All roads lead to Rome

7 months ago I visited Rome for the first time. We planned our trip very carefully and by carefully I mean we studied many places and pinned them to the map. Places like visiting, eating, relaxing etc. We went almost everywhere according to our plans but still, there is so much left for another visit 🙂

Rome, Rome.. The eternal city. All roads lead to Rome, they say. Every breath you take here is filled with history and also mystery as well. One minute you are walking in a majestic street with tremendous architecture and the other you can get in a small, narrow street with bindweeds growing all over the houses or balconies, laundry ropes, people rushing on their bikes. Even these small tings are somehow magical.

 

Now, I would like tell you some tips about certain places in Rome from my experience which is not so easy because there are so many of them. I’ll try to sum up the best ones. Even though there are a lot of reviews about places and things, I choose to make my own observations and experience it myself. Simple rule – just go and experience. Different people plus different experiences equals different reviews.

Places to eat:

1. Da Otello. It’s basically a pizzeria but offers some good meal aside from pizzas. Pasta, lasagne, gnocchi and much more. Staff always keep customers in a good mood 🙂 If you want to see how street life in the old town looks, you really should pick a table outside (whan travelling in summer) and simply enjoy.
   Address: Pelliccia Street 47/53 
2. La Fiaschetta. Cosy restaurant in a quite calm street, nice service and the best pasta. It’s even hard to choose from different types of macaroni. 
   Address: Cappellari Street 64
3. Old Bear. It’s more like a bar but wait until you try their food. It is absolutely amazing! Home made lasagne tasted like the best family recipe. And what about desserts.. Tiramisu is melting in a mouth – probably the best in Rome, cheesecake is so fresh with strawberries on top. You simply must go there 🙂 And again, inside is good but sitting outside is more enjoyable because of a views in this small street, often filled street musicians.
   Address: Gigli D’Oro Street 3
   

   

   Cheesecake in Old Bear.

4. I San Pietrini. Another great restaurant offering traditional italian food. Portions of salads are quite big but also very tasteful 🙂 Interior is nice & modern. 
   Address: Fornaci Street 89
   

   

   Big portion of delicious salad in San Pietrini.

5. Giolitti Ice cream & Frozen Yogurt. So I heard this place has the best ice-cream in Rome. Sounds quite powerful, isn’t? I tried a lot of ice-creams in different places of Rome, some of them were good, some not, but this Giolitti place is something truly wonderful. Large diversity of flavours, you can catch yourself standing for a 10 minutes just observing and hardly deciding which to choose. It was a really delicious experience.
   Address: Uffici del Vicario Street 40

Places to be on your own, spend some time with friends or just relax:

1. Villa Pamphili Park. This park is huge and has a 17th century villa in it. Park is suitable for exercising, walking and is the best place for escaping from city. There is a lake Giglio in the middle of it, with cute swimming turtles and many species of birds. Just sit on a bench and listen to the nature.
2. Villa Borghese Park. Another relaxing place with some villas, monuments and many trees. Once again – nature inside of a city.

Places to visit:

1. Colosseum. There is not much to say, you have to see it for yourself. Unique monument which happen to be standing there for about 2000 years. Simply compelling.
2. Roman Forum. Next to the Colosseum there is a whole ancient city of Rome. Take a walk within these columns, temples and ruins.
3. Vatican Museums. You definitely need a whole day or even more to explore all the great expositions here. TIP: I strongly recommend to buy a ticket to museum before you arrive – it’s a bit more expensive but it will be worth it (you might be a little shocked how long can a queue be).
4. Pantheon. This ancient building looks magnificent and standing in the middle of it, looking in the sky through circular hole makes it even more magnificent.
5. Monument to Victor Emanuel II. A monument just for one king can be so enormous and look like a palace that it is impossible not to notice. 
6. St. Peter’s Basilica. High security level on entering this church is a minor detail before seeing what’s inside. I don’t know how to describe it in words. These enormous columns, sculptures of saints, masterpieces of art make you feel so small in this colossal church. 
7. Trevi Fountain. Unfortunately, it was being under reparation so there was no water and fences all around. But you can still see the greatness of it and it’s stunning.
8. Navona’s Square. Good place to be, though always a lot of people (on the other hand, what else would you expect). All the magic of this place begins in the evening, when all 3 fountains light up, nightlife goes on with street artists or juggling performances.
9. Spanish Steps. Lots of people gather here just to hang out. 
10. St. Angel’s Castle. Beautiful castle connected with a corridor leading to Vatican city. Nice views from the top of the castle.

I think my conclusion would be no matter how many things you explore in Rome, there is always something more. It’s one of the most ancient, historical, architectural, wonderful city in Europe. Since there is so much more to explore, no doubt I will visit Rome again. As they say, all roads lead to Rome 🙂

Linut

P.S. Wherever I see a palm tree while travelling, cannot resist for a photo.. Ooops.