IL CALCIO: For Supporters of AS Roma & Lazio and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

O.K., the next piece of news is exclusively for il calcio tifosi (read: soccer fans) like myself....

From September until late May, you can catch the city's two teams, AS ROMA and LAZIO, battling it out with rival teams in Serie A nearly every weekend at the Stadio Olimpico.

Awards at stake:

- The Scudetto (read: Serie A Championship),

- The Coppa Italia (read: Italian Cup)

- If Roma or Lazio manage to come within the top 4 best clubs for the season in Serie A, they will gain a place in the Champion's League.

Me? My favorite Italian team however is NOT from Rome (sorry to Lazio + AS Roma fans...).

I worship the team from Milan - yes, AC Milan.

My hero? The charismatic Paolo Maldini, il capitano, of course! I also adore Andriy Shevchenko (striker) from AC Milan. ;-p Just thought I'd explain in case non-soccer fans think AC Milan is a soccer team from Rome. ;-))

Note to AS Roma & Lazio Tifosi: Please don't crucify me for supporting Milan.... But I do hope to meet Totti one day. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Photo: The most recognizable man in Roman soccer - Francesco Totti, il capitano - AS Roma. No... not the boy in the picture. It's that gorgeous hunk! This photo appeared in the 2004 February edition of 'Il Calcio a Colori'.

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Address: Stadio Olimpico, Rome.

C'mon over to the TREVI FOUNTAIN (or Fontana di Trevi), a newly restored extravagant Baroque monument where visitors/ tourists are challenged to throw 3 coins in to guarantee their safe return to this beautiful city.... and to see their wishes fulfilled.

If you were born during the 1940s to 1960s, you may remember the sexy Anita Ekberg cooling off at night in the highly acclaimed film entitled "La Dolce Vita." Or you may remember watching "Three Coins in a Fountain", another major Hollywood movie. I have seen both movies (yes, I adore watching old movies...) and that's how my love affair with Rome began. ;-p

FACT:
I actually threw 3 coins into the Trevi Fountain on my first trip in the early-1990s... (and like you) NOT expecting much to come out of my 3 wishes.

But boy, was I wrong. Fast forward. Many years later...

The Year 2001:
I ended up working for the 2nd largest banking group in this country and one of the largest in Europe, based in Milano. Got my wishes fulfilled by being able to visit Rome again... and again. Met and befriended wonderful Italian friends in the process.

O.K., what's the moral of the story?

Never say never.... and Never feel that you won't be fortunate enough to have your 3 wishes granted. :-)

To start you on your coin-throwing adventure, this is how it should be done - correctly:

- Come here on the last day of your visit
- Scoop a drink out of the rim of the fountain with your left hand (I skipped this part as I don't wish to suffer from tummy ache!)
- Turn your back against the Fountain... and throw your coins - one by one - into the water - OVER your left shoulder
- Make a wish before you throw the next coin...

Voila! Email me when you see your wishes coming true...!

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Directions: The Trevi Fountain is located in Trevi Square, within walking distance of the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona.

The little sister of mine at FONTANA DI TREVI in the summer of 2001.

Located in the heart of Rome’s historic center, the Trevi Fountain is one of the world’s most photographed monuments in Rome.

The Trevi Fountain area is also a popular pick-up place or gathering spot for Romans and Italian "Romeos" who come here to pick up female tourists. Ladies - you must have a determination made of steel if you intend to reject their advances. These men can be very persuasive....

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Directions: The Trevi Fountain is located in Trevi Square and within walking distance of the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona

If you are a couple visiting Rome on your honeymoon, why not visit the TREVI FOUNTAIN at nightfall?

It's romantic... and hey, you'd be able to see other lovey-dovey couples making out here too. ;-)

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Your visit to Rome isn't quite complete if you don't check out this sizzling hot spot - PIAZZA NAVONA or "Circo Agonale", .

The elegant PIAZZA NAVONA is littered with many sidewalk cafes and restaurants; whilst its fountains, sculptures and interesting architecture beckons the tourists and locals alike to spend more time at this place - making it THE place to be in if you're in Rome.

Well, speaking for myself - whenever I come to Rome, Piazza Navona is where I'll head to at night! Or even in the daytime.

There are 3 massive fountains here. Trust me, you won't miss it.... unless... you are too busy oogling at some Italian Romeo across the street (!!). Of the 3 fountains in Piazza Navona, I am most impressed with the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.

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Directions: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Piazza Navona.jpg

It is definitely not a myth that Italians make the best lovers in the world.... and there is no doubt that Rome is one of the most romantic cities in Europe, if not the world. :-p

There are many ways to explore this cosmopolitan Eternal City... and one of them is via horse carriage aka Carrozzelle.

Carriage rides are available during the day and evening and can be organized via your hotel concierge. Alternatively, you can hop onto one at the St Peter’s Square or just outside the Arc of Constantine (like what I did) or at Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Venezia.

Remember to agree on a reasonable fare with the driver before you start your horse carriage adventure ride. It's not cheap to see Rome via this method so, bargain well!

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Directions: You can find them at St Peter’s Square, at Arc of Constantine, Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Venezia.

The PANTHEON - another awesome Roman building is the final resting place of the kings of Italy. It holds the tombs of Victor Emmanuel II, Humbert I and Margherita di Savoia.

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The CIRCUS MAXIMUS in ancient Rome was a place for chariot races... Noticed the large, oval track? That's where the chariot races supposedly took place.

Sometimes dogs, ostriches or even camels might be used in ancient Rome to pull the chariots around the Circus Maximus. Ancient Romans adored such thrilling, nail-biting races. I think they were simply bored and back then, there were no TV or radio to amuse them.

The sad thing about such races is often times, these charioteers are tragically and senselessly killed.

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It is impossible to miss the SCALINATA SPAGNA aka Spanish Steps - characterized by the huge flight of steps - here in Rome.

Right at the top of the flight of steps, you can see an Egyptian obelisk, behind which stands the Church of Santa Trinità dei Monti, the Spanish Embassy and big banks (like Citibank).

This place has also been made famous by many Hollywood movies - most notably (and my favorite) "Roman Holiday" with the late Audrey Hepburn in the starring role. Yeah... I'm a sucker for old Hollywood movies. ;-)

This area is also famous the world over for the many designer boutiques like Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace and Salvatore Ferragamo (my favorite place to shop for scarpa... shoes!). You'll definitely enjoy strolling around Piazza di Spagna and the elegant Via Condotti. Your boyfriend/ husband may get a migraine when you tell him you're heading there for a day of rest and relax...

And if you come to Rome during their Fashion Week, you might just be lucky to be part of the thousands of people cramped here to catch a glimpse of beautiful models parading next season's fashion. It is my wish to visit Rome when they have one of such outdoor fashion shows! Keeping my fingers crossed. No... maybe I should head to the Trevi Fountain and throw in 1 more coin and make a wish! ;-p

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GET LOST in Rome.

No, no... I'm not chiding you right now. Don't worry - I don't mean to ask you to 'get lost' as in 'buck off, you bugger!' but.... more like... wander around the city.... SIGHTSEEING... and just simply lose yourself in the surroundings! :-) That's what I mean.

Well, it was fun as I lost all my bearings for almost half a day.

Was I scared?

Of course not!

Was it fun?

YES!

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