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Original poster

Tips for Rome

112 replies

ThePenIsBlue · 19/09/2022 09:38

Husband and I are going to Rome in a few weeks for our 20th wedding anniversary - sans les enfants. Neither of us have been to Italy before. I’m keen for any tips people have for Rome . We’re going to do the standard touristy sites, but looking for good restaurants/ cafes, things not to be missed, things worth missing etc. We love excellent food, (real foodies) nice coffee, people watching etc etc. looking forward to a slower pace for a few days! Thank you 🙏🏻

OP posts:
user1471464218 · 20/09/2022 19:55

I got bus from CIA airport to Termini for 7 euro one way and we walked to and from our accomodation.

Did a few of the guru walk free walking tours (tip the tour guide.)

Got some aperol/campari spritz. Spritz e spezi means an aperol spritz etc with some snacks....one place we got a plate of 18 items, sausage rolls, arancini, pastry things (Iceland quality stuff)... another place it was a bowl of crisps, a bowl of monkey nuts and a ham and cheese toastie cut into pieces.... another place it was a tomato brischeta, two shot glasses of salads and an arancini ball. 10 euro each.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 20/09/2022 20:01

Cynderella · 19/09/2022 15:57

We've been a few times, and I like staying in the centre - last time, we stayed near the Spanish steps and used Tripadvisor reviews to find places to eat. Depends on your interests, but I like the cemetery (can't remember the name) where Keats is buried - you can visit the cat sanctuary there. There's another on a big roundabout. Keats rooms (nr Spanish steps) are interesting - we had a Keats day. Another day, we did Mussolini's house and the house he turned into a prison - again, can't remember names of buildings off hand. Oh, and there are the crypts with all of the monks' bones and skulls arranged into displays ...

Obviously, there is the Vatican and the major sites, but some of the smaller churches are really beautiful too. And the smaller museums. We always try to go to an old cinema or theatre on a city break, and I remember one in the jewish quarter. Love Rome for just strolling - round every corner, there seems to be a square. or fountain with something to look at.

The Crypt is an excellent suggestion and only 10/15 from Spanish Steps -

Capuchin Crypt Museo e Cripta dei Frati Cappuccini

This was a very beautiful church but agree there are so many. Provided your covered up and behave respectfully people seem happy for you to take a seat and take it all in.

Chiesa parrocchiale San Giacomo in Augusta

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 20/09/2022 20:03

The Collosium (granted outside only) and Basillica are beautifully lit up at night as is Castle of the Angel's. Worth a wander and when we went lots of people around so we felt safe

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Holidays
tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 20/09/2022 20:05

For a treat dinner or lunch this place is amazing -

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina

It's in Campo De Fiori which is a great area to wander round and walk your dinner off later Grin

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 20/09/2022 20:07

We always budget to pre book a private taxi transfer from the airport. A bit £ but so worth it when your driver is waiting for you and whisks you into the city in no time.

They either look like an old school gangster, Jo Pesci type or a beautiful and heavenly smelling Armani model 😎

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 20/09/2022 20:09

If you are ok with tight spaces and heights you must go up the Basillica dome. Views at the top are fab

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 20/09/2022 20:09

Worldgonecrazy · 20/09/2022 07:25

Wear comfy but stylish shoes.
wear a cross body bag and presume everyone is trying to steal it,
Dont be afraid to take restaurant recommendations from Romans. It’s a matter of honour to only recommend good restaurants.
Be prepared for a lot of graffiti and rubbish.
Drink espresso only in the morning, and always standing at the bar, not sitting down.
Thee is an amazing but expensive tea room at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.
Eat ice cream.
Cross the road with the locals and watch out for scooters, even if you’re on the pavement.
Ear more ice cream.
In most restaurants you have to order sides and vegetables. If you order a steak, you will get a plate with a steak on it, and nothing else.
Have another ice cream.
Learn a few pleasantries in Italian.
Have a great time.

This is excellent advice 😁❤️

AnnaMagnani · 20/09/2022 20:13

Great to see all the Campo dei Fiori love, Mumsnet usually recommends Trastevere only.

We stayed near the Campo dei Fiori. If you go down any side street you find an excellent restaurant, we were spoilt for choice.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 20/09/2022 20:18

When we've been, we've made the decision to get up early to get places while it's cooler and quieter and then go back to the hotel at midday/early afternoon for a nap or just to get out of the sun. That has always worked well for us.

//

Great advice. I always find I'm woken early by gulls on the rooftops anyway so May as well be up Confused

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 20/09/2022 20:23

Man, I adore Rome.

OP, have a wonderful time and accept you will not see everything you want to see in one visit! As a pp suggested a good tactic is to choose a couple of areas and look at the sites you want to do, look up cafes and eating options then if you see anything else along the way it's a bonus.

Rome is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace accompanied by good food, drink and gelato ❤️

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 20/09/2022 20:27

Placemarking ... I haven't been to Rome since I went on a school trip in 1976. Want to remedy this in the near future!

stillvicarinatutu · 20/09/2022 20:33

My darling dd booked us a trip for my 50th .

We stayed in the barberini region 5 mins walk from the Spanish steps and trevi fountain.

We stayed 3 days and walked everywhere except the Vatican museum where we got the metro which is super easy - it goes left or right ! That's it !

The Vatican museum was amazing. The sistene chapel ceiling took my breath away .

Trevi fountain must - it's not a fountain ! It's a building with water !

The villa borgease ?(sp) is a beautiful park in the centre of Rome with a huge lake and it's beautiful.

All the restaurants and cafes are amazing.

The ice cream and pizza is like nothing else anywhere else

It's my absolute favourite city ever . Enjoy !

Ulysses · 20/09/2022 20:48

I’m going in a few weeks with DH and kids (16 and 11) so placemarking. This will be my fifth time but haven’t been since 2004. I have lots of great memories and I’m hoping girls won’t be too whingy by about the walking (unlikely).

Nitflux · 20/09/2022 21:08

We went this summer and went to Taverna Angelica for lunch. Would highly recommend the surprise menu (it wasn’t called that but I can’t remember how they phrased it 😂). It’s about €65 per head for 6-7 courses and the chef brings you whatever he thinks is good that day. You can tell them what you don’t like, then the rest is up to them. The food was delicious.

Taverna Angelica
+39 06 687 4514
maps.app.goo.gl/znwYCrYaykBAZ3Ry7?g_st=ic

Nitflux · 20/09/2022 21:12

Forgot to say - we went to St Peter’s on a Friday at about 17:30 and the queue was only around 15 mins to get in. This was in mid-July.

RampantIvy · 20/09/2022 21:15

In most restaurants you have to order sides and vegetables. If you order a steak, you will get a plate with a steak on it, and nothing else.

Be prepared for a cover charge as well.

stillvicarinatutu · 20/09/2022 21:30

Oh god yes St. Peter's and the basilica is absolutely stunning.

Original poster
ThePenIsBlue · 21/09/2022 13:41

I am totally overwhelmed reading all this 😂 so excited - going to go throigh this thread properly with a pen and a guidebook.

thank you so much everyone for taking the time to impart your wisdom ❤️

OP posts:
tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 21/09/2022 15:36

You HAVE to come back here after your trip and tell us all about it! Grin

AnnaMagnani · 21/09/2022 15:44

If you are very very into art/culture/history I'd recommend The Blue Guide.

I carried our copy around everywhere, and planned different areas each day. Just from the guidebook we walked happily around the Forum and Palatine Hill for hours and had lots of info on what we were seeing, didn't feel we had missed out by not having a tour.

ScreamingFrog · 21/09/2022 15:49

ivoatrastevere.it/

This was recommended to me where the locals go for pizza. We booked a table, and glad we did as the queue outside of locals waiting for their pizza's was lengthy to say the least. I was also advised as good as the pizzas are, the staff are grumpy - but that's part of the charm. And you know what? It is.

www.facebook.com/twosizes

For a long time, this was the highest rated TripAdvisor resturant in all of Rome. They sell one thing - Tiramsu - and only in two sizes (hence the name). Even if you don't like it, you'll love this.

pancakes222 · 21/09/2022 15:50

How long are you going for?

Considering going myself for a child free weekend for our anniversary too but as we only have 2 nights I wasn't sure if it would be too rushed (also hoping for the leisurely pace and to enjoy good food!)

teawamutu · 21/09/2022 15:57

Second Ostia Antica. Basically an entire Roman town - arena and all - and you'll probably have it mostly to yourselves.

AnnaMagnani · 21/09/2022 16:06

If you want a day trip then the Villa d'Este is stunning and a lot of fun - possibly better on a hot day in summer so you can get wet.

It's also close to Hadrian's Villa which practically every single history program about the Romans goes to as it's stunning.

iklboo · 21/09/2022 16:07

Castel Sant'Angelo is stunning and it's restaurant has fabulous views over the city.

If you get a taxi ALWAYS make sure it's a white one (city colours) AND that they have the meter on.