We have been reading about several different walks in Rome.. Each guidebook combines different things. Does anyone have a favorite walk or walks that worked for them when sightseeing?
Thanks,
Shaynak

Hi Shay,

With a little reading and www.maps.google.com you can create your very own customized walk.

Good planning.

hi shaynak,

I know that Rick Steves is not universally admired here, but we very much enjoyed his Rome walks, especially the one that takes you round 4 churches with mosaics. the michelin green guide will probably have some ideas for walks too, and they are pretty reliable.

if you do that walk, or go to any churches with mosaics, remember to take some 50c and 1€ pieces with you to put in the machines that provide the lighting.

However, you could just start walking down virtually any street in the centro storico and go in every church you get to - it's amazing the things you find. we have found effigies of saints being wept over by passing motorcyclists, the most fantastic triangular "nativity scene" replicating the triangular courtyard in which the church was set, wonderful mosaics in the crypt of what turned out to be Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, and many more.

just wear comfortable footwear!

Here's a short one you can incorporate into a longer walk:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-churches.cfm

Good advice from both ira and annhig above.

At www.maps.google.com enter: "Rome Italy Churches" into the search box.

I think incorporating the length of both Via Giulia and Via dei Coronari (heck, squeeze St. Peter's square in there too) would make any walk memorable. An excellent stopping point for coffee, snacks, or drinks is http://www.ristorantesangallo.com/ - sit outdoors if possible.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...lking-tour.cfm
Regards, Walter

The Rome Tourism Board has some walks.
http://www.turismoroma.it/itinerari?lang=en

And perhaps one day they may even get English, or at least bilingual, versions of all of these?

http://www.turismoroma.it/about-roma...cabili?lang=en

But until then, this - which dates from the previous administration - is rather nice....

“PASSEGGIATE ROMANE” - 18 ITINERARIES TO UNVEIL, STEP AFTER STEP, THE WONDERS OF ROME

http://www.italiantouristoffice.se/sv/docs/77.pdf

... and you may also like:

Rome - the culture of water: aquaducts, fountains etc
http://www.italiantouristoffice.se/sv/docs/79.pdf

Villas of Ancient Rome
http://www.italiantouristoffice.se/sv/docs/80.pdf

Exploring the EUR district
http://www.italiantouristoffice.se/sv/docs/76.pdf

Peter

Hi...

I completely agree with Annhig about the Rick Steves churches walk...called The Pilgrim's Rome Tour (pp. 251-266 of his 2008 Rome Book and probably hasn't changed much since then).

You will see some really cool things that are not at the top of most sightseeing lists in Rome, expecially Santa Prassede with its incredible mosaics (which I feel is a must-see for the city that few people ever visit) and San Clemente with its multi-level history that includes the remains of a temple of Mithras underground.

Of course, this is all predicated on an interest in history, which you may not have. (I'm a big history buff when it comes to travel.)

NOTE: Annhig is also spot-on in reminding you to bring some Euro coins, expecially to Santa Prassede. You need them to light up the mosaics in the tiny, but spectacular, Chapel in St. Zeno, where you will get an amazing, up-close view of possibly the best mozaics in the west.

SS

shaynak,

i am probably the only person on this forum who doesn't think that san clemente is terrific. it left me a bit cold to be honest, but the other churches on that walk were the biz. I also prefer san cecilia in trastevere to santa maria too, so I'm prepared to accept that it's me!

BTW, if you want a gallery/museum that is not overwhelmed by other people, try the galleria doria-pamphilli - a fantastic collection of art, exhibited in an unusual way, and lovely to wander round in relative peace.

annhig, I will take Santa Cecilia over SM in Trastevere, any day. I adore Santa Cecilia.

Great tips you all!