Page 387 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

GE T TING AROUND ROME  385

the Colosseum, Santa Maria remove the car radio and Sat
Maggiore, and the Vatican. Tour Nav if you can – you will not be
guides can be hired at major the only person carrying these
sights, such as the Roman Forum with you.
(see pp78–89). Use only official Take extra care if driving late
guides and establish the fee in No stopping at night. Not only do traffic lights
advance; they usually charge at switch to flashing amber, but
least €50 for a half-day tour. No parking some drivers are astonishingly
cavalier about driving under
the influence of drink or drugs.
Driving In the case of a breakdown, call
Driving in Rome can be an the ACI (see pp386–7).
extremely intimidating One-way street
experience for visitors. The Parking
flamboyant aggression of Italian
drivers is notorious, pedestrians The most convenient parking
step out into the roads without garage is below the Villa
warning, and the one-way Borghese. Much of the city
system operating in much of the center is reserved for residents
center makes retaining a sense with permits but there are
of direction impossible. You’ll around 2,000 metered parking
also find motorists overtaking on spaces marked with a blue line
the wrong side, while scooters (from 8am–8pm or 8am–11pm,
and Vespas zoom among the depending on the area). If you
lanes of traffic and go the wrong do find a legal place to park,
way down one-way streets. One No through road however, you may return to find
rule to remember is to give way your vehicle hemmed in by
to the right. Additionally, non- can call 06-57003 or check double-parked cars. Locations of
resident drivers cannot enter the www. atacmobile.it for ZTL times. some of the most useful parking
city center’s ZTL (Limited Traffic Unless you are accustomed to lots are listed on page 387.
Zone) during the day and on driving in Italian cities and fully Beware of illegal parking
some weekend nights. There are aware of the ZTL regulations and attendants, found especially
cameras at the entrance to the zones, leave your car at home – or at night in busy areas where
ZTL, and cars without a permit in a guarded parking garage. parking is free, who direct you
will receive a fine each time they Thefts from cars are rife in to a space (sometimes even an
pass in front of the camera. The Rome, so never leave anything unauthorized one) in exchange
cameras are very visible, and of value in your vehicle, even out for some change. This practice
there is always an electronic sign of sight: areas such as Campo de’ is against the law,, but Italians
saying whether access is open Fiori are patrolled by gangs on often pay, for fear the attendant
to everyone (varco aperto or the lookout for anyone leaving will damage their car if they
varco non attivo) or restricted cameras and other costly items do not.
(varco chiuso or varco attivo). You in the car. You should also
Gas
Illegal Parking Gas is very expensive. It can be
Rome’s traffic police are vigilant. bought from roadside pumps
If you’ve parked illegally, your car (many of which are self-service,
may be clamped or (if it is causing an which is cheaper, operated by
obstruction) towed away, so phone cash or debit/
06-67691 or 06-0606 before reporting credit cards), in
it stolen. No-parking zones should be addition to
clearly marked, but check in case the regular gas
sign is hidden by a tree. Sign for a tow-away area stations. Check
(zona rimozione) whether your
car uses lead- The state gas
free gas (benzina company logo
senza piombo or
benzina verde)
or not. Late-night gas stations
are listed on page 387. At night,
most self-service stations are
attended by illegal gas station
A tow-truck at work attendants, who will fuel up for
you in exchange for a tip.

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