In the Sunday paper, I read in RIck's column that picnics are no longer allowed near tourist sights. My wife and I were planning to picnic at the Pantheon one day and in the park at Villa Borghese another. Still OK? Store near Villa Borghese to get picnic "fixings?"
Thanks
This past May, we had a picnic lunch in the park in front of the Villa Borghese. We made arrangements with a nearby restaurant where we were given a picnic basket with all the amenities. The name of the restaurant is GINA. It is located on a side street just to the left and running parallel to the Spanish Steps. You should be able to find it on Google Maps/Earth. You could walk to the park from the restaurant, but with a heavy basket, it would be quite a hike uphill, and there is no real direct route on foot. We took a taxi. We spread our bamboo mats (furnished) on the grassy field under the trees and had a great meal. You can even get wine. We had quite a show too, as there was a man in a business suit and his "mistress" pinned against a tree playing tonsil hockey. I'm sure you can check with the restaurant as to the status of picnicking in the park.
Definitely not allowed at the Pantheon. Imagine hundreds of others doing what you would like to do, in that relatively small space.
Don't know for sure about Villa Borghese, but your chances should be much better there. It's a HUUGE park.
Depends on what you mean by the word 'picnic'... but... the other poster is right. Even a discrete bite to eat near the Pantheon isn't realistic. (Accross from the Pantheon is one place I break one of my big Europe rules... I eat at McDonald's -- they have seats outside, in the shadow of the Pantheon, plus they have clean bathrooms... so... potty break, cola and fries... to saok up the ambience of the ancient contrasted with the golden arches... then walk around toward the right of the Pantheon there is a great gelateria for dessert.)
The park at Villa Borghese is very do-able, though.
Thanks for the great input. Gina sounds good.
About the Pantheon area.... Rick suggests getting a picnic lunch prepared at a grocery store, Antica Salumeria. If we can't picnic right there, can someone suggest a place between the Pantheon and the Coliseum/Forum/Palatine Hill area where we can picnic and do some heavy duty people watching?
Thanks again
William, the area between the Pantheon and Colosseum/Forum is basically 100% hard core city...it will be hard to find an appropriate space to picnic. You may need to settle for stopping at a tavola calda with seating in front of the window where you can have an affordable lunch and still do all the people watching your heart desires :)
I love the bit about tongue hockey, so true! Italy is capital of public displays of affection.
In terms of a picnic in between the Pantheon and the Colosseum area, I have a better, but still economical, suggestion.
Across the street from the Torre Argentina (where there are a bunch of Roman ruins, including the place where Julius Caesar was killed, and a cat sanctuary), there's a fantastic little place that serves pizza by the slice. They have a couple of tables, but it's mostly takeout. They sell sodas, bottled water and the pizza. Because the turnover on the pizza is rapid, it's all fresh and probably 8 or so different choices. It's called La Florida, and it's at via Florida, 25. We're big foodies, and I would say that the pizza we got at La Florida was some of the best food we had during our recent trip to Italy
You could eat there, or take the pizza with you and I think there are benches by Torre Argentina.
I agree that portion of Rome, it would be difficult to find a real picnic spot.
For Villa Borghese, as already said, you can definitely picnic there. I'd find a good store for meats, cheeses and bread, and just pick up food before you head to the Villa Borghese area.
