Julie_Hurst

Hi all. I'm now doing my Rome Things to Do & See List. Nov '07 will be our 3rd visit. On the Rome map, I've noticed some places that I have not seen covered on this Fodors forum. Anyone have any info on the following Rome spots?

1. Villa Ada - have seen a lot of posts about Villa Borghese park, but none on the search engine on this park. Any info?

2. Cimitero di Campo Verano - is this an interesting cemetery for those of us who like to visit historical cemeteries? Not on search engine either.

3. EUR - anyone been? What did you think?

4. How about the other neighborhoods/suburbs outside the usual travelers' wandering area? Any that are nice for wandering? Any that should be avoided?

5. Modern Shopping Mall - to the suburbs we go! Anyone know of any that can be reached by Rome public transportation?

Thanks in advance, Julie

tdyls

EUR could have been something impressive if it weren't for this little thing called World War II. Since Mussolini wanted to impress the world with how cool fascism was, he had EUR built. And the architecture looks fascist -- heavy, stark, lots of concrete, spartan. It definitely is a contrast from 2500-year-old Roman ruins!

I forget what is there exactly other than mostly Italian government offices. There is some sort of Italian history or pop culture museum there which covers from about the 1800's on, which was fairly interesting (probably would have been more so if I could understand Italian). There are some other museums there too.

It's definitely a change of pace from the rest of Rome, but not something that I would put prominently on my list of things to see. If you want to see EUR, have your cabbie go through there on your way to FCO. (EUR is where the Rome-FCO autostrada begins)

charnees

Try going out to Tivoli, on the outskirts. There you will find Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana), an ancient country castle and estate built by the Emperor Hadrian, over many many acres. Also in Tivoli is Villa d'Este, which has hundreds of amazing fountains in the gardens in back -- look it up on the internet and you will see what I mean. the fountains are fun on a hot day!

Charnee

nini

You mentioned that you like cemeteries so I recommend the Protestant Cemetery. You take a short train ride to the Pyramid which is adjacent to this beautiful cemetery. It is more like a garden with a variety of trees and beautiful plants--lots of palm trees. The grave of Keats is there. A small donation is requested. Nearby is a section of the Roman wall and a museum.It is a great place to escape the frenzy of tourists in the usual places of interest in Rome.

uktravelover

Totally agree with chamees about the Villa d'Este. Another nice trip is to the ruins at Ostia. I am pretty sure that you can pick up a guided trip from Rome with someone like Angel tours. You might also like to think about going to Castel Gandolfo or Frascati.

Vttraveler

If you go to the Protestant Cemetery and Pyramid of Caius Cestius, here is more information on Testaccio neighborhood
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../specialTravel
Note it describes a Middle European restaurant

I don't know how much time you have spent in the old Jewish ghetto neighborhood. Here is a description from an old NY Times article
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...50C0A96F948260

finally a few things from my own To Do & See list for next trip to Rome (unfortunately that won't be as soon as this November):

go inside Sant' Ivo alla Sapienza (only open limited hours Saturdays and sundays so hard to see)
>
> Villa Farnesina for the Raphael frescoes

Day trip to Tarquinia for Etruscan necropolis and museum

Sunday service with Gregorian chant at Sant'Alessio

Julie_Hurst

Thanks for the great responses everyone.

We are interested in Trivoli, but have seen posts that the public transport just doesn't work well & takes a long time each way. I've looked at some tours & in Nov. haven't found anything I like, but haven't looked at Angel Tours; I'll keep looking.

Have been to Ostia Antica & love it. We plan a day there & will probably always go there everytime we make it to Rome - great place!

Also have the Protestant Cemetery on our list & the other places near the Pirimide. But, re: Cimitero di Campo Verano, was just curious that such a big & close cemetery had never been mentioned.

Sounds like EUR is a drive-thru. I read the history, but wasn't sure if it was worth a visit.

Haven't heard of : Sant' Ivo alla Sapienza, Villa Farnesina for the Raphael frescoes, Tarquinia for Etruscan necropolis and museum, Cstel Gandolfo or Frascati. I'll have to check out those.

Vttraveler, where do we find the Gregorian chant at Sant'Alessio? That sounds interesting.

Thanks again, Julie

Vttraveler

Hi, Julie
Now that I have checked my guidebook I realize it is Sant'Anselmo --which is at the piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta 5 and near Santi Bonifacio e Alessio-- that has the Gregorian chant. This is listed in the book (DK eyewitness guide) as on Sundays at the 8:30 mass and 7:15 vespers. Here is a web site that might help check to be sure this info is still good
http://www.santanselmo.net/

In the piazza is the doorway of the priory of the Knights of Malta which is famous for the bronze keyhole through which there is a miniature view of St Peter's.

Sant'Ivo all Sapienza is right near Piazza Navonna. It is a Baroque church by Borromini "of astonishing geometrical complexity" and its walls "are a breathtaking combination of concave and convex surfaces." (quotes from my guidebook) I read a book about Bernini and Borromini that definitely piqued my interest but we just couldn't get inside the church during our last trip

Steve_James

Hi Julie - Tivoli takes about an hour by public transport (- metro 'B' to Ponte Mammolo, then bus to Tivoli) - but is well worth the effort to see Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este.

http://sights.seindal.dk/sight/901_H...s_Villa-6.html

http://sights.seindal.dk/sight/901_Hadrians_Villa.html

http://vandyck.anu.edu.au/work/teach...9e/tivoli.html

For bus timetables to Tivoli see:
http://cotralspa.it/pdf/orari/L2.pdf

Hope this helps ...

Steve

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bkmk