As the Romans do
 

I will be venturing to Rome for 7 days next week. Although I've never been there before, I will be living there for the summer, and am not interested in following the traditional tourist agenda. What I want to know is, how do those who live there spend there holidays? Where do they dine? Hang out? Have a massage? Thanks for any, and all input. Dean.

I'll give you two answers.<BR><BR>First, the commonest answer given here to "real" (non-tourist) Rome is that you can find it best in Trastevere. I haven't been there in such a long time, I will let others elaborate on its special charms.<BR><BR>Second, if I were living in Rome a whole summer, I would go back and explore the Rieti region. Rieti is to rome as are parts of Vermont to boston. Close enough that the people still feel part of the big city, and yet a century apart - - much like I aimagine Tuscant was before it was "discovered" 50-60 years ago and started down the road to becoming Chianti-shire.<BR><BR>The town of Orvinio (not to be confused with Orvieto) was the best taste of real Italy I have ever had.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Thanks, Rex. Look forward to more info on Trastevere!

I've been living in Rome for the past 3 years and found my job, house and girlfriend in the local Irish bar Finnegans(www.finneganpub.com). All the ex pats gather here to relax after a hard days work and normally around 7 o clock you will find many Italians having a quick half pint before they head home. Holidays are spent north and south. In the north we go to Ceccina, Livorno, Vada and in the south Sperlonga , Ponza and Anzio as the train only costs 16 euro return for these destinations and hotels and resaurants are very cheap. As for dining Garbatella and Testaccio is where you'll find all the "menu in Italian only" restaurants!<BR> For party time you need to find Rockodile a great little disco bar that's open until 5 a.m. <BR>The ladies who are really MEN that hang about near the baths of Caracalla I've been told offer you a massage in your car!

Hi Dean, The title of your post reminded me of Alan Epstein's great book, As the Romans Do. He writes lovingly of his and his family's experience of living in Rome. Look it up at www.amazon.com.

When ever I do a search for something on hotmail Amazon books always pops up. Please don't give them any more publicity$$$$

Dean:<BR>There is a great wine bar in trastevere. The name escapes me, but ask around and you will find it.<BR>best of luck.

Give this guy some info

A search on this forum on Trastever will turn up a ton.<BR>

thanks, guys. any personal prefs, restaurants, getaways?