Category: Things to do

Tips

Lovers of good food who come to the capital express their desire to satiate themselves with the dishes of Roman cuisine. But what is there to eat in Rome that is typical and satisfies the palate?

Let's say right away that in Romegenerally eat well. Or rather, 'se magna'. Roman gastronomy is a triumph for the stomach, which is satisfied and even spoilt for choice.

If we talk about what is now called street food, in Rome it is possible to taste, at many small vans adapted as snack points, hearty homemade sandwiches with the famous porchetta from Ariccia, the well-known locality in the Castelli Romani that has made roast suckling pig a real boast.

Needless to add that you can also choose the classic sausage sandwich: in short, a feast for carnivores the world over. In the Roman-run friggitorie, you can find the inimitable supplì and fried calzoni, which may be bad for the liver, but are an unparalleled joy to the palate.

If, on the other hand, you want to try the gastronomy and are undecided about what to eat in Rome typically, we suggest you go to those small trattorias that the Romans call 'bujaccari', i.e. not very formal and perhaps not even very well furnished haunts, but where you can taste genuine and original cuisine.

Rome, site of a historic slaughterhouse in the Testaccio district, has always been a carnivorous city, and the inventiveness of the cooks has been able to create poor but decidedly tasty dishes such as the famous rigatoni con la pajata (the suitably cleaned cow's intestine); or tripe drowned in a sea of sauce and grated pecorino cheese; but also the coda alla vaccinara, with whose sauce the pasta is seasoned and then decidedly focused on beef.

I first courses such as carbonara and theamatricianaAlthough they are not Roman but from Lazio, they have been adopted by Rome, which, however, expresses its own personal taste in pasta cacio e pepe and in gricia (a white 'matriciana' called the true 'matriciana').

Do not forget artichokes alla giudia, a second course where the Romanesco artichoke (the cimarolo or mammola) is cooked in a pan of extra virgin olive oil until it is totally roasted, taking on its classic golden colour.

If you come to Romeavoid tourist restaurants and devote a little of your time to finding some bujaccaro sincere. Your throat will thank you and your body will thank you too if you have the opportunity to stay in a B&B in Rome like the Aurelia Garden Gold where you can rest and recover your energy.

Villas in rome: villa Helene one of the four Museums of the National Gallery of Modern Art

If you plan a holiday in Rome, you cannot fail to include a visit to Villa Hélène in your itinerary through the beauty of the Eternal City.

The history of this Renaissance palace is truly fascinating. Inhabited by the Norwegian sculptor and painter Hendrik Christian Andersen for 40 years, is since 1999, one of the four Museums of the National Gallery of Modern Art.

The villa was donated by Andersenupon his death, to the Italian State, complete with everything inside: paintings, sculptural works, furniture, furnishings, textiles, documents, photos, books, etc.

It was built by the sculptor between 1922 and 1925, near the Tiber River and not far from the Piazza del Popolo Gate. Villa Hélène Roma is a three-storey building, on whose façades you can admire decorative elements such as sculptures and frescoes. Of all of them, I like to mention the façade with images of Andersen's family members, or the niches inside which the sculptor placed statues depicting harmonious female bodies.

The gallery, the studio, the entrance, the stairs, the recent café, open to visitors all year round except in August, accompanies you to the terrace. Inside the museum, on the first floor, there are events and exhibitions dedicated to all forms of art. On the ground floor, there are permanent collections.

It is also possible to participate in guided tours, discovering the life and work of Andersen.

Of the exterior you appreciate the clean shapes and you already feel totally caught up in the atmosphere. There are more than two hundred sculptures (plaster, bronze, terracotta), some of which are very large. I believe the building is not only a precious and unexpected gift to the city but also of our short Roman holiday.

If you like Renaissance atmospheres, the harmony of forms, the composure of the rooms, the story of a man born poor, Villa Hélène Roma is not to be missed.

The house/museum is located in Via Pasquale Stanislao Mancini.

Open every day (except Mondays) from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm, it can be easily reached from Termini Station by metro line A (get off at the Flaminio stop and then walk half a kilometre). You can also reach it by bus lines 90 and 490 (or 495), or by tram numbers 2 and 19.

Admission is free.

Low Cost and Free Occasions in Rome?With its immense historical and artistic heritage, Rome is undoubtedly the world capital of ancient culture and art, and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world.

In most cases, however, the most visited destinations do not coincide with the cheapest ones and an entire holiday, if one wants to get to know the city and visit its museums and monuments, can be really expensive.

When you have a limited budget but do not want to miss out on discovering Rome's attractions, the ideal thing to do is to take advantage of the free and low-cost offers proposed by the city: very often it is possible to visit exhibitions, museums, villas and parks, participating in guided tours that are completely free of charge.

But the first step for a low-cost stay is obviously theaccommodation in Rome. Nowadays, offers and discounts are also offered on hotel rates: by searching carefully and with a little patience, you can find really good hotel deals.

Finding cheap and free bargains in Rome

As for your low-cost sightseeing itinerary, it is best to plan it before you leave, marking the free opening days of the museums you want to visit and booking guided tours in advance.

For example, one thing that many people do not know, and which is worth taking advantage of, is that the Vatican Museums - which also include the famous Sistine Chapel - are open and free of charge on the last Sunday of every month (entrance from 9 am to 12.30 pm, closing at 2 pm).

Other free openings are also organised periodically, such as the one planned for 27 September, on the occasion of World Tourism Day (from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m.).

The only recommendation: arrive at the entrance well in advance and be patient, because the queues at the entrance are quite long, especially on these occasions.

Other stops that cannot be missed on your 'free tour' are Villa Strohl Fern and the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria. The former is the villa that belonged to the noble patron Alfred Wilhelm Strohl, who welcomed famous 20th century artists, painters and writers here, including Carlo Levi, Francesco Trombadori and Arturo Martini.

Until 27 October, you can participate in free guided tours, which will allow you to discover the large and rich inner park, the private garden, the central building, the artists' chalets and Trombadori's original studio.

The Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, on the other hand, is the capital's Baroque jewel, where you can enter freely from 7am to 12pm and 3.30pm to 7pm.

Inside, in addition to a rich decoration of marble, friezes and stuccoes, is the Cornaro Chapel, which houses the sculptural group dedicated to Saint Teresa of Avila, one of Bernini's most beautiful and famous

Visit Rome in 3 days is a very difficult thing to do, as the Eternal City has so many places that deserve to be known. There is a tourist Rome and an unusual Rome, but if you are visiting it perhaps for the first time, you should start with the most famous sights and attractions.

What to Visit in Rome on the First Day

Let's start with Piazza del Popolo which can be reached by metro at the Piazzale Flaminio stop. Popular tradition has it that in antiquity there was a grove of poplars in the area pertaining to the tomb of Emperor Nero. Historically, it is established that Pope Paschal II had a small chapel built close to the walls, which later gave way to the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, from which the square took its name.

From the square we can choose to walk along Via del Corso or the parallel Via del Babuino to reach Spanish Stepswhere we admire the Baroque-style Fontana della Barcaccia, sculpted by Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo. On the right side of the famous steps is the house of the poet Keats, who lived and died there and is now a museum dedicated to him. On the square we also find the 19th century Babington's tea room, the column of the Immaculate Conception where, every 8 December, the Pope is used to pay homage with a wreath of flowers and the Palace of Propaganda Fide.

The 135-step monumental staircase dates back to 1725 and was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XIII; it was built to connect the Spanish Bourbon embassy to the church of Trinità dei Monti. We continue to the famous Trevi Fountain, restored in 1998 to offer the ancient splendour of a highly scenic work of art. After throwing a coin with our backs to the fountain as an omen to return to see Rome, we reach the nearby Piazza Colonna and the Galleria Alberto Sordi to cross Via del Corso and reach the Pantheon.

The building, erected by the Romans in honour of all deities of all religions, was converted into a Christian church in the 7th century and then took on the task of housing the remains of historical figures. From Piazza della Rotonda where the Pantheon is, we stop to sip an excellent coffee in the nearby Piazza di Sant'Eustachio before reaching Piazza Navona, which in ancient Roman times was a stadium commissioned by the Emperor Diocletian. All that remains of its original structure is the ground plan, since even the obelisk at its centre comes from the Circus Maxentius that once stood on the Appian Way.

It is an urban legend the one that states that in Roman times the square was used to stage naval battles as it was only used for athletic competitions; while it is true that in the early 19th century horse races were held there. The square is the emblem of Baroque Rome with the sculpture of the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini and the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone by Borromini and Rainaldi.

Crossing the nearby Corso Vittorio we visit Campo de' Fiori, the only historical square in Rome without a church and made famous for having hosted the execution of Giordano Bruno in 1600, in memory of whom a bronze statue was placed. Since the mid-19th century, the square has hosted a very characteristic local market in the mornings.

What to Visit in Rome on Day Two

The visit will be dedicated to the Vatican to the famous square, the heart of Catholicism, the Basilica of the same name and the Vatican Museums, home to wonderful works of art. In the afternoon, we continue our visit to the nearby Castel Sant'Angelo, which was originally the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, whose remains it housed like those of other emperors. Transformed into a castle in 590, it was later modified into a fortress.

To relax from fatigue of these visits, we can rest in the green and find proper relaxation in the park of Villa Pamphili, which was formerly an estate of the Roman noble family of the same name. With its almost two square kilometres, it is a green lung of the capital, right next to the Vatican between the Aurelio and Monteverde districts.

What to Visit in Rome on the Third Day

The last section of this what to visit in Rome in 3 days is dedicated to visiting Piazza Venezia, the Vittoriano and the Campidoglio, the true centre of the city. We will continue on to visit the Roman Forum, currently reopened in some of its sections, and at the end of Via dei Fori Imperiali, the most famous monument in Rome: theColosseum, formerly known as the Flavian Amphitheatre inaugurated by Titus in 80 AD and used to host gladiator shows.

The evening will conclude with a visit to the characteristic district of Trastevere with its winding streets covered with cobblestones, overlooked by council houses. The true centre of the city's nightlife is a meeting point thanks to the density of clubs, hangouts, pizzerias, pubs and restaurants.

Considered one of the wonders of the world in terms of history, culture and art, Rome is waiting to be discovered. The eternal city offers many squares, churches, monuments and museums to see all year round. A 360-degree tour will help you get to know even the places 'hidden' from the great tourist crowds.

A reality you have to live in all its facets through routes not always signposted in guidebooks. The advice of a friend or a thorough investigation on the web will allow you to avoid missing out on unusual things to do in Rome. A little resourcefulness and you will go 'beyond' the Colosseum, St. Peter's Square, the Spanish Steps or the Pantheon, for an unprecedented tour to discover destinations you never knew existed.

If you like to know a lot of movida Roman, a nice evening walk in via del Pigneto will help you. A place with restaurants, breweries and pizzerias. A great place to chat and have a drink in good company. If you are a nature lover, you can visit the garden in Piazza del Pigneto in the neighbourhood of the same name.

Another out-of-the-box itinerary is that of the Valentini Palace DomusVia IV Novembre 119/A. A journey through time. The house of a wealthy family in old Rome made 'interactive' thanks to a fascinating multimedia route. Light projections take you back to the past among frescoes and mosaics. In the basement you can enjoy the remains of a monumental building, colossal column shafts, basement rooms and much more.

If you love churches, however, in the Celio district a pleasant discovery could be the Basilica dei Santi Quattro Coronati. A Romanesque church that you can visit by entering a fortified building. You will find a beautiful structure with three naves, a cloister and a chapel. In addition to the Basilica, there are several interesting spaces in the building complex, such as the crypt, courtyards and an old cardinal's palace.

Unusual things to do in Rome are many. Villa Hélène, at Via Pasquale Stanislao Mancini, 20 (Flaminio district), is also an attractive destination. A mansion by Norwegian sculptor Hendrik Christian Andersen dating back to the distant 1920s. Here, if you love art, you will be delighted to be enchanted by the numerous sculptures, paintings and other works present.

And, if you happen to visit Rome on a cold winter's day, pop into SAID, on Via Tiburtina, for a nice hot chocolate.

Rome is a huge city which offers so many artistic and historical attractions that it is easy to get lost in the embarrassment of choice. But if you want to go beyond the usual tourist routes and explore some of the more characteristic and lesser-known possibilities of our capital, here are three curious places to see in Rome.

First stop, the monster of Via Gregoriana. To walk down this street and reach No. 31 is to come across a gaping mouth ready to swallow the unfortunate visitor. This frightening, grim face can be found in the little palace of Zuccari and once, long ago, was the entrance to a famous, semi-hidden and beautiful garden. It was once possible, peeking through the small windows, also dominated by demonic faces, to glimpse this secret garden. Now the demon door instead protects a beautiful library.

Second stage, Mattei Square. Here, Duke Mutio Mattei had a splendid fountain built in 1581, now called, Fontana delle Tartarughe, designed by Giacomo Della Porta. The Roman motto 'Hurry slowly' is linked to this fountain (hence the presence of dolphins and turtles among its statues).

In the square is clearly visible a large walled window. Legend says that Mattei had this fountain built in a single night to amaze the father of his beloved, who did not want to give her to him in marriage. When he showed him the fountain the next day, from that same window, his father-in-law was shocked, and the duke immediately ordered the window to be walled up, so that no one but his bride and her father could enjoy the view that had been prepared just for them.

If you move instead to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, you will find what the Romans call the alchemic or magic door. Legend has it that Marquis Massimiliano Palombara di Pietroforte, a great lover of alchemy, hosted a mysterious man in the garden of his villa who was in search of the so-called philosopher's stone.

This pilgrim (who for many can be identified as Francesco Borri) on the morning of the following day crossed the threshold of this door and disappeared into thin air, while splinters of gold flew around him and a strange parchment inscribed with esoteric symbols fell to the ground. The marquis had those signs carved on the doors of his garden, hoping that one day someone would be able to decipher them. Which apparently never happened.

Contrary to popular beliefvisiting Rome with children is not only possible but also an exciting experience.

Wandering the streets of the historic centre telling them about the history of this city is certainly one of the most interesting moments as it establishes a relationship with one's children in which the mixture of history, legends and curiosities is nourished by the architectural and artistic beauties found in the capital.

Certainly everything cannot be limited to a pedantic and useless explanation, but where you can find that special alchemy of interest, I can assure you that it will capture their attention and curiosity and, therefore, expect a flood of questions on the subject.

Rome also offers a lot of inspiration for those who, like me, have travelled with the family, so that a trip can be enjoyed all together.

Beyond the many parks that exist in the city - from Villa Borghese to Villa Ada and Villa Pamphili - and which are to be regarded as oases where one can lie down on the grass, perhaps in the shade of some leafy tree, after playing football with the children; and in addition to the many merry-go-rounds that suddenly open up on some of the city's squares and gardens and the many playrooms that are omnipresent, a visit to the Wax Museum in Piazza SS. Planetarium at Piazza Agnelli in Eur, and at the Bioparco in Villa Borghese, where you can admire many animal species in what was once the city's zoo, now transformed into a place that respects the needs of the animals that live there.

Those who visit Rome with children and have a certain amount of time to devote exclusively to them, can easily reach the playground in Valmontone, namely the Rainbow Magicland to spend a whole day enjoying the many attractions inside.

If you are a water lover and visit Rome in the summer, there is nothing better than spending a day in the Hydromania.

Certainly taking a picture with children next to centurions may be something that will be appreciated with time even though it might seem like a cliché now, but I confess that I did it and seeing my son wearing the feathered helmet and shakily holding the mock gladius was electrifying.

Visiting Rome with children can turn into a fun time that allows you to enhance your relationship with your children even more by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the eternal city.

If you are exhausted because your beloved children have exhausted your energy and you need to stay overnight and rest to recover from your exertions, then the B&B Aurelia Garden Gold is the residence for you!

The Magic Door of Rome is the first place that every alchemy enthusiast or aspiring magician, as well as every curious person or fan of legends and mysteries, should visit.

It is located a short distance from Termini Railway Station, in the heart of the green park of the large Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, on the Esquiline Hill.

The date is not precise of its realisation. It seems to have been commissioned by the Marquis Massimiliano Palombara in 1655, a lover of alchemy and esotericism. Other sources, however, claim that it was built a few years later (1680) to celebrate a successful alchemical experiment.

Probably, the Porta Magica (Magic Door) of Rome, the only one of five doors at Villa Palombara that have survived to the present day, was a wish of the marquis, after his meeting at dinner with a famous alchemist.

The latter left him a indecipherable recipe for turning all metals into precious gold. In the hope that someone could read and decipher those symbols and writings, Marquis Palombara built the door on which he ordered the recipe to be transcribed.

What is certain is that, the monument captures you, as if you were under some kind of spell. Legend has it that the numerous inscriptions and symbols on the monument, if pronounced correctly and in the right order (unfortunately unknown) can take you to another dimension.

The door is surmounted by a disc on which overlapping triangles are carved, forming a 6-pointed star, a cross, another star and Latin inscriptions. The door (jamb and mullions) bears inscriptions in Hebrew and Latin, as well as carvings of the symbols of the planets.

On the step is an enigmatic inscription: si sedes non is (if you sit you do not proceed) which if read from left to right says si non sedes is (if you do not sit you do proceed). Esoteric or symbolic passage, mystery is the charm of the Porta Magica in Rome.

The Magic Door of Rome You can visit it only by appointment, by calling 06 06 08. Getting there is easy: from Termini Station take bus 714 (it runs along Via Nazionale) and get off at the Merulana-Brancaccio stop. Walk 300 metres and you are in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.

Rome, you know, is a city of a thousand souls: evocative places, intimate and hidden nooks and crannies, monuments that show themselves in all their magnificence, and romance that pervades the air. There are, however, some places that are certainly more romantic than others, places where you can lose yourself hand in hand with your love, or ideal spots for a first date with someone you want to win over.

One of the most romantic places in Rome is for example the Zodiac, one of the most famous belvederes in the capital, on Monte Mariofrom which you can enjoy the magnificent view of the city and the Castelli Romani. Frequented by lovers from all over Rome, it is the ideal place to stop for a bite to eat in a small restaurant or simply take a walk at sunset.

Another special place is the Clivo dei Savelli, the charming little street on the Lungotevere that leads from the Bocca della Verità towards Testaccio. Following this road you will reach the top of the Aventine, skirting the walls of the Savelli castle and finally arrive at the famous Orange Garden, a magical place from which you will be captivated by the splendid view of the entire city.

Romantic sunset too you can enjoy from the Janiculum Hill: the walk, built at the end of the 19th century, runs along the walls built by Urban VIII in the 17th century and allows you to reach the top of the hill. From there you will experience the thrill of seeing all of Rome set ablaze by the setting sun. Then take Via Garibaldi to Trastevere, where you can stop to eat in one of the many typical restaurants.

Impossible, when talking about the most romantic places in Rome, not to think of the Lungotevere, whose slow flow has cradled the dreams and promises of so many lovers over the centuries. A favourite spot for true romantics is theFlaminio Bridge, which from sunset onwards turns into a dreamy place loved especially by young couples. And, if we are talking about young people, we cannot fail to mention a place that inspired one of the most famous stories in romantic literature in recent years, Ponte Milvio, the famous bridge of padlocks.

Then you can't miss a classic of Roman Sundays, the world-famous Villa Borghese, where those in the mood for a day in the open air will find a timeless paradise. You won't be short of romantic diversions: from a simple stroll to the Terrazza del Pincio, from where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the world, to a picnic on the grass enjoying the cool shade of a tree, to a rowing boat ride on the small lake. A true classic of romance.

Villa dei Quintili between charm and history

Villa dei Quintili in Rome is a splendid monumental archaeological complex located on one of the Roman consular roads, Via Appia, nestled in the Roman countryside just outside the city chaos, originating from a lava flow from the nearby ancient Vulcano Laziale.

You should know that the name of the villa derived from its original owners, the Quintili brothers (Condiano and Sextus Valerius Maximus). Their names were found engraved on ancient pipes (fistulae aquariae): they were very wealthy consuls from Asia, as well as cultured and peace-loving men.

That is why they built this villa together, which spreads over 1000 hectares of land and continues to unveil more and more fascinating and revealing artefacts and environments from the life of the ancient Romans, but also of the owners, who succeeded one another over the centuries. It also passed under the ownership of the Church, then to the Torlonia family and finally to the State in 1986.

The Emperor Commodus and the Villa of the Quintili

In 181 AD the Emperor Commodus, known for his wickedness and perversion, accused them of conspiracy and had them killed by strangulation, in order to take possession of this villa surrounded by greenery and equipped with baths (calidarium, frigidarium and tepidarium), a hippodrome that was also a large garden, a theatre, a large nymphaeum and residential rooms, on the Via Appia Antica, which was the entrance richly decorated with marble, bricks, statues, mosaics and a large fountain.

Just the beauty of these environments attracted the emperor Commodus, who is said to have been so fond of the baths that he bathed several times a day in the company of maids and young boys.

The villa was so large that Commodus himself, when a rebellion of the people over famine reached the residence, did not hear the shouting. When he realised this, he had his commander of the guard killed, handing him over to the mob who dragged him through the streets of Rome, and he blissfully continued his 'otium'.

Villa dei Quintili today

Villa dei Quintili in Rome is now a destination for tourists accompanied by guided tours who can admire the ancient rooms in all their beauty, some in a fairly good state of preservation. It is open all year round with summer and winter opening hours and closed only three days a year (Christmas, 1 January, 1 May).

To visit it use the metro A Colli Albani and bus 664, or by car take Via Appia Nuova, 1092. You can purchase a ticket for the archaeological area, which also includes visits to the Baths of Caracalla and the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and is valid for 7 days.