I’m so excited to be in Rome. We have been here before while on a cruise, but this is our first Italy tour. Don’t get me wrong, I love cruising, but this is the first time that we get to experience Italy like a local. We have time to visit intimate shops with hand made goods or that bakery that has the most amazing pastries in the window.
We spent the entire day walking the through the city. Here are some suggestions on popular places to “people watch” while you are in Rome.
Rome’s Popular Meeting Places
The Pantheon, with its circular interior and open ceiling, was constructed by Marcus Agripps around 27 BCE and later rebuilt circa 125 CE. Colonna Traiana (Trajan’s Column) can be easily missed, but stop to take a look at the intricately carved scenes that wind up the pillar; they tell incredible tales of battles and empire that have been studied by art history scholars for centuries. The restored Teatro di Marcello at one time had space for 20,000 people, and today a variety of concerts are organized here, (but the only way to get a peek inside is to attend a show).
Another one of Rome’s famous landmarks is the Trevi Fountain, immortalized in Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita. Although you are not allowed to wade through the fountain as Sylvia did, legend has it that throwing a coin in ensures a return trip to Rome. Nearby is the large, oval shaped Piazza Navona, which was once a Roman circus (hence its shape), but designated as a square in the 15th Century. Bernini’s famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is located here, along with Fontana del Nettuno.
Piazza Campo de’ Fiori is also close by. By day, the square hosts one of the most famous street markets in Italy, and is a popular meeting place for tourists as well as local youth during evening hours. The Spanish Steps or Scalinata Trinità dei Monti are another of Italy’s most famous meeting places. They ascend steeply to Trinità dei Monti, a 16th-century church, and at their base is Piazza Spagna.
The center of the city offers several places to stop for a meal or a treat, like Il Giggetto, which serves traditional Roman Jewish fare (lots of artichokes!) or La Carbonara for delicious Roman dishes. Or, if you are looking for a snack, pick up a gelato at Il Gelato di San Crispino where you can try some of the best flavors in all of Rome.
It was a wonderful day! Tomorrow we are off to Capri.
Other blog posts that may interest you:
The Eternal City of Rome
Choosing an Italy Tour
