The best of Rome
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Written by: Anita Lišková & Todd Shaw
Photo by: www.isifa.com
Situated on the River Tiber, between the Apennine Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the “Eternal City” of Rome was once the center of the mighty Roman Empire. Today, it remains the seat of the Italian government and home to numerous ministerial offices, as well as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
| Jan Matoušek director, Italian-Czech chamber of commerce and industry CAMIC Favorite hotels: San Carlo, Via delle Carrozze, 93, tel. +39 06 678 4548 – a simple friendly family hotel few meters from the Spanish steps Hotel Nazionale, Piazza Montecitorio, 131, tel. +39 06 695 001 – an old, noble hotel on the square right beside the Italian parliament, where – with a little luck – you may see famous faces from Italian politics Favorite restaurants: Ristorante 34, Via Mario de’Fiori, 34, tel. +39 06 679 5091 – offering unique cuisine from Rome and friendly ambience – it’s necessary to book in advance. Favorite attraction: Piazza Navona in the evening Favorite shop: La Rinascente, Via Alberto Pollio, 50 00159 Roma, tel. +39 06 432 073 – shopping center Advice: Do not rush; it’s better to see less but comprehend more. |
| Martin Cicala owner, CICALA agenzia viaggiFavorite hotel: Hotel Porta Maggiore, Piazza Porta Maggiore 25, tel.: +39 06 702 7927 Favorite restaurant: Trattoria Gigetto, Via Portico d’Ottavia 21/a-22, tel.: +39 06 686 1105 Favorite attraction: Musei Vaticani, including Sixtin Chappel I recommend taking the longest tour, which lasts about 5 hours – it’s amazing and worth it. Best-kept secret: Via di Giubbonari – the Jewish district Advice: In the city travel with the public transport system, especially buses – for better speed and comfort, use the underground. |
| Aneta Mrakešová manager, FedeFavorite hotel: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills, Largo Benedetto Marcello 220, tel. +39 06 854 2141 Favorite restaurant: Papa Rex, Via Aurelia 87 (Vaticano), tel. +39 06 634 998 – dance music every evening Favorite night club: Gilda, Via Mario Dee Fiori 97, tel.: +39 06 678 4838 Favorite attraction: Colosseum on Piazza del Colosseo, entrance fee: EUR 8 Best-kept secret: Campo di Fiori – a charming little square every morning covered with flowers, fruits, and vegetables for the day market Favorite shop: Armani, Via dei Condotti 76, tel. +39 06 699 1460 Advice: Don’t forget to see Fountain di Trevi lit up at night, known from Fellini’s Dolce Vita movie. |
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Where on the web?
For further information, we suggest the following websites dedicated to Rome:
www.cityguide.travel-guides.com/cities/rom/BusinessServices.asp – the first best source for business links in Rome and Italy.
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/rome/ – brush up on your history, or look for places “off the beaten track” with help from the Lonely Planet people.
www.romeguide.it – a somewhat “busy” portal layout of multiple links to other site focused on Rome.
www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=rome@130 – as usual, Fodor’s covers everything from accommodation to shopping on its site.
www.femalefirst.co.uk/travel/402004.htm – sightseeing tips and other info aimed at the female traveler.
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Business etiquette
· Business greetings take the form of a handshake (social kissing is reserved for friends and family) and business cards are exchanged. If possible, it is best to have one side printed in Italian and one in English. All company literature should be provided in Italian.
· Colleagues should be addressed by their surname and academic/professional titles respected. Although some of the Italian business community will speak some English or French, Italian is the dominant language of business. It is wise to take the precaution of employing an interpreter, to minimize the degree of misunderstandings.
Source: www.cityguide.travel-guides.com
Business profile
· The strength of the national economy lies in the service sector, which accounted for 63% of GDP in 2003. Tourism is the country’s largest industry, with Rome as the “number one” destination. Other significant industries in the capital include finance and banking, insurance, printing, publishing and fashion. Italy’s film industry (founded in 1936) is located at nearby Cinecitta.
· Trade fairs and large business conventions are normally held in EUR, a modern suburb six kilometers (four miles) south of the city center. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is based in Rome, as is the World Food Program (WFP) and the International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).
· The city continues to reap the rewards of the massive investment program set up for the year 2000 celebrations. Tourism was given a fine boost, as hotels were upgraded, museums refurbished and the public transport system rationalized.
