Rome Journals

So, what's there to see in Rome?

A travel journal to Rome by npernarelli

Quote: I've been working at a youth hostel in Rome for the past six months, and it amazes me how many guests show up and ask what there is to see. Here is my list.

So, what's there to see in Rome?

Overview

Quote:

Rome is incredible... there is so much to do, revolving on so many layers: the ancient ruins, the Vatican, the modern stuff... and the cats! Seeing a little of each is well worth it.

Quick Tips:

Even if you're not Catholic, go to the Vatican. Just go. Now. Trust me.

Best Way To Get Around:

Most of the main sights are within walking distance of each other. Use the metro on longer hauls (ie, to the Vatican & back). The buses can be confusing if you don't know your way around.. or even if you do! In my whole time here I've been in a taxi all of once--they're expensive and really not worth it, unless you have a 3 am flight out of Ciampino or something crazy like that.

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Hostel Casanova

Hotel

Quote:

Okay, seeing as I work here I feel somewhat obligated to include it in the listing. The hostel is located near the Vatican, just off the Cipro metro stop, in a residential neighborhood (read: supermarket, shops, restaurants, etc. all nearby). It's a small hostel, only 22 beds, and I can guarantee that the place is cleaned daily by two anal-retentive germ freaks! Kitchen use, free internet, and a small breakfast included.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 8, 2002

Hostel Casanova
Via Ottorino Lazzarini, 12
Rome, Italy
06-39745228

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Città della Pace

Restaurant

Quote:

What?! With all the great Italian food I'm recommending a Chinese restaurant?! Well, yeah. Cause sometimes you get tired of pizza. This restaurant is located in a little piazza off Campo dei'Fiori.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on April 8, 2002

Città della Pace
Piazza del Teatro di Pompeo, 18
Rome, Italy
(06) 6880-3252

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Gelateria Millennium

Restaurant

Quote:

Okay, it's only a gelateria, but of the many gelaterie I have frequented in Rome, this is one of my favorites, mostly due to its proximity to my work. It's about a block off the Cipro metro stop and a short walk from the Vatican Musuems. There's an array of flavors, and the house specialty (millennium) is awesome. They also have soy-based gelato (try the ace!!). Average prices and friendly service.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 12, 2002

Gelateria Millennium
Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2/a
Rome, Italy
(063) 972-4268

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Vatican Museums

Attraction | "Musei Vaticani"

Quote:

Although its collection can be overwhelming, this is one thing you really need to see in Rome. You work your way through the Egypt and Etruscan collections, a room of tapestries, and suddenly... wow. The Raphael rooms. Even if you know nothing about art, you're impressed. You read a little information and find out Raphael painted these when he was in his mid-20s (which always makes me feel old and unworthy). Can things get any better? Yes... the Sistine Chapel. Be patient, wait for a seat, and crane your neck upwards and just look (binoculars could be very helpful). Don't talk loudly or try to take pictures, because the mean guards will get mad. Take time to see the Pinacoteca at the end, even though ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 8, 2002

Vatican Museums
Viale Vaticano
Rome, Italy 00165
0039 06 69884676

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Borghese Gallery and Museum (Galleria Borghese)

Attraction | "Galleria Borghese"

Quote:

If you're up for another museum after the Vatican, this is the one to see. You have to make a reservation beforehand (call 06-32810, they speak English!). Don't miss the Bernini sculptures of Apollo and Daphne, The Rape of Perseopine, or Aneas (all made when he was 20), or the room full of Caravaggio's paintings. In the upstairs gallery, you are limited to 1/2 hour of time, so don't linger too long or you might miss out! I rented an audioguide for the museum and found it to be well worth it, except that some of the descriptions for the paintings upstairs were a little too long... I listened to them after getting kicked out!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 8, 2002

Borghese Gallery and Museum (Galleria Borghese)
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5
Rome, Italy 00197
+39 068413979

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Via del Corso

Attraction

Quote:

This is Rome's main shopping street, where you'll find everything from The Disney Store to Bennetton, from cheap to expensive, from clothes to CDs to books... Via del Corso has it all. And just off of Via del Corso, a few blocks in either direction, are such sights as the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain, so combine your shopping with your sightseeing!

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on April 8, 2002

Via del Corso
Via del Corso
Rome, Italy

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Quirinetta

Attraction

Quote:

So you've been running around Rome, seeing all the sights, and you really just want a piece of Hollywood. This is the place. Quirinetta shows movies in original language, the downside is there is only one screen... so either you see it or you don't. Bring your own snacks, because they don't sell any. It costs less in the afternoons and on Wednesday nights.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on April 8, 2002

Quirinetta
Via Marco Minghetti, 4
Rome, Italy 00187
+39 066790012

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Colosseum (Coliseum)

Attraction | "The Colosseum"

Quote:

Whether you've seen Gladiator or not, your trip to Rome is incomplete without a glimpse of the Colosseum. Marvel that it was built 2000 years ago. Go all out and have your picture taken with some guy in a gladiator costume. Honestly, I don't think it is worth paying the admission price to go inside. Nothing is labeled, forcing you to (a) rent the audioguide [which I didnt think was that great], (b) buy a guidebook, or (c) try and figure it out on your own. Peek through the arches, buy a postcard with an aerial view, and use the money you saved on admission to get yourself a gelato.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 8, 2002

Colosseum (Coliseum)
Piazza Del Colosseo
Rome, Italy 00184
+39 (06) 7004261

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Rome nighttime walk

Story/Tip

Quote:

Most of Rome's monuments are lit up at night, so you can get a great deal of sightseeing done in the after-hours.

The walk I suggest begins at Piazza del Popolo (M: Flaminio), and continues down Via del Corso, veering off to see the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. At the end of Via del Corso is Piazza Venezia (watch out for traffic!!) and just across the piazza is the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, and just behind that on the left the Colosseum. The whole walk should take you under two hours. At this point, you can hop back on the metro at the Colosseum, or head down the street to Campo dei'Fiori and keep the evening going!