chris

Hi everyone,<BR>I'm going to Rome in a couple of days and I'm bringing an engagement ring ti propose to my girlfriend. Any suggestions on a nice and romantic place in the city to do this?<BR>Thanks<BR>Chris

Art

Easy, Trevi fountain.<BR>

Leslie

The only problem w/ the Trevi might be the crowds surrounding it, though I'm not sure this to be the case in the off season.<BR><BR>My suggestion would be either at the top of the Spanish Steps, atop the Campidoglio, overlooking the Roman Forum...or possible over a very elegant dinner.

Chris

I second the Trevi Fountain. Go early and avoid the crowds -- on the other hand, you might not even notice them....and the crowd would be more than happy to help you with photos too. Since the Trevi Fountain is the place to make you wish to return to Rome, it seems to be a "no-brainer". <BR><BR>The Spanish Steps is a good place, however there won't be any flowers on them to help the "mood".

ron

w/o a doubt Trevi fountain. nightime when the lights are on.

Capo

Oooh, good question. If you have time before you pop, you might want to check out the sites ahead of time. <BR><BR>I'm sure there are numerous romantic restaurants but if you're looking for a place outside, I'd second places that people have already mentioned, either...<BR><BR>. the Trevi Fountain at night,<BR><BR>. the top of the Spanish Steps (you probably don't want to do it at the bottom of the Spanish Steps since Bernini's "sinking boat" fountain there probably wouldn't be a good metaphor for an engagement :~), or<BR><BR>. overlooking the Roman Forum from the back of the Campidoglio at twilight (when we were in Rome an Italian couple was having wedding photos taken there at that time of day)

Book Chick

My votes would be for the top of the Spanish Steps (extremely romantic in moonlight IMO) or the very top of Castel Sant'Angelo, just as the sun is setting. You can see a great deal of Rome from the latter venue & it is just magnificent when the sun is beginning to set. (Just returned from Rome about 10 days ago & have the photos I took from the top of Castel Sant'Angelo at sunset---molto magnifico!)<BR><BR>Best Wishes & Please Let Us Know How It Went,<BR>BC

DJ

Just a suggestion, but there may be a place that will become the favorite place for both of you. A "WOW" moment when you experience it. For example, for my husband & I it was the Pantheon. A romantic place for us was spending the afternoon into the evening drinks into dinner on the Piazza just looking at the Pantheon as we were both just so struck by it. <BR><BR>The Trevi is very crowded as well as the Spanish Steps. In comparisons to some of the "postcard" photographs that can be seen on the web, these places were just a sea of humanity when we were there. Trying to steal a romantic moment at the Trevi will be prove to be a challenge as the "flower seller" keep pestering you. <BR><BR>Best wishes, you'll do well (how about inside the colloseum). Now that could be memorable.......

KT

But if you choose the Castel Sant'Angelo make sure she's not an opera fan, since that's where Tosca flung herself to her death after her lover Mario was killed. Talk about a bad metaphor! (But a good view.)<BR><BR>

ditas

GOTTA BE THE TREVI FOUNTAIN AT SUNSET WHILE HAVING THE BEST GELATO IN ROME!!!<BR>TOTALLY UNEXPECTED....<BR>MAKE SURE YOU ASK SOMEONE TO TAKE A BLACK AND WHITE PICTURE OF YOU TWO TO CAPTURE THE MOMENT AND USE THE PICTURE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY, ON THE TABLE WHERE YOUR GUESTS PICK UP THEIR SEATING ASSIGNMENT. <BR>SUNSET IS THE BEST LIGHTING FOR THAT KODAK MOMENT AND NOT TOO FAR FROM THE TREVI FOUNTAIN IS THE BEST GELATO STORE IN ROME (let me know if you you want the name and I can look it up). <BR><BR>

Stephanie

I'd have to disagree re: the Trevi fountain. The people that try to sell you flowers are SO persistent it's irritating. Although maybe if you buy some when you get there or buy them beforehand they'll leave you alone. It is beautiful, though. I also love the Pantheon. So gorgeous. I think proposing over a romantic dinner would be a great idea, too. Or maybe even in a beautiful smaller church -- we loved Santa Maria in Trastevere. Really, now that I think about it -- you can't go wrong most any place. The fact that you're proposing in Rome (no matter where) is extremely romantic.

melissadicicco

One of the most memorable romantic places that I visited in Rome was at the top of the dome in St. Peter's. We got there very early in the morning, and were the first people in line. We climbed the MANY steps up to the top, but when we finally got there, the view was breathtaking! And there were only a few other people up there while we were. It was very nice, if you can survive the climb up to the top!<BR>I also thought that the top of the Spanish steps was romantic.<BR>Good Luck Chris!

Vita

You can get a very nice view of Rome from Gianicolo Park in Trastevere. Castel Sant'Angelo also has a nice view of Rome to the east and St. Peter's to the west. Not sure if it's open late enough, but try going late enough to catch the sun set over St. Peter's. Neither place is as crowded as some other spots in Rome, in my experience. <BR><BR>This might drive you crazy with anticipation, but it might be nice to keep the ring on you and pop the question whenever the mood is right. (Just keep it in safe spot.) All the places that people mentioned are worth a visit anyway. Regarding Trevi Fountain, I agree with the other poster that cautioned against it. It's a nice spot, but so commercial and the flower guys will ruin the moment unless you pick a time to go when it's not as crowded. Good luck. Your girlfriend is lucky to having someone willing to put so much time and effort into making this special for her.

Jean Valjean

I have to agree that Trevi Fountain may not be the best place. WAY too crowded with too many vendors.<BR><BR>I would suggest:<BR><BR>1. Trastevere, at night, having dinner at one of the restaurants right at the Piazza di Santa Maria. Good food, great place.<BR><BR>2.At the Pont Sant Angelo, and sundown, looking at the Vatican, the Castel, and the river. I am not sure if that's the name of the bridge, I mean the one that's just accross Castel Sant Angelo. It is perfect because the bridge itself is very beautiful, the scenery around the bridge is very nice, and there are no cars allowed on the bridge. Last time I was in Rome I saw a couple getting their wedding pictures taken at that bridge... very nice!

Emily

If you're going in the late spring/summer, I'd say one of the piazzas in the centro storico...piazza navona, campo dei fiori...it is filled with people strolling around, but it's sort of like a carnival on warm nights, with lots of people, fire, shadows...<BR><BR>If you like nature, you could try one of the villas (basically a big park), like Villa Borghese, which is really lovely in the Spring.<BR><BR>More outdoorsy suggestions (it's 32 degrees outside and I'm wishing it were summer)-- you could try the Parco Savello - Giardino degli Aranci (Savello park, garden of the oranges)<BR>Entrance: Via del Circo Massimo to Via di S. Sabina. . Take the tram or bus 92 there, it's in Aventino/Testaccio. There's a very famous keyhole in a wall, where you look through it and the dome of St. Peter's is framed perfectly inside of it. This is well off the beaten tourist track, and you guys should be pretty much alone, if that's what you want.<BR><BR>And if it IS cold, but you still want spectacular views, go up to Monte Mario. Any cab driver will get you there. There is a restaurant up there where all of the tables look out over Rome. It's open late, too. I wish I could remember the name of this place, but there is only one restaurant up there. It is stunning. Don't know about the food, I only had gelato, but I felt like I was in a secret lover's hideaway.<BR><BR>Another good indoor place, if you're up for the Roman glamour, is Bar della Pace on Via della pace near Piazza Navona. This place is full of beautiful people, which makes for great people watching. If that's your thing, do it here.<BR><BR>I'd also second the suggestions for Trastevere, and that little piazza in front of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Also the bridge at Castello San Angelo was a good one.<BR><BR>Sigh. Good luck. And kudos to you for proposing in what could be called (by me at least) the most romantic city in the world.

xxx

I don't think there's a perfect place. There may be a perfect moment, and this has to be caught on the run. There certainly are places that may "induce" the perfect moment, and you've got plenty of suggestions. Among these, I'd certainly urge you not to skip Santa Maria in Trastevere at sundown. You may visit the church and, on exiting, just sit down at the fountain's steps and let it happen

xxx

I'd recommend proposing at the beginning of the trip, so that you can enjoy the vacation as an engaged couple. Plus if she has an idea that you might be proposing, she'll spend the entire vacation wondering when you're going to pop the question. No need to stress both of you out worrying about the big moment, when you could just be enjoying the sites. <BR><BR>Then again maybe you could wait until the end of the trip to make sure that you're compatible international travelers. lol

chris

Thank you all very much for the replies!<BR>I think im going to have to do a combination of what all of you have suggested- sort of "feel" things out as we're seeing all of the sights and just make sure to have the ring with me all the time for when the time seems right. Quite a few have mentioned the Santa Maria in Trastevere. I think that sounds like a very good place, doesn't sound like there are too many people around. I also will look into the restaurant on monte mario. We leave friday and when we return in a week I'll be sure to write back here to let you all know where it happens. Again, thank you very much<BR>chris

Mom

Chris, best wishes, just be sure to keep the ring in a well-hidden pocket, or the pickpockets will get an extra treat with their traveler's checks.<BR>Let us know!

Capo

Good advice Mom. Of course, if Chris's girlfriend turns him down, he can always propose to a pickpocket. :~) <BR><BR>Kiddin', Chris. She'll love you for this and, in turn, both of you will love Rome. Have fun!