Relaxing

Since Rome is built on 7 hills, there are a lot of spots where you can admire an unforgettable sunset. One of my favorites is the Quirinale hill.

I usually pass by that place racing on my motorbike, trying to be on time at some appointment in the city center. But, even if I’m late, when I cross the Quirinale Building, my eyes are captured by that amazing view and I have to stop to admire the landscape.

I have a big collection of pictures taken from that spot but the bests are those at sunset. The sun goes down just in front of you and close to San Peter’s church. You will see the skyline of Rome perfectly drawn by the sun. And if there are some clouds in the sky it’s even better.

This is an amazing spot for a wonderful sunset right in the city center and for a wonderful “postcard-photo” to show to your friends.

Sometimes I think that when you are discovering a city and you are probably too tired to walk but not too tired to discover, the best way to fix this issue is by jumping on a bus or tram. Of course you can’t pick one of those touristy and pricey double decker buses, just use public transport.

Tram n19 is one of the longest lines and I think it’s a good way to catch all the Rome diversities because it actually connects many zones that are so different from each other.

Usually people are really jaded after a visit of the Vatican so it’s a thing you can do after, because one of the terminus of this line is in Piazza Risorgimento which is very close to the main entrance of the State.

This line is so strange and interesting because it connects some of the fanciest zones of Rome like Prati or Parioli with the University of La Sapienza and afterwards the Centocelle neighborhood which is where the working class lives. A travel into all Rome’s dissimilarities, so it’s probably one of the best ways to have an idea of how the real Rome is.

IMPORTANT: I think you should do a jump on/off of this line and don’t forget to make a stop at the Coppedè Zone (stop at Buenos Aires).

This line is also useful for many Rome’s highlights such as Vatican, Galleria Nazionale di arte Moderna, Bioparco(Rome’s zoo), Coppedè, Verano, San Lorenzo.

Things that come to mind when you think about Rome are probably the imperial buildings, the Colosseum, Trevi fountain and other famous landmarks, but here is one of my favorite spots of hidden Rome, Quartiere Coppedè. In fact there aren’t many tour guides that speak of this zone called “Quartiere Coppedè. Quartiere means neighborhood, even if it’s not properly one.

Projected by the architect Gino Coppedè between 1913 and 1927 this complex is formed by 18 palazzi (buildings) plus a number of other palazzine that surround the focal point of the zone which is a small square called Piazza Mincio, with a fountain called Fontana delle Rane (fountain of the frogs).

It’s not possible to find a unique architecture style because it’s a mix of the tendencies of that period. In fact it’s possible to find elements of liberty style, art nouveau and baroque and even some medieval characteristics. Coppedè’s target was without any doubt to recreate a unique atmosphere that gives the visitor feelings of joy, chaos and fear. No matter how many times you see the zone, every time you’ll find something new, a small particular that you haven’t seen the previous time.

It is not a coincidence that the father of Italian horror cinema Dario Argento decided to set some of his movies here for its particular mixture of styles.

Getting there: Tram lines 3 and 19 stop at Piazza Buenos Aires and enter in the zone by it’s main entrance represented by a big Arch on Via Tagliamento.

When I need a break from the chaotic city life Villa Borghese park is my destination.

This is the third largest park in Rome and the most central one, in fact it’s really easy getting there with the metro (Spagna or Flaminio Stop on Line A) and in my opinion it’s the most beautiful one.

If the weather is nice you can spend an entire day here in total relaxation. I love having a picnic on the lawn. If I feel sporty I like renting a bike (€ 4 p/hour or € 12/day) or a risciò (€ 10 – 20 depends on the seat numbers) or maybe a boat because there is a little lake with a nice temple in the middle (€ 3 p.person). Then it’s time for some culture! I recommend going to one of the museums in the park like the Galleria Borghese, National Gallery of Modern Art or Bioparco which is the zoological garden of the city.

In this park there is even a theatre called Silvano Toti Globe which is a reproduction of the Globe Theatre in London (Check the event list). 

How to end your visit? Of course with watching the sunset at the Pincio Terrace where you have a breathtaking view of the city’s domes.

This is one of the few view points of the old city. Just behind Villa Borghese park (check the Villa Borghese article) and right above one of the biggest squares of the city, Piazza del Popolo, stands the Pincio terrace.

I come here from time to time. I like to enjoy the majesty of the square below or just to have a glance at the city from a different perspective. I suggest you do the same when you are around here. Try to spot out Saint Peter too. Once you do, check on your map if you were right. You might have confused it with another dome as you can see many from here.

However, the best time to come here, at least for my modest taste is by sunset. The horizon gets a beautiful light and it paints the houses and their roofs and gardens. Then if you have a more romantic event to celebrate, here’s the right spot. Once you have taken the ritual pictures stroll through its gardens and chill out on a bench under a tree. Away from the crowd. Enjoy the tranquility.