wjb485

We are first time travelers to Italy and will be spending 8 complete days and nights in the Rome/Florence area. We'll be returning from Florence to Rome on our last full day sometime in the early afternoon and I'd like to help make it a truly special, romantice last day. So, I guess the questions would be....where should we stay, visit, walk, eat, etc. Any "romantics" out there that can help???

zeppole

I'm a romantic, but what do you (two) this is romantic.

For instance, I wouldn't find it romantic in the slightest to go the Vatican. Besides, if I had a just spent a week in Florence, I think I would want to spend my time visiting the Roman ruins, not church art. (Although I'm not sure I'd find the Colosseum romantic.)

For me, a romantic day and evening would surely included lingering over cocktails -- probably a rooftop bar or some other atmospheric place. And, of course, a really good meal with good wine. (I happen to really fond of Roman pizza so I might find it romantic to do that.)

Presuming the weather is nice, would you like to go bicylcing along the Appian Way? Shopping for shoes or perfume? Tasting cheese in a great Roman cheese store? Browsing bookstores?

???

zeppole

Sorry for my typos!

My first question was:

What do you two think is romantic?

Marianna

We found it romantic to stand at the top of the Spanish Steps and watch the sunset. I think there are a few hotels up there that have sunset views from their outdoor bars or restaurants. We did have a drink in a roof top bar and watched sunset another time. I can't think of the name of the hotel though.

paris1953

The Mirabelle restaurant at the Hotel Splendide Royal was romantic for us (too pricey for us for dinner, but perfect for after dinner drinks) and an amazing city view from the balcony. Lovely staff, too.

gh21

This is a great link to rooftop bars and restaurants in Rome. http://www.roninrome.com/%20shopping...urants-in-rome

I love all of Ron in Rome's travel blogs.

wjb485

Hello all and thank you for your replies. What is romantic to the two of us? Walking/strolling to nowhere in particular...stopping at a cafe for drinks/light lunch....dinner and or drinks at a place with a city/sunset view....or, eating at a warmly, welcoming retaurant...bottle (or two) of wine and dinner....perhaps a walk after that. Really can't wait to go (October)

zeppole

Well, Rome definitely sounds like your cup of vino. In addition to the Pantheon and piazza Navana, and the Spanish Steps, you might enjoy a walk along the via Margutta -- especially if you watch Roman Holiday (yup, that old classic with GP and AH)), since that was the location of Gregory Peck's apartment. You might consider tracking down this place, and getting a word that expresses your feelings carved in stone.

http://www.globetrottingtips.com/rom...moraro-in-rome

Be sure to enter the Pantheon during the daylight (even if it is raining), but I would save seeing the Trevi fountain until night time, perhaps the last thing do in Rome.

You should ask on the chowhound Italy message boards for restaurant recommendations, and emphasize you want a warmly welcoming restaurant. People might want to know where in Rome you are staying. People there can also give you recommendations for good lunch spots where you can people watch, and a wine or cocktail bar for sunset.

You do need a plan for indoors if it is raining. Mine would be a long lunch plus the Capitoline Museum, maybe another sight of ancient Rome (underground? the baths?) and pizza for dinner by a wood burning stove. I'm sure others will have some other suggestions for indoor fun. If not, ask on Tripadvisor and Frommer's message boards.

Have a lovely day in Rome, following your heart.

zeppole

Typo alert:

piazza Navona

bardo1

Depending on where you are staying, here's an outline for the kind of evening described above:

Basically, a revisit to some highlights of Renaissance Rome with a nice dinner outside on a quiet piazza.

Start your walk at Piazza Farnese, walk the length of Via Giulia, cross the river, a quick final glance at St. Peters Square, recross the river (this time via Ponte St. Angelo), walk the length of Via dei Coronari stopping at this ultra charming place with a small fountain in the square:

http://www.ristorantesangallo.com/ (allow 2 hours to really enjoy your stop)

continue along Via dei Coronari to piazza Navona,

continue toward the Pantheon,

end your evening stroll at the Trevi Fountain.