A city of fountains
by tompt
Where you walk in Rome you are bound to bump into a fountain. Every (small) square has one, or two. Rome is rich in drinking water and most of the fountains are drinking fountains. If you can not drink the water there is a sign: aqua non potabile.
The pictures shows a very ordinairy fountain in front of the Santa Maria Maggiore at night. More about this church in the must see tips and the travelogue about it.
Piramide di Caio Cestio
by MM212
One of the best preserved ancient structures in Rome, the Pyramid of Caius Cestius was built in 12 BC as a tomb for Caius Cestius. It was modelled after pyramid tombs in Nubia, which was attacked by Rome in 23 BC, and its construction came at a time when the influence of Ancient Egyptian culture on Rome had reached its peak. The pyramid was later incorporated into the Aurelian Wall, now at Piazza di Porta San Paolo, south of the centre of Rome
The cheap way of getting to/from Fiumicino
by puerto_lover
At the main international airport called Leonardo da Vinci or Fiumicino, you can take the train into central Rome using the dedicated Leonardo Express costing €11 one way. This arrives into Termini station which is convenient for central Rome.
For half that cost, (for an adult ) you can take the regular regional train FR1 from the same place. This train runs frequently and calls at stops like Tiburtina, Ostiense, Tuscolana ( Metro interchanges). Also after about 30 minutes it stops at Trastevere Station which is handy for getting into this quarter of Rome. Outside this station, past the parked cars, is the Tram station. Here the Number 8 tram runs along the main road leading all the way through Trastevere and then crosses the Tiber to finish next to the Teatro Argentina just off the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Of course you need a tram ticket (€1 ) and like the railway ticket you should get it date stamped ! Maybe if you take the 1 or 3 day transport pass at the airport, you can get your first experience of using it on the tram here. (You need to pay the €5.50 for the Regional FR1 train though at the airport)
The web link is a map of the regional trains around Rome.
Delizioso homestyle eats from mama Pia!
by jazzdiva about Otello alla Concordia
This place is my favorite in all of Italy. If you're traveling near the Spanish Steps, head down via della Croce, and wander in under the Vespa-lined entry. If it is a nice day, dine outside under the shade of the ancient tree, which with it's broad leaves makes a "roof" for this area. Pia is the sweet woman you'll find sitting at the desk in the outdoor seating area. She can tell you great stories about the days when film director Federico Fellini frequented this family establishment. By the way, the food is fantastico! Orecchiette alle erbe, or any of the pasta and sauces were incredible. I had to go back for another visit during my trip. Catution: once you eat authentic Italian food like this, you'll find it hard to enjoy Italian in American restaurants...even if you live in a place like Chicago, like me.
Splendid steps of Trinita dei Monti
by Karahan
One of the oldest churches of Rome is Trinita dei Monti. When French owners of the church wanted to connect building with Piazza di Spagna, they also wanted to do it splendid. First plan was a statue of a French king actually. But Pope Alexander VII didn't accept those ideas. Around 1720s, Italian architecture Sanctis found a way that makes happy both side. Curved and splendid steps.
It's named as Spanish cause Spanish consulate located there. Spagna subway station is very close to this square and steps. If you're tired or you wanna drink cool water this is right place for you.