Day Tour: Roman Dolce Vita, Italy

Begin your Roman adventure at the Spanish steps, one of the city’s most popular locations and the site of the Barcaccia fountain by Bernini. Walk along Via Condotti, a street filled with the boutiques of Armani, Gucci, Bulgari and many others. Here you’ll also see what remains of the Rome of yesteryear at the Antico Caffe Greco. This spectacular café has been a meeting point for artists and philosophers since the 18th century.
 
Wind your way through alleyways to the Trevi fountain, the icon of the film ‘Dolce Vita’ filmed by Federico Fellini in 1960. Be sure to throw a coin into the fountain to ensure that you will come back to Rome again! A little further along is the stunning Piazza Colonna, home to Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Italian government and nearby Montecitorio, house of the Parliament. Stop for a well earned break at Rome’s best gelateria for the option to sample this delicious treat, then continue to the Church of Sant’Ignazio. This little known church has a wonderful fake dome, created by an optical illusion.
 
The next stop of our sightseeing tour is the Pantheon, one of the greatest and best preserved Roman temples. In the 7th century it was transformed into a church and remains one of the most astonishing sites in the Eternal city. Nearby is a small café where it’s possible to enjoy the best espresso in Rome, or maybe even in the world! Next is Palace Madama, a Renaissance building that is now the seat of the Italian Senate. A short walk away is the Piazza Navona, site of the beautiful Four Rivers fountain by Bernini.
 
Complete your walking tour by visiting another hidden gem, the statue of Pasquino. It is one of the “talking statues” of Rome, so called because written notes have been posted on it by Romans since the Renaissance period. In front of the statue is an excellent enoteca (wine-bar) where you can rest drinking a glass of wine chosen from a list of more than 3,000 and taste delicious cheese and prosciutto.