Hi Everyone!

My wife and I will be in Rome for five days during the end of November and would like to get some ideas for activities. We will be staying by the Spanish Steps at the Casa Howard, Pink Room. I guess I'm trying to avoid the overrated attractions and focus on 3 or 4 "must see" attractions. Keep in mind that My wife and I are not big art gallery nuts. Also, any outstanding restaurants/bars that stuck out in your mind. Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks,

butterla

I have two favorites in Rome:

'Gusto, at the corner of Via della Frezza and Via del Corea, a few blocks northwest of Piazza Spagna. Terrific modern interior feturing from cheese or salumi plates to full bore dinners. Many of Rome's glitterati are there nightly. A happening place.

Pizzaria Remo in Testaccio. Take the Red Line Metro to Piramide and ask anyone where Remo is. Its about a five block walk down Via Marmoratta then turn left for a block or so. Best pizza I've ever had. A happy local crowd nightly.

Well, in my opinion, the forum and colosseum should not be missed. These ancient grounds are mind-blowing. I loved the Pantheon and the areas of Old Rome around it. The churches are amazing! Great look at Renaissance Rome. You should dine or at least get dessert (tartuffo) in Piazza Navona. Great hub of people and local flavor. Of course you should see the Trevi fountain, and a walk to the Vatican is also quite impressive. Restaurants? Whew! that's tough, they are everywhere, and mostly good. I really liked a little place down an alley off Via Condotti near the Spanish Steps called "Piazza Di Spagna." Amazing pasta carbonara!

Thanks for all of your help. Any other ideas?

There is a place that is not often mentioned in the travel guides that I think has to be seen to be believed. It is called "Crypt of the Capuchins'. The crypt is in a church called Santa Maria della Concezione. It is the home of the bones of about 4000 monks belonging to the order of capuchin. It is four rooms (crypts) decorated with these bones as they ran out of room to bury them. The easiest way to get there is by train - it's only about 2 stops. I can't remember the name of the stop you get off but if you ask I'm sure someone will know. Either that or you can go to Piazza Barberini, cross the street in front of the Bernini Bristol Hotel (noting the famous Neptune fountain!) and go up the hill on via Veneto. A very short walk up the street on your right and you will find the church. You don't have to pay to get in but they do like a donation. It' may sound morbid but it isn't really and it is an amazing place to see and not like anything else. It's well worth the effort.

I would say a 'must' is to go inside St Peters. It's incredible, you don't have to stay for long but is really worth seeing. If you want, you can go to the top of the dome (lift then stairs) for fabulous views over Rome. Going into St Peters is free, for the lift there is a small charge. Dress codes for most churches, cathedrals etc in Italy are strict - no shorts, no bare shoulders etc.
Kay

I just remembered!....I would also try and get to the vatican if you can. St. Peter's is awe inspiring!

Do a text search for a wonderful thread. It's either one of these:

100 of the best things to do in rome

100 great things to do in rome

You can walk from the Spanish Steps to the Crypt of the Capuchins. This crypt is really no big deal. All the bones are neatly glued in place and are all nice and polished. Does not look real. JMO

Definitely don't miss the forum and the Colosseum! The Presidential Palace is very nice to see. If you catch it at the right time, you can see the changing of the guard (big production). Don't know the street name, but if you walk from Spanish Steps to the Crypt, you will pass it.

For restaurants, Nino, which is very close to your hotel, and Buca di Ripetta, at 36 via di Ripetta, which is not very far away.

For sightseeing, I'd recommend the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Fountain of Trevi, the Forum, the Colosseum, St. Peters, and Castel Sant'Angleo. Also, go to the top of the Monument Vittorio Emanuelle (aka "the wedding cake" or "The Vittoriano" by locals)for a splendid view of Rome. (You'll get another splendid view at the top of Castel Sant'Angelo.)

If the weather permits, walk through or picnic in the Parco Borghese.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

Just wandering the twisty cobblestone streets of the old city (by Campo di Fiore), and stopping in at a small wine tasting shop and a used furniture store were some of our favorite moments in Rome - getting to meet the locals. Sure the Vatican is wondeful, as is the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps (the Trevi fountain was nice but nothing spectaular), however getting lost in the old city or in Testacchio are what (to us) Rome was all about!

Wow - and I thought I was the only one who didn't think the Trevi fountain was spectacular.