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.

See 33 answers here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34479091

Best wishes,

Rex

Going to the Portico d'Ottavia at night and eating fried artichokes in the restaurants nearby.

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.

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.

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.

When in Rome, I do as the Romans do!

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.

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.

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.

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.