To ask you for your most loved places to go in Rome?

[Igetknockeddownbutgetupagain]

I’m going to Rome. Alone.

Absolutely cacking myself, but also very excited. I’ve done some travelling alone, but not entirely alone for the entire period, and I’m going for 5 days, this month.

I love food, fashion, wine, culture. I’m staying in a lovely hotel in the Trastevere area of Rome. I don’t have endless cash, but I can splurge a little, if that makes sense.

Where have you been, what have you seen?
Particularly keen to hear about lovely friendly restaurants

Not sure if you like history but if you do, do a tour of the catacombs. It was pretty cheap if I remember and really amazing to see what it's like down there!

Oh how lovely! I loved Rome. Do the usual sites, lots of walking around. We ate in a fabulous little restaurant called Cipasso, close to the pantheon. Enjoy!

I am so jealous! Rome is wonderful and we also stayed in Trastevere. It's glorious. Everything is within easy walking distance from where you are. All the tourist places and hundreds of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen.

We loved the bars are restaurants in Trastevere itself.
They have lovely square with a market. Lots of boutiques and we never had to cook in our flat, we just bought fresh cooked food, pasta, pizza slices and amazing breads from various food places close to our apartment on the square. Reasonably priced too.

Lots of little boutiques where you are staying and in the city Centre. As well as amazing luxury shopping just off the Spanish steps.

We still rave about the cakes and pastries we ate! We tried as many bakeries as we could

Lots of guided tours so you won't be on your own if you would rather not.

Just be mindful of your bag and jewellery as Rome has a bit of a reputation. Luckily we had no issues.

The Italians we just as you would expect, warm and very welcoming. I am sure you will love it!

If I can help with anything specifically just say!

Going in October for 4 days. Also v interested in what's best.

Sorry for all the typos! I am obviously overcome at the thought of designer handbags and cannolis!

Try Old Bear for yummy food in a relaxed setting. Ad Hoc was also excellent but very couply. We enjoyed having a coffee oveooking the Vatican from the cafe at the top of Castel Angelo. Galleria Doria Pamphilj was excellent if you like culture. Easily filked a morning. You are staying near a couple of fantastic churches- look out for stunning mosaics etc. You can also walk from where you are staying over the island on the RiverTiber that houses the maternity hospital - good for spotting cute newborns and you can then head to the Pantheon which is free. Enjoy your visit!

Yy I second a PP about the restaurants and cafes near the pantheon. And the pantheon itself obviously. It's one of my favourite parts of Rome.
If you cross over the river from the vatican, heading for the Trevi fountain, there are some lovely little cafes in the side street just up from the river bank.

Meraviglioso!

If you like tiramisu head to Pompi's. There are a few around the place. I was taken there by my Italian friend and the tiramisu is to die for!

Giolitti in the back streets near Pantheon
Cave Di Sabatini in piazza Di San Ignazio (if it is still there), fabulous piazza designed to look like a stage
I can't remember the name but the old restaurant at the end of the Campo dei Fiori

Fabulous, thank you

People keep telling me to prebook the famous sights, is this necessary?

Oh, yes, the ice creams at Giolitti's have to be tasted! They are just round the corner from the Hotel Nazionale - off the square with Parliament on. €2.80 for what they call small but is two big scoops with optional fresh cream on top. You buy a ticket from the cashier by the door then hand it over to the servers when you have chosen your flavours. Drooling thinking about it!

Certainly worth paying for skip the line at the Vatican. For the Colloseum, go to the Palentine Hill entrance where queues are much, much smaller (you get a joint ticket which also includes the Forum). You can pre book however if you want a tour of the underground areas.

The botanical gardens that look down on the city

Try a walking ghost tour on the evening. Great story telling, really enjoyable and nice to get out on the night when sometimes it’s intimidating being out alone.

Don’t book online, barter with the ticket sellers! They have the ability to reduce the prices.. you have an advantage as a lone traveller. I went in January & got the Vatican tour for a 1/4 of the price just by talking them down.

The Spanish steps area have beautiful cafes & the designer shopping there is fantastic. Can’t recommend many restaurants as they were all fab. Gelato is a must by the Trevi fountain & the chapels are free & absolutely breathtaking.

Have a wonderful time.

This restaurant is lovely.

We were there a few weeks ago for a couple of nights. We have been a few times before, for short stays, so we were looking for something different and we went on a ghost tour which started at 9pm. It was excellent. Our teenagers can be difficult to impress, but they loved it.

I found the Vatican museums underwhelming, too crowded and irritating to have to file through seemingly endless number if gift shops. St peters was worth it though, and you don't have to pay to go in, although I wouldn't be too worried about missing it off as pretty much any church you wander into in Rome is stunning!!

In terms of art galleries, the Borghese gallery and Palazzo Doria pamihilij are both fantastic. Definitely book ahead for the Borghese as tickets have a specific time slot

If you like cats, there is a lovely cat sanctuary at Torre Argentina, where you can meet the cats and sponsor one. There are also several amazing fabric shops around Torre Argentina, including Fratelli Bassetti Tessutu which is ENOURMOUS. I bought some beautiful silk fabrics that I've turned into cushions.

Take a day trip to the Villa D'Este in nearby Tivoli. One of the most extraordinary places I've ever been.

Have a glorious trip.

For cheap, lovely food (deli boards etc) and a nice glass of Prosecco, I recommend Pane e Salame just round the corner from the Trevi fountain.

If you like renaissance art don't miss the Doria Pamphilj Gallery
It's quiet, inexpensive (by Rome standards) but full of stunning art.

Triple yes to Giolitti for the icecream and the experience - it's old and far more charming than some of the glitzier ice cream parlours.

Dd and I loved a restaurant in Trastevere called Trattoria Otello.

Outings wise we walked absolutely everywhere just soaking everything up. Loved the Trevi Fountain at night. Colosseum very moving. Vatican well worth a visit though I agree very busy.

We too were worried about pickpockets and were very careful but no issues.

Watch Roman Holiday & Gladiator before you go!

There is a very special view through a keyhole in the Piazza Cavalieri Di Malta. A little bit quirky and worth a visit.

I am deeply envious, I haven't been in Rome in about 15 years (we went for DH's 50th). I thought it was just like a film set

Agree with the designer shopping at the Spanish Steps. At the time I went there was a doorman at Louis Vuitton who looked just like a young Johnny Depp with a fabulous smile. I kept going in and out, just so that he would open the door - DH, waiting across the road, called me a trollop and was very amused!

I can't remember the names of any restaurants that we went to, but do remember that everyone seemed very friendly, and we had good food wherever we went. I'd love to go back again and spend a few days just exploring.