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Rome in one of the most visited cities in the world for many of its charms, none less than the tremendous amount of breathtaking monuments and magnificent historical sites at your disposal. Many plan a two to three day visit to Rome and restrict themselves to the Colosseum and nearby ancient town, as well as the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. Ah, but Rome is oh so much more than that… Suite 49 has been to bella Roma many times, our last recent visit the longest, as we wanted to experience some of the less obvious things to do in the city and bring them to you. So, take a look and get a feeling for some great spots that are not part of travel guides, and we are sure you will enjoy Rome even more.

A day in Trastevere, a former working class region, is a good way to escape a bit from the Colosseum or, if you are town for business, from air-conditioned offices and conference rooms. Start at Piazza di Santa Maria and its astonishing small Basilica, with its rich interiors and mosaics. Go ahead and get lost in the neighborhood’s labyrinth of streets and cobblestone alleys, maybe… Read more »

How would it be possible to go to Rome and miss Villa Farnesina? Commissioned by a banker from Siena, it is one of the highest expressions of Italian Renaissance. Villa Farnesina houses incredible rooms with amazing frescoes by Raphael, painted in the 16th century, and other, less famous (arguably as skilled) artists. Marble floors, trompe de l’oeil, huge windows with detailed painted panels and richly… Read more »

Just fifty minutes by train away from Rome lies this World Heritage site, known for its charming city center, the beautiful gardens in Villa d’Este, the waterfalls at Villa Gregoriana and nearby Villa Adriana. If you intend to go by train, definitely avoid Sundays as after you arrive in Tivoli it is extremely difficult to get a taxi (or even a local bus) to get… Read more »

If in Rome for the first time, or on business but want to escape from office for some time, or even if you have been here before but can’t resist revisiting your favorite sights, there is one very important rule: buy tickets in advance for the busy places like The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Castel Sant’Angello or the Colosseum. If visiting on the peak holiday periods… Read more »

It is puzzling why most travelers miss a visit to this stunning Basilica, one of five papal ones in Rome. When talking to locals, we asked what their favorite place in the city may be, especially the ones travelers miss, and this Basilica was a top choice. Not only is it marvelous in terms of architecture and riches, but it is also home to the… Read more »

Located at Piazza della Repubblica, on the same site as Museo Nazionale Romano. An informative documentary film presented upon entering details what the Diocletian Baths used to look like, with magnificent rich detailing, marble structures and statues. Although much of the original details are no longer there, the structure has been maintained. It is interesting to learn that the beautiful adjacent basilica was built using… Read more »

Where else in the world would you find a park where you can go for a stroll or exercise in the middle of original Roman statues and fountains, Egyptian obelisks and marble Roman arches? Well, when in Rome you do find all of that at Villa Borghese. It is such a beautiful park and your visit will likely have the background sound of cicadas singing… Read more »