Roma: A+ Eats and Tourist Treats!

Ever since we got married in Rome, we continue to get requests from friends about where to visit in the Eternal City. Who knew that so many people were traveling to one of our favorite spots in the world? At any rate, I decided to upload to the blog some of our secrets so that we always have our recommendations available. Consider this your personal Lonely Planet or Rick Steve’s…

For great food in popular, central areas of Rome:
You may want to try Pizzeria Baffetto on Via Governo Di Vechio (near Piazza Navona); Pizzeria Monte Carlo (right around the corner from Baffetto); Ristorante da Francesco (Piazza del Fico near Piazza Navona). We’ve tried pizza and pasta at all three and all are delicious and cheap.

OUR personal favorite spot, which incidentally is two blocks from our old apartment is:
La Rusticella. Via Angela Emo 1. It is near (sort of between) the Cipro and Ottoviano Metro Stops and also in walking distance of the Vatican. Basically if you look on your travel map, I have a feeling you won’t see the street Via Angela Emo-BUT you will see Via Candia. Right about where you map stops (I bet) and close to the Cipro Metro strop, Via Candia turns into the street named Via Angela Emo. If you go to that point on your map, the restaurant is #1 on the street. And, for reference, it is basically right across the street from the steps from the Vatican MUSEUM door—you go cross the street, go down the steps and around the corner). The food is excellent. We recommend their pizza (although the pastas are delicious too) and split fried calamari for the second plate if you like seafood. Incidentally, we had our rehearsal dinner there!

And finally: the place you will LOVE is where we had our wedding dinner:
La Osteria del Sostegno (Via delle Collonelle 5) http://www.ilsostegno.it/sostegno_SWF.html. Go here for some of the best Italian food you will find in Roma. Basically, find the Pantheon Piazza. With you back to the pantheon walk away from it up the road leading out of the square in front of you (of the two roads leading out of the square, it is the one on the right-- McDonalds should be on your left as you walk up this alley/road). Continue up that walking street until you get to the next “big” cross street. Take a right on it—that is Collonelle. (Mind you--these are all walking streets) the restaurant is on the right side of the street, down a little side alley. It should be about a 4 minute walk from the Pantheon.

In case you going other places in Italy, we can continue to feed you!

For example, in Florence, you MUST try Acqua Al Due (http://www.acquaal2.it/2008/index.html). The 'assaggio" plate (which means mixture) is best option here, as it allows you to sample a variety of appetizers, salads, pastas, meats, and/or desserts! Incidentally, there is a “sister” restaurant in San Diego if you are ever in Southern California (http://www.acquaal2.com/)!

And here are some spots that we recommend for guests to do while visiting Rome—these are complimentary of Mike, who put this list together for our wedding guests.

Borghese Gallery

In terms of museums, this one is perfect. It is small and contains masterpieces by Bernini and Caravaggio. You need to reserve a two hour block of time for your visit; you can do that here: http://www.ticketeria.it/ Located within the Villa Borghese park, you can do this before or after we meet for our park lunch.

Cost = 8.50 euro per person

A walk along the Gianicolo

One of the most beautiful walks takes you from right outside the Vatican, up overlooking the city of Rome, and into Trastevere.

cost = free

Go to the top of St. Peter’s dome (via stairs)

Skip the elevator and climb all the way to the top. As you come closer to the apex of La Cupola, your body will need to contort and conform to the curve of Michelangelo’s greatest dome (watch your head). Once you reach the top, you will appreciate just how massive St. Peter’s is and, perhaps, have a little one on one with God while you are up there.

Cost = 4 Euros for stairs; 5 Euros for elevator/stairs

Sistine Chapel + Vatican Museum(Sistine Chapel, Map Room, “School of Athens”)

You could spend hours here, but if it’s your first time to Roma and you have a ton of things to do, this is my favorite option. First, avoid all the lines by coming at 3 or 3:30 – last entrance into the Sistine Chapel is 4 pm. However, it does not close until 6 pm. This gives you 2 ½ - 3 hours of prime viewing time; you will practically have the place to yourself. It takes a while to walk through the museum and to the Sistine Chapel, but I recommend going straight there and then doing the other things on the return trip.

Sistine Chapel – This will blow you away; absolutely stunning. Sit for a bit, look up a lot, bring a book that explains what Michelangelo did, including the Final Judgment.

Map Room – This long stretch is my favorite part of the Vatican museums; the ceiling shines brilliantly, and the maps are just a lot of fun to study.

Raphael’s Rooms, including the famous “School of Athens”

Cost = 14 Euros

Ostia Antica

If the ruins within the city of Rome don’t do it for you, and you are sick and tired of harrowing rides in taxis and near-death experiences with mopeds, take a quick trip out of the city to the quiet ruins of Ostia Antica. As beautiful as the Forum, and perhaps more impressive than Pompeii.

To get there take the metro from Roma Piramide (look for signs to Roma-Lido) and take the train to the stop Ostia Antica. You will find a path that will lead you to the ruins. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the entrance.

Cost = 6.50 euro

Caravaggio Trail

One of my favorite artists and, if the Galleria Borghese isn’t enough, you want more of that magical light, just take a stroll to these churches, each with another Caravaggio masterpiece:

Santa Maria del Popolo (in Piazza del Popolo)

St. Agostino (right off Piazza Navona)

San Luigi dei Francesi (in between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona)

cost = free

Passeggiata on Via del Corso

This is 100% Italian; starting at about 5 pm on Friday or Saturday, all Italians aged 1-99 hit the streets for the passeggiata – an evening walk. The one on Via Del Corso, one of the main shopping streets in Rome, stretching out between Piazza Venezia and Piazza del Popolo, is a highlight. It will be some of the best people watching every.

cost = free

A drink in Campo dei Fiori

Rome’s most famous drinking piazza. Avoid the backpackers’ spots The Drunken Ship or Sloppy Sam’s, find an outdoor table and order a bottle of wine. It is a great place to begin or end your night.

cost = depends on how much you drink

Santa Maria della Trastevere

Located in the heart of Trastevere, this church is simply a beautiful and spiritual experience for all who enter its doors. There is just something calming when you step inside.

cost = free

Spend the extra euro for a café and get an outdoor seat at the Pantheon (or Navona) and sit for a few hours watching the world go by

A café will set you back $10.00, but you have the opportunity to sit, sip and soak in La Dolce Vita.

cost = 6-10 euro