European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 21, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Rome Ina gust visit the eternal City when the italians go elsewhere by. Kin Cruger Mediterranean Bureau August for those who can stand the heat May be the Best month of All to visit Rome. Virtually every italian goes on vacation in August. Italians flee the cities and Jam Seaside and Mountain resorts leaving the cities quiet. Visitors contend with far less traffic and air pollution. Tom Buchannon an american lives in Rome and is the executive director of the United service organization s Center there. He believes that even though Many of the City s shops and restaurants close for the month August in Many ways is the Ideal time for visitors to come to the eternal City. The weather is another reason. Frequently the Days Are torrid in August but the nights can be refreshingly Cool sweater weather he says. But he adds that automobiles May not be the Best Way to get to Rome whatever the season. Road tolls Are High and parking is hard to find in Rome. Most hotels Don t have parking lots and garage dress modestly to visit places like this Bernini s colonnade and Michelangelo s dome inside the Vatican. Parking can Cost a Small Fortune. If people must drive to Rome they should leave their cars with nothing of value in them in secure garages and enjoy the City by Public transport or on foot. Better still leave your car at Home he suggests. Take a train or come on one of itt s Tours. They Are by far the most economical Way to visit. Rome is a great City to explore on foot and the Uso hands out free walking tour brochures Buchannon says there Are a number of things that everybody who lives in Rome knows and takes for granted but Many visitors Are unaware of take buses for instance. Everyone knows you have to buy tickets for 700 lire about 45 cents each at newspaper stands or tobacco shops look for a Black sign with a White t before you Board the bus. Incidentally we sell bus tickets at the Uso too. You get on the bus at the Back door Only and stamp your ticket in the red cancelling machine one ticket per ride. Changing buses requires use of a fresh ticket. If you Are asked for your ticket and Don t have one already cancelled for the bus you re on you re liable to be fined about $8. If you see lots of people using other doors or not cancelling tickets Don t assume they re cheating. Many romans buy monthly  the subway in Rome the metro is clean fast and costs the same As the bus. Unfortunately it Only services certain sections of the City. Stations Are marked by a big White m on a red background. Tickets Are available Only at metro stations. Maps for both bus and metro systems Are available without charge at the Uso just Down the Street from St. Peter s at 2 via Della Concini Wazione. Buchannon also notes that the Vatican museums have extended summer hours through september 9 . To 4 . Weekdays 9 . To 2 . Saturdays. They Are closed sundays except the last sunday of the month when the museum is free but Jam packed and open from 9 . To 2 . Rome is the Center of the roman Catholic Church and modest apparel is mandatory for men and women at Church facilities. No shorts or sleeveless tops Are allowed in the Vatican museums St. Peter s Basilica or most of Rome s churches. You Don t have to dress up just dress modestly or 4 stripes Magazine july 21, 1988