Planning Ahead is Good!
by shrimp56
We DID buy a Roma Pass and were very pleased. We used it for the new National Museum near Termini [where we bought it] and for the Forum/Colosseum, then for buses and metro for the 3 days we had it. For the convenience, particularly if you buy it at a less busy venue, it is worth it even if you don't break even.
I had made reservations for The Borghese and the Vatican Museums online and, except for the mayhem at the Borghese in the ticket area it worked well. Our friend had made our dinner reservation at Agate et Romeo. Otherwise we just ate in the smaller restaurants in our 'hood or at cafes along our daily route. You CAN go wrong in Italy, but a simple pizza or pasta is more than likely to be delightful.
Rome in August
by kari5
Rome in August has its advantages. The common advice is simply to avoid the city during August, but I went in August and had a fantastic time. You'll blend in a whole lot better. Why? Before we went, I frantically searched for clothes that I could wear that wouldn't make me "look like a tourist," then stared miserably at my fair skin and thought "I'm going to look like a tourist ... it doesn't matter what I wear." Sure enough, despite my best efforts I arrived in the Eternal City looking like an English holidaymaker, but the wonderful thing was, so did everybody else! Nearly eveyone in Rome in August is a tourist.
Bocca della Verita
by TRimer
One must to do in Rome is to put your hand in the Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth). The Bocca della Verita is located on a wall at Santa Maria in Cosmedin (one of the finest medieval churches in Rome). Legend has it that if you put your right hand into the mouth while telling a lie, it will snap shut. It was made famous in the movie -Roman Holiday.
Santa Maria in Cosmedin was built over the remains of some Roman buildings in the 6th Century. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was originally cared for by Greek monks (the term "cosmedin" derives from the Greek word for "adorn"). It is well known by its tall and beautiful bell tower, but even more so by the Mouth of Truth.
Santa Maria is located on Via dei Cerchi across the street from the Temple of Vesta.
Map of Rome
by Gloke
As it is easy to get lost in all those narrow streets it is definitly not a luxury to have a good map of the city. Once you walked around you will find your way but the first days it always is handy to have a map so you can locate where you are and which way you should go to see all the attractions.
Greatest Food Find in Rome!
by Jmill42 about Buccone
In a 17th-century palazzo, this enoteca is filled from floor to arched ceiling with wines and spirits, all sub-divided by region - prices range from the cheap to a Brunello Riserva at over €500.
But, you MUST come to Buccone's at lunch time, when this enotece turns into a small, hidden, gem of a cafe. It serves quite a varied menu for being such a small establishment. And, of course, BEING a place that sells wine, it does quite well with the selection of beverages!
All kinds of meat and pasta dishes, at very reasonable prices, grace the menu.
The best thing about lunch time here, is that all the locals are here, talking, yelling over wine and great food. It is a great place to take in some local flavor, and its even better if you can understand a little Italian so you can eavesdrop on what they are talking about!
9am-8.30pm Mon-Sat; 10am-7.30pm Sun This was simple:
Get the meat and cheese sampling platter and some wine. If you ask they will match your wine to your food. It was a spectacular meal.
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Oh Boy!
Trevi Fountain
nom nom nom
The Temple of Vesta, Roman Forum, May 2007
