Besides eating and drinking, which I know you're already planning on doing, I spent a day in Rome retracing the steps of the entire Da Vinci Code book, which was a lot of fun at the time because I had just read it. Nerdy fun way to see the city. Otherwise, I'd say go to La Botticella near Piazza Novona and hang out with Gio for the afternoon.

Posted Aug 01, 2012

I just spent a weekend in Rome and hands down my favorite thing my friends and I did was end our long day of tours at the Trevi Fountain making a wish and eating gelato (plus there are some random photo op signs around the fountain that are enough to bring someone to the circle). Have fun!

Posted Aug 01, 2012

Hi, Allison.

My friend who lives and grew up there took me one afternoon to Villa Torlonia. It's a beautiful park with a palace that Mussolini took over sometime from 1920s to 1940s. Americans stayed in the villa in the 40s at the end of WWII and one soldier painted a picture of a man playing a ukulele and a hula dancer. It was fantastic seeing that and knowing the history. The grounds are amazing and it was packed with locals enjoying a sunny afternoon. There's also a little cafe and a bocce ball court. Another interesting home on the grounds is called the House of Owls. Here's the link: http://en.museivillatorlonia.it/museo/editoriale.

I always try and make a stop at the Borghese Gallery. It's such a lovely walk through the park to the museum. My favorite museum is the Museo Nazionale Roma. The top two must sees in this museum, in my opinion, are the frescoed room (all four walls were moved to the museum) of Livia (wife of Augustus) that dates from the 1st century BC and the bronze boxer at rest also from around the 1st century BC (don't quote me on that!).

There is also a great book called City Secrets: Rome that is full of suggestions from architects, artists, chefs etc that also may help in your quest.

Buon viaggio!

Posted Aug 01, 2012

I second the Borghese Museum suggestion. But note that you have to pre-book -- do it online as soon as you know when you'll be there.

Also, think about the tour of the vatican gardens. 10:00 every morning. Buy the ticket online, you zip through the lines outside the vatican and get some awesome views of Rome. Oh - and your tour allows you access to the vatican museum after the tour.

Posted Aug 01, 2012