12 New Ways to Spend Time in Rome

Here are 12 new ways for travelers to enjoy the beauty of such an eternal city as Rome.

1. Riding a Vespa motorcycle through the city

The roads in today’s Rome zigzag and extend in all directions. Both ice cream truck drivers and hearse drivers travel crazily on these roads as if they were driving bumper cars. As Claudio Serra puts it, “Only by riding a Vespa motorcycle can one move around easily on a vehicle in Rome. Also, you can either stop it outside Pantheon or ride it on expressways.”

Claudio runs a small museum of Vespa motorcycles. He provides some extra services in the shop near the Colosseum such as renting small motorcycles and bringing travelers to tour Rome on a motorcycle. Riders on Vespa motorcycles zip through traffic, and they can always keep calm.

● The fee for renting a Vespa style motorcycle at Bici&Baci Car Rental Shop is about 45 euros for 3 hours (minimum is 3 hours). Please refer to bicibaci.com for more information.

2. Riding a bike on Appian Way

Built in 312 BC, Appian Way is the most elegant and historic road in Roman, known as “Queen of the Road.” Appian Way served as the racetrack for short runners during the Olympic Games and the battlefield of World War II. The Third Servile War took place on Appian Way. At that time, 6,000 captive slaves were crucified to death by the road. On this same pathway, paved with pebbles, St. Peter heard the calling from Jesus Christ. Contemporary riders cycle on Appian Way to explore the ancient road which stretches for 14.5 kilometers on the edge of Rome.

Tracks left by wagons and chariots can still be seen on Appian Way, and some of them can be dated back to the period of ancient Rome, many centuries ago.

Appian Way extends southward from busy streets in the south of Rome. Lazio Village, a small village surrounded by cities, has been preserved, thus forming an intact relic. In the village, no noisy sirens can be heard, what you can hear are beeps seemingly from far away. In the air, filled with the flavor of wild mints, travelers pass through dilapidated Roman mansions and bastions of the Middle Ages along Appian Way.

3. Drinking water from the “big nose”

In the hot summer, the “big nose” or “nasone” is a savior for every Roman citizen. The “big nose” is the nickname given to 2,500 fountains which have mouths shaped like a nose and are scattering across the city, including the fountain at the quiet Piazza Navona and the water pump with the shape of a wolf mouth on the Aventine Hill.

The locals often use these fountains, sparrows drink from them, puppies take showers with them, children play with the water near them, and even some curious visitors cannot help but experience the fountains. Surprisingly, despite the hot weather, the water coming out from the fountains is clean and cool.

4. Swimming in the  pool of ForoItalico

Located on the northwestern bank of the Tiber River, ForoItalico is a sports complex and once served as the venue for the 1960 Rome Olympics. Tourists seldom come here. The most wonderful place is the swimming pool of which the marble walls are inlaid with pictures of seahorses and naked pretty Italian men.

● Admission: about 13 euros (seen at comune.roma.it)

5. Learning how to become a gladiator

Gladiator training courses are held in 1st-century AD barracks.

● Fee for one-day gladiator training courses: at least 60 euros (seen at gruppostoricoromano.it)

6. Going to the Non-Catholic Cemetery

The Non-Catholic Cemetery can date back to the eighteenth century. Most people come here to remember John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley.

The Non-Catholic Cemetery is designed for Jews, Protestants and Moslems.

● You are advised to donate 4 euros (seen at cemeteryrome.it).

7. Rowing a boat in Borghese Gardens

Borghese Gardens is a leisure place for the citizens of Rome. There are many hills and mansions here. You can row a boat on the lake.

It’s said that the design of the lake is influenced by Stourhead of Wiltshire.

● You can rent boats between 9:30 and sunset for a minimum of 20 minutes. The minimum cost if 5 euros.

8. Finding euro coins issued by Vatican

For collectors, the opportunities to find one euro coin issued by the smallest country worldwide Vatican are as slim as those to getting a golden ticket of Wonka in the film called Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

● If you like, you can spend 14 euros in buying a euro coin in the Numismatic Office. St. Peter's Basilica is freely open to the public. (Website: vaticanstate.va)

9. Ordering a glass of Roman grattachecca

There are many ice cream shops in Rome. The ice cream differs in flavor, and is as large as Pavarotti. Grattachecca is a unique frozen dessert.

SoraMirella offers Rome style grattachecca.

● SoraMirella is close to Ponte Celsio, and grattachecca there costs at least 3 euros.

10. Drawing a Roman mosaic picture of your own

Mosaic is part of indoor decorations in Rome. In Monti, there is a workshop that inherits mosaic techniques and offers courses for people who would like to try mosaic paintings. This workshop is Cassio Studio.

● Daily courses (for at least 3 people) cost about 55 euros per person (seen at http://www.studiocassio.com/).

11. Visiting the private garden of the Roman Pope

Dating back to the seventeenth century, Castel Gandolfo is located in the suburbs of Rome. It is as large as a football field. In the magnificent garden, you can overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Castel Gandolfo set a limit to the number of visitors. Therefore, you may feel as if having entering a private garden.

●Tour guides in Villa Barberini gardens are on hand from Monday to Saturday. The admission is at least 28 euros (seen at biglietteriamusei.vatican.va).

12. Viewing Rome from a keyhole

On the metal gate of Villadel Priorato di Malta is a small keyhole which frames the most unique sceneries of Roman, including the neatly-trimmed cypress trees and rose bushes, SantaMaria in Trastevere, and St. Peter's Basilica.

●Villadel Priorato di Malta is located on Aventine Hill and in the southwest of Circus Maximus (seen at ordinedimaltaitalia.org )

(Photoed by SusanWright)