The Very Best Rome, Italy, has to Offer You

GUEST POST OVERVIEW: If Aleix keeps sending me these guest posts on Rome, there’s no way I’ll be able to avoid the wanderlust taking me there…possibly on my current trip!

Purely from a personal point of view, although I’m sure many will agree, here are some of the best places to enjoy during your trip to Rome.

When one has been to Rome many times, as I can happily say so for myself, one discovers all the places that are slightly off the tourist trail, where Rome comes across the most beautiful.

Here are some of the best places in Rome to carry out certain activities.

The best…

… monument: Yes, Rome is full of ancient monuments and buildings and all of them are of great beauty. However, none of them is as stunning as the Fontana de Trevi. Yes, it’s a tourist landmark in the city but here’s a little twist to seeing it that you might enjoy. After midnight, the later the better, while it’s still dark, venture down Via delle Muratte and reach the fountain. Lit up, with no people there, it will make your jaw drop.

… church: There are more churches in Rome than one can count. However, there’s one which is not within view and which is absolutely astounding. Down Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, in front of Corso del Rinascimento, a few minutes away from the Pantheon, there’s a small door that leads into the baroque interior of Sant’Andrea della Valle, an amazing basilica with its beautiful dome and vaults that really take one’s breath away. It will most likely be empty, so enjoy this gem in peace and quiet.

… museum: Largely unnoticed in comparison to the other important ones is the Museo e Galleria Borghese. No other museum in Rome will show such an impressive collection of renaissance and baroque art as the one collected by Scipione Borghese. The park of the museum is also beautiful so make sure this makes your list of places to go. Call to book an appointment.

… view: Rome was built on seven hills, so there are quite a few places to get a good view. However, there’s no better view of the Eternal City than from the Gianicolo, just north of the Trastevere. All the domes of the basilicas and all the colors of the city will be worth the trek up there. Think of Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, Rome-style.

… restaurant: Restaurants in Rome can be quite expensive if they’re close to the main landmarks, the so-called tourist traps. I may have mentioned it before but you won’t get a better value for money meal than in Casetta di Trastevere. Sample authentic Italian cuisine in a gorgeous and quiet piazza in the middle of the beautiful area of Trastevera. Eat three courses for less than 20€ per person and find it at Piazza de’Renzi.

… bar: Caffè Sant’Eustachio is the best place to sample true Italian coffee. In true Italian style, you’ll have to wrestle your way to the bar and make your order and, if you’re lucky enough, you’ll manage to get a table outside and enjoy it while you watch the people go by. A hit with the locals, it doesn’t get much more Roman than this. Find it at Piazza di Sant’Eustachio, 82, just off Piazza Navona.

Make your own list of the best places to go when you rent apartments in Rome. There’s no better feeling than discovering a new city for yourself.

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS:
Italian View
Trevi Fountain – My good friend Leslie!
Farniole, by my good friend Yasmeen

You can check out more of Yasmeen’s elegant photography and follow her tales of life living in Alaska at her blog, ..Brave Cold World or Of Moose and Men..

About the Author: Aleix Gwilliam is a 24 year old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.