compass How to get to staff Taxi Dear Guest,

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1 Dear Guest, compass The following is not only a list of useful info, but a real personal guide we made for you which contains all the info we think you may need to know before traveling and suggestions to plan your stay. Some of them will be extremely useful during your stay, in terms of how to move around and where to find this or that. In one word, this will be you compass (or compass). These suggestions are the result of our experience, answering thousands of questions, and our 30+ years of Roman life. We hope you will enjoy reading through it cause our main goal is that you take the most out of your time in Rome. We want your stay in Rome to be as perfect as you dreamt it when you were thinking let s go to Rome this year!. Please count on us for any question you might have, before and during your stay. We look forward to welcome you in Roma, staff How to get to Private Shuttle Service As Rome s taxi drivers are not the best tourist welcomers, we prefer to offer you our help to book a secure and punctual private shuttle service from the airport or from Civitavecchia Port. Our rates: From/to the airport From/to Civitavecchia Port 1/3 people 55,00 150,00 4 people 65,00 165,00 5 people 70,00 165,00 6 people 80,00 180,00 7 people 90,00 210,00 Please let us know (up to 24hrs. in advance) in case you would like to have a car/van to pick you up. Taxi Roman taxi drivers aren t any better or worse than those in any other city. Some will try to fleece you, others won t. To minimize the risk, make sure your taxi is licensed (it ll be white with the letters SPQR on the front door), and always go with the metered fare, never an arranged. You can

2 wait at a taxi rank or call for one. The closest taxi rank is just beside the facade of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore: looking at the facade, it s on the left side (1min walking). To book a taxi by phone, you can call the following taxi companies: 1. Pronto Taxi: Radio Taxi: Bus & Metro Ticket A wide range of different kinds of tickets and season tickets are available in the Metrebus Roma system: BIT ( 1,50) Valid for 100 minutes from the moment it has been stamped (1 metro run only); BIT ( 7,00) Valid for the entire day for an unlimited number of journeys until midnight; BTR ( 18,00) Valid for 3 days from the date it has been first stamped, meaning until midnight of the third day including stamping, for an unlimited number of journeys; CIS ( 24,00) Valid for 7 days from the date it has been first stamped, meaning until midnight of the seventh day including the day it was stamped, for an unlimited number of journeys. Remember that, in order for it to be valid, you must always validate your bus ticket at the beginning of your journey (this is also true for train tickets in Italy) and when transferring onto the metro. Also, remember one ticket includes (within 100 minutes from the validation hr.): 1 metro run; infinite busses runs. You will find all the info also to plan your journey on: Roma Pass This is a useful tool, even though you do not need to book it in advance. We definitely suggest purchasing a Roma Pass if you plan to stay at least 2 days. It entitles the cardholder to enter for free into 2 museums and/or archeological sites of your choice (including Coliseum and Galleria Borghese not valid for the Vatican), use the public transports for three days in a row, as well as many other benefits (discounts in museums, tourist sites, shops, events and theatres). This can be purchased at the Tourist Info Point in the airport, at Termini Station and in other Info Booths around the city. Cost: 28,00 (as per Aug. 2016) tours info before traveling Hiring a private guide or choosing the right tour company is definitely the best way to learn rather than simply watch the infinite monuments and sightseeing of the Eternal City. Booking a private Tour As every touristic city, in Rome there are thousands of tour companies that offer all kind of tours and our guests are often confused and ask us for suggestions. Thanks to our guests feedbacks through the years, we have developed a great knowledge of the pros and cons of many of most of them.

3 Therefore, we have selected the following three tour companies, as they have always offered great service at reasonable rates for our guests. Check their websites and let us know your preferred tours, we will be happy to book it for you or to introduce you to them: 1. Rome Walks is an English language company devoted to help the busy travelers make the most out of their visit to the Eternal City. Their expert knowledge and advices can help visitors escape the confusion with their carefully designed groups and private tours. With a maximum of 10 clients per walk, Rome Walks enables you to experience the real Rome NotForTouristRome is a group of young Romans who started this project in They organize tailored tours: from the most common (Coliseum, the Vatican Museums, etc.), to other more uncommon Upon request they organize all kind of theme tours, like Nero or Julio Cesar tours, where they will take you to the places where they have fought, the monuments they have built, where they lived, etc. Or, if you like music and you want to know the history of music in Rome, they will take you to the most popular places in Rome. So, you pick the theme and they will organize everything for you. These guys will take you to the secret and less known places and areas, where you will find the genuine Roman contemporary culture. Recently, they also started the project Touring Rome as a local, a program of guided tours in English: three group tours (Street Food Street Art Hidden Churches) designed to give you the chance to discover the less touristic spots and corners of the city. An official local guide is going to introduce you to the deepest secrets of Rome! Insert the promo code NFTR018 when enquiring on their website to have a special rate HR Tours is the results of 20+ years of experience in the rental of cars and motorbikes. They organize tours in vintage cars (Cinquecento) and on vintage motorbikes (Vespa). With a large fleet of vehicles and a highly professional team, HR Tours is able to organize fascinating, exciting, exclusive tours of Rome on board of vintage Vespas and Cinquecentos from the 60s and 70s, in the company of their expert riders. Be sure you will have a memorable day, it s all about enjoying the freedom of being on two wheels or the fashion of being in a unique vintage small car. Tour on your own If you rather prefer to walk the city and admire its infinite beauties on your own, in order to enhance your experience, we strongly suggest you to book the following sightseeing in advance in order to avoid the line: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Cost: 16,00 +4,00 for online booking (remember to print your voucher!) biglietteriamusei.vatican.va Coliseum and Roman Forum Cost: 12,00 +2,00 for online booking

4 Galleria Borghese Cost: 11,00 +2,00 for online booking This is one of the best museums in the world (not only according to us) and it s located inside Villa Borghese (Rome s Central Park), so it s worth to have a walk inside the Villa on the way to or on the way back from there. Please note that the reservation is compulsory and our suggestion is to book it in advance. tips when in Rome, do like the Romans do Crossing the Road Traffic etiquette in Rome is about survival of the fittest However, no matter how aggressive we may seem, Italian (Roman) drivers aren t willing to run over pedestrians. We know that crossing the road is a hazardous occupation for tourists in Rome, and it pays to stay alert but our suggestion is BE BRAVE! When at a zebra crossing with no traffic light, as a pedestrian you have the right of way, but Roman drivers are quick to spot an irresolute tourist and are just as likely to accelerate as to stop. Now it s time to show how BRAVE you are If you follow our tips, no one will run over you (maybe ): 1st step set your foot on the road 2nd make sure that the driver approaching has seen you and show him/her that you are willing to cross the road (at this point he/her will should slow down) 3rd start crossing but keep an eye on the traffic as there might be a scooter behind the car/bus that is overtaking and not visible. Please note that even when there is a green light (obviously indicating that you can cross the road), cars may still be entitled to turn onto the road and cross where you are blithely walking. Tipping Tipping in Italy is not compulsory as in other Countries (i.e.: USA and Canada). So, if you get a very good service, you can tip the waiter or the driver or whoever if serving you (5,00Euro is a good tip; 10,00Euro is a very good tip; more than that is a great tip unless you are in a 5 stars restaurant ), but remember that every restaurant includes the service charge in the bill you are going to pay. General Safety Our neighborhood is very safe! The worst part of the city centre is the area around the Termini Station, all you can find is either homelesses or drunk people, but they are definitely not dangerous. More in general, Rome is a pretty safe city: you should only take obvious precautions as in any big city, such as keeping your bags and possessions under your control (i.e. keeping your backpack in front of you or your wallet NOT in the back pocket of your jeans when in a crowded place/metro) and being alert for bag-snatchers and pickpockets (i.e. metro, Trevi s Fountain, etc.). Local Time GMT +1 (Central European Time) i.e. when in New York is 12.00pm, in Rome is 18.00pm Summertime Starting: last Sunday of March (1 hour more). Ending: last Sunday of October (1 hour less)

5 Mobile Phones In case you will have an Italian mobile No., in order to call Italy from abroad, your family and friends will need to dial the country code, 0039 (or +39). Purchase international phone cards in Italy at a tabacchi store T or at the airport. If you plan to count on your mobile number please make sure you contact your provider before traveling in order for you to use your mobile phone in Italy. Internet & Here at mok house you will have free Internet Wi-Fi access with your laptop or mobile devices 24/7. In the apt./room you will find the password to connect your devices. Staying connected around the city More and more hotels, cafes, and retailers are signing on as Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) "hot spots. To find cyber-cafes check markets food markets and flea markets Mercato Esquilino The Esquilino Market is the perfect example of Rome s slow progression into a multicultural city. The market used to be one of the most important and traditional markets in Rome. It was located outdoors in the middle of Piazza Vittorio and it used to be run mostly by Italian vendors. As the Esquilino district evolved into a largely immigrant neighborhood, (it is now seen as Rome s Chinatown), the market was moved indoors in a former milk plant just east of the piazza, and its vendors, as well as its shoppers, are now almost exclusively immigrants. The Esquilino Market is an interesting place to visit to immerse you in an exotic atmosphere. Here you will be able to puzzle at the odd shapes of some vegetables; you will be overpowered by the bright colors and strong smells of spices. Mostly, after having purchased 26 different types of rice and an equally high number of different spices, you will have had a different experience of the ever-evolving Eternal City. Porta Portese Every Sunday morning at Porta Portese (next to the Trastevere district), from 8am to 2pm, you will find the only Roman flea market. Forget about Portobello: Porta Portese turned to be just like any other ordinary (mostly cloth) market and totally lost its past charm.

6 Campo de Fiori Probably the most famous within and highlighted on all the tourist guides, Campo de Fiori (literally flower field ) is one of the most furnished food market downtown. Every morning, from 8am till 2pm, you ll find fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and meat but in the unique atmosphere of central Rome. compass & around Electricity Electrical plugs in Italy are different from North America, but also from some other European Countries (such as UK). Make sure you bring an adaptor with you. You ll find useful info about electrical plugs at the following link: Money Try to get familiar with the currency, and don't be afraid to check your change. In a restaurant don't be shy of querying the bill, if necessary. ATMs are called Bancomat in Italian. They have menus in English, French and Spanish, so they will be easy to use. Check with your bank if you're concerned about being able to draw money. Foreign credit/debit cards in Europe have (usually) a reduced withdrawal capacity: it often happens that you may withdraw only up to 250,00Euro/day from a European ATM. To avoid this limitation, make sure you contact your bank before traveling. Please note that many businesses, shops and restaurants in Italy do not accept credit cards. Post Office The closest is open Mon.-Sat. 8.30am-1.00pm and it s just opposite to our block: exit the building, take left and go around the building. You will see it at the end of the street, just look at the other side of the road a little bit on your left. The closest Central Post Office is in Piazza San Silvestro (close to Trevi s Fountain); Mon.- Fri. 08:30am - 06:00pm, Sat.-Sun. 08:30am - 02:00pm Pharmacy As well as the Post Office, the closest Pharmacy is just opposite to our block: exit the building, take left and go around the building. You will see it at the end of the street, just look on the other side of the road a little bit on your left. Banks and ATMs There are 3 banks (and ATMs) in Via Merulana: exit the building, take right and turn left toward Santa Maria Maggiore. Credit/Debit Cards Loss The theft or loss of a document must be reported to the nearest Carabinieri or Police station (Polizia) where the robbery or loss occurred. In the case of a passport, the owner s Consulate or Embassy in Italy should be contacted. The following are useful phone numbers to call if this happens: Debit Card: American Express: Diner s Club: Cartasì Mastercard Visa:

7 Tobacconist Cariplo Cartamoneta (Mastercard Visa): Bank Americard (Mastercard Visa): Look for a white T on a black background: in these shops you will find all monopoly goods such as cigarettes, stamps (called francobolli; the cost is 0.95 for delivery within Europe), lotto and metro/bus tickets, as well as phone cards, snacks, etc. The closest is only 50 meters from mok house, in Via Merulana: exit the building, take right and turn left toward Santa Maria Maggiore. Shops Shops in the city center are usually open from 09.30am to 07.30pm, even if the smallest ones could close during lunchtime (approximately from 01.30pm to 04.00pm). A good example is the bakery in front of us: they are open from 7.00am till 02.00pm and then from 05.00pm till 8.00pm (while during Summer time it s only open in mornings). Embassies U.S.A. Via Vittorio Veneto, 121 Ph Canada Via Zara, 30 Ph Brasil Piazza Navona, 14 Ph Consolate: Piazza di Pasquino, 8 Ph Australia Via Antonio Bosio, 5 Ph India Via XX Settembre, 5 Ph U.K. Via XX Settembre, 80 Ph France Palazzo Farnese Piazza Farnese, 67 Ph Consolate: Via Giulia, 25 Ph / Emergency: Ph Spain Largo della fontanella Borghese, 19 Ph Hospital Hopefully you won t need this info just in case, the closest hospital is the San Giovanni Hospital (2km from mok house), just behind the San Giovanni Basilica, at the end of Via Merulana (opposite of Santa Maria Maggiore). Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 5/a Ph