Tour Rome in 2-5 Days

After much walking and sight seeing the first two days, we recommend using the morning of the 3rd day for shopping. Shopping in Rome does not involve vast shopping malls. The unique eccentricities of shopping in Rome are ound here. If however you have a taste for more culturally oriented activities the morning of the 3rd day, we invite you to visit St. Mary of the Angels and Martyrs found to the north of the impressive Piazza della Repubblica.

Piazza della Reppublica

Why not have an Italian style breakfast at one of the famous and chic cafès circling the piazza? It is an excellent way to start the morning and gives you the opportunity to admire the impressive Fountain of the Naiads. This is one of our top things to do while staying in Rome and should be done at least twice before you leave. After finishing your cornetto and cappuccino, you simply need to walk over to the other side of the road to visit…

St. Mary of the Angels and Martyrs

St. Mary of the Angels and Martyrs and the Baths of Diocletian, the two for one special. Both the church and the remains of the baths are in the same spot, the church having been built from the tepidarium of these vast public baths. For lovers and followers of Michaelangelo, this church best represents his impressive talent to create and transform the basic into the extraordinary. His ability to achieve such architectural harmony within a predefined space has rarely been reproduced elsewhere. The baths occupied a large and impressive area of the city, and were the grandest of all the public paths during 306 – 537A.D. With the advent of Christianity, the baths were converted into a church and an impressive one at that. An added feature is the Meridian line commissioned by Pope Clement XI, which features a thin ray of light entering the church around noon each day. While in the church please pay close attention to your belongings, at no point leaving them unguarded, as there maybe pickpockets around.

Via Nazionale

Via Nazionale is the wide, store-lined street directly infront of the church and is one of the main arteries in Rome. It is well worth the time to pass along this street if you are looking for lower priced but still high quality goods. It also gives us a good excuse to introduce you to a shop known as Castroni. This little gem was once found only near St. Peters but fate has smiled upon us and they have opened a store on Via Nazionale. We are sooo enthused by this place because its filled with the best products from Italian cuisine and there is a hip cute bar where you can grab a bite to eat. More on Castroni is found here.

Santa Maria della Concezione

From Via Nazionale we recommend visiting a small church, found on Via Veneto called Santa Maria della Concezione. Before you assume this is just another church amongst the multitude in Rome, take a look downstairs of the church. The Capuchin Crypt is located underneath the actual church and contains the bones of the monks of this religious order, skilfully and artistically arranged in various elaborate designs. The entire crypt contains the bones of  around 4,000 friars, placed here between 1500-1870. It is truly a unique place and the reverence befitting the final resting place of these souls is expected.

Via Veneto

Via Veneto itself is famous for its place in pop culture due to the film La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini. The street comes alive at night especially and has some of the most exclusive and luxurious hotels in the city of Rome. The majority of restaurants are encased in glass, allowing you to watch and be watched  by the crowds of people who pass along this street. Our section in restaurants gives you the many options available here from grabbing a quick sandwich to a sumptuous four course meal.

Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is your next stop after lunch and can be accessed through its numerous entrances. One of the main entrances at the top of Via Veneto is the main path to follow to reach the world famous Borghese Gallery. Bookings should be made in advance and the ways to do so are listed here. The gallery, once the residence of the Borghese family is one of the premier museums of Rome hosting such works by Canova (Pauline as Venus), Bernini (David), Caravaggio and other great masters.

Besides the museum, the vast park plays host to numerous other attractions such as fountains, sculptures and monuments.  The Silvano Toti Theatre is based upon The Globe Theatre in London, in the summer it features many different theatrical acts in an open air setting. Exploring the park is a special treat for both locals and tourists alike and on the weekends it becomes a favourite picnic spot for many families.

Trevi Fountain

After what should be a relaxing afternoon in the park, exit the same way you came in and head back down Via Veneto to Piazza Barberini. To complete the afternoon we absolutely endorse visting the Trevi Fountain. Hold your breath and be transported into a mythical world, where Neptune majestically rides the water in his shell chariot pulled by two tempermental hippocamps. Two Tritons expertly guide the hippocamps, one ceremoniously blowing a conch shell as if to proclaim the impending arrival of the God of the  Sea. Why not selfishly enjoy this monument by visiting again during one of your late night strolls?

Campo di Fiori

Campo di Fiori is a popular square in the centre of Rome during both the day and night. This is because in the daylight hours it becomes a colourful, vibrant market teeming with colours, scents and tastes, both Italian and international. Vendors invite you to sample their merchandise before buying and it is here you can see the age old tradition of Italian ladies buying their groceries from their favourite vendors. As the sun sets, the vendors meticulously pack up their merchandise, the bars begin to put out their chairs and tables and street performers begin their nightly shows. The small square seems to burst at its seams, becoming a hive of activity well into the early morning hours. Apperitivo and dinner can be had here or in the streets surrounding the square.

Palazzo Farnese

Before or after dinner you can nip into the square behind Campo di Fiori to see the beautiful Farnese palace owned by the French embassy. On some nights the windows of the middle floor are left open for all to admire a breathtakingly complicated and intricate fresco, stretching the length of the ceiling.

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