First Time in Rome

Our Local Expert Says:

The Spanish Steps area is the cobblestone equivalent to Fifth Avenue in New York City or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, with upscale shops and expensive cafes. Every spring, the steps are covered with bright flowers.

Description:

An incredible, almost theatrical square with the lovely Spanish steps leading up to the Chiesa di Trinità dei Monti. One of the most important fashion shows is held here, the steps being used as a catwalk. It is now an international meeting point. The fountain known as the 'Barcaccia' (boat) was commissioned by Urbano Barberini to commemorate the alliance made with the King of France, whose coat of arms can be seen on Trinità dei Monti. The square leads into several famous streets, Via Dei Condotti, Via Frattina and Via Borgognona with their luxurious boutiques, and Via Del Babuino with its antique shops.

Description:

For more than 60 years this has been the best place to sip great quality coffee and tea. The machines are protected by a screen to hide their secret techniques! The specialty is Gran Caffé but there is no end to the variety on offer, all made with cream, Irish coffee, hazelnut coffee and more delectible flavors. There are also savoury snacks and in summer there are a few small tables outside.

Description:

Tradition has it that throwing a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain guarantees a swift return to the world's most beautiful city. Anita Ekberg's dip in it was immortalized in Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita', and Italian actor Toto even sold it to an American, passing himself off as its owner. Earlier it was the setting for the award-winning "Three Coins in the Fountain" motion picture, ensuring its popularity worldwide. Designed by Nicola Salvi for Pope Clemente XII, it was completed in the second half of the 1700s. The statues in the centre represent Neptune supported by Tritons on either side while rococo-style Poli Palace provides the perfect backdrop.

Description:

This church was built in the first decade of the 17th century to pay homage to the founder of the Jesuit Order. The magnificent splendor of this chapel is typical of the period. Inside, you can admire the precious stones, gilding, marble and stucco work. For the frescoes they called upon the artist Andrea Pozzo, who designed the 'trompe l'oeil' effect ceiling featuring a cupola. A cupola was designed but never built, due to the proximity of the monastery of Dominican friars, as it would have blocked the light in their living quarters.

Description:

You won't find any red meat on the menu at this sophisticated choice near Piazza Navona, where the Riccioli family has been directing operations since the mid-1960s. This is one of Rome's best seafood restaurants. An excellent start is insalata di frutti di mare, studded with squid, lobster, octopus, and shrimp. Menu items include just about every fish native to the Mediterranean, as well as a few from the Atlantic coast of France. There's even a sampling of lobster imported from Maine, which can be boiled with drawn butter or served Catalan style with tomatoes, red onions, and wine sauce. Tuck into such main dish delights as spaghetti with langoustines, zucchini flowers and pecorino cheese; a mixed grill of seafood with vegetables, or fried curled baby octopus with zucchini strings and sage chips.

Description:

The Westin Excelsior is a grander palace, and the Eden and the de Russie are more up-to-date, but the Hassler has something that no other hotel can boast -- a coveted location at the top of the Spanish Steps. The Hassler, rebuilt in 1944 to replace the 1885 original, is not quite what it used to be, but because it's such a classic, it gets away with charging astronomical rates. The lounges and the guest rooms still strike a glamorous, if faded, 1930s note. Guest rooms range from small singles to some of the most spacious suites in town. High ceilings make them appear larger than they are, and many of them open onto private balconies or terraces. For panoramas of the Roman rooftops, ask for a room on the top floor. Although some of the accommodations remain a bit dowdy, those on the fourth floor are elegantly renovated.

Our Local Expert Says:

While still populated with Italian Jews, many former residents of the Ghetto have moved outside the city center since the area has become very popular, and therefore very expensive.

Description:

This area has been frequented by the Jewish community since the year 1000, thus the name "ghetto." It is full of archeological remains, dating to the medieval period and earlier. The significant monuments that can be seen include Octavia's Portico, built by Augustus for his sister, now incorporating the church of Sant'Angelo in Pescheria. Cola di Rienzo was born in this area, and a plaque marks his birthplace in what was once Via della Fiumara. The Synagogue, with its square dome, is very different from the surrounding Roman city architecture, and on the wall of the riverside street there are slabs with inscriptions commemorating the death of the Jews in the Nazi concentration camps and at the Fosse Ardeatine.

Description:

Historic Roman pizzeria which, for over 40 years, has stood out because of its 'family feel' and for its wide variety of pizzas. Sometimes you may have to queue for a short while, but be patient, the service is very fast and the pizza is really worth the wait! You'll also find mouth-watering bruschette, various salads, mushrooms, beans, and super home-made desserts.

Our Local Expert Says:

The word "Trastevere" combines two separate meanings: "tras" and "tevere" which translate as "beyond" and "tevere" since it is across the Tevere river from the bustling city center.

Description:

It is strange to think that this area of Rome was originally built to be a city port where storehouses held goods at the time of Augustus and continued to do so until the end of the 19th century. Trastevere then became a downmarket residential quarter and has now developed into a very desirable quarter. The heart of the district is Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere with its lovely church, a 17th century palazzo and a fountain in the middle which is probably Rome's oldest, having been designed by architects such as Bernini, Fontana and Della Porta. There are still some well-conserved medieval houses. On Sunday mornings, you can visit the 7th Corte dei Vigili in Via dei Salumi, and if you enter the guards' rooms, you will see grafitti on the walls written by Roman soldiers who served the emperors from Septimus Severus to Caracalla, in addition to notations of their guard duty.

Description:

This lovely garden is filled with 7000 exotic flowers from all over the world. The collection of marvelously coloured orchids is probably the centrepiece of the entire gardens, which were at one time part of Palazzo Corsini. The stepped fountain with a composition of flowers is very picturesque.

Description:

Named after one of the gates of early medieval Rome (Arco di San Pancrazio), which rises nearby, Antico Arco is on Janiculum Hill not far from Trastevere and the American Academy. It's a hip restaurant with a young, stylish clientele. Carefully created dishes include homemade fresh cannelloni with rock fish and aged percorino cheese; or a risotto with red Sicilian shrimp, asparagus, and fresh herbs. The chef has an artisan's devotion to fine ingredients, as evoked by the grilled filet of beef with roasted tomatoes, or the filet of hake from the North Sea.

Description:

The Westin Excelsior is a grander palace, and the Eden and the de Russie are more up-to-date, but the Hassler has something that no other hotel can boast -- a coveted location at the top of the Spanish Steps. The Hassler, rebuilt in 1944 to replace the 1885 original, is not quite what it used to be, but because it's such a classic, it gets away with charging astronomical rates. The lounges and the guest rooms still strike a glamorous, if faded, 1930s note. Guest rooms range from small singles to some of the most spacious suites in town. High ceilings make them appear larger than they are, and many of them open onto private balconies or terraces. For panoramas of the Roman rooftops, ask for a room on the top floor. Although some of the accommodations remain a bit dowdy, those on the fourth floor are elegantly renovated.

Description:

The Vatican is among the most important historical sites in the world. The seat of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, The Vatican is also the home of the Pope. As the smallest state in the world, the Vatican has figured in key events throughout history. Occupying about one half kilometer of Rome, The Vatican is further significant because of its fabulous architecture, religious, and artistic treasures. It was Pope Julius II della Rovere in the 16th century who commissioned Michelangelo to paint the history of creation on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Among countless other notable events in the history of this important city are the convening of the College of Cardinals, at the death of a reigning Pontiff, for the purposes of electing a new Pope. No visit to Rome is complete without an excursion to The Vatican, a place so steeped in history and tradition that you will never forget it.

Description:

Visiting Rome for the first time, visitors must experience the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican structure with 50 million monthly visitors. The Chapel was built between 1477 and 1481 by Pope Sixtus IV. From 1480 to 1483 the walls were decorated by famous artists of Renaissance, such as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio. After twenty years, Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to decorate the ceiling in 1508. Today, after the restoration, tourists can visit the chapel and see Michelangelo's 'Last Judgement'. The Vatican has placed its enormous art collection on the Web in hopes that it will attract more tourists. The site allows visitors to take a virtual reality tour of some of the dozen museums and galleries that make up the Vatican collection, viewing Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel with a three-dimensional video. At the Chapel, you will invariably find it crowded with hundreds of tourists, so be prepared. The best way to see it is to go to the Vatican Museums early, so that you're among the first in line when they open. Silence should be observed and photography is not prohibited.

Description:

People come by the millions each year to receive the Pope's blessing, traditionally given on Sundays at noon. St Peter's has undergone many transformations since the original Constantine basilica of AD320. The top of its majestic dome (designed by Michelangelo), provides the best vantage point from which to marvel at Bernini's magnificent colonnade surrounding the square, the gilded bronze canopy above the altar and Michelangelo's Pietà. Bramante, Pietro da Cortona and Canova are just a handful of the many other artists who worked together on this monumental basilica's decoration and design.

Our Local Expert Says:

Lines to enter the museum are inevitable throughout the entire year. The only way to be sure to avoid them is by booking or joining a tour as the tickets are pre-purchased.

Description:

This unique art collection is exhibited in surroundings of unparalleled beauty. The magnificent Raphael Rooms are among the masterpieces of the collection, where each room is decorated with frescoes by great artists. The best known is The School of Athens, in which contemporary artists appear as classical characters (Leonardo da Vinci, for example, appears as Plato). The Sistine Chapel is the museum's finest treasure, and features Michelangelo's famous Last Judgement. He was one of many artists including Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Pinturicchio who contributed to the chapel.

Description:

This sophisticated restaurant, housed within the Renaissance Palazzo Capranica near the parliament, specialises in high-standard, creative Mediterranean cuisine. Tonnarelli con occhio di canna al pomodoro e maggiorana, loin of lamb in a herb pastry, turbot in potato and olive timbale are among some of the best dishes on offer. Good wine and dessert lists.

Description:

This collection is housed in a building constructed in 1613 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, one of Bernini's greatest patrons. In fact, this great sculptor has exhibited some of his most famous sculptures here; amongst them is the renowned 'Apollo and Daphne.' When one thinks of the Museo Borghese, the sculpture that immediately springs to mind is Canova's 'Pauline Borghese,' in which she poses as Venus, wearing just a drape around her midriff. There are six major pieces by Caravaggio in the Galleria, including 'The boy with a basket of fruit' and the 'Madonna della Serpe.' Titian is also represented with 'Sacred and Profane Love,' Rafael with 'The Deposition,' and there are important works by Correggio. The gallery can only hold 300 visitors at a time, so it is advisable to book in advance.

Description:

This baroque church was built by the architect Carlo Maderno at the beginning of the 17th century. It was originally named after St. Paul the apostle, but after "The Adoration of the Infant" was brought here, spoil from the victory of the Catholic armies over the Protestants at Prague, it was renamed "Santa Maria della Vittoria". The church is noteworthy for one of the most beautiful works of Bernini, St Teresa, to be found in the Capella Cornaro. Other important works include three paintings by Domenichino, the artist's last works in Rome. The interior decor of the church is typically baroque with very refined stucco, friezes and marble. The sacristy conserves some relics of the battle of Prague, in addition to those of the Christian armies who fought against the Turks.

Description:

Opened as a tasting center for French and Italian wines, spumantis, and liqueurs, this is an elegant wine bar with a stylish but informal decor and comfortable seating. More than 30 wines are available by the glass. To accompany them, you can choose from a bistro-style menu, with dishes such as salad niçoise, vegetarian pastas, herb-laden fagiole (bean soup), quiche, and Hungarian goulash. Also available is a wider menu, including meat and fish courses. The specialty is the large choice of little bruschette with cheese and prosciutto -- the chef orders every kind of prosciutti and cheese, from all over Italy. The dessert specialty is Verduzzo di Ronco di Viere (chestnut mousse served with a sauce of white wine), covered by whipped cream and meringue.

Trimani maintains a well-stocked Italian wine shop about 37m (120 ft.) from its wine bar, at V. Goito 20 (tel. 06-4469661), where an astonishing array of wines is for sale. The shop is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 1:30pm and 3:30 to 8pm.

Description:

This place has red-checked tablecloths and candles in Chianti bottles, but don't let that put you off. The food is incredible at this family-run trattoria. They have a particularly good specials list and feature interesting, out of the ordinary ragus.

Description:

The Westin Excelsior is a grander palace, and the Eden and the de Russie are more up-to-date, but the Hassler has something that no other hotel can boast -- a coveted location at the top of the Spanish Steps. The Hassler, rebuilt in 1944 to replace the 1885 original, is not quite what it used to be, but because it's such a classic, it gets away with charging astronomical rates. The lounges and the guest rooms still strike a glamorous, if faded, 1930s note. Guest rooms range from small singles to some of the most spacious suites in town. High ceilings make them appear larger than they are, and many of them open onto private balconies or terraces. For panoramas of the Roman rooftops, ask for a room on the top floor. Although some of the accommodations remain a bit dowdy, those on the fourth floor are elegantly renovated.

Description:

Until the 18th century this street was known as Via Leonina in honour of Pope Leo V who had it built 200 years earlier. It was later called Via Ripetta as it flanks the bank of the Tiber. There are a number of important monuments along the road: the mausoleum of Emperor Augustus, the Ara Pacis and the churches of San Rocco, San Girolamo degli Illirici and Santa Maria Portae Paradisi. It is one of the three streets (with the Via del Corso and the Via del Babuino) that formed a trident shape, a town-planning model conceived in the 16th century.

Description:

Tradition says that Campo dei Fiori was named after the woman loved by Pompey, Flora, but it is more likely to have come from something a bit less romantic: in the 14th century, Campo dei Fiori was a long-abandoned field filled with flowers. In the second half of the 19th century the square was used for a colourful market that has been held each morning since then. It was also the scene of many executions, most notably that of Giordano Bruno, the philosopher who was burned here in 1600. The statue dedicated to him replaced a fountain that was moved to the nearby Chiesa Nuova square, and a reproduction of it was moved to the side of the Campo dei Fiori.

Description:

The staff in this traditional, well-known wine shop is attentive and professional. Going up to the first floor, you will feel like you are entering a traditional wine shop, but the amazing part is going down to the basement where the wine cellars are found. The wine collection is enviable even without taking into account the sparkling wines and the champagnes. There is also a fantastic buffet of cold meats, cheeses and other cold dishes. It also often hosts tastings and courses on everything to do with wine.

Description:

Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, restored by Domitian, and subsequently rebuilt by Hadrian (who added the dome) before being turned into a church in the early 7th century by Pope Boniface IV. The building's sole source of light is the opening at the dome's apex (the oculus); according to popular legend, this formed the base for the bronze pinecone that is now in the Vatican's 'Pigna' courtyard, where it is used as a fountain. Many famous Italians are buried in the Pantheon, including Renaissance painter Raphael and King Vittorio Emanuele I.

Description:

Two elegant twin fountains are to be seen in the wonderful Piazza Farnese. They are formed by two large ancient marble tanks that were originally part of the Terme di Caracalla but one was moved to its present position by Pope Paul III Farnese. The other was moved later. They only became fountains in 1626 thanks to Girolamo Rainaldi. The fountains are decorated with lions' heads, rings in relief, smaller basins, and the coats of arms of the Farnese family, and are topped by water jets.

Description:

Here you'll find an elegant dining experience with unique food and atmosphere. Fine French cuisine and a daily exotic dish are prepared and served by a lay sisterhood of missionary Christians from five continents who dress in traditional costumes. Nonsmokers can skip the plain stuccoed vaulting downstairs and head to the 16th-century Palazzo Lantante della Rovere, where the high ceilings are gorgeously frescoed. You never know until you arrive what will be on the menu. We've enjoyed beef filet flambé with cognac, toasted goat cheese coated with mustard and almond slivers, and duck filet in Grand Marnier sauce with puff-fried potatoes. At 10pm, when most customers are finished with dinner, the recorded classical music is interrupted so that the sisters can sing the "Ave Maria of Lourdes," and some evenings, they interpret a short Bible story in ballet.

Description:

The Westin Excelsior is a grander palace, and the Eden and the de Russie are more up-to-date, but the Hassler has something that no other hotel can boast -- a coveted location at the top of the Spanish Steps. The Hassler, rebuilt in 1944 to replace the 1885 original, is not quite what it used to be, but because it's such a classic, it gets away with charging astronomical rates. The lounges and the guest rooms still strike a glamorous, if faded, 1930s note. Guest rooms range from small singles to some of the most spacious suites in town. High ceilings make them appear larger than they are, and many of them open onto private balconies or terraces. For panoramas of the Roman rooftops, ask for a room on the top floor. Although some of the accommodations remain a bit dowdy, those on the fourth floor are elegantly renovated.

Description:

Based upon an architectural sketch by Michelangelo, items in this museum range from first century BC to 17th century AD.

Description:

The Forum was designed to be the centre of social, political and economic life in the city. The innumerable remains include the well-conserved triumphal arch of Emperor Septimius Severus, with reliefs depicting his victories and the base of the Temple of Saturn with its eight columns and their splendid Ionic capitals. The 'Rostrum' is the famous platform from which Mark Antony gave his oration in Shakespeare's play after Julius Caesar's assassination. The platform became the setting for many important events in Rome's history. It was named the 'rostrum' after the bows of the ships that form the decorative motif. The Temple of Vesta was the home of the Vestal Virgins, charged with keeping the sacred flame alight. The circular foundations still remain, near to a garden in which traces of the House of the Vestal Virgins can still be seen. The Basilica of Constantine and Massentius was used as the court, and the three remaining barrel-vaulted naves give an idea of its gigantic structure. The Arch of Titus celebrates victories in Judea, and in the reliefs you can see the spoils of war, including an altar and a seven-armed chandelier.

Description:

Situated in a grandiose palace, this well-managed restaurant lets you sample the flavors and herbs of Naples and southern Italy. You'll find a tempting selection of antipasti, such as anchovies, peppers, capers, onions, and breaded and fried eggplant, all garnished with fresh herbs and virgin olive oil. The pastas are made daily, usually with tomato- or oil-based sauces and always with herbs and aged cheeses. Try a zesty rice dish (one of the best is sartù di riso, studded with vegetables, herbs, and meats), followed by sautéed grouper fish rolls or a simple but savory granatine (meatballs, usually of veal, bound together with mozzarella). Dessert anyone? A longtime favorite is torta caprese, with hazelnuts and chocolate.

Description:

No visit to Rome is complete without having seen its magnificent Colosseum, a vast amphitheatre with seating for 55,000 that was designed as a horse racing circuit and arena for animal fighting and gladiatorial battles. Upon its completion, spectacular 100-day celebrations were organized as part of the opening ceremony in 72 AD. Its name is believed to come from Nero's enormous statue of Colossus that stood close by.

Our Local Expert Says:

This arch is the largest of the three remaining arches from ancient Rome.

Description:

The Arch of Constantine is particularly interesting because it is like a jigsaw made up of other monuments. It was built using material from Trajan's Forum, from where the statues of the Dacian prisoners and the friezes representing Marcus Aurelius were also taken. The Arch was erected at the beginning of the fourth century in honour of Constantine, following the victory over Maxentius. It is considered one of the last great monuments to be constructed by the Romans. It stands beside the Colosseum in the huge square which in summer is the site for one of the events of the 'Estate Romana'. A huge screen is hung from the arch, onto which films and videos are projected.

Description:

A visit to this basilica is a fascinating journey through time. From the upper basilica, which dates from the beginning of the 12th century and whose apse boasts the mosaic 'The Triumph of the Cross', one passes into the 4th-century lower basilica, and, via a stairway, down to the roman constructions and to the 'mitreo', a 3rd-century temple dedicated to the God Mithra. Of particular interest are the frescoes in the chapel of St. Catherine, painted between 1428 and 1431 by Masolino da Panicale, possibly with the collaboration of Masaccio.

Description:

This restaurant specializes in cuisine from the Marches region of Italy. When the ingredients are in season, you will find Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms and various dishes seasoned with the white truffles of Acqualagna. Friday is fish day - expect dishes such as Baked Anchovies with Artichokes. During the rest of the week there are Fusilli with vegetables, Shin of Ox with Red Wine, or Spring Lamb offered simply with Parmesan cheese. The wines are all Italian with a wide selection from the Marches. The interior is attractive and fitted with air conditioning and the family-run atmosphere is friendly.

Description:

The Westin Excelsior is a grander palace, and the Eden and the de Russie are more up-to-date, but the Hassler has something that no other hotel can boast -- a coveted location at the top of the Spanish Steps. The Hassler, rebuilt in 1944 to replace the 1885 original, is not quite what it used to be, but because it's such a classic, it gets away with charging astronomical rates. The lounges and the guest rooms still strike a glamorous, if faded, 1930s note. Guest rooms range from small singles to some of the most spacious suites in town. High ceilings make them appear larger than they are, and many of them open onto private balconies or terraces. For panoramas of the Roman rooftops, ask for a room on the top floor. Although some of the accommodations remain a bit dowdy, those on the fourth floor are elegantly renovated.