Throw a coin into the fountain and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

Have you watched that film, "Three Coins in the Fountain"? Well, even if you didn't I'm sure you know that visitors to Rome would throw a coin into the fountain for good luck that they may return to Rome again. Even if you're not superstitious, go ahead and sit with the fountain behind you and throw a coin over your shoulder and into the water.

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Since everyone esle is giving tips on the history of the Colosseum & Forum, I'll give you another tip. There are many stray cats in Rome without a home or owners. Many fat cats will be wandering around the Colosseum & Forum area. So, on behalf of them, please donate some coins to them via an old lady at the road to the Forum. Thanks!!

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The Pantheon is one of the great spiritual buildings of the world. It was built as a Roman temple and later consecrated as a Catholic Church. It is also the final resting place for the great artist, Raphael. In front of this ancient building stands the obelisk Macuteo, another Egyptian relic.

Admission is free

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Address: Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, 186
Directions: In the Centro Storico neighbourhood

Piazza Navona is a great place to people watch, eat and walk around. It has an unusual, elongated oval shape that is the same as that of the ancient Domiziano Stadium over which the square was built. The centerpiece of this square is the Fontana dei Fiumi by Bernini, which is the base of the Egyptian obelisk in the center; and Palazzo Pamphili & Fontana del Moro. Around the Fontana dei Fiumi are four giant statues by Bernini's pupils following his designs representing the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Rio della Plata, each representing one of the four quarters of the world. There are also open air cafes which serves nice food & wine (at a higher price, of course). The area is also lively with painters and buskers who will entertain for a fee

Personally, I find the square to be a wonderful piece of history and art. However, it is somehow shadowed by the numerous vendors selling fake designer bags, cheap toys and all sorts of tacky (probably made in china plastic souvenirs) right in front of the monuments. It tough to take a nice picture of the whole fountain without having them in the picture

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Directions: Near to the Pantheon

Largo di Torre Argentina is a square in Rome that hosts four Republican Roman temples, and the remains of Pompey's Theater. It has nothing to do with the South American country but actually comes from a city previously known as Argentoratum. Everytime I walk past this square, I'll stop to look at the many breeds of homeless cats that lounge and cavort about the ruins. This area is also the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter for homeless cats (of which Rome has many).

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Website: http://www.romancats.de/

Without a doubt, when someone thinks of Rome, the image of the Colosseum will come to mind. From pins to postcard, this infamous structure lends its image for all those who wants to take a piece of Rome back with them. The Colosseum or Coliseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is also known to be the largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire.

The purpose for this building is, of course, for entertainment but unlike a football game the partipants, whether it be the gladiators, slaves or animals are expected to be killed. The more grissly, the more entertaining. Luckily for us, the only "gladiators" you see at the Colosseum are guys dressed in tongas & sandals, and would glad pose for a picture with you.

Admission fee into the Colosseum is about Euro 10

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Address: Piazzale del Colosseo
Directions: The Colosseum is located just east of the Roman Forum

The Roman Forum or Forum was once a magnificient city made of marble located in a valley between Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill. Here stood numerous temples and was it also the business district & civic center of Ancient Rome. Unfortuntely after years of plundering the Forum was abandoned and building material e.g marble & bronze were stripped and reused elsewhere. It was left this way for hundreds of years and the site would be known only as Campo Vaccino, the Cow Field.

Come the nineteenth century, archeologists and history enthusiasts resurrected the Forum to what it is today. Walking through the Forum, you will see many ruins and some still in good shape. Inside the Forum you can find the Arch of Titus, Arch of Septimius Severus, Temple of Saturn, Basilica of Maxentius, Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, and The Curia (Senate House).

Admission is free except to some part e.g The Palatine

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Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali
Directions: Next to the Colosseum

The Capitoline Hill (Capitolinus Mons), between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the most famous and highest of the seven hills of Rome. Michelangelo designed the beautiful Piazza del Campidoglio together with his three palazzi approached by the ramped staircase called the "Cordonata". This unique staircase is design in such a way to ease animal-pulled carts to move up because the ramps would stop the wheels from moving backwards

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Address: Piazza Venezia, Via dei Flori Imperial
Directions: Next to the Forum

Spanish Steps, "Scalla di Spagna", is located at Piazza di Spagna. The church at the top of the steps is the Trinita dei Monti, founded by the French in 1495. To the right as you face the steps is the house where John Keats died in 1821, now the Keats-Shelley Memorial House. In the piazza is the boat-shaped fountain called the Barcaccia, believed to be made by Pietro Bernini, father of the famous Gian Lorenzo.

When you walk down the steps you will come to Via Condotti, the famous shopping street (but I can't afford the stuff from Ferragammo & friends) and the 200 years old Cafe Greco. They say that in summer, people will pack the Steps but I was there in winter and it was very packed! Forget about dancing your way down the steps like in the music videos. You'll be lucky to walk up or down the steps without stepping on someone

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Address: Piazza di Spagna, Via Conditti

The Quirinal Palace (Quirinale) is the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic. It is located on Via del Quirinale and built on the Quirinal Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. Long ago it was used as a papal summer residence. Quirinal fountain and obelisk with Roman statues of Castor and Pollux - the patrons of horsemanship - and their prancing horses stand in the middle of Piazza del Quirinale.

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Address: Via del Quirinale, Rome