Overview

A Roman holiday

There are some things you can only do in Rome – and all of them in one morning. Consider this – you can start with a cappuccino in front of the world’s most impressive structure – the Pantheon, browse through centuries-old markets and go meet the Pope and you aren’t even hungry for lunch yet! When in Rome everything is possible.

This venerable city is the cradle of modern culture and has made an indelible impression on nearly everyone of the continent’s major cities. There are Roman footprints on London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna and the city’s eclectic mix of breathtaking art, spectacular history and vibrant street life has colored every city the Romans set foot on ever.

Rome, also called the Eternal City is the capital of Italy and for centuries has been the center of the western civilization. It is the seat of the Catholic Church and proud neighbor of The Vatican. Though an ancient city, Rome today is a modern and cosmopolitan city attracting thousands of tourists every year. People come here to experience the resonance of an ancient civilization, to make the ultimate religious journey to The Vatican, to shop till they drop and to just be able to say they’ve had a Roman holiday.

Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, Rome attracts tourists to its famous architecture, its museums and its shopping areas. It is a stylish city that can make anyone dizzy with its vibrant street culture, its phenomenal food and its entertainment options. If entertainment were a city, it would be called Rome.

If you are packing your bags to go to Rome, get the skinny on what makes it tick, where it all started and what are the things that are sure to make you want to come back.

The Rome Story

There are several theories surrounding the birth of Rome but the one that has the maximum number of votes and a ‘yes’ from recent archeological evidence is that Rome was founded by Romulus – one of the twin sons of Mars, the God of war and Rhea Sylvia, a princess. Romulus and Remus were abandoned on the banks of the river Tiber and were brought up by a She-wolf.

Romulus laid down the foundations of the Eternal City after he killed his brother Remus in a dispute over who should govern the city. The site of this battle is supposed to be Palatine Hill (site of the future Roman Forum) after which Romulus became the first of the Seven Kings of Rome who successively contributed to the strengths of the city that would later make it a power to reckon with throughout the ancient world.

Rome was ruled by Etruscan Kings till 510 BC when the city became a Republic and was then governed by the Senate. The 2nd century Rome was already a powerful state; its success gleaned from military conquest (most notably defeating the empire of Carthage) and commercial predominance. Despite displaying such deep rooted power on most of the Mediterranean region, Rome was beset by several civil wars. The days of the Republic ended with the assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March, 44 BC and a spate of new emperors took over Rome. The most enduring heritage of this era is the various monuments scattered around the city today. The Roman Empire reached its Nadir during the reign of Trajan (98-117 AD) with its boundaries extending from Northern England to Mesopotamia and from the River Danube to Egypt.

Santa Maria Maggiore

Christianity rose as a major religion during the 4th century converting Rome from being secular power to a religious power. The first Pope came to The Vatican and the era saw the construction of some of the largest basilicas – Santa Croce, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Pietro and San Sebastiano. The Barbarian invasions of 410 stripped the city of its beauty and eventually the Western Roman Empire bit the dust when Emperor Romulus Augustulus was defeated in 476 by Odoacer. Power over the Roman Empire became the subject of dispute between Germanic and Byzantine Empires till Pope Stephen II installed the Frankish king Pepin as the emperor on grounds of being God’s chosen one.

  This act of alliance was the start of the Holy Roman Empire in which papal supremacy grew till the 14th century when the Pope was exiled to Avignon on account of factional fighting. But by the next century the papacy had regained its lost power and glory and was investing its wealth heavily in beautifying the city with Renaissance and Baroque piazzas, churches and fountains. Raphael, Bernini and Borromini were some of the artists that helped this drive and the century saw an increase in religious visitors who came to witness the wonders of the Holy See.

(Raphael, Self portrait)

The erosion of papal power came first in the form of the Roman revolution of 1143 and then due to successive events like Charles V’s sack of Rome in 1527, the French Revolution, Napoleon’s gain of power across Europe and the Franco-Prussian War. In 1870, Rome became the capital of the newly united Italy and the Pope moved to The Vatican, being a mere figurehead in the corridors of power.

The 20th century Rome saw a new growth with a new administration focusing more on building residential and commercial blocks rather than churches and piazzas. The city grew exponentially during the 1930s and was bustling outside the city walls by the time Mussolini came to power. Rome suffered the Fascist era with aplomb, coming out on top with a new Republic in place at the end of it all. In the subsequent decades, the city became an important commercial center of Europe.

How to arrive

Go To Rome When...

...It’s time for the Easter celebrations to start…because that’s when the weather is most pleasing and when tourists descend on the city by busloads. During the summer months from June to September the city dwellers pack up their bags, down the shutters and leave for their vacations.

That said, the relative lack of crowds, low season best rates and availability of hotels makes a summer holiday in Rome a good bargain. All you have to deal with is the heat and that can be cured with a siesta.

From late September to April, the city is again teeming with tourists and even though most attractions/ monuments/ sights keep shorter hours during the winter months, it doesn’t deter tourists from flocking to the city.

Stepping In

Rome is serviced by 2 main airports – Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, also called Fiumicino and Ciampino International Airport. Both airports connect Rome to major destinations in the world as well as with other parts of the country. Both airports are well organized and connected to the city center by efficient public transport.

From the Fiumicino the Leonardo Express Trains leave every half hour to the central train station Roma Termini. One way journey takes 30 minutes and costs approximately € 11. A bus service Terravision can also take you to the city center for a cheaper, €9 ticket. From either airport you also have the option of taking one of the White cabs that cost about € 40 to take you to the city center, although use these with caution. (Roma Termini, left)

Eurolines is the main bus service for connecting Rome to other European cities and is a good option for getting in to the city if you are traveling from within the mainland. Trains are a quick & efficient means of travel and keep Rome well connected to the rest of the continent. Most trains land at Termini Station which, late at night is not very safe.

Driving should be your last option when getting into the city as traffic is chaotic and hazardous for someone with no experience of traversing the Roman roads. Ferries from Barcelona, Tunis, Toulon (France) and Corsica and cruise ships all dock either at Civitavecchia, an hour north of the city by train or at Porto di Roma, Ostia.

Vespa Ride or Walking?

The best ways to move about

Getting into the city is much easier than getting about. Rome was not built in a day and its roads were certainly not built for sane drivers with no sense of road rage. Drive, if you don’t like slitting your wrists or jumping off the balcony!

That said, don’t hesitate to take a cab if you are in a hurry, if it’s late at night and if you have way too much luggage to load on a bus or a train. Cabs are expensive though there is a flat fee of € 30 fixed by the central authority. At all other times insist on the driver turning on the meter.

Buses are a good way of seeing the city without getting crushed by the crowds. However Roman buses are not particularly intent on punctuality or speed, so get on one only if you have the time and the patience.

The best way to get about in Rome is on foot. It is a romantic, cost-free and effective. A plus is that once you are in the city center, you can get across the whole gamut of city attractions on foot in just one day…nothing is too far away!

Restaurants

Hunger Pangs

As Rome is simply heaven for sightseeing and shopping, so it is for eating! The city offers the most delectable dishes from a curious mix of cuisines offered in restaurants that have lasted decades if not centuries. A meal in Rome can be as hurried or as leisurely as you want it to be and the setting as diverse as 19th century bourgeoisie or raw, working class. Here’s is a list of the ten best restaurants in Rome that would enrich your trip with food truly meant for the soul:

For experiencing authentic Roman cooking at a restaurant that has been perfecting the art for three generations, your best bet would be Agata e Romeo on the shoulder of the Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore. Perfect food and a choice of over 1500 labels from Sommelier Romeo, this hot spot is great for a sumptuous dinner (€60). Another traditional place is Checchino dal 1887 on via de Monte Testaccio – its legendry dishes and the largest wine cellar in Rome have regaled Romans since the early 19th century. Famous for its fantastic cheeses, this one is downright working-class (€40-50).

However, the one restaurant most critics cite as the best one in Rome is La Pergola in the Cavalieri Hilton, celebrated as much for its delicious dishes as for its panoramic views of the city from Monte Mario. For the younger, hip crowd, two good places to spend some Euros are Etabli on Vicolo delle Vacche and the Pizzeria Baffetto on Via del Governo Vecchio. If you are in the mood for a romantic dinner spare no expenses for an evening at the Sapori Del Lord Byron in the Hotel Lord Byron – the setting is perfect and the food is divine. If ‘Garden Fresh’ is your mantra try Il Convivio in Vicolo dei Soldati where all food is cooked to perfection with dewy fresh ingredients bought from one of Rome’s oldest fruit and vegetable markets. Get more choices here.

Do have at least one meal, even if to simply mark it off your list, at the Sabatini; famed for its patrons like Fellini and its refined Roman cuisine (€50-60). Another exclusive place is Relais Le Jardin (over €60) offering classic dishes with inventive twists and a lot of celebrity spotting. Other good restaurants are: Da Cesaretto (€30-40), Alberto Ciarla (€40-50), Piperno (€50-60), Da Augusto (€30) and Birreria Peroni (€30).

Night Riders

Shaking a leg and spinning out of control on a club floor in Rome is easy – it’s the delicious food, the shopping and all that romance in the air that is to be blamed! Also, the fact that there are so many places in the city to celebrate the night (every night!) that you feel compelled to give in! One of the best places to dance the night away is Alien on Via Velletri. One of the best and the oldest running discos in town, Alien has a mystic oriental ambience making the hip-hop and House music a great mix. Another dance – off place is L’Alibi – one of Rome’s original gay clubs popular today for its foot stomping dance and disco music.

Rome’s night scene is not just about Dance-A-Thons. You can spend an evening cuddled in sonorous jazz at Alexanderplatz (Via Ostia) or marveling at the art of cabaret in Alpheus (Via del Commercio). Salsa aficionados have a home in Caruso Café de Oriente (Via del Monte Testaccio) and when it comes to some Neo –Goths, Radio Londra is the place to be seen; body piercings and all.

Spot Rome’s rich & famous at Gilda and dance some more at Maud, Piper and Supperclub. When you are done here, go to Zoobar in Monte Testaccio and see if you can resist the house and rock music playing here!

One Day in Rome

Rome is like a delicious, many-layered cake that becomes more and more interesting with each layer. One day in this city is perhaps just about enough to peel off the top layer and get seduced by the promise of what lies beneath. The top layer, of course is ‘The Greatest Hits Of Centuries’ – the Imperial Rome that wasn’t built in a day and that can be seen in a day on foot. Pack in a hearty breakfast at one of Rome’s many café’s and rev up your system with a Cappuccino before starting off with Piazza del Campidoglio on the summit of the Capitoline Hill where the Temples of Jupiter and Juno once stood. The site of celebration by many a triumphant Roman general, it affords wonderful views of the city and other attractions. Don’t miss out on the small cave in the shrubs that hug the elegant stairway leading up to the summit, for a scene of the famed she-wolf suckling Remus and Romulus.

Piazza del Campidoglio

Arm yourself with a good map and head east from the hill to the Imperial Forums which you can see in about half an hour. Dotting the landscape in front of you would be the ruins of Trajan’s Column, Basilica Ulpia, Forum of Julius Caesar and the site of the ancient Roman stock exchange, Forum of Augustus and the Temple of Venus and Roma.

A short walk away is The Colosseum – one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. The enormity of this structure is in sharp contrast to the attention given to every little detail – a pleasure to mull over. Right next to the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine – a spectacular column erected in honor of Constantine’s defeat of Maxentius in AD 306. Move on to other attractions close by – the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. All this walking is sure to get you ravenous and help is at hand with

Or you could wait a while and get to the Spanish Steps for lunch. Although you can’t sit on the steps for an Al Fresco lunch any longer, there are several very good cafes here with tables outside so that you can eat and people-watch at the same time. Relax at the Fontana di Trevi and admire its beauty, throw a coin in it to whet your luck and paddle off to explore Piazza Navona and Bernini’s masterpiece – Fountain of the Four Rivers before stepping in to Alexanderplatz for some soothing jazz. Don’t forget to go to Giolitti – Rome’s favorite hangout for authentic gelati, the taste of which will be still in your mouth when you say goodnight to the Eternal City.

Things to do

Finding Pillow Space!

Hotels in Rome charge different prices during high and low seasons. Winter time, right after Christmas is low season and you can get very cheap rates then…go during Easter and in early May and you would be putting all your budget into the room!

Contrary to the popular perception of having only expensive accommodations, Rome offers mid range; budget and downright cheap rooms too. Also, there is a lot of variety in the types of hotels/accommodations you can get in the city: Historical hotels, former Monasteries, apartments, Bed & Breakfast and even aristocratic villas turned into hotels.

Some of the most exclusive hotels in the city are located in the area around Spanish Steps – a traditional tourist hub. Hotels here are priced higher than Bed & Breakfasts but lower than five-star or historically important hotels. A perfect choice for families and honeymooners these properties offer world class services and are close to most city attractions. Some of the best hotels in this area are: Hotel Mozart (€ 128), Hotel Homs (€ 130), Hotel Del Corso (€120), Hotel Forte (€ 90), Hotel La Fenice (€ 240) and Residenza Frattina (€ 120).

Spanish Steps, Left

However, the top rated hotels in the city are not confined to any one area and if you are in the mood for splurging a good amount of euros, try one of these: Residenza Cellini (€ 187), Caesar House Residenze Romane (€ 235), Albergo del Senato (€321), Boutique Hotel Trevi (€330), Hotel Santa Maria (€ 212), Relais Pierret Piazza de Spagna (€272) and Splendide Royal (€424). You can expect the best service and a great overall experience at these properties.

The city has more than 600 Bed & Breakfast choices and pinning down on one can be difficult. We recommend the following: Residenza Arco dei Tolomei (€ 168), Suites Piazza del Popolo (€ 132), Al Colonnato di san Pietro (€ 135), B&B Bologna (€ 84) and Fellini Bed & Breakfast (€ 184)

For single or young travelers hostel accommodations are a great way to save some Euros and to meet new people. The city has a huge output of quality hostels to suit all kinds of budgets. You can try some of these: Hostel Vittoria, Alessandro Hostels, Mosaic Hostel and Freedom traveller Hostel. Litus Roma Hostel is especially good as it is located on the coast and has been recently renovated. You can have large rooms with private bathrooms and a wonderful view of the sea. Apartments also make great money savers and are convenient if you are staying for a longer duration. GG Apartments, Rome City Apartments. Another apartment service worth mentioning is the Rome Escape Apartments that offers apartments for all budgets and group sizes.

Touring the ruins

Rome’s tumultuous history and its rich legacy of art, architecture, its stylish image and its twin industries of food and clothing propelled it into the mainstream tourist landscape early on. Vacationing in Rome was for the rich and the famous from as early as the start of the 20th century. It is the third most-visited tourist destination in Europe today and revels in the fact that it escaped WWII mostly unscathed, preserving its historic beauty.

The Colosseum

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rome sees an unprecedented influx of tourists every year who are regaled by its many treasures. Start off with The Colosseum, an immense structure and ancient Rome’s greatest architectural legacy that was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in AD 72. Construction was completed in AD 80 and the new emperor Titus inaugurated it by holding the 100 –day games here. The scene of gladiatorial fights till death and of free public entertainment, the Colosseum is a 48 meter high mega-structure that could once seat 55,000 people at once!

When an earthquake destroyed part of the marble façade of the Colosseum, some of the broken pieces were put to use in St. Peter’s Basilica – the opulent structure symbolizing the center of Christianity. Built by Emperor Constantine at the final resting place of the chief apostle, St. Peter, the basilica is the largest church in the world. With its dome designed by the legendary Renaissance painter, Michelangelo, the basilica is an iconic symbol of Rome and a point of pilgrimage. Climb up or take the elevator (for a fee) to the Dome for a magnificent view of the city. The basilica is situated within the Vatican and you are sure to encounter some Swiss Guards – the Pope’s personal guards.

Another beautiful and very popular monument in Rome is the Fontana di Trevi – the legendary fountain that for a small fee of a coin ensures your return to Rome. The fountain is part of the Aqua Virgo, a 19 century BC aqueduct that brought water to the historic city center. The main feature of the Trevi is the sculpture of Neptune – God of the Sea – and is one of the most photographed monuments in the world.

Fontana di Trevi

It has been rightly said that Rome is a city of ruins and when you look at the ruins of the Roman Forum, the phrase makes immediate sense. It is the largest and the most important structure defining the past of the city. The Roman Forum was built on an old cemetery and was the central area around which Imperial Rome was built.

All that remains today of this erstwhile seat of Commerce and Justice is the ruins of its many temples (Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Saturn etc.), buildings (Regia, Rostra, Gemonian Stairs etc.) basilicas and triumphal arches.

Temple of Castor Temple of Antoninus And Pollux and Faustina

Hemmed to the Roman Forum is Palatine Hill – the legendry location of the battle between Romulus and Remus that later became the site of several wealthy villas belonging to rich Roman families. As a tourist you would most likely be staying in the area but if you aren’t, do make time for the Piazza di Spagna - one of the most popular rendezvous points in the city and a beautiful city square that is connected to the Santissima Trinitá dei Monti – a beautiful French church on top of a hill via an enormously long staircase called Scalinata della Trinitá dei Monti or Spanish Steps.

Rome has had the undivided attention of architects, painters and artists for three thousand years and this has resulted in one of the most photogenic cities in the world. Thousands of tourists visit the city each year to soak in architectural marvels like the Pantheon – an 1800 year old, much copied ancient temple dedicated to all the Gods. Go there to stare and marvel at the Oculus – a large opening in the dome, the structure’s only light source. From the Pantheon you can walk out to the Piazza del Rotunda that abuts the monument and gaze some more at this beauty before walking on to the Piazza Novona – the most beautiful of Rome’s many squares. Soak in the three magnificent fountains and the Baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone here.

Rome is dotted with beautiful churches of antiquity, monuments and wondrous museums. Take your pick from:

- Capitoline Museums at Piazza del Campidoglio, especially famous for its Etruscan bronze she-wolf and a gilded bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius.
- Palazzo Museum, located across the piazza from Termini is worth a visit for it magnificent collection of ancient sculptures and paintings.
- Galleria Borghese houses some breathtaking works by masters like Bernini and is worth a wait in the queue.

Galleria Borghese, right

Don’t leave Rome without a visit to its many churches, the most interesting ones being St. Pietro, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Clemente and Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Shop till you drop

Romans are known for their penchant for stylish clothing and the city has several marketplaces that sell the latest fashions, second hand clothing and the top designer labels. The main shopping areas include Via del Corso, Via Condotti and the neighboring areas. Via del Condotti near the Spanish Steps, is one of the best shopping streets in Rome with all the designer stores like Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci present. This is the place where your credit cards are going to take a beating! Via del Corso is a bustling street market that offers more affordable clothing – perfect for some Retail Therapy!

Via del Condotti from the top of Spanish Steps

Trastevere located just over the River Tiber is full of the Boho-Chic clothing that you pay pots of gold for in other cities. The market’s long winding roads can throw up many treasures, so go ahead and explore. For trendy clothing go to Viale Marconi – a fifteen minute train ride away from the Colosseum and for the most fun shopping go to Porta Portese – the famous Roman Flea Market.

Campo di Fiori, right

In Rome you don’t buy only clothing and accessories but also antiques. Try Via Margutta in Campo Marzio and Piazza Navona for art and antiques and for fresh flowers and authentic Italian food market go to Campo de Fiori.

Buying jewelry and leather goods in Rome can be fun and a very rewarding exercise. Try Bulgari and the shops in Via dei Condotti for jewelry and shops around via Sistina for leather and suede goods.

You could also buy ‘fake products’ like Louis Vuitton bags on sale but authorities frown at fake stuff and you may be fined. Castel Romano along the Pontina Regional Highway has a very large factory outlet where you can shop for different designer brands for considerably lower prices – worth a visit.

Rome is a great place for art purchases as the city all but froths of artists. Try Acheo Art on Via del Teatro del Marcello for beautiful reproductions of ancient sculptures and copies of ancient arms and armors.

Tips

Rome’s Best Kept Secrets

Every tourist to Rome spends a few minutes testing the truth of their statements (“I love you”, “You’re not looking fat in that dress”!) at the Bocca della Verita but here’s something that’s an unmitigated truth of life – death – watch its most tangible evidence in the basement of the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione - bones of 4,000 Capuchin Monks, some arranged artistically. Macabre, but what a story it would make!

Visit the Keats-Shelley-Byron Memorial Museum to the right of the Spanish Steps – watch out for the large collection of locks of hair belonging to Keats, Byron, Milton and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Try the Rome Crime Museum and the Roman Pyramid in Testaccio; the museum of Sanitary Arts inside the Santo Spirito Hospital and The Church of St. Ignazio for its dome which isn’t actually there!

Buy the freshest fruits & Veggies at the Trionfale flower and food market in Prati district and shop at La Rinascente. In the night take a tour of the city on a chauffer driven Vespa – you’d be surprised at how different the city looks at night! Before you call it a day, set sail for Ponza – Rome’s secret island!

View of the Ponza Harbor, Below

Rome with New Eyes: What the locals will tell you

Rome is as safe a city as any in Europe – except that the main station – the Termini gets a little hoodlumish late at nights. Avoid it to stay safe

Drivers in Rome drive like Kamikaze pilots – driving for the uninitiated is like a death wish. Most locals would tell you take a cab instead of driving, if buses don’t suit your palette.

Rome is one of the greenest cities in Europe and bona fide Romans would tell you to catch some fresh air and the endorphins that come from being in a lush green place – try Villa Pamphili Park on Gianicolo Hill and catch a puppet show on the side.

You can beat the Euro several times over if you give a serious thought to this local tip – eat at the Trattoria dal Cordaro – a small family run restaurant in Piazzale Portuense and the Antica Pesa in Via Garibaldi instead of the more touristy ones on Piazza Navona.

Shop at the Borghetto Flaminio market at Piazza della Marina for old lamps, clothing and everything in between and shop for shoes at Nuyorica at Piazza della Pollarola.

Travel Tips & More

General

Rome is one of the best vacations your stash of euros can afford you but take care of these when traveling and while in the city to maximize your experience:

• Rome is not a very easy city for tourists with disabilities. But the administration is waking up to the issue and you can find some help at Consorzio Cooperativa Integrate at Via Enrico Giglioli, 54 A.
• While most city dwellers in other European capitals are satisfied with a handshake and perhaps a peck on the cheek in the second or third meeting, Romans make you feel extra welcome with hugs AND kisses.
• Most offices operate between 9.00 am and 4.30 pm
• Currency exchange is easy in the city and you can do so at forex outlets at airports, hotels, train stations and even at some hotels
• In general, Italians dress smartly and would wear a suit for an evening out. However, places like churches frown upon short dresses or revealing clothes, so make sure you are dressed for the occasion
• When crossing a road on foot – Pray!

Families

Rome is a great vacation spot if you are planning on a family trip. However you could use some of these pointers to stay safe and have more fun

• Rome is usually blessed with very good weather and therefore there is a lot of sun shining upon you. Good for a while but do keep a steady supply of hats and sunscreens to avoid getting sunburned
• Rome is usually a safe city but there are always some incidents of bag/purse snatching and pickpockets. Stay alert and make sure everyone in the family is on the lookout for baggage and belongings
• Although accommodation is not too expensive in the city, for a family the best option seems to be renting an apartment. You can have more privacy and more economy than compared to a hotel.
• If traveling with children you may find some bored faces when the ruin-crawl gets too long. Space it out with a visit to the Zoo – Bioparco, an afternoon at the toyshop, Al Sogono and well-timed stops at cafes and ice – cream parlors
• For meals it is better to stay with small family-run restaurants and Trattoria – you get authentic Italian food with something for everyone in the family and it isn’t too expensive
• Treat yourselves with a trip to “Too Much” – with three floors full of ‘So Rome’ knick knacks, it is going to be enough!

For Couples

Walking around aimlessly, holding hands and going where your fancy takes you are the most romantic things in the world and Rome was built exactly for this! Get more romantic in the Eternal City with these tips:

• Surprise your better half with a bouquet of beautiful red roses bought fresh from Campo Dé Fiori
• Take a walk on the Ponte Sisto across River Tiber – a charming footbridge to Trastavere
• Hunt for ‘your’ special Trattoria in the small, cobbled by lanes of the city
• If you are going to Rome in the summer months, spend an evening at the Roseto – the city’s enchanting rose garden
• Walk over to Gianicolo, just above Trastevere for one of the most breathtaking views of the city
• Stroll hand in hand, up Via Sacra – its isolated, perfectly romantic and very safe.
• Take a boat tour on the River Tiber

What they’re saying!

Lonely Planet wants you try taking a course in Roman Cookery while in Rome - http://www.italiangourmet.com/

Frommer’s suggest a sunset stroll in the Pincio Gardens, above Piazza del Popolo as the most romantic thing to do in Rome.

Fodors’ Online recommends Albergo Cesári and Sant Chiara as the two best places to stay in the mid-range budget and Acchiapafantasmi & Dar Poeta as the best Pizzerias.

Rome virtual Tour

If you want to explore Rome from your computer, you can do this downloading this files to use with Google Earth software:

Rome monuments virtual tour (kmz file)

Rome museums and churches virtual tour (kmz file)

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