Rome

Here are different sights away from the best known.

Start out with the Museum of Purgatory the museum is situated in a little room in the Church of the Scared Heart. You will find photographs of objects which allegedly show contact from the souls in Purgatory asking for prayers from the living so that they can be freed to go to Heaven. See items such as bed sheets, clothing and books with finger prints and handprints looking like they have been burned on. It was started by a priest who travelled throughout Europe looking for such items displayed here. The priest died in the little museum a hundred years ago.

The Capuchin Crypt is a morbidly fascinating place as the walls are decorated with thousands of skulls and bones of thousands of Capuchin monks. Along the hallway there are bones stacked or whole skeletons dressed in robes of the monks. In the last of the chapels there is a message telling visitors that the monks were like us in times gone by and in the future we will be like them!

Now for something completely different…….. the Pasta Museum! It seems only right that there is a museum dedicated to something that Italians love so much and cook so amazingly.

You go through several rooms the first showing how pasta was kneaded on the gramola. Another room shows many celebrities enjoying pasta. You can read the proof that Italians produced and preserved pasta as far back as the 12th century.

Things To Do In Rome

Things to do in Rome.

There are so many wonders to be seen in Rome so collect your hire car at the airport and get ready to enjoy them all!

The Colosseum

The Colosseum must be the most recognisable of Rome’s historic structures. Even after the time is has stood it is instantly recognisable!. It was the first permanent amphitheatre to be constructed in Rome, and the most impressive of it’s time. It could accommodate 60,000 seated and 10,000 standing, and had 80 entrances/exits so crowds could enter and leave quickly!  Not like nowadays in sports stadiums!!!

The Forum

It might be difficult for visitors to appreciate the Roman Forum at first as it has suffered at the hands of time worst of all unlike the the Colosseum. The Foro Romano was  plundered for building materials in the Middle Ages so at first sight there doesn’t seem to be very much left of it.  So go as part of a guided tour and a wonderful picture will soon appear in your minds eye of all that the Forum was.  Rome ruled most of the known world from here.  Julius Caesar was once in residence here to show how powerful he was.  Here was also a main market place, a business district and town hall.  The government and the courts of law were here too. The Via Sacra runs through the middle of the Forum. A main street of Ancient Rome running from the Capitoline Hill  to the Arch of Titus. This was where victorious generals and emperors would parade after a victory in battle ending at the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill.  Opposite, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina is reasonably well preserved and was converted to the Christian church of San Lorenzo in Miranda . Further on is the Curia, originally built by Julius Caesar. A black pavement marks the alleged burial place of Romulus. There is arch of Septimius Serverus, one of the best preserved structures in the Forum and the Basilica Julia, the temple built by Caesar on his return from the wars.  Next is the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the oldest in the Forum but now a pile of stones and 3 columns.  The House of the Vestal Virgins and the Temple of Vesta, the temple of Romulus was re-dedicated as part of a Christian church.  The Basilica Maxentius shows the Romans expertise in building with concrete. Visit the Antiquarium to see the finds which have been collected from the site.  All of these make much more sense than the first glimpse of this wonder.

Vatican City & Vatican Museum  Sistine Chapel

I recommend that you reserve a guided tour early as these are immensely popular, as you would expect, on this jaw dropping experience.  Especially the Sistine Chapel with it’s depiction of the life of Jesus on the northern wal and of Moses on the southern wall.the Last Judgement on the rear wall, the Raphael tapestries on the lower walls and the magnificent ceiling painting by Michelangelo which took 4 years to complete.  There are many biblical scenes to view and to think that an artist spent so long lying on his back to create this spectacle.  You must see St Peter’s Basilica, St Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Gardens.  No words can prepare you for this tour of these sights so it’s a must see at the top of your list!!

Ostia & Ostia Beach

By now you will be feeling like having a chilling out time and what better way than a drive out to Ostia Beach.  It’s about 20 miles from the city but go early as it gets really busy there.  There are many beach establishments along Ostia beach.  Nuova Pineta – great for families with little children.  La Cappanina A Mare – great home cooking. La Playa at the far end is popular for all ages and La Vela for 20-30 yr olds, a place for everyone.  Pack your hire car with all your needs and have a great relaxing day.  But if you  want to explore further!!  Ostia is one of the most interesting and best preserved ancient Roman cities. You can walk along the cobbled streets of the excavated city of Ostia, see the market place, amphitheatre, and ancient roman baths. It’s an entire city and there are dozens of beautiful mosaics and structures still standing after almost 2000 years!  There is a restaurant, museum, and gift shop on the site.

Trevi Fountain

A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain they will return to Rome. If  ”Three Coins in the Fountain” were thrown by three different individuals, a  popular interpretation is that two coins will lead to a new romance and three, either a marriage or divorc!  Another version of this legend is that it is lucky to throw three coins with your right hand over your left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain.  About 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain every day. The money has been used to subsidise a supermarket for Rome’s poor and needy. There are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain as you would expect!!!

Places to Drive To From Rome

Tivoli – A lovely town spread around the historic centre.  Visit Villa Adriana (Hadrians Wall), and the truly sensational water gardens of the Villa d’Este.  You can even find a natural thermal spring to bathe in out in the suburbs of Tivoli.

Naples – A great day trip from Rome. Make sure to give yourself the whole day as there is a lot to see. You will want to set off really early from Rome to the Naples. In Naples is way to see Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Museum that houses the relics found in both. It is a terrific museum and shouldn’t be missed. Herculaneum is a wonderful site. Pompeii is an amazing place to visit and have a glimpse of the way life was over 2,000 years ago.  The whole place was preserved in volcanic dust from Mount Vesuvius eruption, houses, streets, mosaics.  You might want to stay overnight and drive back to Rome in the morning.  Or go on to……………………….

Capri – Just a 40 minute boat ride from the Port of Naples, sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the home of Limoncello, which you must sample.  Capri’s Blue Grotto is renowned for its size, the intense blue tones of its interior and the magical silvery light which comes from the objects beneath its waters.

Sorrento – A great seaside town if you’d like to do the “sunbathing” bit for a day or 2 but not all are actual beaches but you will always find a place for a swim.  It’s an easy day trip from Rome.

Shopping In Rome

Piazza Spagna

The most famous shopping district in Rome is the area around Piazza Spagna, at the base of the Spanish Steps. Tourists flock here to see the flagship stores of Italian designer lines like Prada, Gucci, Etro, Dolce e Gabbana, Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta, Missoni, Versace etc etc. You can also find Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Wolford, Sephora, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany and other famous brands.   The area’s side streets offer a host of interesting shops

C.U.C.I.N.A. —   Pots, pans, coffee-makers of every configuration, plates, accessories: This kitchenware store is jammed with useful, tasteful pieces that also make wonderful gifts.

TAD — Designer clothing from harder-to-find ranges,a florist, a hair salon, and even a small cafe — TAD is one-stop shopping for thewell-off and great sightseeing for  design. Also has a good selection of fragrances.

VIA COLA DI RIENZO

Cola di Rienzo,  just north of the Vatican, is a popular shopping destination for Romans. Its pavements are wide so it’s popular for families to take a stroll on via Cola di Rienzo, mostly on weekends. There are many small and some large shops selling fashions, bags and shoes. Cola di Rienzo offers good quality clothes and accessories for reasonable but not cheap, prices.

Look out for the  largest ‘Castroni’ store in Rome! It sells all kinds of  packaged Italian specialities  foods such as black seppia pasta or chocolate with red pepper ‘peperoncino’ . Quality Italian coffee and cakes can be taken at the bar. You can also buy coffee, ground or in beans,  to take home with you.

Close to Castroni, there is a gourmet store called Franchi, not to be missed if you intend to take home some parmigiano cheese, dry porcini mushrooms or other specialties. They will vacuum pack products for you.  Franchi is truly a feast for the eye and the palate, and you can have a quick lunch  but you’ll have to eat it  standing because there are a few tables, but no chairs!! The food is very good so buy some to take back in the car.

For outlet shopping go to Castel Romano outlet – here you will find all the designer brands and some really good deals.There are dozens of stores such as Versace, Etro, D&G  with about 40% of the normal retail price. To get there by car take  exit 26 off the SW section of the GRA (Raccordo ring road of Rome) it is about 25km out of the city centre South Rome – not  far from Fiumicino Airport.

Gelaterie offer fantastic flavoured ice cream in both cones and containers of different sizes. Other treats often offered at gelaterie include sorbet, granita which is wonderfully refreshing in the hot, humid Roman summer, and granita coffee-flavored.

Eating Out

In the center of Rome,  few steps from Saint Peter and the Vatican on one side and Piazza del Popolo on the other, Taberna Persiana is an elegant restaurant. Taberna Persiana offers a wide choice of dishes from the traditional Persian cuisine. In a cosy atmosphere you can taste the real flavours of the tasty and light typical Iranian dishes, prepared with the best  ingredients: meat, sea food, vegetables, spices and Basmati rice. You can enjoy your food with tea from the samovar or a wine specially selected to match your food.

L’insalata Ricca beside the beautiful church Sant’Andrea della Valle, the second highest dome in Rome, and site of the first act of Tosca on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II

This is one of a small chain of restaurants that has the most lovely cheese and pear salad with fresh mixed greens, shaved pecorino romano, black olives, and pear slices in a fantastic olive oil and vinegar dressing. They even pack the leftover salad up nicely and include a fork – and it is  better the next day! Tortellini with ham and peas is also a classic tasty dish. The rigatoni all’Amatriciana is well done, but it is a somewhat salty parmesan, bacon, and tomato sauce dish that may not appeal to everyone.

In Trastevere head for Piazza San Callisto, and the pizzeria of the same name which has the biggest pizza in the city.  The price is reasonable, and you won’t have to eat again for the rest of the day.

If you are really on a budget, but want a drink with dinner follow the street behind the church of Santa Maria della Pace until you come to a small piazza with a bar in it youcan’t miss it as its the only thing there!!.  For the price of just one drink you can help yourself to the buffet that is served between 7.30 and 9.30 and includes pasta, rice, dips, bread, veg etc. then you won’t need dinner.

Another cheap place to eat is in Parioli, and it’s called Il Simeto ,it is in Via Simeto!   It might seem a bad restaurant, old fashioned, small, the owner might even be rude, but food there is out of this world and very large portions of pasta, good meat courses, and a wonderful pizza. All at a very reasonable price.