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Rome, Italy
Getting in and out
Getting Around
Walking is the best, but just in case: two Metro lines, Lines A and B. One line runs from Termini towards the Colosseum and beyond, the other runs from Termini out to Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) and the Vatican.
Metro tickets can be purchased underground or in tobacco shops (look for the T sign).
Buses are also very useful and have tons of departures from Termini. The late night bus routes were always packed during the summer.
Things to doDefinitely go to the Forum. The ruins are all amazing to visit, even to non-Classics scholars, and it is quite impressive. As for more modern sites and sights, any Pallazzo you visit will have an eclectic mix of street performers and merchants, and of course a trip to the Vatican is highly recommended, even though lines tend to be extremely long to get in the walls, especially during tourist season. However, St. Peter's, the Papal Apartments and Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museum are all definitely worth the wait if you like art, architecture, religion, history, or anything of the sort. The monument to Victor Emmanuel is impressive, and the churches scattered around the city are all worth visiting for secular and religious reasons. There are spectacular fountains dotting the city, and who could go to Rome and not throw a coin (or more) in the Trevi Fountain? Whether you go to Rome for a pilgrimage, a chance to study the ancient city, or just to get a glimpse at some of the greatest art and architecture in Europe, there is something to do at pretty much any point of the city at any time of the year.
The Pantheon has a hole in the dome. It's very cool when it rains.
Galleria Borghese has some fantastic art. 2 hour time limit for visits beginning at certain hours. Closed Mondays. Reservations possible.
Places to Stay
Places to eat
Nightlife
Campo di Fiori has several bars, including two 'American' bars Sloppy Sam's and Drunken Ship. It's busy during summer.
Lots of pub crawls everywhere. The Spanish Steps pub crawl seems to be the most popular.
Piazza Navona has a lot of bars along the side streets nearby and also many street performers in the piazza itself.
Spanish Steps is great for people watching. BYOB or buy it from the wandering street vendors. Haggle.
Testacchio is a large horseshoe shaped area with a lot of clubs. Seems hit or miss, but definitely mostly Italians. I took a taxi there so I have no idea where it is.
Shopping
Getting off at the Piazza di Spagna metro stop will bring you to the Spanish Steps. Via Condotti leading away from the steps has all the high-end shops such as Ferragamo, Cartier, Armani, etc.
General Advice/Warnings
Drivers are fairly crazy.
Carry a water bottle and fill it at the spigots throughout Rome.
Prices for food and drinks to go, at a table, or at the bar differ drastically. To go is the cheapest.
