Rome is a sprawling city, with so much to see and do. The Colosseum! The Vatican! The Pantheon! The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps!
This was not my first visit to Rome, so I decided to get off the beaten path a little. There’s no better place to do that than the Trastevere neighborhood.
You can find Trastevere on the West bank of Rome’s Tiber River, about a thirty minute walk South from St. Peter’s Basilica. Trastevere is a former working-class neighborhood that, in recent years, has earned a reputation as the place for foodies visiting Rome.
The cobblestoned streets of Trastevere are winding and can be confusing. If you’re independently exploring, the best thing to do is simply get lost. Wander around, let your senses guide you. There is incredible food all around. Creamy carbonara pasta with handmade noodles, fried zucchini flowers, pizza, gnocchi, caprese salads, melon and prosciutto… the options are endless!
The Piazza di Santa Maria is found in the heart of Trastevere, and is the perfect place to do a little people watching.
After exploring the area, we made our way to the Hide & Tweet location: Gianicolo Hill. (Or, depending on who you ask, Janiculum Hill.) Gianicolo Hill is not included in the famous Seven Hills of Rome, as it’s on the West bank of the Tiber River and outside the boundaries of the ancient city. It takes about 20 minutes to climb the hill, but there’s a lot to see along the way, and the views of Rome at the top make it worth the effort. (It’s also a fantastic way to burn off a few of the calories consumed while exploring Trastevere!)
Besides the main attraction – the panoramic city view – there are fountains, statues, busts and a lighthouse to see. The hill was the site of an 1849 battle between Italian politician Giuseppe Garibaldi’s forces and the French. On the hill, you’ll find Piazzale Garibaldi and a statue in his honor.
If you visit, bring your binoculars (handily provided in your Azamara stateroom) and count how many famous Roman landmarks you can spot!
Congratulations to Valerie on Instagram, who correctly identified our location! This was a hard one. She’ll receive a year’s subscription to Conde Nast Traveler Magazine!
Tomorrow, the Azamara Quest will be tendered in Southern Italy. Guests will scatter to Sorrento, Amalfi, Capri, Pompeii and more. Where will we be hiding and tweeting? Find out!
Ciao,Jill
Want to experience the eternal city in the fall? This 17 Night Rome to the Emirates Voyage in October 2016 is perfect!