I have enjoyed spending the past months planning our trip to Italy, going through hours of posts- I feel like I know many of you! Now that we are close I have a few last minute questions. What do you suggest the best way for 4 to get from the airport to Hotel Ripa in Trastevere. We have agreed to pack light, but that may still be more than I'd like to haul onto a train/bus. Which bus is most convenient to our Hotel? Thanks Y'all! Sandi
Your hotel is in the “lower Transtevere” (new section), which is closer to Stanzioni Piramide/Stanzioni Ostiense, than to central train station Stanzioni Termini.
So when you get to Fuimicino, don’t take Leondardo Express (to Termini), but take the Metro-line, to one of the two stops (forgot which one) Stanzioni Piramide or Stanzioni Ostiense. I think the official name for it is Osteinse. Piramide is a “local ref”.
Get out of the train, walk up to the Tiber on Via Marmorata (3 blocks). Cross bridge Ponte Sublicio, walk a little further into Via Portunese, and walk back (south west) down Tiber on Portunese 1 block. You’ll see a little park, and there is your hotel.
It’s right below Porta Portese (which is great, because on Sundays, Porta Portese is ONE OF THE BEST in the World Flea Markets).
So, just take metro to Osteinse, and then either walk 4-5 long blocks or take taxi 6-8 EURO max for this distance.
Thanks Moscow Girl- you seem to know the area well...any favorite resturants? The 'kids' will be looking for local late night music. While we're more interested in good food and wine.
You might be closer to you hotel by getting off the train at the Trastevere station, the stop just before the train crosses the Tiber River and stops again at Ostiense Station on the east side of the River.
b) The 'kids' will be looking for local late night music.
c) While we're more interested in good food and wine.
Ok... you know, Trastevere is "Old Jewish Quarters" of Rome... My favorite Jewish restaurant is not so Jewish... and it's on the other side of River.
From your hotel, get back to Tiber, walk up to Isola Tiberina, cross it, walk up the via Ottavia, to Visa Portico. And there you have it: "Taverna Del Ghetto". (tel: 06-688-09-771).
It's safest to make reservations. But for lunch you can sometimes just walk in (there will be a bit of a wait though).
Jazz, Latin and Wine for Parents who like some romance, while kids are out slam-dancing. Alexanderplatz: Via Ostia 9, Rome, Italy 00192 • 06-39-74-21-71
Caffe Latino: Via Monte Testaccio 96, Rome, Italy 00153 • 06-574-40-20
To hang out with Hoity-Toity Roman crowd . Gilda: Via Mario de' Fiori 97, Rome, Italy 00187 • 06-678-48-38
Disco Dancing for those who still think they are smarter than parents Alien: Via Velletri 13-19, Rome, Italy 00198 • 06-841-22-12
Black Out: Via Saturnia 18, Rome, Italy 00183 • 06-70-496-791
Hard core Punk, Goth, and other “Moble Home Lot” attire. Radio Londra: Via Monte Testaccio 67, Rome, Italy 00153 • 06-575-00-44
Very close to your hotel is the following club, for Gay clientel, very nice and very safe. If you have two daughters, and they have to dance without supervision, this is where you send them: L'Alibi: Via Monte Testaccio 40-44, Rome, Italy 00153 • 06-574-34-48
Moscow Girl, I admire your knowledge of Italy, but the "Jewish Quarter" of Rome is the Ghetto, and it is on the other side of the Tiber from Trastevere, crossing at Ponte Garibaldi and turning right off Via Arenula.
Originally posted by Eloise: Moscow Girl, I admire your knowledge of Italy, but the "Jewish Quarter" of Rome is the Ghetto, and it is on the other side of the Tiber from Trastevere, crossing at Ponte Garibaldi and turning right off Via Arenula.
Sorry, you're right! It's just that so many Jewish families we know in Rome, all live in Trastevere, on the other side...Plus the other synagogues.... But you're absolutely right abou the Ghetto.
Moscow Girl: Did I understand your post to say that the Taverna del Ghetto is your favorite restaurant but is not Jewish? Maybe I've misunderstood because the order of the posts was so confusing (and you seem to be generally so well informed and helpful ) but it is certainly Jewish AND kosher!
M
Posts: 6760 | Location: Montclair, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 March 2003
I'll plagerize and paraphrase from my trip report about our favorite little Trastevere enoteca.
"The rest of us went to ...the Enoteca Trastevere, and sat outside enjoying vino and the most spectacular dessert on earth. The enoteca had a chocolate, cinnamon dessert that is hard to describe except to say I nearly licked the plate clean to get every last morsel. The dessert’s name is Il Saraceno and besides chocolate, it has cinnamon and cayenne pepper."
I can still taste that dessert (and I finally have gotten the chocolate off my nose).
Originally posted by Marian: Moscow Girl: Did I understand your post to say that the Taverna del Ghetto is your favorite restaurant but is not Jewish? but it is certainly Jewish AND kosher!
Sorry, it's monday, and I have not been speaking English all weekend, so my words in english are all over and no precice. I meant not strictly Jewish, there are enough typical Italian dishes to suite all tastes.
Sandi, with all this back and forth about what is or is not Jewish, no one has mentioned the one all-important fact: You must absolutely try carciofi alle giudea (artichokes in the Jewish manner)!
They are fresh artichokes, pressed flat to a flower-like shape, then fried. They come out crispy-fresh, and as far as I am concerned, they are to die for!
You will be there during artichoke season, when they are at their best. Please promise that you will try at least one!
Originally posted by MoscowGirl: Your hotel is in the “lower Transtevere” (new section), which is closer to Stanzioni Piramide/Stanzioni Ostiense, than to central train station Stanzioni Termini.
NO NO NO! It is closer to Stazione Trastevere.
quote:
So when you get to Fuimicino, don’t take Leondardo Express (to Termini), but take the Metro-line, to one of the two stops (forgot which one) Stanzioni Piramide or Stanzioni Ostiense. I think the official name for it is Osteinse. Piramide is a “local ref”.
Well, yes and no. Yes, you take the local train, NOT the Leonardo Express, but you get off in Trastevere, not Ostiense.
From the station, walk across the piazza and out to the street, where you'll see the tram stop in the middle of the road. Take whichever tram arrives first (either #3 or #8) for two stops, to Piazza I. Nievo. Walk about a half block north and make the first right onto Via E. Bezzi, then the third left onto V.D. Orti.
ellen
Posts: 2898 | Location: mahwah, new jersey, usa | Registered: 10 December 2003
You are geographically absolutely right. But that nighborhood, where you get out at St. Trastevere visually and "emotionally" is as awfull as 'some nighborhood" in Detroit. Square buldings, more squrate buldings......... welcome to suburbs of Moscow. At least when you get to Piramide the streets and venues look amiacble, you feel you're in "Rome" not in "new something".
I agree it's not the most picturesque area of Rome, but it's hardly comparable to a bad neighborhood in Detroit. Besides, you'd only be passing through it on a tram for about three minutes. Why double the travel distance, and do much of it on foot, while carrying luggage?
ellen
Posts: 2898 | Location: mahwah, new jersey, usa | Registered: 10 December 2003
Thank you- you are so right about dragging luggage. I'm sure after a week we will make use of both routes. I am highlighting them on my map. I may take the easy route and hire a car to meet us at the airport. Once we get out feet on the ground, and our heads in the right time zone, we will be more adventurous.
Originally posted by MoscowGirl:But that nighborhood, where you get out at St. Trastevere visually and "emotionally" is as awfull as 'some nighborhood" in Detroit.
quote:
Originally posted by ellens: I agree it's not the most picturesque area of Rome, but it's hardly comparable to a bad neighborhood in Detroit.
Hey, knock it off. Detroit has come a long way in the past few years. Honestly...
Topic Closed
While we're more interested in good food and wine. 
) but it is certainly Jewish AND kosher! 
