Italy - Pharmacies / Drug Stores, Restaurants etc. near Via Veneto in Rome

We are traveling to Rome next May and are trying to minamize the amount of items we are bringing. We are staying at the Marriott Rome Grand Flora. Is there a Drug Store or Pharmacey close to the hotel where one of our companions could purchase "femanine items" and not have to pack them? Not ever being in Rome before, this may be a stupid question, but I am trying to help her out. Thanks for your assistance!!!

There will be ample places to purchase personal items incl. pharmacies, grocery stores, etc... However, they will not necessarily be the same brand, etc... as one finds in the states.

if you use google maps, and search pharmacies or some such, they all show up. i have not looked in rome, but they do show in the cities i have searched

There will be plenty of places in the area; and I think you'll find that the items you describe will be readily available in small general stores, 'mini-markets' and even tobacconists – so there's no need to worry. The only thing to be aware of is that most shops in Rome do not open on a Monday morning; and many close at lunchtime, typically between 1pm to 4pm.

Also, be aware that true Italian pharmacies often charge prices that seem very high to Americans for certain standard goods. So it's often better to shop in a mini-supermarket than a pharmacy (I once paid around 4 Euros for a package of five bandaids in Rome; at a CVS in DC I would have paid less for a box of 50).

Thank you so much. I will let my friend know this information.

We are traveling to Rome next May and are trying to minamize the amount of items we are bringing. We are staying at the Marriott Rome Grand Flora. Is there a Drug Store or Pharmacey close to the hotel where one of our companions could purchase "femanine items" and not have to pack them? Not ever being in Rome before, this may be a stupid question, but I am trying to help her out. Thanks for your assistance!!!

I've many times stayed at the Excelsior down the street from the Marriott, and since I only travel with carry-on I always purchase a lot of toiletries and stuff when I arrive in Rome. I'm very budget minded and I agree with the above poster that you will probably encounter higher prices at the smaller pharmacies and smaller markets (just like you would in the States).

So I used the Carrefour Supermarket that's underneath Villa Borghese - which is not that dissimilar to supermarkets you'd find in N. America regarding the amount of selections, and the variety offered. (And your girl friend should recognize enough of the brands displayed to help make her selection, and the prices should only be a little higher because of the current exchange rate of the dollar - but not that much higher).

To reach this supermarket just go across the street from the Marriott and you'll see a Metro sign with a descending escalator right there on the northwest corner (just outside of Harry's Bar). Here's the streetview (http://maps.google.it/maps?q=Via+Veneto,+191,+Roma&hl=it&ll=41.909205,12.488474&spn=0.000016,0.011319&sll=41.90496,12.500725&sspn=0.074484,0.181103&hnear=Via+Vittorio+Veneto,+191,+00187+Roma,+Lazio&layer=c&cbll=41.909205,12.488474&panoid=QYT7gCl4P2ntW48EhGjEGw&cbp=12,278.92,,0,5&t=m&z=17)and see the red escalator hand rails on the left of the screen. Here's the exact same streetview but rotated (http://maps.google.it/maps?q=Via+Veneto,+191,+Roma&hl=it&ll=41.909205,12.488474&spn=0.000016,0.011319&sll=41.90496,12.500725&sspn=0.074484,0.181103&hnear=Via+Vittorio+Veneto,+191,+00187+Roma,+Lazio&layer=c&cbll=41.909205,12.488474&panoid=QYT7gCl4P2ntW48EhGjEGw&cbp=12,98.92,,0,5&t=m&z=17) in the other direction where you can see the Marriott's entrance.

After you descend the escalator you'll need to walk quite a ways until you come upon the supermarket (this also connects you to the Spagna metro). Maybe about a 5 to 10 minute walk.

According to the supermarket's website (http://www.carrefour.it/supermercati-roma/roma/carrefour-market-del-galoppatoio.html), it's open Monday through Saturday from 8:30am to 8:00pm and on Sundays and holidays there are special hours. Currently the website shows that September 2 will be closed on Sunday, but on September's other Sundays it will be open from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

Edited to add:
It can seem a little confusing at first to locate the supermarket. You first need to just walk down the tunnel a long while, then you'll see signs for the "Spagna" metro but you'll also see a route that brings you alongside more underground stores and to a fitness center and parking lot. I'm sorry I don't recall the exact path, or what the signage is (maybe it says something re "Villa Borghese" or the street "Roma Del Galoppatoio"), I just know it once I'm down there - but if I could find it I'm sure you guys can too.

sk3
Thank you so much for your information. We are all trying to pack as light as possible, but will be traveling for 18 days, so wanted to purchase what we could when we arrive, even though it might cost a little more. We think the convenience of taking 1 less suitcase if worth it.

Do you have any suggestions on eating places near our hotel We will be arriving about 5:00 that evening and by the time we get to the hotel will be ready for a nice dinne. Nothing fancy, but after flying for almost 2 days and eating in airports and on planes, just something relaxing and quite. Thanks!!!

sk3
Thank you so much for your information. We are all trying to pack as light as possible, but will be traveling for 18 days, so wanted to purchase what we could when we arrive, even though it might cost a little more. We think the convenience of taking 1 less suitcase if worth it.

Do you have any suggestions on eating places near our hotel We will be arriving about 5:00 that evening and by the time we get to the hotel will be ready for a nice dinne. Nothing fancy, but after flying for almost 2 days and eating in airports and on planes, just something relaxing and quite. Thanks!!!

You're very welcome!

For nearby, lowkey, casual dining maybe Il Pomodorino (http://www.ilpomodorino.org/home.htm) is a good solution for you (it's been recommended on this forum before). Here are the walking directions (http://maps.google.it/maps?saddr=Via+Vittorio+Veneto,+191,+Roma,+RM&daddr=Via+Campania,+45,+Roma,+RM&hl=it&ll=41.909308,12.489712&spn=0.002419,0.005659&sll=41.9091,12.488666&sspn=0.00121,0.00283&geocode=FUR6fwIdSpC-ACnH1XvEAGEvEzGwvHCgmk8JEw%3BFS5-fwIdeJi-AClJmgjYBmEvEzGByHCgmk8JEw&oq=Via+Campania,+45,+Roma,+RM&dirflg=w&mra=ls&t=m&z=18) from the Marriott. (But note that Google is overshooting the location of the restaurant somewhat - meaning your walk will actually be less).

On the Excelsior thread and here, La Bruschetta has been recommended. Here's its walking directions (http://maps.google.it/maps?saddr=Via+Vittorio+Veneto,+191,+Roma,+RM&daddr=Via+Sardegna,+39,+Roma,+RM&hl=it&ll=41.908934,12.48932&spn=0.00121,0.00283&sll=41.909116,12.489763&sspn=0.00121,0.00283&geocode=FUR6fwIdSpC-ACnH1XvEAGEvEzGwvHCgmk8JEw%3BFVN7fwIdhZS-AClnyqzNAGEvEzHhvnCgmk8JEw&oq=Via+Sardegna,+39&dirflg=w&mra=ls&t=m&z=19) from the Marriott and you can see how close it is.

Regarding where to eat in Rome generally, I posted the resources I use in this post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19159609-post25.html).

Hope this helps.

...We will be arriving about 5:00 that evening and by the time we get to the hotel will be ready for a nice dinner...

I just re-read your post and noticed the time mentioned. If you mean that you want to have dinner at 5:00pm, then dining in the hotel maybe a wise decision. I know when I arrive after traveling from Los Angeles I'm completely thrashed. When I had stayed at the Excelsior or the Cavalieri, it was my arrival day that I'd splurge on room service because I was just too zonked to deal with getting to a restaurant.

I mention this because typically Roman dinner time is around 9pm with restaurants not opening until 7pm or thereabouts. (And you'll notice if you eat around 7pm, you'll most likely be surrounded by fellow tourists).

Il Pomodorino (http://www.ilpomodorino.org/contatti.htm) is open daily from 12 to 3pm, then it closes, and reopens from 7pm to 11pm.

I couldn't find a website for La Bruschetta, but I found a TripAdvisor page (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1217436-Reviews-La_Bruschetta_E-Rome_Lazio.html)with reviews, and interestingly noticed Il Pomodorino mentioned. And I see mention that La Bruschetta is opened earlier.

However, if you're in Rome for a limited time and want each meal to be memorable, or atleast really good, then I do recommend consulting with Chowhound and the other resources I mentioned in that other post. (There are 2 handy apps that are linked, both can be used offline, and the authors really know of which they speak!)

Edited to add:
Seeing the mixed reviews on TripAdvisor for La Bruschetta, I looked up the TA reviews for Pomodorino (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d795839-Reviews-Pomodorino-Rome_Lazio.html) - and see they're also mixed. FWIW.

I posted a few years ago about Colline Emiliane, and I actually ate there way, way back in 2005, but it's still very well regarded and still recommended by all the foodies I linked earlier (Katie Parla, Elizabeth Minchilli, Maureen Fant, and the rest of the gang on Chowhound).

See this single post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14314644-post9.html) for links to reviews and google maps.

And I now see a website from the restaurant itself:
Colline Emiliane (http://www.ristorantebolognesearoma.com/)

Reservations are recommended on those links in my single post. And I see on its Dove Siamo (http://www.ristorantebolognesearoma.com/dove-siamo) page that it's open for lunch and dinner. Its hours are from Tuesday through Saturday, 12:45 to 2:45pm, and then from 7:30pm to 10:45pm. On Sundays it's open only for lunch from 12:45pm to 2:45pm.

RISTORANTE COLLINE EMILIANE
V. AVIGNONESI 22
ROMA (RM)
TELEPHONE +06 4817538

Colline Emiliane will be the furthest of the 3 places I've recommended, and will entail a walk uphill at the end of your dinner. Maybe too much for your arrival day. But here are google's walking directions (http://maps.google.it/maps?saddr=Via+Vittorio+Veneto,+191,+Roma,+RM&daddr=41.908455,12.48905+to:Via+degli+Avignonesi,+ 22,+00187+Roma,+Lazio&hl=it&ll=41.905902,12.487314&spn=0.009678,0.022638&sll=41.905822,12.488301&sspn=0.009678,0.022638&geocode=FUR6fwIdSpC-ACnH1XvEAGEvEzGwvHCgmk8JEw%3BFed4fwIdWpG-ACmZzb-3AGEvEzHxvnCgmk8JEw%3BFYRjfwIdVom-ACmvwwV_q2EvEzGBrnCgmk8JEw&oq=Via+Vittorio+Veneto,+191,+Roma,+RM&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&t=m&z=16&via=1).

But whatever you do, avoid the tourist traps along Via Veneto, and avoid places with waiters out front flagging you inside.

We are traveling to Rome next May and are trying to minamize the amount of items we are bringing. We are staying at the Marriott Rome Grand Flora. Is there a Drug Store or Pharmacey close to the hotel where one of our companions could purchase "femanine items" and not have to pack them? Not ever being in Rome before, this may be a stupid question, but I am trying to help her out. Thanks for your assistance!!!

Hi fishingfrye,

Since this thread has veered OT, but contains info that could be of use to others staying near the Marriott, I just alerted the Mod and asked if this thread could be re-titled to read:

"Pharmacies or Drug Stores and Restaurant Suggestions Near Via Veneto in Rome"

I hope you don't mind that I took the initiative with this request, I'm just trying to have these threads be of the most use to the FT community.

sk3,
That was fine. And thank you so much for the other information. I love learning from my friends on Flyer Talk much more than just looking myself on the internet. This way I am learning from "experience". Thanks again!!

sk3,
I know this is off the subject, but I haven't gotten an answer on my other thread. I have a thread about Italian trains and I am trying to find out the best way to travel by train from Rome to Florence, Florence to Venice (for the day), then Florence back to Rome about 3 days later. Any suggestions on websites? It looks like there is more than one "fast train" website.

sk3,
I know this is off the subject, but I haven't gotten an answer on my other thread. I have a thread about Italian trains and I am trying to find out the best way to travel by train from Rome to Florence, Florence to Venice (for the day), then Florence back to Rome about 3 days later. Any suggestions on websites? It looks like there is more than one "fast train" website.

This is very difficult to answer w/o knowing what you deem "best" Are you concerned about what's most comfortable, affordable, etc....

Comfortable, but the trip isn't that long so price is also a consideration. When we traveled in England, we just went economy, but this time we will have some luggage, don't know if that will make a difference.

Comfortable, but the trip isn't that long so price is also a consideration. When we traveled in England, we just went economy, but this time we will have some luggage, don't know if that will make a difference.

Hey there. Not to be a schoolmarm, but could you please post your train questions in your train thread - and then your FTer friends will benefit as much as you. Ok?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy/1380540-italian-train-question.html