How far are the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain from The Westin Excelsior on Via Veneto? We would like to walk to both sites on our first day in Rome but know that we will be jetlagged. Are there any good places to have lunch near The Westin Excelsior? We enjoy charcuterie, cheeses, and want to try Fried Zucchini Flowers. Thank you for the help. Any good gelato places near The Westin Excelsior?
Has anyone been to the Vatican Gardens? Are they something to visit? Thank you again.

The Vatican Gardens are reservation only tours booked directly with the Vatican.
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...zi_Visite.html

From the Westin, it's downhill. Going back, take a taxi or use the electric bus which goes from via Veneto through the historic center.
http://www.atac.roma.it/docunet/file.asp?mid=3&rid=9

If you haven't been on via Veneto you might want to walk down it and head to the Trevi first. If you have, I would go down either via Ludovisi or via Liguria/via degli Artisti to visit the Spanish Steps (check your map for streets you can cut across).

Lots of the restaurants on via Veneto are a little more upscale with quite a few glassed-in areas on the sidewalk to eat. You can get drinks at several without ordering a meal, but many of them seem more dinner places.

WAlk out of the Westin,cross the street to Via Ludovisi and walk to the end of the street where there is a wall.Take a left and walk downhill while window shopping on the lefthand side of the street. At the first intersection,take a right which will take you to the top of the Spanish Steps and the Hassler Hotel.Great views! Walking time-less than 8/10 minutes?
Walk down to the bottom of the Spanish Steps,mingle and see many different restaurants that might fit your bill depending on what you want to spend.Have fun!

Forgot to add that there is a great underground grocery store for snacks up the street by Harry's(orange escalator)or if you want a great coffee or snack stop at the Cafe Ludovisi diagonally across from the Hotel Savoy which is across the street from the Westin.OR take a first right past the Savoy and go to Brothers(great sandwiches,salads,coffees,drinks and you can purchase wine. There are also little cheapie restaurants around Brothers on the next street.

bm