Your 3 Favorite Things about Rome

cappuccino, pizza and gelato

The old, cobblestone streets filled with sites, stores and restaurants.

The history is incredible, everywhere you look.

The excitement of being in a city and being able to walk everywhere!

Pasta Carbonara

The colors of the buildings

Gelato at Giloitti

Only three? That's difficult but:

The sight of umbrella pines on the hills surrounding the city as you descend into FCO.

Finding a tiny church tucked into the corner of piazza, that's open and you enter to find a jewel box, all to yourself.

The smell of coffee coming from the bars at 7:00 am as I'm walking the cobblestone streets of the centro storico, virtually alone.

What are you doing up at 7am?

The fabulous food (no matter where you eat), the wonderful history (very important for one who has a history degree!) and the NOISE/SMELLS-it is truly unique. Have fun on your first visit and remember that Rome is a city that requires you to go back many many times to see all,do all and eat all!

Sidewalk cafes - just sitting and people watching when you need a break

History - particularly the ancient

That intangible feeling of being in a European city. Our last day we walked from the Vatican to the Spanish steps by way of the Parthenon and Trevi Fountain, just meandering through the city with a stop at a cafe in the Piazza Navone (sp?) on the way, making to the Spanish steps in time for dinner. That is actually still the highlight of our first trip to Rome.

When I want to sleep late, I do it at some beach resort, not Rome. At 7:00 am in Rome, I love walking around without crowds, drinking coffee and finding churches that are open for early Mass. Sometimes, that's the ONLY time they are open.

The fountains, the pizza in Trestavere, and the sound of all the church bells ringing on a Sunday morning while standing atop Piazza Poppolo (I think that's the place, it's been 5 years.)

Sitting on steps in the Forum and trying to grasp how many people have sat in the spot looking at the same buildings.

Gelato!

The pieta in St. Peter's.

Thank you all for the ideas and the great taste of what's in store!

Relax, savor each day, start early & finish late(sleep at home) & MUST SEE:

San Clemente church
Borghese Gallery
St.Peter's/Vatican Museum

Gelato

St. Peter's

Sunset from the Palatine Hill

Hmm... only three things? Where do I begin?

Wandering through cobblestoned streets.

All the beautiful fountains.

The colors of the buildings, and the vines and flowers that grow on some of them.

Sitting at a cafe by the Pantheon and thinking how cool it is that you are sitting at a cafe by the Pantheon!

Knowing that it's okay to eat all of that wonderful food (and gelato!) because you will be walking off the calories!

I love that people take a passagiata (I know I spelled that wrong) after dinner.

Okay, that's more than three. Sorry!

Have a great time!

Johanna

1. Papal audience
2. Scavi tour
3. Gelato

Woody

All of these are great! I can't wait for my second visit this October. My favorite thing can be summed up in 3 words: Just Being There!!!!

Tom

1. the Bone Church
2. the Trevi Fountain
3. the Pantheon

Walking from our apartment to the city area past the Vatican each day.

Eating lunch in the sun opposite Colosseo.

Walking through Trastevere.

good looking men
coretto grappa
incredible history

in that order

The umbrella pines
Ruins in unexpected places
Colours: sky and buildings

my last trip:
1. Bernini (and the refurbished turtle fountain in Piazza Mattei)
2. Roma della notte
3. Food: olives, cheese, & wine, fresh rosemary & olive foccacio in the ghetto, long dinners

1. Watching Piazza Navona wake up in the morning at a cafe.

2. Food & wine & grappa.

3. Doria Pamphili museum.

All the amazing churches / basilica (especially by Borromini)

Walking down a street that looked a lot like the one I used to live on in the North End, Boston and seeing the Colosseum at the end of the street!

My very first cappuccino - at age 50.

The food esp. Spaghetti alla carbonara, the buildings especially the crumbly yellow/orange facades, Piazza di San Pietro and Bernini's columns.

I'm weeping just thinking about what my favorite things in Rome are and reading the replies. I love it 100%.

Early morning arrival and immediately begin to wander through the Campo di Fiori and sit in the café in the next piazza over: Café Farnesse; the sun is coming up over the buildings; there's a coolness in the air and the sun is hot and we're watching the gorgeous Romans start their day while drinking perfect cappuchinos.

Just wander from there towards the Pantheon and see some of the ancient wonders of the world. It will take your breath away.

5:00 Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Unforgettable. St. Mary Major as well.

The small and large fountains- everywhere. Imagining what it was like 100 years ago.

This is really hard! There just isn't another city in the world with such a rich offering of both art and history or that can so gracefully balance both the past and present.

1. That you can walk everywhere without fear for your life and that everywhere you walk there is something interesting to see: cobblestones, building facades, glimpes of hidden courtyards, flowers on balconies, people, funny little cars, piazzas of every size and shape, statuary and fountains in surprising places.

2. Italians! The way they talk, gesture, dress, their hospitality and dedication to family. Nothing brings a smile like nattily dressed grandfathers slowly walking in the morning with grandchildren clutching their hands or young women protectively arm-in-arm with aging mothers. It's beautiful.

3. The food and the pace at which it is served. Being able to really take your time to savor and enjoy a great meal. No Starbucks or to-go coffe!

Enjoy your trip! Just came back and am ready to go again.

My granddaughter's statement: Rome was her favorite city (and we have seen a majority) because of the history and her favorite place there was Borghese Gallery.

Don't miss Alfredo 1907 (restaurant from which Fettucini Alfredo originated, still run by the same family). They make the fettucini alfredo tableside, it is enjoyable to watch and unbelievably delicious to eat!

1. Bernini's sculptures at the Borghese Gallery - a revelation

2. Watching the people, fountains, and my husband eating tartufo on Piazza Navona

3. Walking everywhere, eating gelato, soaking up layers of history, stopping for a lunch of sublime antipasto and pasta.

1) Piazza Venezia, sitting at one of the outdoors cafes watching traffic. Cars coming from all directions, no traffic lights, yet it all works - the perfect metaphor for Rome.

2) Pantheon, elegant simplicity.

3) Campo Di Fiore, great market and peoplewatching.

1) The coffee and marmelade-filled pastry from the Pyramide train station caffe - oh so creamy, rich and tasty.

2) Looking at the Coliseum from the park's little road leading to Nero's Golden House. No cars, no vespa, you are higher than the road circling the Coliseum - a totally different perspective

3) Taking a break at Le Zodiaco (Viale del Parco Mellini). Can't beat the view of Rome

Having dinner at the Hotel Hassler...what a view of the city..also a great place to stay.
Trevi Fountain
the food !!

1. Strolling down Via Condotti and pretending to be able to afford the stuff in Prada, Gucci, Ferragammo, etc. (Disclaimer: I did buy a real, honest-to-God Gucci tie in Gucci about 10 years ago for what was then $35.00)

2. Baccalà, supplì, carciofi alla giudia, and most importantly torta d'amarena from Forno in the Ghetto

3. Trevi Fountain at night, even with all of the zillions of people there.

1. Walking up the cordonata designed by Michelangelo to the Campidoglio and taking in the view of the Forum toward the Colosseo.

2. The shafts of light entering St. Peter's Basilica.

3. Passing modern buildings with the foundations of the ancient city underneath them exposed to view.

Mostly, I love the way I feel in Rome. I don't have a lick of Roman blood in me, but I feel a deep connection to the city.

I love that the people live their daily, very modern lives in and upon history. Walking in the city and happening upon centuries old ruins was amazing.

I love the people, their zest for life, their physical beauty, their quick smiles, the pride they take in their city and their heritage.

You will have a wonderful trip!

I know they are really standard answers:

1. St. Peters
2. Gelato
3. Trevi Fountain

I will never forget seeing the crowds of people first then just as I was saying "I wonder why all these people are crowded around" ...then realizing it is the Trevi Fountain. The romantic notion of throwing a coin in the fountain and returning to Rome one Day.

Even more so was telling my son and daughter as we were standing in front of the fountain the story of the coin. My daughter asked for coin and my son said "Don't give me one there is no way I ever want to come back to this hell hole".

Actually I think he really liked Rome / rest of Italy but he is a teenage boy and I laughed out loud!

Walking down an average looking street, turning the corner and seeing something wonderful.

1. Galleria Borghese

2. Scavi Tour

3. Ristorante Ditirambo

I am also going to be in Italy in April, it's been three years and I can't wait. There is so much to see and do. One trip isn't enough, you'll want to stay. This is my 4th trip and it will be an extended one.

The presence of history all around you. knowing you are walking in the footsteps of history, and NOT doing it behind velvet ropes or barriers.

The church of Mary Maggiore actually has some amazing history, and the feeling of peace that comes over you when you enter the building.

St. Paul's Outside the Walls is another less advertised sight to see.

Being able to walk/stroll from one end of town to the other, or to usethe bus pass for unlimited rides for less than $10 a week.

And of course the FOOD, where the locals eat, not the tourist spots.

ENJOY,ENJOY,ENJOY

1. Night walk through Rome hitting all of the major sites (they look completely different at night - you can find the walk in Rick Steve's book), including having a glass of wine with my husband on our wedding anniversary at the Bar Pantheon while we sat and admired the Pantheon at night without another sole around.
2. St. Peter's.
3. Pizza and wine of course!

Pizza
Trevi Fountain
Everything else

The feel of history.

Wandering in a neighborhood and suddenly coming upon something wonderful.

people watching

all the food

crawling on my knee's up the stair's jesus desending down from after his sentence. It was the most moving experience of my life.

And there's more than 3 things, but that's all you asked for.

The amazing focaccia in Campo dei Fiori, carrying it out into the street wrapped in white paper on a crisp fall evening, feeling it hot in my hands and having to eat it quick before the olive oil seeps through the paper, licking the salt off your lips, it's foodie heaven. The smell of that place alone makes me swoon....
http://www.fornocampodefiori.com/main.php

The Borghese Gallery and the beautiful park surrounding it

The unending list of magnificent churches with their mosaics and works of art

The pure energy and excitement that comes from the city itself...it's intoxicating

I'm having a difficult time paring it down from "Your Favorite 300 Things About Rome", but I'll settle on these:

1) The view from the top of Castel Sant'Angelo at dusk.

2) The interior of St. Peter's Basilica.

3) Having a cappucino in the morning and listening to people on their way to work, and hearing in the background the bells of the Basilica chiming the morning "angelus".

BC

Must save this site for my first trip to Rome in June!

A picnic somewhere in the back gardens of the forum romanum.
An early morning walk where a fruit an vegetable market is setting up.
A game of soccer with some other people in the park of the villa borghese.

San Clemente church

Every Caravaggio(I think we missed just one)

Standing in the Colosseum & hearing the roar of the crowd(in my mind)

San Crispino grapefruit Gelato
Pizza
Cappuccino
Old stuff

Rome's beautiful art.

Great table wine.

Terrific pasta.

I'm heading to Rome for the first time this September. Thank you so much for sharing all of this. I can't wait to find my 3 favorite things about Rome, but I can tell you right now gelato will most likely make the list!

1) Pantheon
2) The market in Testaccio
3) Piazza Venezia - have drink at an outdoor table at one of the cafes overlooking the intersection - it is chaotic, noisy, with no traffic lights. but somehow it all works, the perfect metaphor for Rome.

Giovanni, Paulo and Lucianno..LOL

bookmarking

1. The Pantheon

2. Bernini's "The Rape of Proserpine" at the Borghese Gallery.

3. The breeze on a hot day...a Roman breeze just feels different. I can't explain it.

1 The History

2. Trevi Fountain

3. Food

1 The History

2. Trevi Fountain

3. Food

Grinisa,

My favorite activity in Rome is waking up early and climbing up and down the Spanish steps.

This is kind of an odd answer but I'm married to an Italian American and when I visited Rome I felt a sense of appreciating his heritage and really understood why he does things the way he does them.

Go out and mingle with the Italians. They have a sense of pleasure for life. They take pride in their city/country, themselves.

To us closing shops and churches for a few hours in the afternoon is inconvenient, but to the Italian it is a way of life. Spend those few hours to regroup, recharge your batteries or just take a walk and take in Rome. Being in a place thousands of years old can become mind boggling.

Don't worry about the language barrier. Not all Italians speak English but you will always find someone who understands a little. Take a map with you (tucked away so you don't look like a tourist) and when you become lost show it to a police man pointing to where you want to go and he will point you in a direction. I found the Trevi Fountain and Santa Susanna this way.

1. The history all around, blithely ignored by modern Romans.

2. The art and architecture, esp. in many of the lesser-known churches not frequented by tour groups.

3. The fact that it rarely snows. Disclaimer: I'm Canadian, eh.