100 Best Things To Do In Rome

Bouon Giorno, vivaldi! I just topped Dean's post. Maybe people will add to it, and add to this one, too.

1. Take a night walk across Rome. Weave together campo de fiori, piazza navona, the pantheon, piazza colonna, the trevi fountain and the spanish steps.

2. Gaze in awe at the greatest work of art - the Sistine Chapel.

3. Hang out with a bunch of other romantics at the Spanish Steps

4. Visit the greatest church in Christendom - St. Peter's Basilica

5. Get a great city view by climbing to the top of the Dome at St. Peter's

6. Take an evening stroll at Holy Angel Castle (Castel Sant'Angelo).


The Castel Sant'Angelo's is a distinctive round building, nestled between the Tiber and the Vatican. It was built in A.D. 135 as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum. Later it was used as a fortress and a prison, even providing an escape route for popes via the connected corridor running atop the wall encircling the Vatican. Inside, the castle not only serves up fabulous views of the city, but also houses medieval cells, frescoed halls and a museum of arms and armor. And if you want to experience the romance of Rome, you can't beat a stroll across the Ponte Sant'Angelo at night. Newly installed floodlights dramatically illuminate the 10 angel statues flanking this approach to the castle.

7. Admire the Pantheon - Rome's best preserved monument.

An architectural wonder in simplicity, this domed temple was built in 27 B.C. as a tribute to all gods and then rebuilt in the second century A.D. by Emperor Hadrian. It is one of Rome's best-preserved monuments, despite the removal of its marble walls, and bronze ceiling during the Renaissance. The round temple includes a series of columns topped by a dome, which boasts a 30-foot opening to let in light. It remains the burial site of the first ruler of the Kingdom of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, and artist, Rafael.

8. Be a romantic and toss a coin over your shoulder at the Trevi fountain.

Its brought me back to rome three times.

9. Imagine yourself as a fearless gladiator at the Colosseum

10. Climb to the top of Palatine Hill where legand says Rome was born

11. Explore the grounds of the Roman Forum at sunset

12. Be a pilgrim and visit four great basilicas: St. Peter's, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni Laterano, and San Paola Fuori le Mura.

dln - You are off to a great start with the language, and you have yet to arrive! You are such a sharp cookie and so so good at your research that it wouldn't surprise me if you already had the language mastered too! Sorry if I sound patronizing - just an observation.

Enjoy a roman sunset from the Terrace of the Pincio and admire a beautiful view of Rome,

Take a romantic stroll at Villa Borghese with your loved one ,or if you are single with a handsome guy or gal,of course it will be more sentimental if they were italians,
while at the villa stop at the Casina del Lago, and take the little boat ride.

Buy roasted chestnut from a street vendor..
Stroll in Via Margutta, the Latin Quarter of Rome,
have a granita con panna at the famous Coffee Greco, in Via Condotti

Visit the 920 plus churches of Rome

Eat a gelato a sit in the evening at La Barcaccia, Piazza di Spagna, while there have your portrait taken from a starving artist,
Spent a glorious evening listening to a opera at Le Terme di Caracalla,
and for an Egyptian touch, take the metro and see a Pyramid built by a rich ancient roman merchant,outsite the wall of Rome...
And the list goes on....

Read Angels and Demons by Dan Brown and you will surely find a great beginning to this list--maybe even the whole list.

Have conversations--either in English or Italian!--with the Romans.

21. Go to the Porta Portese flea market on Sunday and bargain for little treasures

23. Take a Dolce Vita Stroll from Piazza Popolo down Via Del Corso to Via Condotti and on to the Spanish Steps.

(HowardR's input was #22)

24. Go to the morning market at Campo de Fiori

25. Walk along the Ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica), and visit the catacombs

26. Check for messages at the Talking Statue in Piazza Pasquino.

Located in a little square at the end of Via del Governo Vecchio, few steps from Piazza Navona.

27. Rent a bike and take a ride in the park around the Villa Borghese.

28. Go see the Ecstasy of Santa Teresa.

Its in the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria which is one of the finest examples of the baroque period in Rome. This Bernini statue shows the last moments of the young saint.

Piazza Santa Susanna.

29. Visit San Clemente - 12th Century Brasilica sits atop a 4th Century christian church which sits atop a 2nd Century Mithraic Temple. Several deep tunnels, an underground stream and burial place of St. Cyril.

On via San Giovanni. Metro: Colosseo.

Stroll and stop for a coffee in Via Veneto, one of Rome more famous street, do you remenber La Dolce Vita?...

Stop at a nice restaurant and order one of the most popular roman dish: Saltimbocca Alla Romana, who know if you are single and a girl, you may meet a handsome prince, just like the heroine of 3 Coins in the Fountain....

take the metro and explore the wonders of Ostia Antica,

Or take the little train and spend the day outsite the city , to Frascati or other castelli romani, enjoy a good glass of wine, rustic bread, prosciutto and good cheese,

If you are brave go to San Peter and climb the 325 plus steps to the Cupolone, have a marvelous view of the city,

If you are around the Colosseum, stroll to Colle Oppio, an ancient roman garden , I cant remenber it used to be a palace of one of the roman emperors, is just across from the site,

stop to a small trattoria and order Suppli al Telefono, they are round croquette, made with a very good meat sauce and pieces of mozzarellas in the middle.. an excellent , simple snack,

have a good glass of Campari e soda at your local bar or stand,

the list keep growing....

38. Get a superb view of the city from the park on top of Gianicolo Hill in Trastvere

39. Visit Santa Maria Sopra Minerva - Rome's only Gothic church

It is filled with art treasures, and with the ghosts of famous personages in Church history. It has soaring pointed vaults, delicate ogival arches, predominant blues and golds, and flickering lights from stained-glass rose windows.

Borgehese Gallery-for best museum. St Peter's cathedral and the Pieta for marvelous appreciation of Micheangelo's genius. Piazza Navonna for a concert at night with all of the street activities. Gelato from the Gelateria della Palma.

40. Be brave and stick your hand in the Bocca della Verità (The Mouth of Truth). And don't dare tell a lie!

It is an ancient marble mask mounted in the wall under the portico of the church Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

41. Be amazed at the Baroque illusions at the Church of St. Ignazio

Near the Pantheon. Has a fake dome and sits on an interesting square.

42. Gelato.
43. Gelato.
44. Gelato.
45. Gelato.
46. Reservations at Ristorante al 34 -in the Spanish Steps area right in front of the Piazza di Spagna Hotel I think.

Oh and did I mention to be sure not to miss the really, really great gelato? !!!
I second the suggestion about the roasted chestnuts. They're soooo yummy!!!

44. Admire Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain in Piazza Navona

JAGIRL got carried away with triple counting the ice cream (easy enough to do)

45. Check out the great view from Piazza del Popolo.

Immense piazza has a 3,000 year old Egyptian obelisk at its center. Worth a visit for the grand scale of the piazza, the elegant church of Santa Maria del Popolo, and the view of the near-twin Baroque churches, Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesa

46. Attend mass at Santa Susanna - the church of the American community in Rome

In comparison with most Roman churches, Santa Susanna seems broad and spacious, filled with light and awash with pastel colors. The nave is richly frescoed with huge figures, classical vistas and luminous green gardens, and speckled with light golden stucco-work throughout.

47. Stay at the Hotel Due Torri

48. Eat

49. For those of you who enjoy jogging, jog around, in, etc. the Borghese Gardens and the Spanish Steps!

50. Eating Abraccio in the spring.

51. Enjoy a tasteof the macabre. A little way up Via Veneto, the Capuchin church of Santa Maria della Concezione contains a Capuchin cemetery which is one of the more bizarre sights of Rome.

The bones of 4000 monks are set into the walls of a series of chapels, a monument to "Our Sister of Bodily Death", in the words of St Francis, that was erected in 1793. The bones appear in abstract or Christian patterns or as fully clothed skeletons, their faces peering out of their cowls in various twisted expressions of agony - somewhere between the chilling and the ludicrous.

52. Stroll through the narrow, twisting streets of the Jewish ghetto nestled next to the Tiber - the oldest Jewish community in the western world.

The Synagogue is one of the most prominent buildings on the Roman skyline.

53. Imagine what it was like to shop in ancient times by visiting the Trajan's Markets


This area immediately east of Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill was developed in the 2nd century AD and included a massive basilica, Greek and Latin libraries, a temple, Trajan's column, and a sophisticated marketplace.

The column, widely regarded as one of the greatest works of Roman art, and the markets, known to archaeologists as the world's first shopping mall, and good preservation today.

You can get a free view of the complex from Via Alessandrina (off Via dei Fori Imperiali), but there is an admission fee to get right down in the ruins and wander around the markets. Entrance on Via IV Novembre.

53. Visit the 12th century church of Santa Maria in Trastevere and admire the wonderful mosaics, inside and out. Then pick one of the outdoor restaurants in the piazza (we loved Galeassi)and have a glass or wine while people-watching.

Uh-Oh...that should have been number 54!

55. Visit Boromini's fabulous little baroque churches: San Carlino della Quatro Fontane and St. Ivo.

56. Chill out in the Pincio. Public park designed by Valadier (1810-18). One of the finest and most famous panoramas of Rome.


Entrances: from Piazza del Popolo towards the Rampe del Pincio; Via Trinità dei Monti; from Villa Borghese. Free admission.

Facilities: playground, kiddie rides, restaurant, refreshment stand. 89,950 square meters.

57. Take a look at Palazzo Venezia - Mussolini's former headquarters. You can see the balcony from which he made his infamous speeches.

58. Visit one of the largest and most impressive palaces of Rome - Colonna Palace (Piazza Santi Apostoli)


Built in the fifteenth century and completely restructured in 1730. The Church of the Holy Apostles was a part of the palace and together with the Colonna Gallery is open to the public.

The collection includes paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Tintoretto, Veronese, Brill, Rosa and Carracci.

Also climb the 124 steep steps to Santa Maria Aracoeli. This church has a very interesting past and also many legends.
In Christmas Eve the wooden statue of the Baby Jesus is displayed at the Main Altar. This is only a copy, the original was stolen in 1994, the wood from the original was from the olives tree, from the garden in Jerusalem.
In Christmas day, the Roman Children stay in line to recite a poetry or a message to the Baby Jesus. This is a truly roman tradition. The Baby will be displayed till Epiphany, after that is put back at another altar in the church, at La Cappella del Santo Bambino.
From there, stop at the Campidoglio near by,( by the way, I was married there 43 years ago), admire the Statue of Marcus Aurelius, the gentle,philosopher roman emperor, the reason that the statue is still standing is because in the Middle Ages, the Church believed that it was the statue of Constantine the christian emperor. Admire the Lupa( she wolf) suckling the founders of the city, also take a picture of Minerva ,the goddess of Law and Order. From there stroll to the theater of Marcellus, and have an aperitif on the way.

I agree with the post about Gelato...gelato, gelato, gelato. Fabulous and everywhere. Try some limoncello after dinner...grapa only if you are brave. And, tiny cups of espresso...standing only.

So many sights to see. I'm glad someone included the Capuchin Monks cemetary of bones. Different and interesting.

Just enjoy the beautiful people and their fashion. They even look fabulous after tearing through the streets on their vespa.

Take an English speaking tour of the Coliseum.(walkingtours@yahoo.com) A nighttime walking tour of Forum. Throw coins in Trevi. Enjoy the Spanish Steps. Fountains and artists in Piazza Navona.

Ciao!!

63. Climb to the top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument for good views.

Think about why romans often call it "the wedding cake", "the typewriter" or "the Dentures"

ttt

64. Visit Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross in Jerusalem) and see the Passion Relics brought to Rome by St Helena. Located at 12 Piazza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.

The church was consecrated about 325 but was rebuilt several times and now has a 18th century, in the Baroque style. If you walk around the church, it is still possible to see the original Roman masonry in some places and the ruins of a medieval cloister.

The Passion Relics are in a small chapel: Two thorns from the crown of thorns, A nail from the Crucifixion, Splinters of the True Cross and part of the good thief's cross.

The church was included in the pilgrims' itinerary, and later became a Jubilee basilica.

65. Window shop along Via Margutta.

The street was born in the middle of the 16th century and always was a street where artists, especially Flemish and Dutch, lived. Here at No.53 Thomas Lawrence, a portrait painter, founded the British Academy of Arts in 1821. It is still a street of artists with art galleries and studios, and in spring and autumn a street fair is held with paintings for sale

I posted this last night but somehow it does not appear

View the dome of Saint Peter's through the "keyhole" on the Aventine Hill. A huge door (is it green?) on the right, after going up the hill to the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta provides a beautifully framed view through a private garden.

We leave in 28 days--keep the list going please!

The best thing to do in Rome: Walk. Just walk from one end to the other. Then turn around and do it again.

http://www.emservicesinc.com/keith/italy_-_2003.htm

Another interesting place to visit is ,"Il Verano", Rome' cemetery in San Lorenzo. The place is a truly work s of art.. The most beautiful adorned tombs,sculptures, small monuments are there.The most famous people of Rome is buried there. This cemetery is full now, and the romans must go to another cemetery almost outsite the city. Another interesting place , very close to Rome's Pyramid, is the Protestant Cemetery, is the burial ground of Shelley and Keats. Keats loved Rome very much and died at the building next to the Spanish Steps, as a matter of fact, the place is open to the public.

Also another interesting sight is the Porta Praenestina, later was changed to Porta Maggiore.Construction of this place begun around Caligula time, was finished later by a different emperor. Porta Maggiore is a part of the Aurelian Walls, it is very important it is a gateway to the suburbs and to major roads. What is also interesting about this place is the monument that stand on the side. The tomb of a successful roman baker, Marcus Vergilius Eurysacis. His tomb dates 15BCE and it is in the form of a Baker's Oven, around the tomb is a freeze representing the various stages in the preparation of bread.

Fighting your way through the street vendors and crowds at the Trevi Fountain, and sitting on the Spanish Steps at night along with all the teenagers drinking beer, smoking, and running up and down the steps.

donnabee, are you trying to make a positive input or just a backhanded dig?

Here's the link to a similar topic referenced by "dln" near beginning og this thread >>>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=1390220
"Dean's 10 favorite things to do in Roma off the beaten path".

Visit Da Baffetto - Rome's most famous pizzeria!
I thought it was all hype but I've got to say it really was the best pizza I've ever had. Go early to avoid the queues. Dont be put off by the poor appearance of the restaurant believe me the pizza is well worth it.
The Castell St Angelo at night from across the water is just amazing.
Have a wonderful trip.

Sorry, I just realised I didnt give the address for Da Baffetto
Via del Governo, Vecchia ll4

Its close to the Piazza Navona.

Keep all of these coming, everyone! I'm leaving to Rome in less than 48 hours and I still want to print all of these goodies off for my maiden voyage to Roma! Get those thinking caps on .

74. Visit San Pietro in Vincoli.

This 5th century church houses not only the chains reputed to have bound St. Peter in Palastine but also Michelangelo's famed sculpture Moses, which adorns the tomb of Julius II.

75. Visit the Botanical Gardens in the middle of Trastevere

This garden was established in 1883 when the Corsini family donated their garden to the Italian Government. Now run by the University of Rome "La Sapienza," it hosts over 3500 species.

Largo Cristina di Svezia, 24 ? Rome. Closed on Monday and all of august.

76. Have a picnic in Villa Doria-Pamphili which is the largest park in Rome.

77. Relax in the gardens at the Villa Medici.

Located about 300 yards north of the church of Trinita di Monte at the top of the Spanish Steps. Its gardens are open to the public and have some nice views of Rome.

78. At sunset, pack a light picnic and take a taxi (or walk if you're particularly athletic) to the top of Giancolense Park, a hill to the west of Trastevere across the Tiber River.

This idea was "liberated" from a post by bardo on another thread.

Though not one of the original "seven hills of Rome", Giancolense (or "Janiculum" in English, named for the minor two-faced deity Janus) is a wonderful viewing spot to see the eternal city, especially at sunset. It's 10 degrees cooler on top of the hill. It will also be easy to find a taxi to leave the park. Any local alimentari will gladly put together a picnic to order - wine, water, sandwiches, fruit, etc. One way taxi from Centro Storico is less than 5 euro.

79. Go to the Testaccio Quarter and find gourmet deli's and shops like Volpetti.

Volpetti is on Via Marmorata (towards Piramide), just in front of a tram stop. The area is loaded with many groceries and also a market place.

80. Go to the Trionfale Food and Flower Market.

It is in a little-known 19th century middle-class neighborhood called Prati, north of the Vatican, where the streets are safe and you don't have to watch your pocketbook.

Interesting facts about Villa Corsini.Originally the Riario family were the owners of this villa.
In 1659 Christina, queen of Sweden,after becoming catholic and gave up her throne, rented the villa from the Riario family, and stayed there until her death in 1689.
Later on the Corsini family purchased the villa.
Also the villa ground became a battle field, with Garibaldi troops fighting the French, thus the famous cry: Give me Rome or Death..

81. Visit the PALAZZO ALTEMPS for the Ludovisi collection of ancient statues and for the awesome architectural structure.

82. Visit the Spada Palace (Piazza Capo di Ferro)

An elegant building created by the architect Giulio Mazzoni between 1540 and 1550 for Cardinal Girolamo Capodiferro, it later became the property of Cardinal Bernardino Spada.

The stonework of the facade is decorated with flowers, medallions, and statues, while the courtyard with its porticos is ornately decorated in fantastic and mythological figures. To the left is the Spada Gallery, a small gathering of paintings divided into four rooms, with works by Guido Reni, Guercino, Rubens, Giovan Battista Gaulli and an unfinished painting by Tiziano. Today the Palace is used as the State Council Offices.

83. Visit San Giovanni in Laterano (Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano)


San Giovanni in Laterano is the Roman cathedral. The Pope is its bishop. The inside, with five naves, is richly decorated by Borromini. There are thirteenth-century tombs and mosaics, a thirteenth-century gothic tabernacle and precious frescoes. The adjacent cloister, decorated by a pair of mosaic columns, is the work of Jacopo and Pietro Vassalletto.

84
Take a nice walk along the river toward Tiberina Island in the Tiber. The island was the subject of many legends connected with the origins of Rome.
Two bridges connect the island to the city: Ponte Cestiobuilt in 46BC, and Ponte Fabricius 62BC.

85,
If you visit San Giovanni in Laterano, "the mother of all the churches in Rome", dont forget to admire the tallest obelisk in Rome, 47 meters. The Egyptian Obelisk is from the 15 century AC. The emperor Constantine bought it in 357 and placed it in the square.

ttt

86. Visit Nero's Domus Aurea or "Golden House"

This 'house" was a vast undertaking, but it was not intended to be a residence; rather it was a series of banqueting rooms, nymphaeums, small baths, terraces and gardens, facing what at the time was a lake fed by the underground springs and streams that drained from the surrounding hills.

Today it is possible to visit parts of it, which have recently been opened under the Trajan's baths. Tours start by taking you down a long corridor into the excavated rooms of the palace. The temperature always hovers at around 10C and this, and the almost 100 percent humidity, makes it necessary to wear a sweater or jacket even in summer.

Via Labicana 136. Daily 9am?8pm, guided tours obligatory. The entrance is off Via Labacana, in the Parco Oppio, almost opposite the Colosseum.
Booking is strongly recommended.

87. Check out the Temple of Vesta in the Forum area.

Six vestal virgins, chosen when they were as young as six years old, took 30-year-long vows of chastity. Their main mission was to keep the sacred fire of Rome burning. They lived next to the temple. The vestal virgins achieved just about the highest status a woman could attain in Roman society-unless you were the empress.

88. Visit the Keats-Shelley Memorial House

Facing directly onto Piazza di Spagna, opposite the fountain, is the house where the poet John Keats died in 1821. It serves as the Keats-Shelley Memorial House, an archive of English-language literary and historical works and a museum of manuscripts and literary mementos relating to the Keats circle of the early nineteenth century ? namely Keats, Shelley and Byron.

Stroll through the Protestant Cemetery

The Cemetery is a shrine to the English in Rome. Keats and Shelley are buried here. It?s a enclave, crouched behind the mossy pyramidal tomb of one Caius Cestius, who died in 12 BC, and home to a friendly colony of well-fed cats.

90. Visit the Museo Nazionale di Villa Giulia

The Villa Giulia is a harmonious collection of courtyards, loggias, gardens and temples put together in the mid-sixteenth century. It?s home to the Museo Nazionale di Villa Giulia, the world?s primary collection of Etruscan treasures (along with the Etruscan collection in the Vatican).

Piazzale Villa Giulia 9. Tues?Sat 9am?7pm, Sun 9am?1.30pm.

91. Visit Santa Cecilia in Trastevere which honors the patron saint of music.

It was built in 821 and later embellished with a bell tower, a cloister, part of the convent, the frescoes on the inside façade, and the ciborium between the 11th and 13th centuries.

The splendid Last Judgment, a huge fresco by Pietro Cavallini, can be admired by entering the choir of the nuns. The fresco is the greatest masterpiece of Roman medieval painting and marks the passage from the great Byzantine tradition to the birth of Giotto's modern style.

92. Make dining a religious experience at L'Eau Vive

via Monterone, 85
Centro Storico

This is an out-of-the-ordinary restaurant, run by an international community of Carmelite nuns, and is well worth a visit. A meeting place for people of many different nationalities, diners often find themselves joining the sisters for evening prayers at 9:30pm. Eating here is not just a gastronomical treat?the business helps the nuns raise much-needed funds. The food served is mainly French and is surprisingly good; offerings range from soups and main courses to dessert The wine list is excellent

93. Stop by Nardecchia to look for antique prints, including 18th-century engravings of Rome by Giovanni Battista Piranesi. The shop is a Roman landmark and also stocks inexpensive 19th-century depictions of Rome.

tel 06 68 69 38,(Piazza Navona 25)

94. Stop by the Anglo-American Bookshop

(tel 06 678 96 57, Via della Vite 102, off Piazza di Spagna)

Has an excellent range of literature, travel guides, reference books and maps and sells the Thomas Cook European Timetable for Italy. There is another branch at Via della Vite 102.

95. Shop at one of Rome's premier homeware stores - Spazio Sette

(tel 06 688 04 261, Via dei Barbieri 7, just off Largo di Torre Argentina).

Has quality designer furniture, kitchenware, tableware and gifts.

96. Shop with the locals in Trastevere at the excellent Piazza San Cosimato market

Its a traditional neighbourhood market adjacent to one of the best food-shopping streets in Rome, Via Natale del Grande.

97. Stroll across and then take a picture of Rome's most impressive bridge - PONTE SANT'ANGELO

98. Be amazed by the enormity and grandeur of the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. I saw Aida, replete with horses on stage, there, summer of 1960.

99. Eat and get good value for your money at Ristorante del Pallaro

Largo del Pallaro 15 (tel. 06-6880-1488).

Each dish is lovingly prepared by the chef-owner, Paola Fazi, who urges her diners to Mangia! Mangia! The moment you're seated at the table, the dishes start to arrive--first a selection of antipasto, then the homemade, succulent pastas of the day, followed by such meat courses as tender roast veal. Everything's included, even a carafe of the house wine.

100. Get a great view while dining on the rooftop at Les Etoiles (The Stars)

In the Hotel Atlante Star (tel. 06-687-3233). A virtual garden in the sky, with a 360? view of Roman landmarks, including the floodlit dome of St. Peter's.

101. Satisfy your sweet-tooth with some tartufo at Tre Scalini

Piazza Navona 30 (tel. 06-687-9148)

Enjoy the view at Rome's most beautiful square, Piazza Navona, facing Bernini's Fontana dei Fiumi.

102 Buy a Gucci pocketbook near the Spanish Steps.

103 Drinks lots of limoncello.

104,
If you can afford dont forget to shop or window shopping in Via Condotti.

105. Sip a Cappuccino with an awesome view at Di Rienzo in the "the living room" of Rome

Piazza della Rotonda 8-9 (tel. 06-686-9097).

106. Watch the beautiful people (young actors, models, and artists from nearby Via Margutta) at night on Piazza del Popolo.

107. Grab some picnic supplies at the Campo de' Fiori open-air market

Visit one of the shops selling freshly baked Roman bread, pick up a bottle of wine, hit a deli and away you go

108: Be overwhelmed upon entering the Ardeatine Caves on the southern edge of Rome, a memorial to partisans disposed of by the nazis during WWII. I'm embarassed to admit that I have forgotten the architect's name. It is a singular experience.

Not only the partisan died at the Fosse Ardeatine, also non partisan innocents people died there. In march 23, 1944 a bomb exploded in Via Rasella, as a German unit was marching' and 33 soldiers were killed.
The German authority ordered an immediate reprisal, and for every soldier who had been killed 10 Italians will be executed.The reprisal had to be conducted in 24 hours. The Germans round up 335 innocent Romans and took them to the Fosse, and shot them to death..A true tragedy of the horrible WW2.

109. Eat at DAL BOLOGNESE, on Piazza del Popolo.

Stolen from a post by weadles.

This place attracts a very glamorous crowd-- actors, models, and people who look like actors and models--some of whom seem to pose at the outside sidewalk tables, but the place also serves wonderful food. We tried their lasagne verde and tagliatella bolognese, both of which were some of the best dishes we had on the entire trip.

Just walk around the city and admire the old buildings.Some are truly works of art, with small statues and religious niches at the corner, and marvels of how old and well preserved they are. If only they could talk.. Just think of how many happy and sad stories they could tell us..

Oh..The Pantheon at night or during a rainstorm! Rain pours down from the oculus, The ghetto and the synagogue tour,Piazza Navona at night.

For another fabulous view of Rome go to the Observatory of Monte Mario.

Drink a Cappuccino at S'ant Eustachio.

114, Dont forget to visit EUR, the modern Rome.. Mussolini dreams of a past and glorius empire. The Palazzo dei Congressi is quite famous, also admire the large marble statue at the Palazzo della Civilta e Lavoro,the statue depict a naked bearded man and rearing horse. The aerea now is a large city, very modern and a nice place to walk and explore.

Just sit in a cafe with a glass of limoncello and enjoy people watching.

ttt

ttt

Topping!

I second Piazza Navona with a slice of pizza from Il Forno on Campo D' Fiore. Doesn't get much better...

Rent a surrey in the Borghese Gardens and tool around the park for an hour. Goofy as all getout, but a great workout. You can definitely justify many gelattos after a caper like that!

Can I rent a boat instead of a surrey?

No, Degas, I can do you one better. How about boarding the observation balloon at the Borghese Gardens instead? It's a bright blue gi-normous monstrosity of a balloon which is guaranteed to satisfy even the wildest Baron Munchaussen cravings in anyone.

I doubt that balloon could lift the "litte wife" and I at the same time. Delta makes us wait until the airplane has a final weight check before we can board! And the "little wife" never lets me get out of her 20/20 eyesight when I'm overseas!

Fear not, Degas. This balloon could transport cattle if it had to.

If I am correct, No. 115.

For a great laugh and story later, buy a gelato at the top of the Spanish Steps, lose your footing and slide down them on your rump...tightly gripping your cone of gelato...one stops at the end and "POP", your gelato falls off the cone. Oh my how they laughed. I didn't then (I was 15), and now 50 is in the rear view mirror of my life and NOW I laugh!

There used to be a post on here about 2 years ago called "All About Rome" that I believe richardab posted. I just tried to find it and couldn't, so I could be getting the title wrong. But, it is a fabulous and very entertaining post. I highly recommend reading it before going to Rome.

Does anyone know if this post is still around?

ttt

ttt

Here's another. Wander over to the neighborhood of Trastevere in the daylight, to see its churches (St. Cecilia and Francesco di Ripa in particular). Then at night, to eat, mingle with the crowds, and browse in all the funky little hole-in-the-wall shops. It has an entirely different feel than Centro Storico.

116. Eat trippa.

117. Eat a torta di ricotta ai frutti di bosco from Il Forno in the Ghetto.

118. Eat baccala`.

119. Eat a carciofo alla giudea.

120. Attempt to cross Piazza Venezia without holding your breath.

121. Tour the Synagogue on Lungotevere Cenci to take a break from visiting churches. Pay special attention to the prayerbook in the museum that stopped terrorists' bullets.

122. Sit in the Senate Hall in the Forum and pretend that you're Caesar.

Pay a visit to Rome's newly consecrated church - "Dives in Misericordia" - a soaring Modernist beauty designed by a well-known (Jewish) NY City architect, Richard Meier.

Mr Meier's concept was chosen through a design competition (beating out Frank Gehry amongst others); the model was viewed and approved of beforehand by the Pontiff himself.

tt

JUST BEING THERE, PRICELESS !!!!

# 125 I think

Take a walk, share a kiss and a smoke with a young roman man by a fountain and never ever want to leave...

When you take your walk around the city,and if you have read" Angels and Demons", by Dan Brown ,retrace the events and the highlights of the book.

See if you can find the error that the author made about the location of a certain church..

This will be fun..

Walk hand in hand with my beautiful girlfriend.

Stay in a convent.

topping to add extra to Dean List

topping and hoping for more additions

dumas1870 is someone after my own heart---enjoys a romantic view

I've savored and photographed the view from Castel Sant'Angelo at sunset, and can vouch for the fact it is spectacular if luck, timining and the weather cooperate.

Another place to take in a superb view of bella Roma is the top of the Vittorio Emanuele monument. It just re-opened to the public in 2002 after a major renovation, and there are often free art exhibits of all kinds going on in some of the major rooms there.

excellent, thanks Chatnoir!! now it's tagged with my name so I can find it easily.

Attend evening vespers at Sant Anselmo on the Aventine Hill.

Sant'Anselmo is the world headquarters of the Benedictine Order, and the seat of a university.

A resident community of monks hold daily vespers in Gregorian chant.

http://www.osb-international.info/santanselmo//SA_Liturgia/index.html

Spend the evening and order the whole works - antipasta, primo pasta (share a dish) secundo, dolce, and coffee afterwords.

Joelle

Dont forget the Limoncello.

ttt for reedpaints...
Read this post, it will give you an idea..

Leaving for Roma in 4 weeks! Thanks for all of the suggestions!

One more: visit the book, print and stamp market in the Piazza Fontanella Borghese. A nice little outdoor market with interesting antique merchandise. Open in the early part of the day, I think.

ttt

Visit the Torre Argentina cat sanctuary near the Pantheon--cats among the archaeological ruins. I haven't done this yet myself, but plan it for my next visit.

I love this! Thank you.
I've been looking for the similar Paris thread... can't find it!!! Anyone know where it is?

just found it myself...

fabulous old thread

this thread has been linked to Helpful Information Italy

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34443340

This thread is like eating an elephant... best taken in small bites. Subbing for future bites.

Buon Appetito, then edhodge..

Hansikday, isn't Santa Maria Sopra Minerva the church where we found Michelangelo's Risen Christ?

That's a great thing to do in Rome-- discover art at every turn!

Visit the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli off the Plaza Della Republica, near Termini Station.
Looks absoutely nothing from the outside, but has the most intruiging interior I have ever seen.
Marked into the floor are the signs of the zodiac, and there is a high light hole that allow light to shine onto this floor mosaic.
From what I've been able to find out, this was the spot that all time was originally calculated from, and at noon each day the light from the window strikes the spot for time registration.
Unfortunately all signage and information appeared to be in Italian only, so I'm still trying to figure the pieces in the puzzle!

bookmark

me too bookmark

I don't understand, what are the post that keep saying "Bookmark"? If you want to bookmark or Add to Favorites you can just do so. Typing "Bookmark" does bring the post up to the top as does TTT (meaning to the top)..is that the intention? I am curious so am consequently asking the question as I seem to see this so often lately. Thanks!

Bookmark

It takes it to the top of the forum list on the left so the thread does not get low on the list and forgotten.
Bookmark, ttt, anything to bring it up among the recent posts.

bookmarking

"Bookmark" also adds it to the list of "your" threads. When you click on your name, the thread will be there.

this thread is so long it's pretty hard to keep track of everything that's been mentioned (let alone the numbering system), but I don't think anyone has listed these:

-See Bramante's Tempietto at San Pietro in Montorio
-Walk along Via Giulia
- See the aqueducts on Viale Appio Claudio
-See the 3 Caravaggios of St Matthew's life at San Luigi deu Francesci
-See Piazza Mattei with its dolphin fountain and walk through the Ghetto

bm

tagging

Read Georgia Masson's "Companion Guide to Rome", take it with you, and wander Rome's streets with her as your guide.
Unlike any other guidebook (out of print for decades, and recently brought back to life), this book makes Rome's intricate history come alive.
My favorite site is the Pantheon, but the best site to witness firsthand Rome's layers is the church of San Clemente near the Colosseum, a regular church, but in the "basement" are the remains of an early Christian church and below that "sub-basement" is a temple to Mithras. All the altars line up perfectly: placed symmetrically on top of each other. Amazing way to witness Rome's layers.
Rome is my favorite city, and too many people only give it one or two days, missing out on the intricacy of this amazing city!
Cheers,
Ellen Craig

tt

bookmarking

12something... Play a game of chess against an old man/woman outside of a small cafe on a side street.

ttt

THE SCAVI underneath Saint Peter, is One of the most interesting tours in Rome ..

Wonderful old thread! Thanks for bring it back out.

Gelato sitting streetside at Giolitti, via Uffici del Vicario, 40. Since they're open 7:00am - 2:00am, it is my first stop from FCO or Termini.
www.giolitti.it

Visit Ostia Antica in style and the easiest and fun way is by boat..

Go early in the morning to Piazza Del Parthenon and get a table at Di Rienzo, order your coffees and full breakfasts, or just lovely pastries and watch the piazza come alive - sit and relax for
at least an hour and 1/2 or so - what a great experience!
Leslie

That would be Piazza del Pantheon (the Parthenon is on the acropolis in Athens), if that were what it is called. In fact, it's called Piazza della Rotonda.

Stay at Locanda Senatrorum, located between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona - a great hotel w/amazing beds
Leslie

Adding to Dumas 1870 and Bookchick's passion for the often over-looked Castelo Sant Angelo (#6 on this list) while you are absorbing the culture, history, art and ambiance there, do also stop in at the washroom/loo/lavatore/toilette...it is one of the most beautiful of the species in captivity in Italy today!

And on a more serious note,(#1__), attend a concert of the Opera students at St.Paul-within-the Walls and make a contribution to their marvelous outreach programme for Romany in Rome. If you really want to solve the problem of pick-pockets, take away the need.

Every time I go to Castel Sant'Angelo I can imagine Mario(from Puccini famous opera: Tosca) knowings that the hour of his dead was near, longing to see Tosca his lover,sang with despair the famous aria:" E lucean le Stelle,".

Or I can picture Tosca,at the roof of the Castel, after finding out that her lover was dead, leaps to her death .

So many fantastic ideas! 48 days and counting until I get to experience these first hand. Thanks!!!

Great thread!

Great list - can't wait to go back!

Go to Volpetti's food market (Via Marmorata 47 in Testaccio)in the morning (they close for lunch around 1:00)and let them custom make you amazing sandwiches from fresh baked foccaccia and wonderful cheese and meat. Then stop a few doors down into the pasty shop and buy some sweets. Carry your picnic up Aventine hill (Volpetti's will give you a little map)and stop to look through the keyhole at the dome of St Peter's on your way to the orange tree garden where you can enjoy your picnic with a panoramic view of Rome. Continue on to the Jewish Rose garden and see the roses in bloom if it's late May- June. Walk down from there to circus maximus. A magical day!

bookmarking

bookmarking

bookmarking

great list! can't wait for my trip to Rome in September and to see the things on this list! (well some of them I hope!!)

Great - thanks!

If you are looking for something different visit Ostia Antica by boat.

There are also daily boat trips along the Tiber to Ostia Antica - these depart from Ponte Marconi .

A round trip cruise to Ostia Antica takes a little over two hours each way.

From today, one of the best things to do in Rome is to visit LA CASA DI AUGUSTO, on the Palatino hill.
It si possible, so, to visit his "studiolo" meaning the small room where Augusto often went to think.
Do not miss it !

Vincenzo

bmk

Here is a link to more information about the opening of the House of Augustus
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?screen_name=ParadiseLost&fid=2

this is quite the list! bkmk

Whatever you do you'll want remember it forever, and the memories fade quickly! So take lots of photos and when you return take best ones, your favorites that mean the most and upload them to: http://www.yourphototopainting.com
They are awesome! Your own pictures become works of art on canvas at reasonable prices. They make great gifts too.

This is a great list! Thank you

Bookmarking for March trip to Rome.
Thanks one and all.

Bookmarking. Thanks all.

bookmarking

ttt

Good Grief. I forgot I even read this, much less bookmarked it, yet here I am 4 from the bottom. So much for bookmarking.

But, no mention that I read of taxi rides. We had two terrifying ones in March. One where the driver actually hit a pedestrian on a rainy night, and one where the driver drove the wrong way down a one way street to avoid the blockades during the Roman Marathon.

Other than that, so many great places in Rome to see have already been mentioned. Simple people watching while eating gelato was a favorite.

Maybe I'll remember this thread next time I go to Rome.

Is always a pleasure to read an old Thread.Thanks Challiman..I remember the fun we had posting different things to see in Rome.

ttt

Thank you for topping this list.

Keith and I will be in Rome from Sept 3-12.

Thin

We will be in Rome October 2nd till the 8th ,then we fly back to Paris..
Enjoy..Dont forget to go San Giovanni in Laterano,the Mother of the Roman churches, I was baptized there.

So happy I found this thread before our firt visit to Rome in a couple of weeks!

For now, my contribution to the "100+ best things to do in Rome" would be simply to add:

Imagining and sharing this experience of the eternal city with my DH and daughter!

bowen, the first time that I took my Grand-daughter to Rome she was a little over 7 years old.I could not believe that someone so young could appreciate and enjoy beauty.

We had to stop and visit many little churches during our walks.She fell in Love with TreviFountain and we had to pass by and stop at least twice a day..

She loved the Roman Forums, of course she stopped to every little hole that she saw..
It was wonderful seeing the beauties of my city through her eyes.
Since than she came with me to Europe various times to Paris,Capri, Avignon, Amsterdam,Venice, Milan and other places..but truly Rome captivated her heart.

kismetchimera ,
Baptized in ROME !!
Fabulous darling...

Jetset, my siblings and my two older children were also baptized at the Basilica of San Giovanni.