Where To Go In Rome
I’m not surprised by how crowded Rome is these days even though we’re months away from the height of the high season. My friends who work in hospitality here tell me that hotels are booked solid until November (!) with August pretty available. More restaurants and cafes are staying open during August in the Historic Center now. However, I still don’t recommend Rome in August, especially if it’s your first trip. It’s too hot and the locals who don’t work in tourism/hospitality clear out. Did I mentioned how hot it is?
I’m receiving so many emails and DMs regarding where to go/what to do in Rome. I wrote a post where to eat HERE and where to drink HERE.
Below are my suggestions:
The Galleria Villa Borghese. This is the museum I suggest people go to if they don't have time to visit the Vatican Museum (or even if they do). It's small. There’s a two hour limit. You have to make reservations and can do so online. The permanent collection is fantastic. It’s in a beautiful villa in one of Rome’s prettiest parks. I recommend spending time in Villa Borghese Park too.
Museum Palazzo Altemps - near Piazza Navona, unless a student group is on a field trip, this museum is rarely crowded. Tiny but interesting. Wrote about it HERE.
Outside of the Centro Storico is Montemartini. Very unique space. Wrote about it HERE.
Another favourite (and often overlooked) museum is Galleria Doria Pamphilj - get the audio tour. It’s narrated by a member of the family.
Museo dell Ara Pacis - The exhibits change but the altar created for Augustus, 9 BC, is upstairs. The building, designed by architect Richard Meier, was quite controversial as it’s one of the few newish/modern buildings in that area and people said it looked like an air conditioning unit.
Capitolini Museum - One of the oldest museums in the world, you will find a lot of history and pieces from Ancient Rome. The views from Piazza del Campidoglio, and the cafe of the museums, are great. This is where City Hall is located.
There are over nine hundred churches in Rome, some favorites:
San Clemente - it's worth the fee to go down to the ground level to see relics from when it was a pagan temple
Santa Maria del Popolo - the Caravaggios
Santa Maria in Trastevere - the mosaics
San Luigi dei Francesi - this is the French Catholic church in Rome. More Caravaggios
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere - located on the quieter side of Trastevere
Sant’ Agnese - in Piazza Navona
Santa Maria in Maggiore Basilica - that ceiling
Saint Peter's Basilica - note, there can be long security lines
San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane - this small church is a Borromini masterpiece and many people walk right by it
Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza - another Borromini masterpiece. Sometimes there are free concerts in the courtyard
Basilica Santa Anna Maria in Ara Coeli - located next to Piazza del Campidoglio (there are a lot of steps) this church is the church of Rome, Senatus Populusque Romanus. I went to a midnight Christmas Mass here and it was very moving.
Not a church but a cemetery. Cimitero Acattolico, also known as the Protestant Cemetery, is where many famous poets, artists, writers, etc., who were not Catholic and/or Italian are buried. The grounds are beautiful. Shelley himself said so and he was buried here after he drowned in the Bay of Lerici.
Of course:
The Trevi Fountain - gets crowded... go very early or late
Piazza Navona - the Bernini fountain!
Piazza Farnese - it’s very close to Pz Navona. Palazzo Farnese is the French Embassy and there are two pretty fountains in this piazza.
Views from the Giancolo HIll - The fountain is breathtaking too
Doria Pamphilj Park - Along with Villa Borghese, this is one of the largest parks in Rome
The Pantheon - get there early or before the cruise ship lines.
The Colosseum/The Forum - It’s a good idea to get a guided tour, especially for the Forum
The Old Jewish Quarter - Second only to Venice, this is one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. Of the 1023 citizens deported to Auschwitz, only 16 survived. Keep an eye out for the Sampietrini stones covered with a brass plates with their names in front of their homes. This is where the infamous Turtle Fountain is located.
The View from the top of the Spanish Steps - on a clear day it’s quite pretty and I love the Bernini fountain at the bottom of the steps in Piazza di Spagna
Interesting neighborhoods outside the Centro Storico:
EUR - for the history and fascinating architecture. Read more HERE.
Garbatella - read more HERE.
Walk along Via Appia Antica. Car traffic is limited on Sundays to the few people who live on the Appia. Read more HERE.
SHOPPING:
Check out the stores on Via Babuino (high end) and in Monti (mid-to high). Both streets have clothing and design stores.
For design, Via Margutta has some great shops, like the store BLEND (which changed its name from Flair).
Chez Dede on Via Monserrato is wonderful and one of my favourite stores in Rome. The whole street is great for shopping.
Many of the international luxury brands, Prada. Gucci, etc. are on Via Condotti and its side streets.
It’s Christmas Time in Rome!
I love Rome this time of year. So festive.
Store windows aren’t a thing here like NYC, Paris, or London but there are plenty of street decorations. I’m happy to report that the Christmas Market in Piazza Navona is back and the Christmas Tree in Piazza Venezia is not a train wreck this year.
It’s a great time to visit. Book in advance though. The weeks between Christmas and Befana are popular and the Historic Center will be packed.
Work has been bananas but I did managed to take some photos this week after running errands for a client.
I’m trying to make more reels. Below is my latest attempt featuring a classic Christmas song.
Life in Rome - Festival del Verde e Paesaggio
The other week I went to the sixth annual flowers and plants show at Parco della Musica for the first time. These festivals are held throughout Italy during the Spring.The weather was terrible! I'm glad I went on Friday when it was just cloudy. Saturday it poured buckets. I had to work that day on a client's terrace. We couldn't reschedule the gardeners because they were completely booked this month.I had a great time at the show and look forward to checking it out next year. So many beautiful plants to buy, so little space. I wish I had a garden.It's fun for families too. There was a children's section, several food trucks, and a "school" offering classes in floral arrangements, gardening tips, etc.
Weekend Inspiration - Strawberries At Ciampini
Okay, I know I've said on Twitter and what not that I would stop complaining about the weather. I do realize how fortunate I am not to be dealing with hurricanes, monsoons, or tornadoes.That said, this spring has been bizarre. All over Europe it's cold and raining.The sun poked out for a few minutes the other day. It was still cold. The locals were wearing jackets and many tourists were in shorts.My friend Annie finally had a few free minutes in her schedule and happened to be downtown/in the Historic Center. I was in between meetings. We went to Ciampini for a long overdue catch up session.This little dessert was perfect. 
As I bit into the tart, gale force winds whipped around the piazza. Clearly, spring is wrap, but summer is (hopefully) right around the corner.Buon Weekend!
Stylish Simplicity - Alessi E-LI-LI Espresso Cups By Fuksas
I don't even drink coffee or have an espresso maker, yet I would love to own these cups. Stylish, simple, elegant... I adore them
Photo: Amazon.uk
Speaking of Fuksas, the world renowned architects recently renovated the flagship Benetton store in Rome. I haven't stepped into a Benetton since college but I'm very curious about this building.
Weekend Inspiration - Audrey Hepburn In Rome
Audrey Hepburn's son, Luca Dotti, has edited a book about his famous mother."Audrey In Rome" has over two hundred photographs, many of them never published before, taken during the time Ms. Hepburn lived in the Eternal City.Ms. Hepburn was a resident in Rome for over twenty years after marrying, Dr. Andrea Dotti, an Italian psychiatrist.I cannot wait to buy this book filled with photos of Rome and of fashion from the '50s to the '70s. The release date is April 16th.Hope you have a stylish and fantastic weekend.
Thinking About Orange.
I'm seeing a lot of orange for Spring.I do like the color but I don't have any of it in my home and very little of it my wardrobe. I went to Syracuse University. Trust me, I have worn my share of orange in the past.
Photo: Syracuse.com
Every time I jog past the Hermès store on Via Condotti, I sigh. One day.It's time to bring some orange back into my life. For my home, I'm thinking pillows with a pop of orange. Like this Moroccan style one from D.L. Rhein.
Photo: D.L. Rhein
I like how subtle the orange is in this room. I will buy some fresh orange flowers to help brighten up these rainy, cloudy, March days.
For my closet, a pair of Repetto Ballerinas would be perfect. I'm trying to add more color to my wardrobe.
Photo: Repetto
I did see an orange wrap dress in a store window the other day. Hmmmm, that might be too big of an orange commitment for me!
Stylish Simplicity - Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour - Ballerina
We had some sunny and warm weather here in Rome on Saturday (only to get slammed with more rain yesterday, today, and apparently for the next three days).On Saturday all the outdoor cafes were packed. Everyone was rocking their sunnies and most of the heavy winter coats were packed away. Of course, some Signore insisted in wearing their furs as it's only mid-March.During the Winter I give my nails a break. With the change in weather, it's time for a professional mani/pedi.
Photo: Chanel
My favorite neutral is Chanel's Ballerina.This color looks great on almost any skin tone. That's one reason why so many manicurists and beauty editors rave about it. Another reason is the quality. Yes, it's more expensive than the drugstore brands, but the polish doesn't streak, lasts a long time, and is formaldehyde-free, toluene-free, and DBP-free.One coat is very sheer. Two coats gives you a little more pink, but not too pink. It's a sophisticated, yet fun color.I know many people like to wear outrageous colors on their hands. For me, it's not practical. On my hands, I like to keep it simple and stylish. Ballerina is everything.
Style Inspiration For A New Client
There's some great news here at AGD. Thanks to a referral, I have recently signed a new client.I won't be posting any photos of her as she's not on Twitter and doesn't have a blog.My client's main goals are to update her work wardrobe and to buy several pieces for upcoming events. The challenge will be to find clothes that are stylish, yet appropriate for a conservative work environment.I believe American women in their 50's, and up, can look current without trying to dress as if they are still in their 20's. The other extreme isn't great either.We will be focusing on stylish classics that can go from work to dinner. My client looks great in black, white, and red. She also wants to add more color to her wardrobe.The DVF dress below would be perfect for my client. She's petite with a runner's frame. A change of accessories could easily take this dress from the workplace to drinks and/or dinner.I've pulled other images for inspiration. That board is HERE.