Glad I was able to come here and see this and experience it for myself…read more When I got here there was only a few people ahead of me. I beat the long lines. Unfortunately my iPhone camera did not do this justice!!! The Aventine Keyhole is a famous, small peephole in a large green door on Rome's Aventine Hill, offering a perfectly framed, magical view of St. Peter's Basilica's dome through a tunnel of trees, technically looking across three countries: the Knights of Malta's grounds, Italy, and Vatican City.

Arrive at dawn or be prepared for a long wait for your moment to gaze through the keyhole and see…read morethe perfectly framed dome through a tunnel of greenery. We waited for an hour, chatted, and the time flew by. Another word of advice, there is no need take a picture or video through the keyhole. We watched numerous people kindly offer their electronics a longer turn than their actual eyes! If you scroll through Yelp, or any corner of the internet talking about the Aventine Keyhole, you will see thousands of photos and videos. So, when it's your turn, gaze through, smile at the majesty of what people before you have created, enjoy a lived experience, and take a photo with your loved ones, not keyholes.

if you love italian cinema, this is a great place to hit…read more Many years ago I went to Cinecitta from the Colosseum by rail. I got off the train and before long I found a sidewalk with Anna Magnani's star on it. I zoomed off, but It took me a while to find the front gate as I ended up walking around the parameter of Cinecitta. When I got to the gate I asked if there was a tour, but no one understood what I meant. I was eventually helped by an English speaking employee, and she was able to translate what I meant when I asked if they had a tour, "like they have at Universal Studios." No such tour existed, and we all had a laugh when they were told what Universal Studios's tour was like. I am harpy to say that the tour now exists, and that it is amazing. It is thankfully not like Universal Studios, by the way. Be prepared to walk. And enjoy all of the sets from the great Italian cinema.

There are times when I love children and times when I dislike them. Coming to Cinecittà on a day…read morewhen the tour group was full of children brought me to the latter. Please, for the sake of goodness and truth, leave your frantic kids at the arcade or mall or with your local fruittivendolo if they are easily bored and prefer to jump around things and run around people. But I digress. A visit to Cinecittà is a MUST for anyone who loves film. I happen to be completely obsessed with film (more so than music, surprisingly), so I found Rome's premier movie studio thoroughly enchanting, passionate and even romantic. The sets for 'Gangs of New York,' a film I love from one of my favorite directors of all time, and the multi-million dollar recreation of Ancient Rome for HBO's 'Rome' were definite highlights of this trip. Then there's the famous balcony from 'Romeo and Juliet' that warmed our hears like few architectural structures could. The exhibition Cinecittà Si Mostra (Cinecittà Shows Off) was quite brilliant as well, though I wouldn't come here just for that. With music and lighting effects, lots of props and first-hand accounts from actors and directors, it's an exhibit full of movie history. The only downside (besides the children, if they should be there) is that the tour is only in Italian, making it difficult for foreigners to follow along, and you cannot visit the sets without participating in a guided tour. Even if you don't understand the language, you can still follow along ('Gangs of New York' in italiano e' anche 'Gangs of New York' - cosi' conveniente). I would recommend that everyone opt for the tour (show your Metro ticket for two euros off). It was film that inspired me to change careers, fall in love and live life to its fullest. This is where so much of it is made.

Palatine Hill has so much to see. If you want to get the history of everything here then you should…read moreget a tour. I felt like we didn't know where to go since it's so spread out & didn't know what half the sites were since plagues were limited or hard to spot. We got the basics & probably missed a bunch but would have liked to learn more & not have to find/read all the signs. The tickets were part of our colosseum package & allows access to this the day before or after which was nice. By 5 pm they are asking people to leave so don't go too late if you want to see it all as the property is huge. We missed half of it since we only had 2 hours to walk it. The view from the top is the best so I'd suggest go up there to get a lay of the land & then cover the lowers. We spent too much time in some of the lower less exciting ruins of the small buildings & raced past the grander "Super sites". The senate building was underwhelming & didn't have much info posted. I'd ask an entrance worker for advice at least to start with.

Palatine Hill is, according to legend and archaeological evidence, the literal birthplace of Rome…read more It's where Romulus and Remus were found and raised by a she-wolf, and where excavations have produced proof of human habitation going back to the 10th century BC. Today, it's a sort of outdoor museum, where you can walk around with your jaw on the ground, preferably with the help of a guide (we took a Forum/Palatine Hill/Colosseum tour with Crown Tours, which felt essential to the experience). The ruins are astonishing, both up close and from an elevated vantage point. The view from Palatine Hill encompasses ancient and modern Rome and is unlike anything else I've ever seen. If you're a tourist in Rome, do not miss Palatine Hill. It's an extraordinary place, a pleasure to explore, and you can easily add it to your trip to the Colosseum.

While on vacation in Rome, I was searching for an engaging activity for my kids to enjoy during our…read morestay, something beyond the typical adult-oriented museums. The museum, spacious and well-designed, has two floors dedicated to science-based activities tailored for children. My kids particularly loved the second floor, where they engaged in various activities to earn points that could be redeemed for other games. One of the most fun features of the museum was its small grocery store, kept my kids entertained for a long amount of time. Another highlight was their pretend fast-speed train, which my son really enjoyed, especially pretending to be a train conductor. I highly recommend this museum to anyone visiting or residing in Rome.

LOVE IT !!! I went this place during my holiday in rome.My 2…read moreyears old daugher loved this place.She had great time, played with everthing. She want to come again and again . there is pool for water activities, my kid had a blast after see. Mini kid supermarket, farmer, train, firestation unit etc. This place nice for children too till 13 yeard old. Its really close to villa Borghese.Take a nice breakfast , after take your kids to this place for out of energy and then go villa borghese to chill out.

Great museum with free entry. Took around 45 minutes to walk through both floors. Great mix of late…read more1800s to mid to late 1900s art and fashion. We enjoyed reading the biography's of each person who donated works from their personal collection. Walking room by room you can see the changes in woman's fashion, design and art decade by decade. Don't miss the bathroom on the second floor renovated in 1932. It is used as a display for dresses but if you look behind the dresses you will see beautiful green and yellow tile work. Highly recommend if you are on this side of town.

While visiting from Wisconsin we had the pleasure of doing a wine tasting with Fernanda. What an…read moreamazing experience. One of our favorite things while we were there. Thank you Fernanda!

If I could give more than 5 stars I absolutely would! This was one of our favorite nights of our…read moreentire trip! We did the Italian wines and cheese pairings class (a group class of about 10 people) led by Hande, the sommelier. She was incredible!! Her knowledge was so impressive, but she imparted it in such a fun and conversational way that it was extremely interesting and never pretentious. We learned so much and enjoyed every minute of it. It really made us more interested and confident in our wine selections for the remainder of our trip. You could have as many pours as you liked and the wines were very good quality and a broad spectrum. She gives you a map of the Italian wine and grape regions and a listing of all that you taste. Also, ADD THE CHEESE TASTING! It was the best cheese we had on the entire trip. I have never had fresher mozzarella and ricotta. I think we had about 7 different cheeses in all as well as delicious bread and meats. Again, we could eat as much as we wanted, and trust me, we wanted a lot! She wasn't looking at the clock at all, we sat and ate and drank like we were among old friends. It was such a special night. A must do while in Rome!

Galleria Doria Pamphilj is one of Rome's most breathtaking hidden treasures--an aristocratic…read moresanctuary of art, history, and elegance tucked just steps away from the bustling Via del Corso. Visiting this gallery feels like stepping into a private world where centuries of beauty have been lovingly preserved. The moment you enter, the atmosphere shifts. The palace itself is a masterpiece--ornate ceilings, shimmering gold accents, and hallways lined with mirrors and marble. Each room carries the quiet grandeur of a family that collected art not for prestige, but out of genuine passion. That intimacy sets it apart from Rome's larger, more crowded museums. The collection is extraordinary. You'll find remarkable works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Bernini, Raphael, and Titian, each displayed in lavish, beautifully lit rooms that feel more like a lived-in palace than a museum. Caravaggio's "Rest on the Flight into Egypt" and the haunting "Magdalene" are highlights, while Velázquez's portrait of Pope Innocent X is nothing short of astonishing--an encounter that lingers long after you leave. What makes the experience truly special is the ability to wander the gallery at your own pace, taking in masterpieces without the rush or crowds. The audio guide, narrated by a member of the Pamphilj family, adds a personal touch and deepens your appreciation for the collection and its history. Whether you're an art lover or simply someone seeking a quiet, immersive cultural experience, Galleria Doria Pamphilj is a must-visit. It's a rare blend of elegance, intimacy, and artistic brilliance--a place where Rome's noble past comes alive in the most captivating way.

What an awesome view into the extravagant wealth of these families. We enjoyed exploring the palace!read more