Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
How to See Rome Like a Local. When in Rome... live la dolce vita with these insider tips.
You will need and adventurous spirit. Step 1. Rent a motor scooter, or motorino. Yes,
traffic can be hairy and Romans are crazy drivers. But there's no better way to zip
around town. Bonus: you'll feel like Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. For a great, romantic
view of Rome, head up the winding road from Trastevere to the Janiculum Hill. Step 2.
Lunch on Rome's ubiquitous street food, pizza al taglio, or pizza by the slice. Sold by
weight, it comes with a variety of toppings. Speak with your hands, just like the locals,
to communicate how big a piece you want. Step 3. Explore the streets around Campo de' Fiori,
a piazza popular for its morning produce and flower market. The area is filled with edgy
clothing shops, intimate wine bars, and art galleries. For bargain finds, follow the Romans
to the Borghetto Flaminio or Via Sannio flea markets. Savor sit-down cafes in the afternoon.
In the morning, have your cappuccino or caffellatte standing up at the bar. Step 4. Spend an afternoon
at Villa Pamphili, Rome's biggest park. You'll find residents jogging, dog-walking, kite-flying,
and picnicking among towering trees, ponds, fountains, and gardens. Step 5. Hit the streets
for a late afternoon passeggiata, or leisurely stroll. Tons of locals indulge in this ritual,
especially on the weekends -- window-shopping, catching up with friends, and flirting, often
with a gelato in hand. Step 6. If you're visiting in warm weather, take a day trip to Lake Bracciano.
About 25 miles northwest of Rome, it offers sandy beaches, seafood restaurants, windsurfing,
and sailing. Back in the Eternal City, check local listings for open-air cinema and music
festivals throughout the summer. Did you know From 1968 to 2002, a man nicknamed D'Artagnan
lived off coins he collected from the famed Trevi Fountain, sometimes netting as much
as $1,300 a day.