july-2011

TEXT: JAMES WILLIAMS
FOR OUR FULL ROUTE MAP VISIT WWW.RYANAIR.COM Ryanair two-minute guides
ITALY
NUMBER CRUNCHER
The height in metres of Mount Etna, Sicily:
try not to fall in when you reach the top
3,328
FLORENCE
EAT: OSTERIA DEL CAFFE ITALIANO
Looking like the drawing room of a
14th-century palazzo (essentially what it
is), this rustic eatery serves up hearty
dishes. Start off with antipasti like Parma
ham and Tuscan cheeses, then tuck into
mains like lasagne, ravioli and ossobuco.
11 VIA ISOLA DELLE STINCHE, TEL: +39 055
289080, WWW.CAFFEITALIANO.IT
DRINK: GILLI
Open since 1733, this legendary café
moved to Piazza della Republica in the
early 1900s. Decorated in an elegant
Liberty style with Murano lamps and wood
panelling, it serves up cappuccinos, fi ne
wines, whiskies and an assortment of
chocolates and cakes.
1 VIA ROMA, TEL: +39 055 213896,
WWW.GILLI.IT
STAY: HOTEL GLOBUS
Situated near the train station, Globus
(pictured) offers great-value digs in a
stylishly restored 18th-century palazzo.
The modern rooms range from “small
economical” , to the spacious “superior”.
All have free wi-fi . Doubles from €97.
24 VIA S ANTONINO, TEL: +39 055 211062,
WWW.HOTELGLOBUS.COM
PROPOSE: ARTVIVA
If you’re planning to pop the question in
Florence, try tour experts ArtViva. They
can help with everything from choosing a
location to having a ring made to your
own design by local artisan jewellers.
TEL: +39 055 264 5033,
WWW.ITALY.ARTVIVA.COM
FLY TO PISA (FLORENCE) FROM 46
DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING BARI AND FEZ
PALERMO
EAT: CAPRICCI DI SICILIA
Enjoy traditional cooking at this friendly
trattoria near the Teatro Politeama. You
can order Sicilian staples like fresh pasta
with sardines, and delicious desserts like
cannoli and cassata.
6 VIA ISTITUTO PIGNATELLI, TEL: +39 091
327777, WWW.CAPRICCIDISICILIA.IT
DRINK: KURSAAL KALHESA
A bar, restaurant, cultural space and
bookshop all rolled into one, Kursaal
Kalhesa is housed within an atmospheric
19th-century building, part of the
imposing city walls. In summer, it’s the
perfect place for a cocktail or two out on
the terrace under the stars.
21 FORO UMBERTO I, TEL: +39 091 616 2282,
WWW.KURSAALKALHESA.IT
STAY: ASTORIA PALACE HOTEL
As well as a convenient location close to
the best shopping areas, this large
four-star (pictured) offers four different
restaurants. There’s a gym for those who
are health conscious, and a smokers’ hall
for those who are slightly less so.
Breakfast and parking are included in your
room rate. Doubles from €54.
62 VIA MONTEPELLEGRINO, TEL: +39 091
628 1111, WWW.GHSHOTELS.IT
SEE: SEGESTA
A day trip from Palermo, the site of
Segesta was once home to the ancient
tribe, the Elymians. See a well-preserved
Doric temple, an amphitheatre and the
remains of a mosque, castle and agora.
FOLLOW A29 TOWARDS TRAPANI
FLY TO PALERMO FROM 18 DESTINATIONS,
INCLUDING MADRID AND VERONA
ROME
EAT: ‘GUSTO
An upstairs restaurant serving modern
Italian cuisine and a downstairs wine bar,
pizzeria and bookshop make ’Gusto a
special destination. Inside, the dark wood
and exposed brickwork create a warm
atmosphere, while outside you can tuck
into lunch under a shaded colonnade.
9 PIAZZA AUGUSTO IMPERATORE,
TEL: +39 06 322 6273, WWW.GUSTO.IT
DRINK: SOCIETE LUTECE
This trendy bar near Piazza Navona is
cute and quirky. On a warm summer’s
night you’re most likely to be stood with
the crowds out on the small square,
drinking expertly mixed cocktails. The
aperitivo buffet gets underway at 7pm.
17 PIAZZA DI MONTEVECCHIO, TEL: +39 06
6830 1472, WWW.SOCIETE-LUTECE.IT
STAY: FORTY SEVEN HOTEL
From its contemporary art collection to
the glass lift that whisks you up to the
rooftop restaurant, this hotel (pictured)
has bags of style. The modern rooms are
bright and spacious. Doubles from €195.
47 VIA PETROSELLI, TEL: +39 06 678 7816,
WWW.FORTYSEVENHOTEL.COM
SEE: CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA IN
COSMEDIN
It’s easy to spot this beautiful 8th-century
church, thanks to its seven-storey bell
tower. Marble fl oors and frescoes brighten
the interior, where you can test the
“Mouth of Truth”, an ancient stone face
said to bite the hands of liars.
PIAZZA DELLA BOCCA DELLA VERITA
FLY TO ROME (CIAMPINO) FROM 44
DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING DUBLIN AND RIGA
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