Finish your 3 coins and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

For those who loved Rome, throw one coin to ensure you come back a second time. For those wanted a Roman lover, throw the second coin to fall in love with one. For those who are satisfied with your lover, throw the third one to have him or her forever. :) Ok!!! Time to collect $$$ for match making services.. :P To me, Rome is filled with fountains but Trevi Fountain is one of the nicest I have seen so far. It was built by Nicole Salvi in 1762. The grandeur of the Fountain was magnified with Neptune's chariot being led by Tritons with horses in the sea. "Trevi" represented the convergence of "three roads" that lead you to the fountain. If I have the chance to do Trevi again, I think I would want to go there at dusk and admire the beauty of artwork thoroughly under shimmering lights. There are just too many tourists around during the day.

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Address: Via del Lavatore
Directions: Drop at Barberini Station, walk along Via di Avignonesi, turn left to Via Arcione and left to Via del Lavatore. Walk straight all the way. If you dont like to walk, take a cab or find a chariot.:)

It is erected in IVth century by Emperor Constantine. Under the church laid the tomb of ST Paul--the Apostle of Gentiles. Around the 15th and 16th July 1823, there was a huge fire that destroyed the church and its contents. Very few items such as the cloisters of the adjacent Benedictine abbey, survived the fire. When Pope Leo XII became the Pope, he reconstructed it to its glory. I love this church as it is a painting by itself with pictures "imprinted" into the bricks. My heart just filled with joy when I saw the vibrant colours. Such artwork is a miracle and the people involved in making it possible must have taken great pride in what they are doing. I like the medalions that depicted each individual Pope. Look out for the Easter Candlestick which also survived the fire. It is made of marble and created to hold the Easter Candle, the symbol of Christ as the "light of the world". The whole church is just an artwork. Unique! Fantastico!

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Address: Via Ostiense
Directions: Alight at San Paolo metro station.

It was built to be like maze, was a prison and turned into escape route cum fortess. Today, it stands as a museum. It was believed that Pope Gregory the Great saw an angel hovering round it and he christened it, Castel Sant' Angelo. From the Castle, you can have a panoramic view of Roma built on the "seven hills" and Tiber River. There is a little cafe at the top and along its passageway, you can peep through the "pot holes" to enjoy the scenary. It is a different "way" of enjoying Rome. It will cost you about 5 Euros to enter and is open from Tues to Sun, from 9am to 8pm.

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Address: Lungotevere Castello
Directions: From the Vatican city, you walk along Via della Conciliazione till the end and you wont miss it.

Basically when you think of Rome, one of the places that will pop up is Vatican City. In the Vatican City is the Saint Peter's Bascilia--one of the few places in the Vatican that you can access without a visa. From the floor to the ceiling are art pieces made of natural materials such as marble. No wonder it takes generations to build. One hundred and forty-seven popes are buried under the Basilica and I heard not all Popes all given this privilege. Remember to spot the Pieta-the only work Michelangelo signed. This is my favourite piece as I could feel her grief and helplessness for the loss of her child when I look at the statue. It depicts the Virgin holding a lifeless body of her Son. The marble artwork is protected by a bullet proof glass because in 1972, a deranged man struck it with a hammer and damaged the nose and part of her hand. Another event to note is that every 25 years, the Holy Door, is knocked down to allow visitors to pass through and the next one will be in 2025. I hope I can make it...I miss the 2000 ceremony. Sob! Sob! Masees and confessions are available for the faithful in the Basilica. You can see my Vatican City pages for its museums.

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Address: Vatican City
Directions: Drop at San Pietro Metro station and follow the crowd--hehehe---or the signboard. That is what I did. The Roman Way...Just do it..as long as you get there.

Pantheon is one of the most important temple of the Roman Empire and the best well-preserved one. It is built by Marcus Agrippa in 27BC. The architecture is specially designed to allow light to enter through the dome to illuminate the walls and flooring. Clever isnt it, they can protect the environment and save money on candles and oil lamps:P In 80AD, it was destroyed by a fire but was restored by King Hadrain. In 609, Pope Boniface IV dedicated it to Virgin Mary and all Martyr Saints and it became a place of worship for the catholics. Over the years, many Italian artists and members of Italy Royal family: Victor Emanuel II, Umberto I and Queen Margherita was buried under it.

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Address: Piazza della Rotonda
Directions: Take a bus to Largo di Torre Argentina. Walk along Va di Torre Argentina to Via della Rotonda and you can see the Pantheon nearby. Ask around when you reach Via della Rotonda. U cant miss it,

A place for Romans to exchange information such as political views to "olives' market prices". It is like an all-in-one shopping place. It is not difficult to imagine the vibrancy of the place in the past. You can have a more detailed understanding of it throught my travelogues. I suggest a guided tour though so as to understand and better appreciate the place. Each spot leads you to a historical idea of Roma.

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Directions: Take the metro to Colosseo. You should not miss it.

Personally, anything that you cant bring it back home during travels is worth to take a peak. Especially so if you dont understand its evacuation system because you can learnt more about not being "arrowed" when you are back home:P For those who are fasinated by its history will find it worth going through the queue and crowds.

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Directions: End of Roman Forum.