Rome on Foot

The Italians call it, piedi a piedi, literally meaning foot-by-foot. To begin your piedi a piedi, consider romancing the city where the Tiber River meets the Vatican. First, head to the Vatican Museums, Raphael Room, and Geographical Maps Gallery, finishing your tour with a bang at the Sistine Chapel. Next, stroll over to St. Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll find Michelangelo’s Pieta. Your stroll through the basilica will take you to Bernini’s Baldecchino della Confessione –where Peter’s bones supposedly rest below. And, for spectacular views of the city you can take the 300-some stairs to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, known as Michelangelo’s dome (don’t worry, there’s also an elevator for grandma).

Next, you can choose to check out Castel Sant’Angelo or head south into the neighborhood of Trastevere, where Santa Maria in Trastevere lies, enjoying lunch at Il Vicolo or Toni’s on Vicolo Del Cinque afterward. Snobby locals tend to regard Trastevere as the real neighborhood of the Romans, so expect to use your Italian phrasebook a bit more in this area. Afterward, cross the Tiber River at the Ponte Sisto, into Campo de’ Fiori. Note: every weekday morning until 1:00 PM there’s a great outdoor market here, with fresh fish, vegetables, as well as household goods, clothing, purses, etc…

From Campo de’Fiori, you can cross Vittorio Emanuele, and head into Piazza Navona for views of Bernini’s famous baroque fountains. Expect street performers! From here, you can head east onto Via del Corso, where Piazza Venezia, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum lie (Capitoline Hill), or head west to check out the Pantheon. Either way, Via del Corso runs in between both routes, so afterward, head north on Via del Corso to hit the Trevi Fountain, Piazza de Spagna, and Via dei Condotti.

See you on Friday for more tips for your Roman holiday!