Get a Free Stopover in Rome

What can one do with a three-day stopover in Rome, Italy?

The possibilities are endless really. Indulge in fabulous Italian food, explore the Colosseum, visit the Roman Forum, wander around the Vatican museums and perhaps even dip your toes in the famed Trevi Fountain. (Well maybe keep your shoes on since bathing in the fountain is frowned upon.)

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If there’s any city in the world where it truly pays to have a layover, Rome is easily one of the top choices.

Alitalia gets this fact and has just launched a new program that allows travelers to make an extended free stopover in the city, according to a press release issued by the carrier.

Called “Stopover Roma” the offer is aimed at international passengers with connecting flights to final destinations outside Italy.

Passengers who are traveling between two international destinations with Alitalia and have a scheduled stopover in Rome will be able to stay in the city for as many as three nights without adding any extra cost to their airfare.

The program also provides special hotel rates at affiliated accommodations and complimentary luggage deposit at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, if needed.

“Rome is not only the main hub for our network, but it is, first of all, a valuable historic, artistic and cultural heritage (site),” Fabio Maria Lazzerini, Alitalia’s chief commercial officer and revenue manager said in a statement.

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There are a few stipulations with the offer. For instance, passengers must be departing from international destinations served by the airline and the flight must have a scheduled stop in Rome and a final destination outside Italy. In addition, certain foreign markets are currently not included in the offer.

The Rome Stopover can be requested when the air ticket is purchased at travel agencies, through Alitalia Call Center numbers worldwide or through the soon-to-be-launched Alitalia web portal.

“With 14.5 million tourists, Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world. The Rome Stopover initiative is fully consistent with our strategic hospitality vision, based on the promotion of responsible and quality tourism,” Adriano Meloni, councilor for economic development, tourism and labor for the municipality of Rome, said in a statement.

“The synergy among all players, from long-haul flights to the availability of our accommodation facilities has an actual positive impact on the whole industry.”