... I've not noticed that this post never got ready. I'm so sorry - but now, it's finally here!
I'm back. Wow. After 8 days with miserable Wifi-Connection and having a great time visiting my best friend, I am (finally?) home. Let me tell you, Rome is really a beautiful city but first you have to get used to the not so.. sleek appearance.
1. Yes, you should see " the boring sightseeing stuff ". The Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Fontana di Trevi, Pantheon, the Vatican ... and so on. They are really beautiful and I think if you fight yourself through the masses of German, French and American tourists you can take some very nice pictures.
2. Aperitivo. This is one of the greatest inventions, ever. Instead of having dinner, you find yourself a nice bar which offers the opportunity of having a nice drink and helping yourself at the little buffett. You'll pay only the drink (and sometimes 2-3 € for dining as much as you want at that food stuffed buffet). Isn't that genius?
The nice little bar with a band playing jazzy music and a really cool ambiente is called "FLUID". Google maps will tell you, where you can find it.
The food is great, the people are super nice and the jazzy music is really, really good. By the way, the tables have liquid ... "lava lamp look-alike water (?)" under their surface, so you can keep yourself occupied with pushing the orange liquid in this or that direction, while eating your delicious bruscetta.
3. " Passeggiata del Gianicolo" - You want to make your butt scream in pain while you're climbing down this little hill? Do it. Because the view is rewarding. An equally good alternative is the " Aventino". (I've seen both and the view is equally special!)
"Gianicolo"
4. If you have some cultural needs too, you should visit the " Quartiere Coppede ". Strive through the nearly empty streets without being bothered by tourists and admire the beautiful houses in all kinds of styles (mainly "Jugendstil"). I really enjoyed that day because this Quarter of the city is a residential district and an insider's tip.
5. The best Pizza in town can be found at "Forno, Campo de Fiori". I hadn't really the opportunity to compare so many different Pizzeria's within one week but if there is a Pizza I would love to marry - it's this one!
6. Villa Borghese (Park). On the hill "Pincio" you'll experience a beautiful landscape and many, many busts of famous people of the Renaissance (or any other time, because (obviously) the Roman's love busts). I can't say much about it because I was just admiring the view and strolling around with my friend but it's worth it.
Fun Fact: The Park is shaped like a heart!
7. The places you'll find by just wandering around, not intending to find anything. I loved that about Rome. Just one day in your week of planned activity - do nothing (I'm not meaning laying in bed all day). Dive into the city, walk streets while you're sure that you'll be lost beyond recall. Never mind. Rome is so much more than just the things "you should see". Explore for yourself, it's not that hard. ;)
Images via here and here.