The Vatican City
Situated on the west bank of the Tiber, just across from the centre of the city, the Vatican City has been a sovereign state since 1929, and its 1000 inhabitants have their own radio station, daily newspaper,postal service, and indeed security service, in the colourfully dressed Swiss Guards. Stretching north from St Peter’s are the Renaissance papal palaces which are now home to the Vatican Museums qite simply, the largest, richest, most compelling and perhaps most exhausting museum complex in the world. The other main Vatican sight worth visiting is the Castel Sant’ Angelo on the riverside, a huge fortress which once harboured the popes in times of danger. Apart  from visiting the main attractions, the area around Vatican known as the borgo, is one the most cosmopolitan districts, full of mid-range hotels, restaurants and scurrying tourists and pilgrims.

Restaurants

Osteria dell’Angelo

Via G. Bettolo 24 tel: 063729470
Above average traditional roman food in a highly popular restaurant run by an ex rugby player. Booking advisable. Moderate prices.

Dal Toscano

Via Germanico 58 tel: 0639725717
This restaurant specializes in fiorentine (the famous thick Tuscan T-bone steaks) perfectly grilled on charcoal; also does delicious pici ( thick home-made spaghetti ) or ribollita (veg & bread soup) all at reasonable prices.

L'Officina dei Sapori
Via Flamina, 297 (Flaminio) tel 06 976 00350

Del Frate Osteria
Via Calderini, 64 (Flaminio) tel 06 324 4262

Al Ceppo
Via Panama 2 tel. 06.841 9696

Da Benito e Gilberto al Falco
Via del Falco, 19 tel. 06 686 7769

Jeff Blynn
Viale Parioli, 103c tel. 06.807 0444

Duke’s
Viale Parioli, 200 tel. 06.806 62455

Rossopomodoro
Via Flaminia, 523 ( corner of Corso Francia tel. 06.454 33423

Ristorante Cafe Cassamortaro
Via Luigi Settembrini, 25 (Prati,just off Piazza Mazzini) tel. 06. 323 2617

T-Bone Station
Via Flaminia Vecchia, 525/527 tel. 06.3333 297