Rome City Town Guide Rome is a capital city that also manages to provide some of the tranquil and timeless charm of an Italian country town. From ancient remains to Baroque splendors, the walls of the eternal city tell the story, in astounding detail, of 2,500 years of history. The exuberant labyrinths of its art-bedecked ochre streets invite the eye and the heart to wander. The perfect environment to sample the true dolce vita! Five ideas for discovering another side to the city -  Take up an invitation to visit the Domus Aurea, home of the emperor Nero, filled with frescoes and mosaics evoking the sumptuous feasts of the Roman emperors (recently opened to the public). -  Treat yourself to a snatch of serenity in the charming garden of the villa Celimontana, right next to the ruins of the Caracalla hot baths. -  Wander along the Via dei Coronari and take time to admire the work of the craftspeople who restore old furniture and objets d'art. -  Eat out at the home of Raphaėl's mistress, a haven of peace in the populous and noisy Trastevere district - Restaurant Romolo. -  Journey back in time at Guaytamelli, surrounded by replicas of antique sandglasses, sundials and solar clocks - a vision of eternity. Time difference Rome is one hour ahead of GMT in autumn and winter and two hours ahead in spring and summer. To call Rome Dial the international code followed by 39 for Italy, then 6 for Rome and the 5 to 13 digits of the person you are calling. Climate Rome benefits from a temperate climate. Average temperature in July: 25° C Average temperature in January: 8° C The ideal seasons to visit Rome are spring and autumn. It can be oppressively hot in Rome during the summer, with temperatures sometimes rising in excess of 40° C. Holidays - 1 January: New Year - Epiphany (1st Sunday in January) - Easter Monday (date varies) - 25 April: Liberation (1945) - 1 May: Labour Day - 15 August: Assumption - 1 November: All Saints Day - 8 December: Immaculate Conception - 25 December: Christmas - 26 December: Saint Stephen's Day Getting around The best way to visit the capital of beautiful scenery is to stroll its narrow streets. The tramway enables you to combine leisurely strolls and long distances by allowing you to go from one neighbourhood to the next (particularly on line 64 that will take you from the historical centre to Saint-Peter of Rome or the 30b that goes along the Tiber River). The underground goes from one side of the city to the other, however, there are not a lot of stations. Rome Tourism Office Rome Tourism Office (ENIT) Via Marghera 2 00185 Roma, Italy Tel.: (international n° +39) 6 49 711 Fax: (international n° +39) 6 44 633 Rome on the Web http://www.romaturismo.it See our Cultural calendar Back