Tips for a Weekend in Rome

One day

Morning
One morning will be dedicated to visiting the Vatican. We recommend that you begin your tour in the early morning, to avoid the huge queues that form at a certain time of the morning outside the Vatican Museums. Remember that you have about three hours available if you want to stick to the itinerary; don’t miss the visit to the Sistine Chapel, that is so splendidly covered in frescoes by Michelangelo. Next, head off to St Peter’s Square where you can see Saint Peter’s Cathedral, the largest church in the world. Leaving the Cathedral behind you, walk along Via della Conciliazione until you get to Castel Sant'Angelo where Hadrian’s Mausoleum is kept. Then go on to Piazza Navona by tram or taxi for lunch. One bit of advice: don’t eat tripe or anything similar if you want to avoid falling asleep on the edge of a fountain in the middle of the afternoon itinerary. You will be able to satisfy all your mad urges for eating whatever you want at dinnertime.

Afternoon
After getting to know Rome as the “city of faith” this is the moment to explore Rome "Caput Mundi" in all its ancient beauty. Let’s start off with the Pantheon, not far from Piazza Navona, a pagan temple that was transformed into a church in 608. From the Pantheon go straight to the Coliseum, the huge amphitheater that is the symbol of Rome. Once you have finished visiting the inside of the Coliseum, head towards the Roman Forum, walking along Via dei Fori Imperiali. If you still have time you can choose between a visit to the Palatine hill, the first center of this city and home to many emperors or to the Circus Maximus or the Domus Aurea.

Evening
Trastevere is the ideal place to savor the true essence of Roman nightlife. Join the crowds walking along the alleyways and stop off in a few of the typical coffee shops that are crowded with people.
 

DAY 2
Morning
Try to wake up early, but not too early: today’s itinerary is tough too, so it’s better to begin the day a bit later rather than being worn out in the afternoon.
As a first stop, we suggest the famous, spectacular Trevi Fountain: allow yourself to join in the obligatory ritual for any decent tourist of throwing a coin into the fountain. Then go on to Piazza di Spagna by taxi or tram and admire the fantastic Spanish Steps. From here you can have a rest from all this culture by taking a walk down the elegant Via Condotti to admire the luxurious shop windows. If you are feeling more Bohemian than fashion victim, why not take a walk down Via Margutta, the famous street of artists.
The last stop this morning is the magnificent Piazza del Popolo. Choose one of the restaurants in Rome nearby and have a bite to eat.

Afternoon
Your afternoon will be dedicated to visiting Villa Borghese and the splendid Gallery of the same name. You can also have coffee in the picturesque Casina Valadier and then towards sunset, you can enjoy the splendid view of Rome from the panoramic terrace of the Pincio.

Evening
Time for a quick dinner and then it is time to leave. Unless, of course, you don’t want to stay longer and call the hotel in Rome that you chose and book another night in the Eternal City.
 

Others Ideas for a weekend in Rome

Exploring Rome's Markets

Porta Portese, located near Trastevere, is open every Sunday starting at 5am and closes around 2pm.
There is also a Porta Portese 2, located near via Prenestina and via Togliatti. It is a much smaller version of the original, but you can still buy most everything. It is open every Sunday from 6am-2pm.
Another famous market is the Mercato di via Sannio. This market is less chaotic than Porta Portese, but not much less since the spectator also has to maneuver through a stream of cars, as well as people, on via Sannio. It specializes mainly in clothes. Here, you'll be able to find good second-hand, as well as new, clothes in what looks like a maze of little garden shacks. The Mercato di via Sannio is located near San Giovanni on, you guessed it, via Sannio. It is open 10am-1:30pm Mon-Fri; 10am-2pm Sat.
Borghetto Flaminio is open every Sunday 10-7. You can find a little bit of everything here. It is a short walk from Piazza del Popolo, or you can take the number 2 tram from Piazzale Flaminio. It is located across the street from Piazza della Marina, in an old garage. There is also a small entry charge of about €2. Some of the less famous markets are not open every week. Some open the first Sunday of the month, some the third, some are supposed to be open the fourth Sunday, but aren't. Some still advertise but no longer exist. Of these is the market in Piazza Verdi. This is one of the nicer markets to walk around in and deals mainly in antiques. There are bargains to be found here, so it's best to arrive early in the morning. It is open from sunup to sundown on the fourth Sunday of the month.
On the second Sunday of the month, you can venture to Anticaglie a Villa Glori, located on Viale Maresciallo Pilsudski, in Parioli. Here you'll find a large assortment of antique porcelain vases, furniture and paintings. It is open Sat-Sun 9-8.
Rome's markets are densely crowded, so much so that it might be a good idea to put a lubricant on your clothes so you can squeeze through the people. Also, if you don't plan on buying anything, you should leave your wallet at home, but if you do take your wallet, keep it well guarded. There are pickpockets and other such evil forces everywhere.
Others Weekly Markets: Little Market of Borgo Parioli, Via Tirso 14 to Via Metauro 21, Sat and Sun:10am-8pm, Closed 4th Sunday of the month, Antique vases, books, furniture, jewelry, silver; Market of Fontanella Borghese, Piazza Borghese, Mon-Sat: 9am-7pm, Antique books, prints, jewelry; Porta Portese, Viale Trastevere, Sunday: 5am-2pm, A lot of everything; Portaportese 2, Between Via Togliatti and Via Prenestina, Metro stop Anagnina, Sunday: 6am-2pm, A little of everything; Mercato di Via Sannio, Via Sannio (San Giovanni neighborhood), Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm, Clothes and accessories.
Others Monthly Markets: First Sunday, Ponte Milvio, Lungotevere Capoprati, Flaminio; Second Sunday: Villa Chigi,Via Valnerina, 7:30am-sunset, Antique illustrated books, art, magazines.
 

Visiting the Botanical garden

When the columns and the frescoes begin to leave you cold, there is an undiscovered gem nestled beneath the heights of Gianicolo: The Botanical Gardens of Rome. Situated near the Bohemian maze of streets that make up Trastevere, the Gardens represent an oasis of calm within the Metropolitan craziness. From the ancient Via della Lungara leads a small, quiet street lined with palms from which the gates of the Gardens are almost imperceptible. Upon entrance you will see the ticket cabin, your last reminder of modern technologies. You’ll be greeted by a warm Roman smile as you are handed a brief map and guide for the sights you are about to see. The Gardens start subtly. The plants are small and familiar. However, as you begin to walk the grandeur of the Fontana dei Tritoni will immediately catch your eye. The fountain consists of two intricately sculptured Tritons built around 1750 by Fuga. Here you can see paddling the family of exotically coloured ducks that call the Gardens home. Further along the path comes the Rose Garden. Many of the species date from the Baroque Period (during the 17th and 18th centuries) at the time of the Gardens establishment. Next, there is a collection of ferns both European and East Asian in origin. A hickory tree and some maples sway above them. Continuing the Asian theme is the Bamboo section, which comes with its own guide book (available at the ticket office). The “Rocky Garden” is a special collection of plants that grow in high mountainous areas such as the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, Himalayas, Caucasus, Andes and Rocky Mountains. The group of plants from the Apennines provide a specific example of the flora of Central Italy. Through this rocky area wind ornamental irises rich with vibrant colour. Nearby stands the beautiful Renaissance splendour of the Fountain of Aqua Paola. Another perfect place to stand and contemplate. A panorama of Rome can be spectacularly viewed from the minimal surroundings of The Japanese Garden. This recent addition to the Gardens (constructed between 1990 and 1994) features a 17th century niche and leads on towards a wooden area that is the only remnant of the forest that once covered the city. Here can be seen a tree of almost 500 years of age. The history of Rome’s Botanical Garden The garden Originated in 1511 when an ancient family of Dukes and Cardinals, The Riaro Family, built the actual Palazzo Corsini on the eastern side of Gianicolo hill. Christine of Sweden lived here from 1659 till 1689. In 1736, the palace was bought from the Corsini family (Pope Clemente XII’s family), at the price of 70,000 Roman shields. The garden was donated to the State by the Corsini family, in 1872, and was then opened as a botanical garden. Today the palace is the site of the Galleria Corsini and the National Accademy of Lincei. The Botanical Garden of Rome is an oasis of bio-diversity, in which slow and constant evolution is respected, according the creator’s, biologist Ronaldo Pirotta’s, intentions. The aim of the garden is the study and conservation of genetic diversity and the evaluation of environmental education. The collection of plants from every continent, sub-tropical regions, temperate and cold ones, actually contains around 3,500 species cultivated in open gardens or in greenhouses. There are important permanent collections of Cactus, water plants, carnivorous plants, orchids and palms. The garden also has some temporary exhibitions of tropical flowers and artistic pictures of flowers.

 

Discovering Castelli Romani

The Castelli Romani are, above all, a very significant element of the Roman collective imagination, since they fully embody the idea of enjoyment - drinking and eating together in a friendly atmosphere while being kissed by a bright sun. In short, they give voice to the true Roman soul, a sunny-natured disposition.

Let’s get to know them better!

Thirteen hill towns have grown through the centuries within a vast volcanic area, just a few miles south of Rome, along Via Appia. It’s been ages since the city’s dwellers, whether rich or poor, aristocrat or proletarian, passed their weekends or holidays in this lovely spot. Obviously different has always been the way to spend their time, in accordance with their own means.

Patrician families of ancient Rome as well as the nobility during the Renaissance and the wealthy people today have planned to build some beautiful villas here to forget the frantic city life. Madorno and Bernini, for instance, were asked to design some magnificent villas and palaces in the countryside or in some of the villages around.

On the contrary, the common people have always left Rome for a day to spend time outdoors, drinking the fine and strong local wine and eating the typical dishes (such as ‘Porchetta’, the roast pork and herbs to eat in a sandwich).

Anyway, all the social distinctions are ironed out in the shared admiration of the wonderful environment: hills and valleys, rich in woods and vineyards, will amaze everybody. The two crater lakes of Albano and Nemi, with the small villages, Castelgandolfo and Nemi, looking onto them, are a delightful view of lush vegetation combined with graceful human work, while the sunset on the valley below Nemi is really worth seeing.

Like much Italian scenery, modernity has spoilt it. Sometimes there’s so much traffic in the streets you have to get away even from those small towns to rest on some green spot. You may reach Tuscolo then, at the top of Frascati’s hill. Here the ancient ruins of the Latin town Tusculum can be seen, fenced off but quite evocative even from a distance. Moreover, a wonderful panorama of the valley appears below your feet. Don’t forget to take your lunch up here! A fully equipped area has been created for cooking and eating on the spot; benches with tables and types of barbecues are waiting for you in the park. Buy the wine in one of the many hosterie or cantine along the street and you’ll be ready to experience the typical Sunday "a li Castelli."

Villa Ada
 

While strolling on the natural pathways in the largest park in Rome, you’ll certainly agree with a passer-by’s sentence written on his t-shirt: “work less.” It seems good advice to show off while riding your bicycle with children, like that happy father in his slender free time!

You can enjoy your spare time in different ways at Villa Ada Park, since renting bicycles, canoes, or ponies are just some of the activities to welcome you. You’ll be spoiled by the choices indeed: does your weight worry you? And you long to slim down? The Town Council has set up a series of free gym lessons surrounding the pool every Sunday. Should you, on the contrary, be a lazy person, you can peacefully read your newspaper while your dog is busy running after some friends. Never canoed in your life? It’s time to learn, then, enrolling in a canoe course on the pool! Unless you are allergic to pollen, it’s really pleasant in the spring to walk around the park, discovering some almost secluded spots.

Villa Ada Park is 450 acres wide, definitely not a little green garden, that also includes “Monte Antenne,” a 67 meter high hill, which is an ancient archaeological site. Unfortunately, the hill was almost destroyed in 1870 when a fort was built there to defend the new capital.
The ancient Antenne (which in Latin means “before the river”) was a small town overlooking the Tiber. It was in a strategic position, but doomed to yield to the great power of Rome. To reach Monte Antenne now, go through the many gates on via Salaria, and turn left at the military barracks on via Ponte Salario. Then the road goes up hill, until it ends. Park your car, and go the rest of the way on foot. Forte Antenne still stands on top of the hill, almost completely covered by rich vegetation. Peeping through its old main door, a long silent passage appears in the dark, offering a mysterious atmosphere to the environment. Up the hill, a wonderful forest of pine trees thrives.
But we need more sunlight now. Let’s go down the hill, to the pool. Here, the air is fresh and the water reflects the bright sky above. On summer nights, interesting concerts are arranged not far from the pond. The name of the cultural initiative is Villa Ada incontra il Mondo, that is “Villa Ada meets the world,” and ethnic music governs these concerts with African, Mediterranean, Southern Italian, and Indian sounds. A weekly card can be purchased, and it’s really worth it!
Far from lacking artistic value (like the most famous Villa Borghese or Villa Pamphili), the park is mostly interesting for its natural heritage. There are a lot of rare trees that have been planted here, such as the palmet, a species of sequoia imported from Tibet long ago, and some peculiar pink mimosas. The woody part of the Villa is crowded with squirrels.

Should you be curious to know the origin of the woman’s name given to the park, it is due to the Count Tellfner who, in 1878, owned the whole area and dedicated it to his wife Ada. A few years later the royal Savoy family regained possession of the park, which became their private residence. But the name remained the same. At present, Villa Ada is part public (controlled by the Council of Rome) and part private, but the Town Council has made a formal claim to take ownership of the whole area. What used to be the royal villa is now the seat of the Egyptian Embassy.

When exiting along via Ponte Salario, and walking down the hill, a beautiful Roman mosque appears. Just take a look at it, it’s quite a spectacular sight, plunged in the greenery and overlooking the Tiber valley. You’ll probably feel tired at the end of such a natural tour, but hold out! Coming back through one of via Salaria’s gates, you won’t believe your eyes! Standing in the grass, a gigantic table and chair will amaze you. It's an iron work of art placed in the middle of a beautiful valley inviting you to put off going back to work for just a little longer and relax in such a lovely spot.