sws

I have been to Rome several times and it seems as though I spend most of my time in the "usual places", such as Spagna, the Center, il Campo etc. Are there any other neighborhoods that would be interesting to visit, not necessarily for ruins and statues, but just to wander around in? I usually travel by scooter, so distance is not a factor. Thanks.

abba

If you go to the Past Hosted Forums section you will find a very recent one on Rome where as I remember this subject was discussed at length.

Paulo

One of the most pleasant sightseeing tours we did in Rome was a whole day spent in the neighborhoods of Piazza della Bocca della Verità and from there over the Isola Tiberiana into Trastevere.

We started with the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church, then the two small old Roman temples to Casa dei Crescenzi, then to the Oratorio di San Giovanni Decollato, back to the piazza, to San Giorgio in Velabro and the 2 arches, to San Teodoro and Sta. Maria della Consolazione, to Sant'Omobono, San Niccola in Carcere and Teatro di Marcello.
Over Ponte Fabricio to the Isola Tibertina, San Bartolomeo, and over Ponte Cestio to Tratevere.
Piazza Belli, Torre degli Anguillara, San Crisogono, San Benedeto, Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, San Francesco a Ripa, Santa Maria in Trastevere and Museo del Folclore. Back to piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere for an evening stroll and dinner.

This mixes the best of Medieval Rome with some ancient sites and covers the most lively and fun districts in Rome.

Paulo

howard

I would recommend a visit to the Ghetto in Rome. (The restaurants are an added plus in the area.)

Carol

Ciao Paulo,

Do you by any chance remember the name of the restaurant near Santa Maria in Trastevere?

Ed

Ostia Antica is good scooter trip out to the ancient port of Rome.

Other 'non-usual' spots include Santa Maria della Concezione, San Pietro in Vincoli, the Museum of Roman Civilization in EUR, the Necropolis at Saint Peter's, San Clemente, and the neighborhood atop the Aventine.

More info on lesser-visited sites at http://twenj.com/romesightsless.htm, and an overview of the more important sights, in case you missed one, at http://twenj.com/romesights.htm

Karen

If you're an adventuresome diner, it's fun to go to one of the restaurants near the slaughterhouse, in Testaccio, to eat brains or sweetbreads or intestines of veal (all scrumptous, believe it or not). Testaccio also has a great outdoor market, and of course the ancient Roman dump itself, a whole hill made mostly of pottery shards. Also in this neighborhood is the Protestant cemetary, where Keats and Shelly's heart are buried. Testaccio borders the Aventine Hill, which has many beautiful churches and perhaps the finest view in Rome, from the Orange Garden. Both neighborhoods together are well worth a day long visit.

Thomas Rankin

I often recommend walks in the area between the Colosseum and St. John's, rich in early Christian churches though not highly trafficked by tourists. The Aventine Hill is another marvelous oasis as are the parts of Trastevere which haven't been invaded by tourists. Some of the newly opened museums are spectacular and relatively undiscovered: Palazzo Altemps, Palazzo Massimo, etc.

Tom Rankin
www.scalareale.org

stwiso

Thanks to all for the helpful and detailed responses. I am a recent refugee (perhaps a graduate) of the AOL Italy Message Board. So far, the Fodor's Board is far more useful. Thanks again.

Paulo

To Carol ([email protected])

In the piazza, I remember two of them: Sabatini and Galeassi. The Sabatini is specialized in seafood and somewhat more expensive. The Galeassi also serves pasta & seafood and dishes from the Abruzzi cuisine.

Paulo

Karen

Just around the corner from Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere is Il Pasquino, a movie theater where English-language films are shown in the original. It's been there for many years, and it's a popular gathering place for the Rome British and American communities.

Carol

Paulo--This time you've disappointed me. From you I expected a Trastevere recommendation much more esoteric than the two most famous restaurants in the piazza Sta. Maria in Trastevere!

Paulo

There are dozens of restaurants near Sta. Maria in Trastevere ... I was just trying to name the two that are closest.
If you like spaghetti alle vongole veraci (which I admit are not that esoteric the best ones I got in Rome (and cheap) were at Gino in Trastevere, on Via della Lungaretta, 200mts or so from the piazza. One other place to consider (albeit its name) is the Da Paris, in Piazza San Calisto. We had a supperb baccalà and trippa alla romana (more esoteric), at moderate prices. A bit farther away, between the piazza and via Garibaldi is the basic and cheap Da Lucia, where I had a very good pasta e cecci a long time ago.
Paulo

Carol

Ciao Paulo,

I love spaghetti alla vongole veraci. Mille grazie and buon natale to you and your family.

nice_topper

To the top for Leslie

topper

.

Karen

to the top for Renee