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Gianicolo Saunter
around arm-in-arm in this elegant park and take in a traditional puppet
show, perhaps buy a puppet or two and check out the carousel. But most
of all, enjoy the views, considered by many to be the best in the city.
If you happen to be here at noon, get ready for a shock when the cannon
booms – a daily routine .
Pincio These
gardens are the other most famous view of Rome, much cherished by
Romantic writers since the early 19th century, when the gardens were
designed by Giuseppe Valadier. If the exclusive Casina Valadier
café/restaurant should be open for business, no place is more romantic
for a drink or a meal .
Casina Valadier, Pincio
Rose and Orange Gardens, Parco Savello The
public Rose Gardens are a gracious, fragrant place to stroll in season,
and then make your way on up the hill to the Orange Garden, where you
can relax under umbrella pines and enjoy the view of the river,
Trastevere and St Peter’s. Take the ancient Clivo di Rocca Savella back
down the hill.
Villa Borghese A
huge park with innumerable fountains, benches, shady lanes, niches and
glades. But by far the most appealing activity is taking a rowboat out
on the lake, around the island with its Classical temple .
Villa Borghese
Arnaldo ai Satiri Everything
you might require for romance can be found in this candlelit hideaway
restaurant on an ancient street. The poetic decor has a ballet theme and
the atmosphere is suitably soft and subdued. Rigatoni alla crema di cavoli
(fluted pasta with cream of cabbage sauce) is the unusual house
speciality, and the turkey breast with mozzarella and mushrooms is
equally delicious. Via di Grotta Pinta 8 06 686 1915 Closed Tue
Lo Chalet del Lago Believe it or not, the Fascist complex of EUR
has a truly charming restaurant with huge picture windows overlooking
the lake, where during the day you can watch boaters go by and the ducks
paddle about. The food is simple but is as elegant as its surroundings . Campidoglio by Night With the subtle yet dramatic lighting, the three palaces on this hill take on an almost magical beauty at night .
Make your way up the gentle incline, circumambulate the piazza once or
twice, then head across and down to imbibe the vision of the Roman Forum
and Colosseum, which are also evocatively floodlit.
Campidoglio at night
Trevi Fountain Too
often thronged with tourists, yet the sheer beauty and power of this
creation are nevertheless overwhelming, day or night. It’s also a
perfect opportunity to make any wishes you may have in mind, the more
romantic the better. Have some coins ready for tossing in – backwards,
of course – to ensure your return to Rome .
Trevi Fountain
Appia Way on a Sunday One
day a week, part of the old Via Appia Antica is closed to all traffic
except tour buses, making it perfect for a bucolic bike ride, or a very
long walk if you want to cover it all. Lined with pines and cypresses,
this is where the ancient Romans came to bury their dead, and many tombs
still remain along the roadside .
Gelato at Tre Scalini A triple-chocolate bomb with a cherry in the middle and topped with whipped cream is the famous tartufo
produced by this café. If you get it “to go”, it’s a bargain, but it’s
probably more romantic to sit inside and share one – as long as you
don’t fight over the cherry .
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