Vita

I'll be in Rome for two weeks at the end of November. Last year, I loved sitting out at a piazza with a book, just absorbing the atmosphere and the grand architecture around me, and pausing every now and then to people watch. On this trip, I thought it would be too cold to sit out. Can anyone recommend any places where I can sit indoors but still experience a similar atmosphere - for example, cafes with a large picture window and good coffee and pastries, reading rooms, libraries, etc. Maybe some of the museums and galleries have their own reading rooms?

Nutella

This doesn't answer your question, but I lugged two thick books along on my recent trip to Italy, thinking I'd do the same thing. I carried my book everywhere, but ended up people watching, having conversations, getting invited to go for a coffee, etc... I think I read the first page about 20 times and never made it past that! : )

Vita

I guess everyone's different. I actually brought a book last time thinking I'd only read it on the plane. I finished it in Florence and started on a second one. It's not that I spent my whole time reading but it's how I like to unwind.

Steve James

Hi Vita,<BR><BR>How about the Cafe Greco (Via Condotti)? <BR><BR>Not the cheapest place in town, but a bit of a Rome institution. Maybe you discovered it last time ...<BR><BR>Steve

Jasmine, Scala Reale

Vita,<BR><BR>I recommend Bibli bookstore: Via dei Fienaroli, 27/28 in the Trastevere neighborhood. It has an indoor/outdoor cafe, internet stations, English language books and plenty of space to curl up and read. There are often book readings and lectures in the evenings.<BR><BR>Another option is the Bar di Fico on the Piazza di Fico just up from Piazza Navona. It's a local neighborhood just around the corner from the tourist quarters, and offers quiet, good music, and reasonably priced wine with indoor and outdoor seating. This place is good for reading or playing chess in the daytime, but in the evening becomes a bit more chic and noisy.<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR><BR>Jasmine.<BR>www.scalareale.org

Book Chick

Hi Vita,<BR>&quot;The Vittoriano&quot;, the monument to Victor Emmanuelle (aka &quot;the wedding cake&quot is now open to the public. There's a cafe up at the top, with a wonderful view of the Roman skyline. Ditto the view at the top of Castel Sant'Angelo, where there's a coffee bar &amp; I actually very comfortably sipped espresso at an outdoor table in Rome in January of this year up there.<BR><BR>Buon Viaggio, <BR>BC