Rome on a Budget

Q; We are visiting Rome in October on a very limited budget. Can you recommend ways to have a good time without spending too much? - Graham Els

A: First of all, you can save a big whack of your budget on food and accommodation. However much you enjoy Italian food, resist the temptation to splurge on sitdown restaurants - they are expensive in Rome. Rather buy pizzas by the slice from vendors, drink coffee and eat breakfast standing up (it's cheaper than sitting), eat lots of cheap gelato (ice-cream) and shop at the markets or "alimentari" (food stores) and picnic as much as possible. When you do "dine out in style", remember that If you want to dine out, remember that lunch menus are the best value. If you haven't got accommodation yet, you can save a lot of money by staying in one of the many convents in Rome that take paying guests. The rooms may be a little spartan, but they are often well-located and peaceful. Some only take Catholic guests, but many welcome all travellers. While prices are low, the biggest disadvantage is that many have a curfew, usually around 11pm. So, if you intend going at late at night, rather opt for a cheap hotel.The other big way to save money in Rome is to take advantage of the free attractions. It is worth your while to be in the city on the last Sunday of the month, as the Vatican Museums and the Capitoline Museums on Piazza del Campidoglio offer free entrance on these days. They will be crowded, but you won't have to stump up any of your precious Euros. The Galleria Nazionale Di San Luca on Piazza dell’Accademia di San Luca offers free entrance on the last Sunday of the month as well as all Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays. If you want to go to the theatre, make sure you check out the half-price tickets at Botteghino Last Minute, which offers discounts of up to 50 per cent on tickets to shows at Rome's main theatres. You can find the office on Circolo Dopolavoro Ferroviano, in Via Bari 20 near Piazza Bologna. A great way to spend a Sunday (if you're not in the museums) is to wander the Appia Antica, the old road out of Rome. No cars are allowed on Sundays and there are plenty of ancient things to see on this peaceful street stroll. There are free guided tours of the Appian Way Park. Other free things you can do are visit the Trevi Fountain (splurge out and throw a few coins in for good luck), scale the Spanish Steps, visit the Pantheon, a former pagan temple converted into a church, and spend time in two fun piazzas, the Piazza Navona and Piazza Campo dei Fiori. Things worth spending your money on include the Archeobus, a bus that passes some of the city's best attractions (7.75 Euros per day) and the Museum of the Walls, a fascinating attraction (2.5 Euros). (26/9/10)