Historic Sites in Italy

"No visit to Rome is complete without briefly leaving Italy to light a candle in St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Almost all of the great Renaissance architects and artists had a hand in its design and it can be visited for free. There is a papal audience every Wednesday morning while on Sundays at noon the pope imparts his blessing on crowds for the Angelus."

"A breakfast buffet with Italian delicacies was served daily on the rooftop restaurant, that enjoys views of St Peter’s Basilica. The neighborhood was lovely with the Vatican and a metro stop just steps away. There was also a great choice of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby."

"At the time of its creation, this was the largest amphitheater of its day, having been able to hold 50,000 to 80,000 spectators!. Built as a giant centerpiece right in the heart of the ancient city of Rome, Emperor Vespasian saw to the construction of the Colosseum, which was built somewhere between 70- 80 A.D…. Though partly in ruin, much of the structure is available to visit and take in."

"After ducking into a bar (aka coffeeshop) for a traditional Italian breakfast of a cappuccino and a pastry, head directly to the Colosseum to soak in some incredible history! It’s impossible to get lost heading here–take the metro to the stop marked “Colosseum”, and it will practically smack you in the face as you walk out of the station."

"The most famous sight in all of Rome is its ancient gladiatorial arena, the Colosseum. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the 2,000-year-old structure once held up to 50,000 spectators. As the site of epic gladiator battles, roaring crowds and jeering emperors, the historic atmosphere of this bloody arena is palpable."

"Villa Borghese is one of the most famous parks in Rome and one that tourists have discovered a long time ago. Indeed, it deserves its fame: the park is wonderful!. Located right in the city centre (one of its entrances is just beside Piazza del Popolo), Villa Borghese is vast and has something for everyone."

"Among the most important Rome parks, there is Villa Borghese. It is probably the most famous Roman villa, due to its very central location near the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto, once the very heart of the “Dolce Vita”. It has an area of roughly 80 hectares."

"The Jewish Museum of Rome, or Museo Ebraico di Roma, is housed in the Great Synagogue of Rome. The museum is focused on exhibits dedicated to the history of Jewish people in Rome dating back to the second century. The museum also showcases a collection of art created by Jewish artists."

"One of the grandest triumphal arches erected by a Roman emperor, this richly decorated monument was built in AD 203 to celebrate Severus's…"

"Towering over green fields, this 2nd-century villa is one of Rome's unsung splendours. It was the luxurious abode of two consuls, the Quintili brothers, but its splendour was in fact their downfall. The emperor Commodus had them both killed, taking over the villa for himself. The emperor added to the complex and the ruins are fabulously impressive. The highlight is the well-preserved baths complex with a pool, caldarium (hot bath) and frigidarium (cold bath). There's also a small museum with good exhibits."

"Piazza Navona was built on the plan of Domitian’s stadium, the athletics stadium from the 1st century. Remnants can be viewed under Piazza Navona. Via di Tor Sanguigna, 3"

"Just a few steps from busy Piazzale degli Eroi and Metro Cipro in Prati, La Nicchia Cafe is a smart yet simple cafe serving healthy food at the right price. One of the Nicchia Cafe hallmarks is high quality, fresh ingredients, so expect your lunch to change with the seasons. From chunky sandwiches to crisp salads, avocado toast to fresh smoothies and juices, the food is a rainbow of seasonal goodness."

"La Nicchia Cafe is a healthy eating establishment, located by the Cipro metro station and the Vatican Museums. The menu has vegan and vegetarian options such as fresh salads, avocado toasts and gourmet sandwiches, made from local and organic ingredients. A local favorite for tour guides and local employees, with good prices and friendly English-speaking staff."

"A Roman tradition, Sant’ Eustachio is tucked in a tiny piazza near the Pantheon. Grab an espresso to gear up for your adventures in this area. Local tip: A really cool thing to see nearby (other than the Pantheon) is the Biblioteca Angelica, one of the oldest public libraries in Europe and a stunning place to soak in some history."

"Let’s begin our coffee trip to this historical bar, located in the city center, near Pantheon and Navona Square area. Sant’Eustachio bar is an ancient coffee shop that started operating under the name of “Caffè e Latte” back in 1800. Nowadays owners’ aim is to offer a high-quality service, using South America coffee beans."

"Café Sant Eustachio Rome is known for its bustling café culture, and this is simply one of the best there. Great coffee, a great location next to the Pantheon, a cozy atmosphere, and unique coffee combinations!"

"Address: Via del Portico d'Ottavia 1Head to Rome's Jewish quarter (ghetto ebraico) and -- if you look closely, there's no sign on the door -- you'll find Forno Boccione, a Jewish bakery that makes a show-stopping crostata di ricotta e visciole, or ricotta and sour cherry pie. A little research told me there are many ways to make this dessert, but I think that Forno Boccione has it down to a science: the pie is sliced into generous slabs, not elegant slices -- they're not messing around here, guys -- with a tall, just sweet-enough ricotta filling. The cherries are cooked until soft and jammy, and contrast beautifully with the flavor and color of the ricotta."

"Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 1 (Jewish Quarter) Sunday – Friday 8am – 7.30pmBOCCIONElanticoforno. Insider tip: a little hold in the wall bakery in the Jewish Ghetto, they serve delicacies that date back to ancient traditions. This family run business is the worst kept secret in Rome, with no sign on the door you have to follow your sense of smell."

"Italians love to finish a meal with a homey tart like they often eat at grandma’s house. Although not ubiquitous in the city, you’ll find this dessert on many menus in the Jewish Ghetto and at pastry shops. It has ricotta cheese and visciole (sour cherry), two flavours that perfectly complement each other and call to mind a blueberry cheesecake."

"For more than three centuries, Rome’s Jewish community was confined to a walled ghetto along the Tiber River. The squalid buildings are long gone, but a historic ghetto-era bakery survives on what has become the transformed neighborhood’s broad main thoroughfare. This kosher bakery sells traditional Roman Jewish sweets from a spartan storefront."

"Piazza Costaguti, 30 (Centro Storico) Monday – Saturday 7.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 7pm. Insider tip: expect a tasty and friendly time, the only problem is that once you’ve gone you can never go without. This humble, sweet bakery has a great location and is really good value."

"If you need to stop for a coffee near to the centre and the Piazza del Popolo area is can be easy to end up paying more than you need to for a sub-standard espresso. So make a beeline for Re Cafe. This modern restaurant and bar serves pizzas and other simple Italian dishes and is often busy around lunchtime."