The Colosseum!
by CandS
Make sure you visit the Colosseum! It is just amazing to walk up from the underground station and as soon as you get to the top of the stairs you find this fantastic old thing standing in front of you...wow! I almost fell over backwards!
We even had our photos taken with 'real' gladiators out the front...but make sure you don't pay the price they want, if you haggle a bit they WILL drop the price!
The Colosseum was built in 72AD. It once held 80,000 people while they watched gladiator combat games and wild animal shows. It is hard to believe that now though since it is fairly ruined on the inside. We thought it would be much bigger too (from the Gladiator movie) but it was still fantastic to see!!
It costed us L10,000 for entry into the Colosseum but it is well worth a look... Especially when you can follow along a tour and listen in to their information.
Opening times for the Colosseum are: Summer Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday 9 am to 7 pm, Wednesday and Sunday 9 am to 2 pm. Winter it closes 1 hour before sunset.
To get there, take the metro to Colosseo.
Sunscreen and shoes
by oneonta_ni
Definitely bring a couple pairs of comfortable shoes. I generally wear one pair during the day and the second in the evening to give my feet a break. The next day, I wear the second pair all day and the first pair all evening. Even though you are in the city, it is very wise to wear sunscreen in Rome in the summer. Places like the Forum have very little shade and can be very hot during the day.
Chocolatier since 1925 is where to stock up!
by Lornabug about Valzani
This street was filled with scaffolding when we first strolled down it at night but I noticed several shops I HAD to return to during the day, this being one of them. What can I say? I'm a sucker for chocolate. If you don't speak Italian you'll just do a lot of pointing: "that one, that one, two of those, that one, a handful there..." while glimpsing at all the weird paintings hanging around.
Chocolate teacups, chocolate covered candied peppers (bell or something I think... mostly tasted like sugar), truffles, pralines, traditional candies for holidays, and my favorites: foil-wrapped chocolate ovals that were deliciously smooth dark chocolate with one of the best spicy aftertastes I've tried (and I always go for the spicy ones!), and pure chocolate medallions to try my hand with at home for some small-scale truffle making day.
The woman was so old and I wished I could have talked to her all day about chocolate making. But at least we managed to find out that she has family near where I live! Unfortunately I didn't figure out whether or not they are carrying on the chocolate tradition. Chocolate teacups, pepper chocolates and pralines. 1-10 euro a piece.
Amazing Italian food in downtown Rome
by pakistanibrain about Ristorante La Gensola
Ristorante La Gensola is a cute little restaurant in downtown Rome. They have an amazing choice of salads, pastas and various other local delicacies. The quality and freshness of the food is also noteworthy.
The waiters are very prompt and entertaining too.
You should definitely try this one out when you visit Rome. Shrimp Salad
Amazing coffee in Rome
by Erin74 about Sant' Eustachio Coffee
I ended up going to Sant' Eustachio for coffee every single day that I was in Rome. It was that good. I'd read online that this was the best place to get coffee in Rome and was not disappointed. The whole cafe smells amazing and is always packed with people. The cappuccino machine is actually screened from view because the cafe guards their recipe so much. Drink your cappuccino standing up at the bar or outside at a table. Also, be sure to buy a bag to take home!
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The fireplace, with glimpse of the dining room
Cat among the ruins
Michelangelo's Moses
Palazzo Massimo - Discobolos of Mirone
