It’s often said that the Trevi Fountain looks like a stage set. Indeed, the 250 year-old fountain has provided a backdrop to many notable performances. Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn dallied around it in Roman Holiday. And a very well-endowed Anita Ekberg was drenched here by Fellini in the classic film La Dolce Vita.

Today, however, some very young starlets are dominating the Trevi stage. I sat there recently while happily munching a big cone from Il Gelato di San Crispino. While working my way through a melon sorbet, I couldn’t help but smile at the teenage girls who were posing on the rocks below.

Photo by Andy Hay

Instead of reflecting on the Baroque architecture, or fishing in my bag to find three coins (tossing them into the water brings marriage or divorce, according to the legend), I was busy watching a long series of girls flip their hair, arrange their legs, and smile for the souvenir shot.

"I don’t think we can claim to have visited Rome without this sort of evidence,” I said. My friend  - perhaps fortunately -  was less enthusiastic about the idea of watching a grown woman trying to crash the pose party below.

"No matter,” I said, finishing the last of my gelato. “I think it must be time to eat again…”

Il Gelato di San Crispino, Via della Panetteria 42, Rome

Villa Borghese

An absolute go go! Rome’s most popular park – and for a good reason. It is really beautiful with pine trees, cypresses and little fountains. On Monte Pincio there is a merry-go-round and a small puppet show for children. You can also find the fabulous museum of modern art here; Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna, with new Italian art. Both the artistic content and the architectural frame are strongly recommendable.

San Clemente

One of the sights that you have to see! A “sandwich” church in three levels. From the street, you enter a 12th century basilica. Walk down one level and you will be in a basilica from the 4th century. And as if that wasn’t enough, walk down yet another level and you will get to a Roman quarter with a little alley from the First Century!

San Clemente, Via Labicana 95.

Campo dei Fiori

It looks like a set from a movie when you enter Rome’s largest food market, Campo Dei Fiori. It is founded between the ancient Temple of Venus and the Pompey’s Theatre, and it’s really colorful and lively. It should be experienced in the morning – and no later that 2pm where everything is packed away! You can buy all sorts of delicious products, and expect it to get pretty loud when the vendors compete to attract customers.

Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Campo dei Fiori

Museo dell’Ara Pacis

One of Rome’s newer museums opened in 2006 and was designed by architect Richard Meier. The different exhibitions and the museum building alone is worth a visit.

Museo dell'Ara Pacis, Lungotevere, Augusta
www.arapacis.it

Acanto Benessere Spa

If you get tired from wandering around, you should treat yourself to a stop at Acanto spa, located in the heart of the historical part of Rome. They offer beauty treatments in the ancient Roman way! Beautiful, minimalist and stylish interior design. You can have a coffee in the adjacent Caffé Universale.

Acanto Benessere Spa, Piazza Rondanini 30
www.acantobenessere.it 

By David Rich