Name a favorite Rome experience...
#2

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,420
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I enjoyed staying, dining, and walking around in Trastevere. Also the Monti neighborhood, where you can take a 2 hour classic mosaic class and leave with a small Roman-style mosaic you've made.
At the Vatican we did the After-hours tour. Way more than I'd usually spend, but well worth it -- I took my four sisters on the tour and years later it's still a most special memory. Same trip one of my sisters and I had a spritz on the rooftop terrace/bar at Albergo del Senato, adjacent to the Pantheon. Amazing views and experience.
Finally, on a different trip I made time for the Borghese gallery and was so glad I did.
At the Vatican we did the After-hours tour. Way more than I'd usually spend, but well worth it -- I took my four sisters on the tour and years later it's still a most special memory. Same trip one of my sisters and I had a spritz on the rooftop terrace/bar at Albergo del Senato, adjacent to the Pantheon. Amazing views and experience.
Finally, on a different trip I made time for the Borghese gallery and was so glad I did.
#3




Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 84,803
Likes: 46
I'm not much of a "tour" person, but I took two in Rome that I really enjoyed. We were there in October and it was HOT. I can't imagine what it must be like in summer.
Anyway, one was a summer night tour (via bus) that took us to iconic locations lit up at night. The Trevi fountain was simply crazy and so hot but it was great to be there. Also the Piazza Navona.
Another afternoon tour I enjoyed was a Christian sights tour. A nice way to get around on a super hot day. Had not planned to see catacombs but glad the tour included that.
A non-tour favorite - just strolling out tiny neighborhood, from market to gelato to antique store to wonderful restaurant. I think of that tiny slice of Rome often. More than anything else from the trip.
Anyway, one was a summer night tour (via bus) that took us to iconic locations lit up at night. The Trevi fountain was simply crazy and so hot but it was great to be there. Also the Piazza Navona.
Another afternoon tour I enjoyed was a Christian sights tour. A nice way to get around on a super hot day. Had not planned to see catacombs but glad the tour included that.
A non-tour favorite - just strolling out tiny neighborhood, from market to gelato to antique store to wonderful restaurant. I think of that tiny slice of Rome often. More than anything else from the trip.
#5


Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,815
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Hmmm......
-Xmas eve 1990: a solo flutist busked moonlit in a dark side-street by Pza Navonna, making for a very atmospheric half hour for those of us strolling there (we tape recorded him).
-spring 2015: our B&B host's dachshund surprised the ____ outa' me by suddenly jumping into my lap unexpectedly as I wrote in our journal out on the patio, unawares of its lurking presence.
-fall 2017: we enjoyed the unique view from the deck of our 6th floor Monti rental.
-multiple times: strolling via Giulia from top to bottom, then back again for the bridge views and more---the 'salon street' of Rome.
I am done. The end.
-Xmas eve 1990: a solo flutist busked moonlit in a dark side-street by Pza Navonna, making for a very atmospheric half hour for those of us strolling there (we tape recorded him).
-spring 2015: our B&B host's dachshund surprised the ____ outa' me by suddenly jumping into my lap unexpectedly as I wrote in our journal out on the patio, unawares of its lurking presence.
-fall 2017: we enjoyed the unique view from the deck of our 6th floor Monti rental.
-multiple times: strolling via Giulia from top to bottom, then back again for the bridge views and more---the 'salon street' of Rome.
I am done. The end.
#6

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,359
Likes: 0
On our last day in Rome we hired a taxi driver to take us to all the sights we hadn't managed to see before, and our very favorite was the church of San Stefano Rotundo,a very large circular church known for its huge frescoes of the martyrdoms of saints. Our driver came in and looked around with us, saying he'd never been there before and it was a big surprise.
#7

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,991
Likes: 6
I also did an After Hours Tour of the Vatican Museum back in 2007 I think. It remains a highlight of that trip. To have the Sistine Chapel completely to our own small group was amazing.
I also really enjoyed Context Rome's Caravaggio walking tour.
I also really enjoyed Context Rome's Caravaggio walking tour.
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#8




Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 84,803
Likes: 46
#12

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,991
Likes: 6
This is who I went with then, not sure how good they still are as it's been a while. Italy With Us
#13




Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 84,803
Likes: 46
Great tips! Thanks!
I'm glad I went to Rome. It was at the end of a 16 day trip and I learned on that trip that 11 days is good for me. It was very very HOT in October. I didn't fall in love with Rome. I'm not sure when I want to go back, but maybe in winter. Fewer crowds and less heat would be lovely. None of the other locations came close to those negative Rome variables.
I'm glad I went to Rome. It was at the end of a 16 day trip and I learned on that trip that 11 days is good for me. It was very very HOT in October. I didn't fall in love with Rome. I'm not sure when I want to go back, but maybe in winter. Fewer crowds and less heat would be lovely. None of the other locations came close to those negative Rome variables.
#14

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,332
Likes: 0
After reading some of the replies perhaps it's best I don't comment on my experiences at a pension in the early 80's as a high school senior....
Albergo near Campo di Fiori to be precise on location.
Albergo near Campo di Fiori to be precise on location.
Last edited by J62; Sep 11th, 2019 at 08:12 AM.
#15
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 31,187
Likes: 0
Seeing the Ponte Sant'Angelo, Santa Maria della Vittoria,
Then learning the name Bernini: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...orenzo_Bernini AND
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Sant%27Angelo
Then learning the name Bernini: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...orenzo_Bernini AND
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Sant%27Angelo
#18
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,794
Likes: 42
I took my sister to Rome end of August 2016. It was hot but I prior mentioned the famous Babington's tea room at the Spanish steps. When my sister saw it, she just had to go in. Who wants hot tea when its 90 degrees out? Well, I ended up getting a peach iced tea and a dessert. My sister loved it and I really liked the iced tea. She wanted to recreate it last November but no peach so we couldn't recreate the experience.
#19
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
During our visit in September 2010, my husband and I were walking back from a restaurant near Piazza del Popolo back to the Spanish Steps sometime after midnight when we came across this gathering of swing dancers. The music came from a large boombox. Some of the dancers were dressed in old fashioned swing clothes and some were in modern dress. It all felt very inclusive and free. The vibe was incredible. It was an evening of amazing food and wine topped off by a beautiful late night stroll.


