Rome - what to do when you've done the main sights
 

I'll be going to Rome on Monday :) and have lots of things planned already - getting to the Vatican museums early and choosing a gallery we haven't seen before, looking at the sistine chapel from the other end as instructed in a recent TV documentary, finally doing a proper tour of the forum (it's been too hot on previous summer visits)...

But my question is, when you've done the major sights, what is your favourite less well-known place to visit and why?

One of our favorite experiences in Rome was the Benedictine Abbey at Subiaco. I would recommend you rent a car or hire a driver. The bus lets you off in the town and it is a steep long road up to the monastery.

This monastery was built along the side of a cliff. When we attended, an Australian brother led us around, explained the frescoes, really made them come alive and injected some humor too. Also the first (and maybe only) portrait of St. Francis taken while he was alive, is here. There is also the grotto where St. Benedict meditated and prayed alone for two years.

Occasionally, the Brother said, a busload of Europeans would come. When we were there, we had the place to ourselves. The solitude and beauty were very refreshing after our time in Rome.

One caveat: This is not a good site for young children. I have children of my own, and I will not be taking them to Subiaco. They won't appreciate it and they would destroy the atmosphere for others.

(This is not specific to Rome but) I like to try and find a seasonal or local special event - look for things such as church bazaars, school plays, wine festivals, arts or crafts fairs, free music, street performers, open air farmers markets, firemen's BBQ, pagents, contests or games of any sort.

Hi, we are going to Rome next week also. I am not sure how corny this will be but we have booked Enchanting Opera Arias in St. Paul's Within the Walls Church through Musici Veneziani Roma. It is right near the opera house so hopefully it will be some artists from there. Just something a little different.

Another relaxing and very interesting thing to do in Rome IMO is to get away from all the historical sites and all the tourist areas. Wander around in residential areas. Sit down at a cafe in a small piazza where the neighboorhood residents go to have a late afternoon expresso etc. It helps you see the "real Rome". It costs nothing "except for the drink at the cafe"...go into family owned neighborhood shops...just relax and enjoy the "day to day" Rome. Wishing you a beautiful time in Rome!!

My son and I enjoyed the Crypt of the Capuchins on Via Veneto, the National Pasta Museum (Museo Nazionale delle Paste Alimentari) on the Piazza Scanderbeg, and for my son, Museo Criminologico di Roma (some 'cool' torture devices according to my son) at Via del Gonfalone