bars in the area of Testaccio. This is the typical area of Rome where the locals and the people who live there go out. There are also many restaurants in this area.

Events

Nativity Scenes in Rome
During the Christmas season, the city of Rome becomes filled with Nativity Scenes that attract crowds of visitors. Some of the most well-known ones are the nativity scenes outside St. Peter’s Basilica and the one in the Piazza Navona, which, although it is much smaller, is delightful to see. The Sala Bramante, situated in the Pizza del Popolo, holds a large exhibition of nativity scenes. It is interesting to see how some entranceways into buildings have been converted into decorative Christmas displays with their small nativity scenes inside. It is really worth taking a walk around this lovely city to take in its Christmas spirit.
When: From the 8 December to 6 January
Where: Centre of Rome

Christmas Market in Rome
The annual Christmas Market at the Piazza Navona never fails to surprise its visitors. Here you can find all sorts of figures to decorate your Nativity Scene, as well as the typical sweets for this time of year, wooden toys and all kinds of Christmas decorations. You will also probably find some fantastic nativity scenes set up around the Piazza Navona, which are really worth taking a look at.
When: From the 8 December to 6 January
Where: Centre of Rome

It hasn’t been baptised as the Love Boat, but it wouldn’t be surprising if quite a few of the more than 7,000 passengers on board do find their other half while strolling along its passageways, on deck, on its artificial beaches, at the bar, the theatre or skating around the ice rink. It is none other than the “Oasis of the Seas,” the largest passenger cruise ship ever built to date. It can hold up to 6,300 passengers and over 2,100 crew members. For now, you will only ply the seas of the Caribbean on the Oasis, but plans are being made for this ship to also cruise to the Mediterranean in a few years time, mooring in Barcelona. This ship is a floating city with every service and activity imaginable on offer. It is a good option for people who like to travel by sea in the company of others. To date, the “Oasis of the Seas” has slashed a number of world records. I wonder how long it will take for another cruise ship to be built that can outdo it.

This month, we’ve selected Almeria in Spain as Hotelopia’s destination of the month.

Read more about the southern tip of Spain, as well as our great hotel offers in and around the region. All this information and more will be included in our newsletter.  Click here to subscribe.

So what’s so great about Almeria?  Almeria boasts more hours of sunshine per year than anywhere else in Spain. In fact, you can easily visit in February or March, find a sunny spot and strip off to your bathers to catch some rays. And since, this is Spain’s most southerly tip, it’s easy to find your own piece of beach paradise on the hundreds of kilometres of glorious coastline.

What’s more, this is the perfect place to see lasting impact the once ruling Moors had on the region. Everyone’s heard of the Alhambra in Granada, but Almeria is home to the equally stunning Alcazaba, an imposing Arabic fortress which stands boldly on the coast.

Add to this Almeria’s desert-like and cactus filled landscape and you’ll think you’re in Arizona than anywhere in Spain. The region has provided a location for various blockbuster movies and spaghetti westerns, which also makes this a great place to learn or to go horse-riding – Yee-ha!

This month, we’ve added a couple of hotel breaks with a difference.  So if you’re struggling to choose from our 25,000 hotels, then here are a couple of options to narrow down the choice.

See the traditional side of Portugal away from the Algarve and book a break into a living history hotel with Pousadas de Portugal.  Hotels are set in wild and rural locations or within restored castles, monasteries or fortresses that have been brought back to life as historical Pousadas.

Also, Hotelopia becomes Boatelopia for a limited time only, as we’ve secured some specials on Egyptian Nile cruises.

If you’re visiting Egypt, then compliment your stay with a cruise along the River Nile. The boats are fully equipped with all mod-cons and take in all the top sights including to the High Dam, the unfinished Obelisque and Philae temples and the Valley of Kings and Queens.

Search now and see what options are available, including routes, cruise dates, and how to book.

If you want to be the first to hear about new hotels, subscribe here to receive our newsletter.

Thomson Experience in association with Hotelopia has confirmed today that they will offer a full refund to those who’ve booked hotel and Michael Jackson concert ticket packages following the star’s death last week.

However, those who booked a package and still wish to visit London can do so, and will be offered alternative entertainment options including West End concert tickets to shows including Thriller Live, the show celebrating Michael Jackson’s life, Oliver and Mama Mia.

London plays host to a wealth of theatre, museum and other attractions so ticket holders can still visit the city for less and take advantage of exclusively renegotiated hotel rates.

This includes paying just £119 for a four star hotel stay (per room, per night including breakfast and taxes) or £199 per room staying at five star hotel during the dates the concert should’ve taken place.

Also customers will be the first to be advised of any replacement concerts taking place at The O2 and if/when they’ll be given the option to book.

To get a refund or to book alternative entertainment options please send your reference number which starts with 164 to customerservice@thomsonexperience.com and outline which option you wish to follow.

Refunds will be processed as soon as possible.

We’re changing the way you’ll get charged should you have to cancel your hotel booking.

If you cancel your hotel, you will only be charged any costs incurred by the hotel.  Booking charges vary, but charges are likely to be between £0 – £15.

If you cancel your hotel seven days before your stay, you will be charged a flat rate of £15 plus hotel charges.

Cancellations made on bookings two days before your stay, and you’ll be charged £25 plus hotel charges.

Don’t forget though that some or all of these charges can be reclaimed on your travel insurance depending on the circumstances in which you cancel.  Please check the terms and conditions of your policy.

The Hotelopia employee in the spotlight this month is David Rivero.  He says:

Hola! I’m David Rivero, and I work in the Design Department at Hotelopia. With summer starting, I’ll be planning plenty of short breaks to festivals and fiestas taking place around Europe.

Madrid goes wild in celebration of its patron saint San Isidro in May while Menorca turns party crazy at the San Juan fiesta held in June. Visitors and residents turn out in their thousands to see the horse displays. I personally prefer the street party which goes on well into the early hours.

But if like me, you prefer live music, then check out Optimus Alive 09 which is held in Portugal. It’s heavy, it’s rocking and I’ll be there to see Metallica (minus the long hair which unfortunately I don’t have anymore).

See you there!

But if like me, you prefer live music, then check out Optimus Alive 09 which is held in Portugal. It’s heavy, it’s rocking and I’ll be there to see Metallica (minus the long hair which unfortunately I don’t have anymore).

See you there!

Hi, I’m Alex Hidalgo and I’m part of Hotelopia’s Product Department which involves working on our portfolio of 25,000 hotels. And since we’re based in Majorca, I won’t have to travel very far to enjoy the summer. As well as the fantastic beaches and spectacular scenery on the island, Majorca makes not just the perfect home, but the perfect holiday destination.

Formentera will also be on my list of places to visit this summer. As the lesser known of the Balearic Islands, it’s just a short ferry ride from Ibiza. The white sands and turquoise blue seas make this the closest you can get to a Caribbean break without leaving the Med. Add in the sultry sunsets from the Big Sur and eating paella overlooking the ocean at Ca’n Rafalet and that’s my summer just about wrapped up. Just make sure yours is!

See the King of Pop for the last time!  Hotelopia has teamed up with Thomson Experience to offer concert ticket and hotel packages for the final Michael Jackson – This Is It Tour in London. The last few packages are up for grabs, and start from £209 per person.

Welcome to Blogtelopia, the official (English) blog from online bed specialist Hotelopia.  Be the first to find out about news, offers and promotions happening here at Hotelopia, as well as other travel news and interesting stuff we think you’ll like.  Feel free to comment too.  Tell us what you like, don’t like, and what you want to see more of.  The blog starts here…