Rome’s Rose Garden. Creative Commons photo by Rome Cabs via Flickr.

Rome is a city of museums, ancient monuments, churches, and piazzas. But it’s not all a concrete and stone jungle out there – Rome also has some gorgeous green spaces worth exploring, especially if you need a break from the city. One lovely garden to visit is the Rome Rose Garden.

The Rome Rose Garden – also called the Roseto Comunale in Italian – was created in 1931 by a countess from Pennsylvania who lived in Rome. She started the garden with 300 rose plants that had been cultivated in her own garden outside the city. The site for the Rose Garden is on the Aventine Hill, and it now spreads over 2.5 acres and contains more than 1,000 roses from 20 countries around the world.

Until the early 17th century, there was a Jewish cemetery on the site where the Rome Rose Garden is now, and you can still see a plaque dedicated to the cemetery on a wall in the Rose Garden. It wasn’t until the 1950s, however, that the city redesigned the gardens (after getting the approval of Rome’s Jewish community) to their present look. In a nod to the land’s former purpose, some of the pathways through the gardens form the shape of a Menorah.

Rome’s Rose Garden is open to the public, and free to visit. It’s generally open from 8am until 6:30pm daily, and sometimes during the summer there are special events. Other nearby things to do in Rome include visiting the Circus Maximus, the Basilica di Santa Sabina, and the famous keyhole through which you can see the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

- Jessica Spiegel

Visiting Rome’s Rose Garden from Viator Rome

Can you guess what Rome’s Mouth of Truth used to be?

Chances are good that you know some things about Rome. It’s a famous city, and it’s been written about by countless people over the years. But it’s also a good bet there are some things about the city that would surprise you.

For even more surprising factoids, check out this Vatican City trivia, too.

There were older civilizations on this spot before Ancient Rome.

It’s easy to forget that there’s something more ancient than Ancient Rome, but it’s true. Before the Romans arrived, this area was occupied by the Etruscan people, who dominated much of central Italy. The Etruscans didn’t leave the kinds of records of their lives that the Romans did, and the records they did leave were primarily in well-hidden tombs – so little is known about them.

Rome’s nickname is the “Eternal City.”

Today, it’s easy to think that the nickname “Eternal City” refers to Rome’s 3,000-year history – but even the Ancient Romans called their city “Eternal.” They did so believing that the Roman Empire would exist forever, no matter what else happened in the world.

Legend says Rome was founded by twins, who were nursed by a wolf.

According to the legend about Rome’s founding, the twin sons of the god Mars – Romulus and Remus – were kidnapped and left for dead. Instead, they were discovered and nursed by a she-wolf. When they grew up, they each began settlements in present-day Rome (on two of the city’s seven hills), and Romulus’ settlement prospered. This became the city of Rome. (The story gets even worse for Remus, who was killed by Romulus in an argument.) You’ll see statues of babies being suckled by a wolf in different parts of Rome.

Rome celebrates its birthday on April 21.

Romans honor the birth of their city – when Romulus is supposed to have built his settlement on the Palatine Hill – on April 21st, 753 BCE. This means Rome is already more than 2,760 years old.

Rome surrounds the smallest independent nation on earth.

Vatican City is the world’s smallest independent country, and it’s entirely surrounded by Rome. The land that’s technically the Vatican amounts to only 0.17 square miles. You won’t pass through border security going in and out of Vatican City from Rome, however, and don’t bother bringing your passport – there’s no Vatican passport stamp.

Rome is very hilly.

Rome is famously built on seven hills, but even if you’ve heard that fact it can be jarring to find yourself winded when you’re walking around the city sightseeing – especially when so many of the main things to do in Rome seem to be at the top of different hills. If you’re running out of steam, pick up a good Rome city map from a newsstand – one that includes the public transportation lines on it – and get acquainted with the Rome’s bus, tram, and Metro system. You’ll still end up hoofing up and down some of the hills, but your energy will last longer.

Instead of ROMA, you’ll see SPQR all over the place.

The acronym SPQR is for a Latin phrase that means “The Senate and People of Rome.” In Ancient Roman times, this represented the government of the whole Roman Empire. Today, it’s used as part of the official symbol of the city government. So rather than seeing ROMA stamped on things, you’ll see SPQR on everything from coins to buildings to manhole covers.

The entire historic center of Rome is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 1980, UNESCO added the “Historic Centre of Rome” to its list of World Heritage Sites – and it extended the ring circling the center in 1990. Included in this designation are most of the top Rome attractions – the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the Pantheon, Trajan’s Column, the Column of Marcus Aurelius, Santa Maria Maggiore, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and even the entirety of Vatican City.

There are more than 900 churches in Rome.

Rome is a city of many famous churches, and plenty of not-so-famous ones besides. With more than 900 churches throughout the city – not even including the ones in Vatican City – that amounts to slightly less than two churches for every square mile.

The coins collected from the Trevi Fountain go to charity.

All those coins that get thrown into the Trevi Fountain by visitors wishing to ensure a return visit to Rome don’t go to waste. They’re collected daily by officials and the money is donated to an Italian charity called “Caritas.” Some reports say over €3,000 is collected each day.

The Spanish Steps are named for a nearby embassy.

The Spanish Steps are on many a must-see list in Rome, but just by looking at them you might be hard-pressed to figure out what exactly makes them “Spanish.” The name comes not from the church at the top (for which the staircase was built), but rather for the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican, which is situated nearby.

Rome is home to one of the world’s biggest film studios.

Italy’s version of Hollywood is in Rome, at the enormous Cinecittà film studio. Founded in 1937 by Mussolini, it’s one of the largest movie studios in the world. Fellini made many of his movies at Cinecittà, including “La Dolce Vita,” and other films made there include “Gangs of New York,” “The Life Aquatic,” “The Passion of the Christ,” and – appropriately – the HBO production “Rome.”

The famous “Mouth of Truth” was probably an ancient manhole cover.

The “Mouth of Truth,” which supposedly will chop off the hand of anyone who tells a lie, features prominently in the movie “Roman Holiday.” It’s a popular stop for many tourists, whether you believe the myth or not, but the origins of the disc-shaped stone face aren’t clear. According to some historians today, it was probably the equivalent of a manhole cover in Ancient Rome.

- Jessica Spiegel

13 Things You Didn’t Know About Rome from Viator Rome

View over the Tiber River toward St. Peter’s Basilica

Let’s be honest – one day in Rome is not enough. Even if you accept that you won’t see everything or do everything that’s on your list, one day is still only going to give you the smallest taste of one of the world’s most fascinating cities. If one day is all you have, however, then that’s absolutely better than not seeing Rome at all.

Here’s how to spend one day in Rome to make sure you’re spending your time wisely.

Book Guided Tours

Easily the best way to efficiently cover Rome’s must-see attractions in a limited amount of time is to book a guided tour. You can choose a general tour that covers the entire city, or you can piece together a series of more focused tours to see the things you’re most interested in. Sometimes tours will include transportation, but in a city like Rome where traffic can be problematic, you’re almost better off opting for a tour that’s all on foot, on bikes/Segways, or that utilizes public transportation. Time saved by taking a tour can still be wasted if you sit in traffic trying to get from the Colosseum to the Vatican. Also, look for tours that offer “skip-the-line” service, as it means they’ve booked your entry tickets for you.

Do Your Research in Advance

If you’re not planning to take any walking tours in Rome, then do some advance research on the opening times of the sights you want to see. This way, with open hours and a good map of Rome in front of you, you can make a plan for the order in which you’ll visit things. There’s no point in trekking across the city just to realize you’ve got to backtrack later on in the day. Also be sure to research whether you can buy tickets ahead of time online, as this will save you huge chunks of time you might otherwise spend waiting in ticket lines.

Take Public Transportation

Walking is usually the best way to get around Rome, but don’t overlook the city’s public transportation – especially to cover great distances. If you’re trying to get from the train station to the Vatican, for instance, you’ll save time hopping on the Metro rather than walking. The best Rome maps that include public transit lines are typically only available once you’re in Rome, from newsstands, but if you’re just going to stick to the Metro then there are only two subway lines to worry about.

What to See/Do in One Day in Rome

Of course, your itinerary will depend on your particular interests, but here are some of the major things to do in Rome that most people would consider must-see stops during a one-day visit.

• Colosseum – Perhaps Rome’s most iconic sight, the Colosseum is definitely a must. You can get tickets in advance; combo-tickets including the Palatine Hill are best purchased at the Palatine Hill, where the line is usually shorter.
• Roman Forum – This is the center of the former Roman Empire, and although the Roman Forum is largely big pieces of broken rocks now, a good guide can help you piece it all back together in your head.
• Pantheon – The Pantheon has been in continuous use since it was built in 27 BCE, which means it’s not rubble like the Roman Forum. It’s also free to enter.
• Trevi Fountain – Toss a coin over your shoulder to ensure a return trip to Rome, but don’t try diving for any of those coins yourself. Jumping into the fountain (as in “La Dolce Vita”) just might get you arrested.
• Piazza Navona – You can see that this oblong piazza was once a Roman circus, in the long oval shape of the pavement and the surrounding buildings.
• Spanish Steps – The Spanish Steps is one of the grandest outdoor staircases you’ll ever see, and is enormously popular for people-watching when the weather is nice.
• Trastevere – A stroll through this neighborhood on the Vatican side of the river gives you an idea of what all of Rome used to look like. It’s charming by day, and hopping with night life after dark.
• Vatican City – In an ideal world, Vatican City would take at least a half-day of your Rome visit. With only a day for the whole city, however, you may need to content yourself with a stop at St. Peter’s Basilica and save the enormous Vatican Museums for another trip.

- Jessica Spiegel

How to Spend One Day in Rome from Viator Rome

Rome is hot in summer! Stay hydrated at the city’s public water fountains.

Summer in Rome means, for the most part, higher prices, higher temperatures, and larger crowds. The tourist high season in Rome doesn’t actually correspond to just the three months of summer – the high season now lasts from May through September, and even experiences a bit of a dip in August. But despite the drawbacks of a summer trip to Rome, it’s generally the easiest time for people to travel (especially those with kids), and remains the most popular time of year to visit Italy.

The weather in Rome during the summer is typically extremely hot, and the high temperatures often begin as early as May. Rome also has a tendency to be humid, so you’ll need to take extra precautions when you plan your sightseeing days. Carry a water bottle that you can refill at one of Rome’s public drinking fountains, wear sunscreen and a hat to help shield you from the hot sun, and schedule your day so that you’re not outdoors during the hottest part of the day. In other words, visit the Roman Forum and Colosseum, where there’s very little shade, in the morning – not at 2pm.

Italians have superstitions about air conditioning, but most modern hotels have been equipped with in-room A/C. If you’re visiting Rome in the summer, be sure to check with any hotels you’re considering to find out whether they have A/C in the rooms. The good news is that attractions like museums and churches are often cooler inside even without air conditioning thanks to their thick stone walls.

August is unlike the other months of summer in Rome. This is when most Italians take their month-long vacations to the mountains or beaches, so cities like Rome get much quieter – the crowds you see in August are likely to be tourists, not locals. Some shops and restaurants may close, as their owners head out of town, but a year-round city like Rome doesn’t shut down completely.

The main summer events in Rome are the Festa della Repubblica on June 2nd, a national holiday that is the unofficial start to summer and includes a military parade and outdoor concert in central Rome, and Ferragosto on August 15, a national holiday in Italy that celebrates the ascent of the Virgin Mary to heaven.

- Jessica Spiegel

Visiting Rome in Summer from Viator Rome

Colosseum at night

Rome is a city that certainly likes to have a good time. That famous Italian penchant for “la dolce vita” – the sweet life – applies to just about every facet of life, no matter the time of day. Romans like to let their hair down in the evenings, but don’t make the mistake of thinking “nightlife” always means “raucous party.”

The dinner hour in Rome (and most of Italy) is late, typically starting around 9pm or later, so the real nightlife scene gets started even later. For many Romans – of all ages – nightlife can consist of taking a stroll through the neighborhood after dinner, sometimes stopping for drinks or chats with friends, sometimes while licking a cone of gelato. This “passeggiata” is common throughout Italy, but it’s not the same thing as an outdoor or street party. It’s social, friendly, and relatively low-key.

Find out how to eat like a Roman

Of course, Rome has plenty of nightclubs where you can go dance the night away if you’re looking for more of a party scene. Don’t plan to hit the clubs until after midnight, when things really get going, and don’t be surprised if night clubs aren’t nearly as interesting during the week. Weekends (often including Sunday night) are when Rome stays up late to play. There are many clubs in the historic center of Rome, particularly around the Campo de’ Fiori, Trastevere, and Testaccio neighborhoods.

In recent years, city officials have made efforts to keep the streets and public squares from becoming outdoor party destinations – a problem that increases in the high tourist season when the bulk of the young revelers are foreigners. Italians also rarely drink to excess – if you see people who are falling-down drunk, it’s almost a certainty that they’re foreign visitors. This is the reason for laws that prohibit eating and drinking in public squares. So even if you’re staying up all night to dance, drink, and party, remember that there are plenty of locals keeping very different hours – party in the clubs, but keep it down on the way back to your hotel.

Take a night tour of Rome to see a different side of the city

- Jessica Spiegel

Nightlife in Rome from Viator Rome

Crowded Rome metro. Creative commons photo by LWY via Flickr.

Most of us have relatively trouble-free holidays – there are blisters, wrong turns, and hand-gesture conversations, but that’s usually about all that goes wrong. Tourists are, however, extremely appealing targets for pickpockets and petty thieves. We’re in unfamiliar locations, we’re carrying expensive cameras and lots of cash, and we’re distracted by monuments. This is especially true in heavily touristed cities like Rome. You may not be able to safeguard against every theft possibility, but here are some things you can do both before you leave home and when you’re traveling to make your chances of being a victim of pickpocketing slim.

That chic shoulder bag is easy for a thief to grab as he continues running down the street, or rides off on a scooter. Cross-body bags are a smarter option, as they don’t make the getaway easy. Sure, it’s convenient for you if your bag is open so you can quickly grab your camera – but that also means a thief can quickly grab your camera (and wallet, passport, etc.). Bags that have fasten-able openings are a better idea. And if you’re walking through a busy market or you’re on a crowded bus, please don’t leave your backpack on your back, where you can’t see who might be casually unzipping (and emptying) it.

Guys, leaving your wallet in your back pocket is an invitation to pickpockets. Carry only what cash you think you’ll need that day (or that outing, if you plan to go back to the hotel midday) in something small – like a money clip – in your front pocket, along with one credit card. Ladies, the same rule applies to what you should be carrying in your wallet (even if you’ve got it in your purse). All the rest of the cash you have, along with other credit cards, should be in the hotel safe (if you’re in a nicer hotel that has in-room safes) or in a money belt you wear underneath your clothing.

Be aware of your surroundings. As mentioned, especially crowded areas are often a pickpocketer’s haven. This doesn’t mean you should avoid crowds, only that you should be even more alert to your surroundings when you’re crammed onto the bus or subway, or in a busy market, or the like. For instance – these are not the places to go digging through your bag for something, exposing your valuables, or to stop and try to read a map.

When you go to a restaurant, try to avoid hanging your bag over the back of your chair or dropping it at your feet. This is especially true if you’re at an outdoor cafe where a thief can make a quick run for it. Nowadays you can find things called “purse hooks” sold in shops and online – they’re small enough to tuck into your purse or backpack, they hold quite a bit of weight (even a daypack), and they keep your bag where you can see it. It’s a small investment, but it could save you quite a bit of hassle and frustration.

Make photocopies of both sides of your credit cards, as well as the signature page of your passport, and keep these in a different place in your luggage than you keep the actual cards and documents. This makes it easier to cancel cards and get a temporary passport if something does get stolen. It’s a good idea to inquire with your home insurance company before you leave home what coverage (if any) they offer for thefts while traveling, and what documentation they would need if you wanted to file a claim later. You can also look into the kind of travel insurance that covers property.

- Jessica Spiegel

Planning a Trip? Browse Viator’s Rome tours and things to do, Rome attractions, and Rome travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Rome for a customized tour!

How to Avoid Being Pickpocketed in Rome from Viator Rome

Rome’s Via Veneto. Creative Commons photo by Mauro ‘lupiniv’ Codella via Flickr.

Shoppers headed to Rome may find something interesting in just about any boutique in the city – the ability to say, “I bought this in Rome!” is always appealing – but serious fashionistas should make a beeline for Via Veneto. Of course, you’ll need to be prepared for the designer prices to go along with the designer goods, but if you’re unwilling to part with that kind of money you can always enjoy the window shopping, which is completely free.

Via Veneto (which technically bears the full name Via Vittorio Veneto) curls first north from the Piazza Barberini (head in the opposite direction and you’ll reach the Trevi Fountain) then east before turning north again and ending at the border of the Borghese Gardens. In addition to being a shopping mecca, Via Veneto was also the backdrop for much of Fellini’s famous “La Dolce Vita.”

Along with stylish boutiques, Via Veneto is also home to the U.S. Embassy in Rome, some high-end hotels, and many lovely cafes. Two cafes in particular are famous on this street – Cafe de Paris and Harry’s Bar, the latter of which was featured in “La Dolce Vita.” If you’re looking for a bit of a macabre must-see, don’t miss the Capuchin Crypt underneath the Church of Santa Maria della Concenzione on Via Veneto not far from the Piazza Barberini.

- Jessica Spiegel

Via Veneto: La Dolce Vita in Rome from Viator Rome

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- Viator Travel Team

Spend $250 on Rome Shore Excursions and Save 10%! from Viator Rome

About the tours

Enjoy the best of Rome with the Ultimate Rome Experience for 2! Perfect for first-time visitors and locals alike, these tours offer a unique way to see the city and its surrounds. This package includes THREE of our top Rome activities:

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Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small Group Walking Tour

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To enter to win two tickets to the Ultimate Rome Experience, visit our Rome Facebook page and select the “Rome Giveaway” tab. Tell us in 10 words or fewer “Why you want to go on this tour” and hit the “submit” button to be entered into the contest. (Note: You must “Like” our fan page in order to vote.)

The contest closes on April 26, 2013 – so hurry!

- Viator Travel Team

Terms & Conditions: Our staff will pick the entry that we think best answers the question above. We are giving away 2 free tickets for a Rome City Bike Tour, Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small Group Walking Tour, Ghost and Mystery Walking Tour of Rome. Tickets must be used before December 31, 2013. Airfare, taxes and any other expenses not specifically listed above are not included. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be sold or redeemed for any cash value.

[CONTEST] Win 2 tickets to the Ultimate Rome Experience! from Viator Rome

Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome

Just as Dan Brown’s thriller “The Da Vinci Code” led readers on a race against time around Europe, so did his “Angels & Demons” draw a route for visitors to follow around Rome. Fans of the book were checking off sites from the story long before the movie came out, and interest in the setting got even stronger after the film. You can still find people tracing Robert Langdon’s steps through Rome as he solves riddle after riddle – and the good news is that when you’re visiting the “Angels & Demons” sites you don’t have to worry about a ticking time bomb.

There are eight major points on a good “Angels & Demons” tour of Rome, and of course they’re scattered all over the historic center. To see them in order would require some serious back-tracking, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, you can plan a DIY route through the city that covers all of them, or book a half-day “Angels & Demons” tour of Rome with a professional guide to give you the low-down on each site’s importance to the story.

1. Pantheon – Langdon misinterprets the first clue, leading him to the oculus in the center of the Pantheon’s soaring dome. His mistake is your gain, however, as this gives you a chance to see one of Rome’s most famous and spectacular ancient buildings.
2. Santa Maria del Popolo – This church on the Piazza del Popolo in the northern part of the historic center is much-loved for its in situ Caravaggio masterpieces, but it’s a Bernini sculpture inside that figures in Brown’s novel.
3. St. Peter’s Square – The enormous piazza in Vatican City is the next stop in the story, where Langdon finds a clue in the pavement at the base of the Egyptian obelisk at the center of St. Peter’s Square.
4. Santa Maria della Vittoria – The “West Ponente” face in St. Peter’s Square points Langdon to the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria (near the Stazione Termini, despite what the novel says) and its gorgeous Bernini sculpture, “Ecstasy of St. Teresa.” You’ll find the statue in a chapel the left of the altar.
5. Piazza Navona – The Piazza Navona’s central fountain, also by Bernini, is Langdon’s next stop, where he saves the life of a cardinal left to drown in the fountain’s basin.
6. Castel Sant’Angelo – Langdon’s next stop is the supposed hide-out of the Illuminati at Castel Sant’Angelo, with its secret passage to Vatican City. You can actually see this passageway, but only by booking a guided tour well in advance. The rest of the building is a museum.
7. St. Peter’s Basilica – One of the many dramatic scenes in “Angels & Demons” takes place in an empty St. Peter’s Basilica, in a part of the church most people aren’t allowed to visit. You can book a tour of the Vatican Necropolis, however, if you plan months ahead of time (they sell out quickly).
8. Sistine Chapel – In “Angels & Demons,” a papal conclave in the Sistine Chapel is interrupted by Langdon delivering bad news. All you need to do to see the famous chapel is visit the Vatican Museums – the chapel is the final stop on a tour of the museums.

- Jessica Spiegel

Planning a Trip? Browse Viator’s Rome tours and things to do, Rome attractions, and Rome travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Rome for a customized tour!

Following “Angels and Demons” in Rome from Viator Rome