DK Travel : Rome : Around Piazza Navona

This is Baroque Rome in all its theatrical glory, a collection of curvaceous architecture and elaborate fountains by the era’s two greatest architects, Bernini and Borromini, and churches filled with paintings by the likes of Caravaggio and Rubens. The street plan was largely overhauled by 16th- to 18th-century popes attempting to improve the traffic flow from St Peter’s – in fact, a 19th-century plan to turn Piazza Navona into a boulevard from Prati across Ponte Umberto I was only killed when wiser heads widened Corso del Rinascimento instead. However, ancient Rome does peek through in the shape of Piazza Navona and the curve of Palazzo Massimo alle Colonne. This is also a neighbourhood of craftsmen, shopkeepers and antiques restorers and dealers who line Via dei Coronari (see Antiques Shops). More recently the narrow alleys around Via della Pace have become a centre of Roman nightlife, with tiny pubs, trendy cafés and nightspots where the clientele spills out into the streets in summer (see Chic Cafés and Bars).

Holiday Apartments Rome

A private apartment / vacation home in Italy is actually a real opportunity to combine an accommodation in Rome at affordable prices with an incomparable location in the heart of the city between monuments and attractions. By booking an apartment you are able to view directly on-site all the details (type of rooms, amenities, distances, best sightseeing tours in the area,..) without unpleasant surprises.

Our apartments are all elegantly furnished, fully equipped with every comfort and well serviced. All our properties are carefully selected, controlled and managed exclusively by us directly. We guarantee that the proposed flats meet our standards of quality in terms of location and services.

Moreover you can take advantage of all our additional services (booking museums, restaurants, guided tours, where to eat in rome, and information regarding major events and best places to visit in Rome in the period requested) for a pleasant stay in complete freedom. In addition we are used to, upon request, prepare a mini Rome Travel Guide with all the information needed to live the city and the specific area chosen.

Leon Holiday Apartments suggest to their guest a list the best restaurants in Rome, in the vicinity of our holiday apartments. Each of the central areas of the city where we are present is characterized by its own traditions and typical restaurants / pizzerias. Make sure to try these restaurants and trattorias during your visit in Rome...I think good food makes traveling even more enjoyable!

To more information see the web portal http://www.leonholidayapartments.com The stay has been cheaper and more comfortable than in the Hotel. I suggest everyone who is planning a trip to Rome to rent their apartment.
Hotel Genio

Via Zanardelli n° 28. Hotel Genio Rome is a five stories neo-renassaince building, completely renewed with a wonderful terrace on the top where you can have an overlook of the whole center of Rome and its monuments.
LeonHolidayApartments

Our apartments are all elegantly furnished, fully equipped with every comfort and well serviced. All our properties are carefully selected, controlled and managed exclusively by us directly. We guarantee that the proposed flats meet our standards of quality in terms of location and services.

mail: info@leonholidayapartments.com
Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is my favorite place to grab a carafe of wine and people watch for hours. It is comical to watch the purse and watch vendors try to evade the police, as they drive in circles around the Piazza which used to be the site of Roman chariott races. During the Summer of 2008 the Bernini fountain was under restoration and covered by scaffolding, but the Piazza is still a great place to go and grab a table to watch the action.
Pizzeria La Montecarlo

In the heart of Rome's centro storico, this is a surprising non-touristy hotspot that is thronged with fun-loving (and budget-conscious) locals every night. Think of it as a continuous pizza party that you're welcome to crash. Montecarlo is just a sit-down pizza place--nothing trendy--but service is fast and friendly, and there are tons of tables inside and out. Pizzas (thin-crusted, alla romana) start at 5 euros, and inexpensive house wine flows freely. All in all, a great taste of Rome's energy and affability.
Trattoria

Trattoria di Roma's star-studded clientele includes Scarlett Johansson and John Travolta, so right away you know this is one hip restaurant. The décor is thrillingly unique – the walls are covered with woven iron, copper, steel and rope to represent the traditional cooking utensils at the heart of the slow food movement. Yes, this magnificently modern destination eaterie is one of the hotspots of the retro slow food brigade. Its chef, Filippo La Mantia started out as a photojournalist in his native Sicily, recording the doings of the Mafia, but is now a celebrity chef throughout Italy. Diners study him at his stove through the huge tilted glass curtain, the only separation between diners and the heat of the kitchen. La Mantia has earned loads of attention creating Sicilian and Mediterranean dishes infused with details from his tours of the Far East, like cous cous with squid in citrus pesto, sweet and sour tuna, lobster with potatoes in Malvasia glaze, cassata and cannoli. Trattoria enjoys a great location near Rome's Pantheon. Terrific wine list.