"Benvenuti a Roma, La Città Eterna!" Rome by Jeannkelly

Rome Travel Guide: 11,941 reviews and 26,475 photos

The myth of the Trevi Fountain is true!

For the superstitious, I guess one would say that my settling in Rome is a myth-come-true, if one really believes in the throwing-coins-in-the-Trevi-Fountain means a second trip to Rome (one coin), falling in love in Rome (2 coins) and eventually settling in Rome (3 coins). Can't remember how many coins I threw in the fountain but if it's really true, then I think I'll be living here for the longest time in my life if not forever.

...and living in Rome means falling in love with it even more. I did not have like those ohhs and ahhs when I first visited Rome some 2 years ago, or the second time and 3rd time. Sure, I took pictures and visited the classical attractions otherwise my friends back in the Philippines would think I was such a loser to come to Rome and not take pictures of it. I did for their sake. I wasn't disappointed with what I took but deep inside me I wanted more that what I saw. Deep inside me I knew iI will be coming back to Rome or spend a great deal of my life in this city.

True to it, when I became a resident of Rome, it was then that I learned how to appreciate what this very, very beautiful city has. Am more than proud that I chose Rome to be my second home - a city so rich in history and culture, the undisputed eternal city, was and will always be the capital of one of the world's greatest civilizations that help shaped the world today.

I hated my first few months as a resident in Rome as I thought it was very difficult to make friends, to learn Italian and to have a normal life. I thought this place is so deprived of friendly people and boring night life , etc. I was so wrong because a great part of my distate was that I was trying to integrate myself in a totally new culture, being so impatient to take things at a time, and struggling to learn Italian.

Through my miseries, I did discover one thing on how to make me feel better. That is to go to the center of Rome and see enthusiatic tourists and the majestic Colosseo and Piazza Venezia are enough to make me forget the blues. The beauty of Rome, its hundreds if not thousands year old monuments lift my spirits, and it is still true till this moment. Whenever I feel blue, I go to the center of Rome, see its beauty, pretend myself to be a tourist, grab a cone of gelato and voila, gone are the blues! I'll never get bored doing the same thing again and again.

For first-time visitors

Colosseo on the background

For first time travelers to Rome, I suggest a 3 to 4-day stay to see at least the classical attractions of Rome. Certainly it will take a residency to see every corner of it. Don't forget to throw coins in the Trevi Fountain to ensure a second trip to Rome ;-)

First day should be spent visiting the city's historical center: Colosseo, Piazza Venezia, Fori Romani, Palatino, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza Navona, Campo di Fiori, Circo Massimo, Caracalla, Piazza Spagna, Pantheon, Largo di Argentina, and some of the important churches: Santa Maria di Trastevere, Santa Maria Magiore, San Paolo, San Giovanni Laterano, Santa Maria Cosmedin.

Second day see the Vatican and its museums and Castel Sant'Angelo.

Third day see some of the important museums in Rome that I highly suggest one should not miss: Campidoglio and Capitoline Museums, Villa Guilia (The National Etruscan Museum), Villa Borghese and the National Gallery for Modern Art. It's also worth checking out if there are any exhibition (mostra) going on at the moment.

Fourth day, I suggest get an early trip via Archeobus in Termini and take an archaeological tour to Via Appia. Hop off to one of catacombs (at least) and take nice pictures in the Roman acquiducts.

Should you have more days in Rome, take time visiting these museums: Palazzo Massimo, Terme di Diocleziano, Palazzo Altemps, Palazzo Braschi, Museo Ebraico and Palazzo Barberini are highly recommended.

A candid treat from Prodi...

Candid Romano Prodi near the Quirinale...

Only in Rome where you can bump the newly elected Presidente del Consiglio Romano Prodi walking along the street near Quirinale with only 2 or 3 aides with him, took time to chat with enthusiastic tourists and even pose for a pic with them (May 13, 2006).

Sorry that I only had my mobile then to take this kinda blurred pic and I was too stunned to take a pic with him. But a couple of tourists did (those on the right side of the pic).

Prodi was so candid and very down-to-earth, the more he has become my fave Italian politician... Oh, Berlusconi will always be my second fave... caricature, next to Mr. Bean. I like how B makes himself so detestably hilarious. His devilish grin is so nasty it can only be compared to Rowan Atkinson's obnoxious one ;-)

Pros and Cons

Pros:Arts, culture, history, architecture, gastronomy... a place every tourist would like to come back again and again..
Cons:Just like any other tourist city, it could have its problems with prices, conjestion, safety, etc...Just be watchful! Everything is part of the experience.
In a nutshell:The undisputed Eternal City

Last visit to Rome: May 2005
Intro Updated Dec 23, 2006
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Comments (17)

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iaint Dec 7, 2007 at 2:34 PM

aye...good city
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kokoryko Dec 7, 2007 at 2:12 PM

I like your off the beaten path Rome Jeann; hope to visit the Eternal City seriously one day. I like the stray cats there, not the apartment cats.
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xantylaol Apr 28, 2007 at 3:16 AM

Coming to Rome this weekend - believe your tips will come in handy! :)
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Sarita76 Nov 12, 2006 at 9:43 AM

Interesting point of view on our city :) And I agree with your opinion on Mr B! :) Ciao, Sara
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cleocat Oct 1, 2006 at 1:40 PM

Very informative page. I like your story on the coins in the fountain. I have never been to Rome but Christina (lacristina) put a coin in the fountain for me. So I'm sure I'll see Rome one day.
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BarryAir Jul 9, 2006 at 5:31 AM

AhhhhhRoma!I cant get enough...Barry in Louisiana (disaster area)
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omran Jun 8, 2006 at 2:57 AM

hi Jeann if you like to make a trip with me to discover our sahar i will be very happy to do it togater
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asianbelle May 29, 2006 at 12:18 AM

your story gave me encouragement... i threw one coin into the trevi fountain... hope to be back there...
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rmlopez74 Apr 18, 2006 at 2:18 PM

Great tip! I will make sure to go next time I am in Rome! - Roger
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IanMacPhail Apr 5, 2006 at 7:36 AM

Good to hear from you, Jeann. Your photos are really great. I`m envious! Ian