You might be better off bypassing the official tourist offices altogether and going to Enjoy Rome , Via Varese 39 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-2pm & 3.30-6pm, Sat 8.30am-2pm; tel 06.445.1843), whose friendly, English-speaking staff run a free room-finding service; they also organize tours, and have a left-luggage service for those who take them. Their information is often more up to date and reliable than that handed out by the various tourist offices, and they will also advise on where to eat, drink, and party, if you so wish.

For what's-on information, the city's best source of listings is perhaps Romac'A? (L2000, Thursdays), which has a helpful section in English giving information on tours, clubs, restaurants, services and weekly events. The ex-pat bi-weekly, Wanted in Rome (L1500, every other Wednesday), which is entirely in English, is also a useful source of information, especially if you're looking for an apartment or work. If you understand a bit of Italian, there's Time Out Roma (L2000, Thursdays), a weekly review full of listings as well as articles on the trendiest everything in Rome, and the daily arts pages of the Rome newspaper , Il Messaggero, which can be found in most bars for the customers to read, and lists movies, plays and major musical events. The newspaper La Repubblica also includes the " Trova Roma " section in its Thursday edition, another handy guide to current offerings.