See+and+Do

This page overviews a few of the places I know and like in Rome (and those that I don't). None of this is probably original advice but it's nevertheless relevant.

=Places You Must Visit/Do (our class isn’t going to these places as a group)=
 * 1) **Vatican museum**. Simply the best museum in the world. The Sistine Chapel is a life-changer. Use the [|Rick Steve’s podcast audio guide]. __You cannot see the whole thing so you need a map and a plan. Rick Steves has both__.
 * 2) **San Pietro Cuppola**. Get the ticket and walk up the 500+ stairs to the top of San Pietro. FABULOUS views of all of Rome and Vatican City. Go on a clear, sunny day.
 * 3) **Castel Sant’Angelo**. Weird multi-purpose facility (mausoleum for Hadrian, fortress for the Pope, and now part museum). The view from the top is great. Go on a clear, sunny day. Dusk is fantastic.
 * 4) **See Rome EARLY in the morning**. Before all the cars and traffic. Get up at 5 am once and bring your camera. I like to go for a run early in the morning before anyone is up.
 * 5) **Walk around Rome**. Best way to see the City. Hands down. Passeggiata’s are so fun. Dress up, walk around near dusk (5-7 pm).
 * 6) **Borghese Gallery**. Bernini sculptures and paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, etc. You need to make a reservation here IN ADVANCE. So some planning is required.
 * 7) **National Museum of Rome**. Best collection of Rome sculpture anywhere. This stuff used to be all over Rome. Now it’s in this museum.
 * 8) **Catacombs**. Super cool and a bit creepy.
 * 9) **Good food**. PLEASE, PLEASE try some good food in Rome and get away from the tourist dumps. There is plenty of excellent food to be had on the cheap. Look here:
 * 10) Katie Parla. An American ex-pat that makes a living talking/writing about food in Rome. She recommends many super-cheap places and has a kick-ass app for the iPhone.
 * 11) Elizabeth Minchilli. Another ex-pat with great food recommendations.