My wife and I are lucky enough to have been to Rome twice already, and as the title suggests, we have seen all typical sites (Pantheon, Vatican, Colosseum, Forum, Trevi), and already have a list of new restaurants that we will be checking out. We are fortunate enough to be in Rome again for three days early next month and were looking for out-of-the-ordinary activities/excursions/shops/museums? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...thanks!
Posted by
Portland, OR
1124 posts
Have you been to Tivoli yet? That is a good excursion.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2544 posts
Ostia Antica
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6516 posts
Doria Pamphilj gallery. Be sure to get the (included) audioguide. Your narrator is a member of the Pamphilj family.
Posted by
Folsom
2732 posts
We really enjoyed Le Domus Romane. It’s an excavation near Trajans Column. You walk on plexiglas floors while a multimedia show guides you. Book the English tour. https://www.palazzovalentini.it/domus-romane/index-en.html. For a great lunch or dinner try this now 80 year old Tuscan restaurant near the Spanish Steps https://ristorantenino.it/home-english/#c
Posted by
Portland, OR USA
90 posts
Seconding the rec for the Galleria Doria Pamphilj with (free) audio guide! I was there at the beginning of August - it was full of treasures and devoid of tourists.
Another lovely surprise was the Villa Quintilli excavation on the Via Appia Antica - a "new" addition to the Appia Antica archeological park that was once a grand villa with amphitheater, baths, acqueducts & more. It's an easy, quick bus ride from the center and we had the whole place to ourselves.
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
Now for something really different. How about a tour on the back of a Vespa? Or in an Ape Calessino?
In 2017, I took a private Street Art tour riding on the back of my tour guide's vintage Vespa. It was geared to my time and budget needs. I was picked up and returned to my apartment door. It was not cheap, but it was worth every € and the highlight of my week in Rome that year.
The company is Scooteroma. This is their general website link: https://scooteroma.com/
Click on Menu to explore and then on Tours to see what they have to offer. If riding on the back of a Vespa isn't your thing or you want to be in the same vehicle, the Ape may be for you.
Keep in mind that these folks are very willing to create the experience you'd prefer, so don't hesitate to look over all their options and ask them how they could tailor something just for you. That's what I did in 2017.
However I just noticed some new tour options that wouldn't need much tweaking for me and that make me want to go to Rome right now!
Before signing up, I checked in advance and my travel insurance covered doing this. At the time I was 71 and weighed almost 200 pounds. I'm now 76 and 50 pounds lighter, which I suspect would be better for the bike. I'd take another Vespa tour in a heartbeat. I learned a lot and it was so. much. fun.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11758 posts
Le Domus Romane as mentioned above the Pamphilj Gallery are excellent.
Also the Domus Aurea https://parcocolosseo.it/en/area/the-domus-aurea/ AKA Nero’s Golden Palace is fascinating. (Take a sweater. It is COLD in there!) Less-known and with only limited opening times and tours is Palazzo Colonna. Extraordinary history and collection. https://www.galleriacolonna.it/en/visits-to-the-palace/.
Have you been out to Castel Gandolfo? Lovely train ride, the Papal Palace, and great place for lunch on a fine day overlooking the lake.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15777 posts
Look at the Roman Guy's tours. The food tour is fun and informative. There are too many churches and museums to mention. It would help to know what you are most interested in and what you liked most (and least) on your previous visits.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2403 posts
hey hey wtortoriello
get out of the hustle and bustle of rome and into the countryside.
withlocals.com/ rome
beautiful countryside day trip: castelli romani
take short train ride to frascati and meet your host. this is summer home to the popes, see lake nemi and small village, known for sweet strawberries, walk thru town of frascati and visit ceralli.it bakery/pizza oven that is family owned
italymagazine.com/ lake nemi and its wild berry
older article but tells you about the area & the lake
lacucinaitaliana.com/ buxom cookie from frascati
learn about this cookie and nonna rosanna, 95 years old, and still baking. bring a small bag in case you buy goodies in the bakery gift shop. saw a special about this place having the best "porchetta"
oldfrascati.com
read up about this area, known for white wines and doing some tours. short train ride from rome and meet your host
withlocals.com/ rome
a day in calcata picturesque bohemian town
meet train station for a ride up to this medieval village for artists built into the hill and caves as homes, studios. walk around the village at the crafts made and have lunch. totally off the grid of something to do for a day trip
eatwith.com
look what is available in rome under event type what interests you. lunch or dinner in a local's home, cooking class, click them all to see all there is.
marketsofrome.com or rome.info shopping markets
list of rome markets, my friends went to the testaccio one and totally enjoyed just looking at everything, tasting, bought some "deli" stuff, baguette and wine for happy hour at their place
hope something peeks your brain and you guys enjoy whatever.
aloha