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Your favorite thing to do in Rome :)
Hi again everyone. It seems that many of you are so well-versed in Italy I thought it might be good to ask what are your absolute most favorite special things to do, or favorite places to eat/drink whether it be a little Gelato shop, hole in the wall with the best coffee/espresso, sweets, pizza, etc. Please remember to tell the name and location too. I would love to experience what you think are the best. Thanks again!
Kurt |
Nothing specific here, but you'll realize this is right once you've been there:
Walk around, take in thousands of years of history, sit in a piazza and be thankful you are in Rome. Rome is a city that a lot of people hate, and a lot of people love. Mrs. Mdtravel and I love it...our favorite city on earth. Enjoy the simple pizza marinara or gelato, just walk or hop the mini-bus. Just being in Rome is my favorite part of Rome. |
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Going to the Portico d'Ottavia at night and eating fried artichokes in the restaurants nearby.
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Walk along the Tiber to Trastevere and in the Piazza near Santa Maria in Trastevere stop at the little cafe/bar that has all the oranges around it. Get a big glass of fresh squeezed orange juice (any alcohol in it optional) and sit and watch the people in the Piazza and around the fountain. Very enjoyable.
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In Rome, wander around the Colosseum/Forum area at night,especially in off-season when very few other people are there. The sites are closed, but the setting sun/twilight gives the area such a softness. It is truly awesome and breathtaking.
Actually, anywhere in Rome at night is amazing. (Actually, anywhere in Rome at any time is amazing - can you tell I love Rome!) |
Hi M,
Can I conclude from this latest post that you're now okay with walking around Rome at night and not being ripped off by restaurants in Rome? |
See St. Peter's Square late in the evening when it's dark and the crowds are gone. The illuminated, empty piazza is gorgeous.
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1. Standing in front of Fontana di Trevi while eating gelato (in January)
2. Look through the key hole of the Malta Embassy and see three countries at once. 3. Going to all of the beautiful churches, big and small. 4. Eating dinner with the most wonderful husband in the world at Nino's 5. Getting lost and discovering more beauty. Just being in Rome with my husband. |
I agree with all of the posters above. Certainly the most favorite thing for me to do in Rome is sitting in the piazzas especially the Piazza Navona.
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When in Rome, I do as the Romans do! :-)
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I have a lot of favorites in Rome, but when I read your question the first thing that came to mind was of sitting at a cafe after dinner, sipping from a glass of grappa and watching the world go by, so I guess I'll go with that.
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Thanks everybody for all your answers. Your faves are being incorporated into my itinerary :) Please continue suggesting.
Kurt |
When I saw this title I though this poster probably is Mango/Kurt and so it is!!
You are going to be in Rome with your wife. I really hope it is a romantic time for you both so you find a favourite thing to do in Rome for yourselves. Spending time together to remember and savour in future years is a precious thing. I have only been to Rome alone or with a child, so my favourite thing isn't at all romantic, but I like a glass of Limoncello every evening after dinner. And also when I get home - I am drinking some right now as I type... Makes me almost feel like I could be back in Italy if I stretch my imagination just a little... You can buy Limoncello in every bar or restaurant, and also in every grocery shop/deli so buy a bottle on your first day and store it in your hotel fridge. Sip at night before bedtime...after all you have a long journey back to your hotel after dinner. Take bubble wrap with you so you can bring some home with you. I just brought back 4 bottles in a 24inch suitcase, and made my daughter bring back 3 bottles in her suitcase. Well, several were gifts for friends, not ALL for me! You are going to have a great time in Rome, relax a little with the planning, and remember that flexibility can be the key to great holidays. Can't wait for your trip report though! |
Julia- You are too kind! I appreciate your insight and thoughts. I'll certainly try the limoncello!! Will probably think of you when I'm there! I'd be happy to bring you back some, it would be no problem :) Let me know,
Kurt |
Rome is our favorite city in Europe, having just returned, our most favorite thing to do is take a carriage ride around the city and just enjoy being in Rome. We usually do this right after we arrive, and just relax. Stop for a gelato at the Trevi, and buy some wonderful candy from the cart at the entrance. Enjoy Roma, it has so much to offer.
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Hi Mango/Kurt
If you or your wife are chocolate lovers, please have the Tartufo at Tre Scalini in the Piazza Navona. One is enough for DH and me, as it is intense. But so delicious. And do NOT skip those fried artichokes. They are incredible. |
One of my favorite things that I've done in Rome involved leading a group, from the hostel I was staying, on a late night/early morning walk around Rome. The group was only there for one full day and they did not get to see many of the sights because of a thunderstorm. So, at 2 a.m. we left the hostel and walked to many of the sites in central Rome. Sitting at the Pantheon at 4 a.m. is surreal; and then watching the sun come up over the Colosseum is unforgettable. I hope that you find the memories and love for Rome that so many of us have.
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Dorie- Is there a website for the carriage rides? That sounds like fun! Gelato and candy cart at Trevi are noted!!! Thanks :)
Tuscan-- I once saw someone suggest fried artichokes in a restaurant review and I said to myself "no way!". I'm in reversal after your post! :) Will give the chocolate a try to...Thank you Kirk- That sounds unreal and that's something I'd really like to do. If I have difficulty sleeping I'll do this for sure! Regards, Kurt |
Mango,
If you are going to follow the advice to walk to Piazza Santa Maria in Trastavere for the bar surrounded by oranges, be sure to stop in the church of Santa Maria itself, which is filled with spectacular mosaics. In fact, if you go to Trastevere for a light afternoon refreshment, then you can just walk across the Tiber to the Portico d'Ottavia and find those fried artichokes in the Jewish Quarter (Da Gigetto's are good). I would also suggest that if you are in the Piazza Navona and are hungry, that you try the delicious pizza bianca of La Zozzone. This is truly a hole in the wall just off the piazza at Teatro Pace 32. The food it serves -- pizza bianca -- is like a thick foccacia (a pizza "matress" if you will). The bread is split and stuffed with cheese, meats or tuna, olives, etc, and doused with olive oil. It costs barely a few euros, and you can take your snack out into the Piazza Navona to enjoy. Afterwards, you can have your ice cream treat of tartufo for Tre Scalini. All in all, it's a meal comprised of the Western world's best gastromic treasures for not very many euros at all. You can top it off by walking the short distance to the piazza della Rotunda (in front of the Pantheon) and getting a shot of coffee from Taz d'Oro. If you are feeling truly self-indulgent (or haven't just had an ice cream), order a granita con panna, which is diamonds of iced espresso with a huge dollop of whipped cream. I think the Trevi fountain is best experienced at night. Also, there is a Roman tradition for restaurants to serve fresh-made gnochhi on Thursdays. I don't know how many restaurants observe the tradition, but if you are in Roma on a Thursday and see gnocchi on the menu, you might find it to be exceptionally light and good. |
Kurt,
I am glad to see that you are getting excited about your up coming trip to Italy. I can guarantee you, you will love Rome! I read Fodor/Europe about twice a day because I feel like I am there when reading about Italy. I wish I could back to Rome on my next 2nd honeymoon (our first honeymoon was last January but I decided I love going on honeymoon) but I want to take my husband to Venice this time around. Also I would recommend Nino's for lunch or dinner, it is located at Via Borgognona. Great grilled fish and steak. Please give us your trip report when you get back. Much Aloha |
Nessundorma- I will make sure I do all of those..Thank you so much for taking the time! :)
CafeGoddess- Will look for Nino's for sure! Thank you again for writing me!! Regards, Kurt |
We were in Rome this past September for the first time. So many wonderful things to see and do. We especially enjoyed walking around in Villa Borghese and going to the Galleria Borghese(you will need to reserve tickets in advance), where we were
enthralled by Bernini's works; hanging out in Piazza Navona day and night(with the requisite tartufo and gelato from Tre Scalini); taking a private tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum, with a leisurely lunch afterwards at La Piazzetta, a wonderful little restaurant near the Forum with an amazing antipasto bar; mingling with the crowds around the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps in the evening; touring St. Peter's (the Pieta) and the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel, Raphael paintings and tapestries); the Pantheon; people watching at Cafe Rosati in Piazza del Popolo. We loved the gelato at Giolitti and Il Gelato di San Crispino(especially the sublime honey flavor). Enjoyed the pizzas at tiny Da Baffetto near Piazza Navona. |
Kurt, The via Appia Antica is closed to most vehicular traffic on Sundays. You can rent a bike and travel out into the countryside past tombs and villa. Lots of folks out for a passiegiata on foot, bike nad horseback. popular for runners too
AndrewDavid |
I have to 3rd the suggestion of the Tartufo at Tre Scalini...if you are a chocolate lover, you will simply die when you eat it. I ate one by myself after a multi-course dinner, and had to go back next day just to have one by itself.
One view that we found to be quite nice was from Castel Sant'Angelo at dusk. The view of St. Peters is great...you are just high enough up so that you get a nice view of the city, and the illumination of the bridges to St. Peters is very cool. We also found a hole in the wall pizza shop that we considered the best pizza we had during our entire trip in Italy. It was right outside the Pantheon...if you are looking at the Pantheon from the front, it would on its right side. Don't remember the name, but it was fabulous. Have a great time! |
I like Sant Eustachio cafe...yummy hot chocolate...check it out if you are in rome
http://www.santeustachioilcaffe.it/ |
Uma- Thanks for your suggestions :) Got them all down! Much appreciated..
AndrewDavid- Never knew the road existed. I certainly will consider doing this on the Sunday were there. Mucho appreciato! J- Will certainly try them...all of them!! Thanks! FireDrago- I heard the chocolate is sublime there. Looking forward to it bigtime. Thanks so much Regards, Kurt |
bookmarking for my trip this winter!
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I want to offer you a few more restaurant suggestions. The first is just off of Campo de' Fiori and it is called Taverna Lucifero (http://www.tavernalucifero.it/). It is a small place and rather popular among several of my Roman friends; so, I would recommend calling for reservations. One of my favorites is called Babbo's (http://freeweb.supereva.com/babbos/english_home.html?p). It has quite good food at reasonable prices. Another small, untouristy restaurant with really good food is called Renato e Luisa. It is located just off Largo Argentina at Via dei Barbieri, 25; telephone number 066869660. Here's a link to one person's review http://www.slowtrav.com/Italy/restau...amp;s=pantheon.
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There is no web site for the carriage rides. Go to the Spanish Steps and talk price with a few of the drivers. We did this in September and got a great deal with the third one, so don't give up. If you want the best fish dinner in Roma go to Quincy & Gabriella and enjoy the lobster pasta or the lobster piedmont style.... People watching and pastries and coffee, not to mention the gelato are wonderful at Canova at the Piazza de Popolo. We had one not so great meal at Antico Ferria, but all the others were super, you really can't go wrong in Roma.
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Cap'n, Thanks so much for the restaurants. Mucho appreciato!! :)
Dorie- Thanks again. How much did you pay for the carriage ride, if you don't mind? Regards, Kurt |
Each time I visit, I have a different "favorite". This time it was Trastevere, specifically Piazza Santa Maria. But we were there in a relatively non-touristy part of the year, still beautiful weather, but peaceful. I don't know if I'd want to hang out there in the middle of July!
Like a lot of the respondents here, though, I'd have to say that just being in Rome, sitting in some nondescript cafe, nursing a cappuccino, watching the world go by -- that's what I most enjoy. It's just the way the place feels. And smells. And looks. btw, I read this somewhere, and in my experience it's true: the best cappuccini are to be had at the non-famous, corner cafes, the ones the locals frequent. Not at the "fashionable" places. At the less-glitzy cafes, the "baristas" * that work in those places are the real pros. (I happen to really love good cappuccino, always have -- so maybe this isn't important to most people. Oh, well!) * btw#2: thankfully the term "baristas" isn't used in blessedly-Starbucks-free Italia! |
Have Gelato at Giolitti's! http://www.giolitti.it/home-e.html
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Hello again, Kurt !!
Just a few of my suggestions based on recent experience: One of THE best meals we ate in Rome at a wonderful, elegant, vegetarian restaurant not far from the Piazza del Popolo - MARGUTTA VEGETARIANO, Via della Fontanella 15 (b/t Via del Babuino and Via del Corso). I actually took a picture of the fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with cheese which I'd be happy to share with you if I could figure out how to attach it !! The torta di ricotta at EDY'S, also in the same neighborhood, Via del Babuino 4. I NEVER eat Italian cheesecake in NY but this one was out of this world - light as air and delicious !! (Can you tell there's a food theme here?) Sit at any outdoor cafe at the Campo de Fiori but make sure you get there before 1:30 - the piazza is filled with gorgeous flowers, fruits and vegetables but all the vendors start packing up by early afternoon. More wonderful pictures if I knew what to do with them. Take your camera (or not) and walk around all the side streets surrounding the Campo de Fiori - Via del Baullari, Via del Farnese, Via del Capellari. Wander down any of them, small and winding though they seem, to find treasures of small shops and workshops like jewels. An expresso or cappucino at any outdoor cafe surrounding a piazza - near the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona - doesn't matter. Sip, relax and people watch. Imagine yourself as Gregory Peck in ROMAN HOLIDAY and take yourself to the Trevi Fountain with your wife (she can pretend to be Audrey Hepburn). Hell, do the touristy thing, make a wish and throw a coin - or 3 - into the fountain, preferably while eating gelato from the shop right across from it. The Fontana della Tartarughe (Turtle Fountain), Piazza Mattei, in the old Jewish ghetto. Charming fountain and you'll enjoy exploring the neighborhood, too. Wow, would I love to be back there right now - just uploaded over 350 photos. Could you tell we loved Rome? |
An out of the way coffee bar/cafe that isn't famous but has the utterly most delecious coffee I've had in Rome is Cafe 1889, at the top of via delle Scrofa. I've tried the famous places, but I like the coffee best here.
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Thanks everybody!! I find myself salivating as a write down all this stuff! I'm really excited. Hopefully there won't be much rain or cold temps.
Regards Kurtissimo |
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