Ranieri &Sabine
SEPTEMBER 9th, 2023
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Tips of Rome
HIGHLIGHTS TO SEE
Historic City Center & Vatican
Palatine Hill: Palatine Hill is one of the Seven Hills of Rome and is said to be the birthplace of the city. It is home to several ancient ruins, including the palace of Augustus, the stadium, and the theater.
Colosseum: The Colosseum is an iconic amphitheater built in 80 AD, used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. It is considered one of the greatest engineering feats of ancient times.
Roman Forum: The Roman Forum was the center of political and social life in ancient Rome and contains the ruins of several important government buildings and temples.
Capitoline Hill: Capitoline Hill is one of the Seven Hills of Rome and is the site of several important ancient ruins, including the Temple of Jupiter, the Tabularium, and the Capitoline Museums.
Trevi Fountain: The Trevi Fountain is a Baroque masterpiece and one of Rome's most famous landmarks. Legend has it that throwing a coin into the fountain guarantees a return trip to Rome.
Pantheon: The Pantheon is a temple to all Gods and a masterpiece of ancient engineering, with its dome being one of the largest unsupported concrete domes in the world.
Piazza Navona: Piazza Navona is a charming square with three magnificent fountains and surrounded by lively restaurants and cafes. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist spots.
Spanish Steps: The Spanish Steps are a monumental staircase connecting the Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church. They are a popular spot for people-watching and offer panoramic views of the city.
Villa Borghese & Gallery: Villa Borghese is a beautiful park in Rome that contains several museums and galleries, including the Borghese Gallery, which houses masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio, and Raphael constructed for Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V
Castel Sant'Angelo: Castel Sant'Angelo is a magnificent castle-turned-museum on the banks of the Tiber River, originally built as a mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian.
Vatican City (St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums): Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, located within the city of Rome. St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world and a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture. The Sistine Chapel is famous for its stunning ceiling painted by Michelangelo. The Vatican Museums house one of the world's largest art collections, including works by Raphael and Botticelli.
Palazzo Colonna: Historic palace, originally built in the 14th century, it expanded and renovated throughout time and today it remains the family home of the Colonna family but is open to the public. Known for its impressive architecture, decorations with frescoes by Antonio Tempestuti, halls and galleries, which are filled with works of art and antique furnishings, including paintings by Caravaggio and other masters, tapestries, sculptures, and more.
Palazzo Doria Panphili: Art by Rubens and Titian, plus ornate furniture and tapestries in palatial, 18th-century apartments.
Some Beautiful Churches
Chiesa del Gesu: Lavish church considered one of the masterpieces of Baroque architecture in Rome.
Sant’Ignazio di Loyola: Church is known for its stunning interior, which is richly decorated with frescoes, marble sculptures, and gilded details. Visitors are particularly drawn to its ceiling.
S. Luigi dei Francesi: France's baroque national church in Rome, known for the Caravaggio paintings in its chapel.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore: Beautiful basilica located on the Esquiline Hill, known for its stunning 5th-century mosaics and rich history.
Basilica San Pietro in Vincoli: Michelangelo's statue of Moses dominates this coffered 400s church, also home to St. Peter's chains.
Santa Maria della Vittoria: Intimate, flamboyant 17th-century church housing Bernini's dramatic carving "The Ecstasy of Teresa."
S. Maria del Popolo: Elegant basilica restored by Bernini in the 1600s, featuring masterpieces by Caravaggio & Raphael.
Santa Maria in Trastevere: Grand Catholic church known for its 12th-century mosaics & lavish interior with 22 Roman columns.
Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano: Landmark cathedral, the Pope's official seat, with ornate 1700s facade & statues of the Apostles.
Basilica San Paolo Fuori le Mura: Magnificent papal basilica dating from the 4th century, with tomb of St Paul & elegant cloisters.
Other Things Worth Mentioning
Trastevere: Trastevere is a neighbourhood known for its charming, narrow streets, picturesque houses, and friendly atmosphere. Walk around, get lost, eat gelato and have some food.
Jewish Ghetto: The Jewish Ghetto is one of the oldest in the world, and is now a lively neighborhood filled with restaurants and shops.
Terrazza del Pincio: Located at the top of the Pincio hill, this rooftop bar offers panoramic views of the city and a chic atmosphere. You can see the famous Piazza del Popolo, The Spanish steps and the villa Borghese gardens.
Giardino degli Aranci: Also known as the Orange Garden, is a public park in Rome, located on the Aventine Hill. It offers stunning views of the city, including a panoramic view of St. Peter's Basilica.
Circus Maximus: The Circus Maximus was an ancient stadium that could seat over 150,000 spectators and was used for chariot races and other public spectacles.
DRINKS IN ROME
Any Caffe/Bar you encounter as you get lost while walking in the city center, trastever, monti etc, is worth a stop, but here are some additional recommendations:
Hotel della Ville: Beautiful terrace (“Cielo Bar” above the Spanish steps with views of on Rome. Also nice for brunches and dinners.
Hotel Locarno: Nice bar in internal courtyard (“Bar Locarno”) near Piazza del Popolo.
Hotel Raphael / Roof Garden: This rooftop bar is located on the 6th floor of the hotel Raphael, and offers a mix of traditional and modern Italian cuisine. You can see the pantheon, piazza Navona and the Vatican from there.
Terrazza Borromini: Rooftop in Piazza Navona, with stunning views of the city center.
Da Camillo: Also in Piazza Navona but on the ground in front of Bernini’s fountains, only bar hit by Romans.
Salotto 42: Fashionable cocktail bar serving drinks & light bites in beautiful piazza.
Terrazza e Bar Rinascente: Nice rooftop bar on top of the famous department store La Rinascente which created the Compasso d’Oro, the most famous industrial designs award. Refreshing drinks after some shopping.
Bar del Fico: Tucked-away piazza cafe/bar drawing bohemians & locals with its shabby-chic interior & glass atrium.
Drink Art Gallery: cocktail bars, always in Piazza del Fico.
Osteria/Bar delle Coppelle: Easygoing option for drinks in nice piazza and small bites.
Club Derrrier: cool speakeasy open until late, just behing the Bar delle Coppelle.
Ristorante/Bar Camponeschi: set in picturesque square of Piazza Farnese, great spot for aperitivo and after dinner drinks visited by mano locals.
L’Angolo Divino Enoteca Vineria: A curated selection of Italian wines, plus tastings & antipasti, at a cozy, long-standing bar.
Open Baladin: great spot if you love and crave for beers.
Jerry Thomas Speakeasy: Elevated cocktails in a moody, old-world bar with leather armchairs & a roaring '20s theme.
The Sanctuary: in a park just outside city center, spot for global fare, plus garden seating, wellness treatments & an outdoor pool.
Freni e Frizioni: Vibrant bar with a popular terrace, serving cocktails & aperitivos amid chandeliers & modern art.
EATING IN ROME
In Centro Città
Jardin de Russie: in Hotel de Roussie, internal garden, also famous for its aperitivo/drinks.
Imàgo: Fine dining and high end restaurant behind Piazza di Spagna with views on Rome.
Bolognese: seen and be seen restaurant in Piazza del Popolo.
Zuma Rome: Rooftop terrace on top of Fendi, offering Japanese-inspired menu and a sleek, modern atmosphere with views of the city.
Mater Terrace (Hotel Raphel): high end and refined rooftop restaurant with view on Rome.
Settimio all'Arancio: Venerable, family-run restaurant with a big wine cellar, making traditional Roman food.
Due Ladroni: Late-night & traditional restaurant with outdoor tables overlooking nice square.
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina: low key but amazing food in every sense.
Hosteria Grappolo d'oro: Refined Roman antipasti, pasta, meat & fish, plus regional wines, in a bright, understated setting.
Emma: Lively eatery with a local menu featuring homemade pasta, pizzas, meat dishes & desserts.
Alfredo alla Scrofa: Enduring 1907 eatery famed for fettuccine.
Pier Luigi: fine dining restaurant focused on fish with outdoor seatings.
Ar Galletto: Refined Roman food at a veteran stop overlooking Palazzo Farnese in a beautiful piazza.
Piperno: Enduring, high-end Jewish restaurant for classic dishes amid old-world chandeliers & wood paneling.
Al Moro: famous trattoria, but unfortunately no outside seatings for a summer vibe.
Aroma: Michelin star restaurant, with views on the Colosseum.
Oro Bistro: rooftop terrace serving Mediterranean-inspired menu and offers panoramic views of the city.
In Trastevere
Der Belli Osteria: a mix of Sardinian and Roman cuisine, tucked in a small piazza with outdoor seating.
Osteria La Gensola: casual settings for Roman specialities with outdoor seatings.
Tonnarello: very low key, but amazing Roman food and tiramisù.
Trattoria Da Teo: Ivy-clad trattoria for seasonal specialties in an intimate, rustic dining room with outdoor seating for the summer heat.
Taverna Trilussa: High-end, rustic taverna decorated with legs of prosciutto, famed for pasta served in steel pans.
Antica Pesa: High-end Roman restaurant & celebrity haunt for romantic fine dining in cozy rooms or walled garden.
In Testaccio
Angelina a Testaccio: very famous for grilled meat and desserts, while eating on a rooftop garden.
Felice a Testaccio: despite having no outside tables, it is considered the best “Cacio & Pepe” pasta in the city.
SWEETS IN ROME
Gelateria del Teatro: good gelato in nice piazza in the city center.
Antica Gelateria Pasticceria Giolitti: great spot for amazing gelato.
Ciampini: nice day-coffee spot & apertivo plus Sabine’s favourite gelato spot (try the marron glace’).
Pompi: well-known tiramisu spot in Rome.
Venchi: famous chocolate store, serving also ice cream.
Otaleg: ice cream shop in Trastevere.
Gay Odin: famous chocolate shop from Naples.