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Sample Lists - Top 10 Guide to Rome
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The Top 10 Fountains of Rome
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| In Rome there are even more fountains than churches. Water gurgles, gushes, and sprays, in thousands. Most of them serve as the centerpieces of the innumerable piazzas spread throughout the city. "Meet me at the fountain" is heard a million times a day. |
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| 1. Trevi Fountain. |
| In the 1950s, movies like "Three Coins in a Fountain" epitomized the romance of Rome for a generation of young people. Of course, the title referred to the Trevi, completed in 1762, and the star of other classic films, such as "Roman Holiday" and "La Dolce Vita." Legend says that if you throw a coin into this fountain, you will be assured a return to the Enternal City. |
| Piazza Fontana di Trevi |
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| 2. Fontana dei Fiumi. |
| Bernini's spectacular fountain in the center of the Piazza Navona features the world's four great rivers as they were known in the mid-1600s: the Ganges, the Danube, the Nile and the River Plate. A powerful piece of sculpture, marking one of Rome's most beautiful piazzas, the Fontana dei Fiumi is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon. |
| Piazza Navona |
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| 3. Piazza San Pietro. |
| There is a pair of marvelous fountains in this huge piazza. The first was designed by Maderno in 1614. Its twin was built later. A great place to rest after a tour of the basilica. |
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| 4. Fontana della Barcaccia. |
| Located at the foot of the Spanish Steps, this Baroque fountain is often hidden by the hordes of tourists who crowd the piazza. The "leaking boat" is the charming symbol of one of Rome's stylish shopping areas. Don't be surprised if you see a bride in full wedding regalia being photographed in front of the fountain while tourists, taxis, and horse drawn carriages bustle in the background. |
| Piazza di Spagna |
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| 5. Fontana della Tartarughe |
| Built by several sculptors between 1581 and a century later, this graceful fountain in Trastevere depicts handsome youths helping tortoises into a basin. If you like fountains, it's worth a visit when you're in the neighborhood. |
| Piazza Mattei |
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| 6. Piazza della Bocca della Verita Fountain |
| An 18th century fountain, its water spills over a craggy rock formation where two tritons hold up a gigantic shell. Across the street is one of Rome's more fun attractions, the Bocca della Verita. |
| Piazza della Bocca della Verita |
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| 7. Fontana delle Naiadi |
| When this fountain was installed in the Piazza della Repubblica in 1901, its four nude bronze nymphs caused a scandal. Today you would yawn at the idea if you weren't dodging the taxis and buses circling the piazza. |
| Piazza della Repubblica |
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| 8. Piazza del Popolo |
| Piazza del Popolo is at the confluence of the trio of streets that make up Rome's most elegant shopping area. In the center are marble lions and fountains surrounding an imposing central obelisk. This is one of the best rendevous points in Rome, so you've got to know where it is. |
| Piazza del Popolo |
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| 9. Fontana del Tritone |
| A Bernini masterpiece that sits in the busy Piazza Barberini near Via Veneto, while its little sister, the Fontana delle Api, also by Bernini, sits quietly in a corner of the square. Make the effort. |
| Piazza Barberini |
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| 10. Fountain of the Four Tiaras |
| Hidden behind the grand colonnade of St. Peter's, this charming fountain was designed by Lombardi and erected in the early 20th century. It's on the side with the Vatican post office. |
| Piazza San Pietro |
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The Top 10 Gardens In And Around Rome
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| One of the wonderful things about Rome is that it's always green, even in the winter. Along with the burnished pastels of the ancient buildings, the umbrella-shaped Mediterranean pines guarantee a calm and cool respite to the traveler, even on the hottest summer days. No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to one of the city's spectacular gardens. |
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| 1. Villa Borghese Gardens. |
| The Villa Borghese is actually a pleasure garden laid out in the early 17th century. Rome's version of Central Park, with more old-world romance, and a great place to walk and jog. |
| Viale Delle Belle Arte |
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| 2. Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo). |
| The Janiculum is famous for its spectacular views of the city, as well as its lunchtime puppet shows. |
| Viale Aldo Fabrizi |
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| 3. The Botanical Gardens |
| Behind the Palazzo Corsini, the Botanical Gardens (Orto Botanico) are known for their impressive collection of orchids, ferns and cactuses. |
| Via Corsini, Janiculum Hill |
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| 4. The Vatican Gardens |
| The Vatican Gardens extend for forty acres behind St. Peter's. Tours can be booked with the Vatican Information Office, south side of Piazza San Pietro, 06-69884466. |
| Vatican City |
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| 5. Aventine Hill |
| There is a little park on the Aventine Hill, next to the ancient church of Santa Sabina. From the overlook, the view of Rome and St. Peter's is wonderful. |
| Via di Santa Sabina |
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| 6. The Villa Doria Pamphilj |
| Rome's largest public park was laid out in the mid-17th century. The park is popular with joggers and dog lovers. |
| Via di San Pancrazio |
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| 7. The Pincio Gardens |
| These gardens offer one of the best views of Rome from the terrace overlooking the Piazza del Popolo. The gardens are separated from the gardens of the Villa Borghese by ancient walls. |
| Above Piazza del Popolo, Pincio Hill |
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| 8. The Parco del Celio |
| On the Celian Hill, this park contains the beautiful 16th century Villa Celimontana in its center. |
| Viale del Parco del Celio |
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| 9. The Farnese Gardens |
| On the Palatine Hill, these gardens date back to the 16th century and held one of the first botanical gardens in Europe. |
| Via di San Gregorio |
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| 10. The Colle Oppio park |
| Though small, it offers wonderful views of the Colosseum and contains the ruins of Nero's Golden House and the Baths of Trajan. |
| Viale Domus Aurea
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The Top 10 Renaissance Sites In Rome
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| Artists, architects and craftsmen, such as Michelangelo, Bramante, Raphael, and Cellini resided in Rome during the Renaissance. When the headquarters of the pope returned to the city, Rome was transformed by the world's best artists. |
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| 1. The Tempietto |
| Bramante completed this first Renaissance building in Rome on the site where St. Peter is believed to have been crucified. |
| San Pietro in Montorio |
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| 2. Palazzi in the Campo de Fiori area |
| The streets around the Campo deFiori are filled with Renaissance palazzi, including the Villa Farnese by Michelangelo. |
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| 3. Via Giulia |
| This beautiful street is lined with grand Renaissance palaces. |
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| 4. Santa Maria del Popolo church |
| A typical Renassiance church, it houses two Caravaggio paintings and a chapel by Raphael. |
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| 5. The Sistine Chapel |
| The summit of Renaissance art. |
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| 6. The Raphael Rooms at the Vatican Museum |
| Raphael was Michelangelo's great rival and these frescoed rooms demonstrate why. |
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| 7. The Pieta by Michelangelo |
| Commissioned for St. Peter's; one of Michelangelo's first works, it helped to establish his reputation as a genius. |
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| 8. Palazzo dei Convertendi |
| Parts of the earlier Palazzo Caprini by Bramante survive here, near the Vatican. |
| Via della Conciliazione 43 |
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| 9. Palazzo del Cancelleria |
| This is a splendid example of Renaissance architecture. |
| Piazza della Cancelleria |
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| 10. Villa Farnesina |
| This palace was built for banker Agostino Chigi and is one of the earliest true Renaissance villas. |
| Via della Lungara 230 |
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Top 10 Places To Eat With A View Of Rome
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| 1. Castel Sant'Angelo Snack Bar |
| A more casual location and a wonderful place to break from a day of sightseeing. The food is good and the view is stupendous. |
| Lungotevere Castello near the Vatican |
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| 2. The Hassler Roof Restaurant, Hassler Hotel. |
| This restaurant is an elegant eaterie. Very expensive, very beautiful, very romantic. A gorgeous view of the city from its perch atop the Spanish Steps. |
| Piazza Trinita dei Monti, 6. Tel 06 6782651 |
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| 3. The Forum Hotel. |
| Its sunny rooftop terrace offers wonderful views of the Forum and Colosseum. |
Via Tor di Conti, 25,
Tel. 06 6792446 |
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| 4. La Pergola at The Cavalieri Hilton. |
| With its panoramic view of the city, this restaurant has been declared the best in Rome. Save this one for a special night out. Unless you are staying at the Hilton, on the Monte Mario Hill, you will need to take a taxi. |
Via A. Cadlolo,101,
Tel. 06 35091 |
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| 5. La Terrazza at The Eden Hotel. |
| If it's a view you are looking for, this is one of the best in the center of Rome. La Terazza is a place for a lovely, and expensive, evening out. |
Via Ludovisi, 49,
Tel. 06 47812752 |
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| 6. The Domus Aventina Hotel bar. |
| Located on the Aventine Hill in a restored convent, the hotel overlooks the church of Santa Prisca. A quiet, serene setting. Drop in after a long day of sightseeing. |
Via di Santa Prisca 11B,
Tel. 06 5746135 |
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| 7. The Piazzale Garibaldi trattorias. |
| Up on the Janiculum Hill, where the puppet shows reign, the trattorias and coffee bars that overlook the city are pleasant places to stop for a drink or a snack. |
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| 8. The Capitolini Museum Café. |
| It's nice to know there is a museum café that offers food for hungry visitors, as well as food for their souls with its wonderful view of old Rome. |
| Piazza Campodoglio |
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| 9. Zodiaco bar, Monte Mario. |
| Can't afford the Cavalieri Hilton, but want a similar view from Monte Mario? Go to the Zodiaco bar near the intersection of Viale Trianfale and the Panoramica road. It's a romantic late night spot for a final drink before calling it a night. |
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| 10. The Minerva Hotel (Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza) |
| Views from its roof terrace restaurant/bar include the Pantheon, St. Peter's and the Janiculum hill. |
| Piazza della Minerva, 69, Tel. 06 6841888 |
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The Top 10 Romantic Places To Meet For A Drink
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| 1. Le Grand Bar, St. Regis Grand Hotel |
| An elegant, old world ambience. |
| Via Vittorio Emanuele Orlando 3 |
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| 2. Harry's Bar |
| Reminiscent of the 1950s La Dolce Vita era. |
| Via Veneto 150 |
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| 3. The bar at Piazzale delle Muse |
| Nice view in an elegant neighborhood. |
| Off Viale Parioli |
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| 4. The Bar at the Cavalieri Hilton Hotel |
| A beautiful bar with a spectacular panoramic view of the city. |
| Via A. Cadlolo, 101 |
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| 5. Zodiaco Bar on Monte Mario |
| Sit outside and enjoy the marvelous view. |
| Via Trionfale at Panoramica Rd. |
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| 6. Tre Scalini |
| A good place for a drink outside in Rome's most beautiful piazza. |
| Piazza Navona |
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| 7. The Excelsior Hotel Lobby Bar |
| Elegant, traditional, expensive. |
| Via Veneto at Via Ludovisi |
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| 8. The Eden Hotel |
| Just the name of this expensive hotel alone is evocative of romance. |
| Via Ludovisi, 49 |
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| 9. Rosati ristorante |
| It's always romantic to sit drinking a Campari, overlooking the great piazza in the company of the literary lights and celebrities of Rome. |
| Piazza del Popolo |
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| 10. The Antico Caffé Greco |
| How romantic this is depends on how many beautiful presents he bought for her on the elegant Via Condotti. |
| Via Condotti, 86 |
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