Vendors

Campo de' Fiori is the perfect, small piazza to go to for an early morning market, snack stop for gelato or a nice italian pasta dinner at nighttime. However, be prepared to deal with the vendors that swamp the area, continually asking you to purchase a handful of roses or strange gadgets, like blinking glasses. Unfortunately, it is hard to avoid these obnoxious vendors. At the restaurants, it is not unusual for the men to walk around with a dozen of roses, rudely interrupting people's dinner, insisting on buying the flowers.

In the morning, during the markets there are a few stands that sell the "must have" tourist sweatshirts, with large letters spelling "ITALIA." The signs are deceiving, as they are marked as ten euros, but the men will ask for at least fifteen or twenty euros when you consider buying one. If you have the time and patience, bargaining is always a good idea.

My best advice is to not make eye contact with the sellers. I usually shake my head, say "no" allowing the vendor to see that I am not interested. If they persist (which they probably will), just walk away. Although it may be annoying at times, do not let this discourage you from visiting the piazza.

Singing Beauty

Today was a beautiful, warm day, so I was excited to venture out, knowing there would be a lot of entertainers along my way. I turned the corner, and to my surprise, heard the sounds of a low voice projecting music. I have not seen one singer since I have been in Rome, so I was quite excited with my findings. As I sat and listened, it occured to me, the man was singing in English! "How convenient" I thought. Locals walked by the man as though he was a part of the wall, invisible to all. I watched as a large tourist group, that was led by a man holding an umbrella high, was very impressed with the performer. I'm starting to be convinced the tourists are the main coin droppers, adding to the street performers money collection.

Find Your way to the Trevi Fountain

Facing the Piazza Dei Cinquecento, directly infront of Rome's central train station, make a left onto Vialle Einaudi. As you approach the Piazza Della Repubblica, follow the road to the left, and then turn left onto Via Nazionale. When you first turn onto Via Nazionale, you will pass Teatro dell'Opera (a Rome Opera House). Next, make a right onto Via Delle Quattro. At the intersection between Via Delle Quattro and Via XX Settembre, you will see le Quattro Fontane, which are four fountains in each corner. Continue going straight, until you come to the Piazza Barbernini, where you will make a left onto Via Del Tritone. Proceed forward, until you make a left onto Via Polli, where you will see the church, Santa Maria in Trivio on you right. As you continue forward, you will be taken back by the beauty of the marble fountain, with the sparkling water that continually flows.

When arriving at Rome's largest and best known Baroque fountain, you will be overwhelmed with the monument, along with the many tourists that are crowded around, taking pictures, throwing coins and staring at the beautiful piece of art work. The magical myth that claims by tossing a coin into the water, you are assured you will be back to Rome, has left the bottom of the fountain filled with glistening coins. Surrounding the fountain are numerous souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes.

A Jaunt Outside the City: Ostia Antica

To get to Ostia Antica from Roma Termini, you would first start out leaving the Termini station, which is right at the Piazza dei Cinquecento. Walking out of the station you go to the left. Walking straight on the road, to the right of you and forward, you will see a blue sign that has the letter “M” on it. Walk down the stairs, and make sure that you follow the blue sign that reads “Metro Linea B”. When you get down the stairs, there will be a little room, and a machine named “Biglietteria”.

To buy your ticket for the metro, go up to the machine, and hit the touch screen on the British flag. There will be four types of tickets that you could choose from, and pick the first option. It will cost 1 euro for a one-way/75 minute ticket. I suggest you purchase 2 tickets, so that you have a return ticket for your trip back to Rome. Go through the turnstiles. Make sure you get through the turnstile for “Metro Linea B” going to “Laurentina”. Get onto the metro, and remain on until it stops at "Eur-Magliana".

You will get off at the 8th stop, named “Eur-Magliana”. When you get off the metro, follow signs directing you to the “Lido” train. To get there, you will have to go underground and to the left. Go upstairs at the entrance to the “Lido a Cristoforo Columbo” train. Get onto the train and take it to “Ostia Antica”. It will take about 30 minutes to get to this stop, and it will be the 5th stop.

Get off the train, and leaving the train station cross the street using the “Blue Sky-Bridge”. Walk down Via della Statzione di Ostia Antica. Follow this road down to the parking lot located on your left.

Ostia Antica is open Tuesday through Sunday, May through December, excluding religious holidays. It opens at 8:30am until 1 hour before sunset. The link provided would direct you to a page designed to help you find out more about what to expect when arriving at Ostia Antica. You will approach a ticket office, and tickets can be purchased for 4 euro per person. After your ticket is purchased, you will be able to explore the ancient ruins and be able to experience Rome’s largest port town that is now a preserved city, much like Pompeii. To get the map of Ostia Antica, you can pay 2 euro at the ticket office to get a detailed guide of what to expect upon your trip. If you refer to the guidebook Eyewitness Travel ROME you will be able to look through all of the history of places throughout Rome.

If you have time, the closest beach to is along the same train line as you would take back to Rome, and should be easy to find how to get to. Lido di Ostia is a suggested beach to travel to. If you refer to Rick Steves’ ITALY 2008 you will be able to get additional travel hints or advice on how and where to travel throughout Italy.
Created By: Kelley Costello, Nicole Vella, Ilana Segal, Hillary Jones, and Alyssa O’Donnell

Directions to Piazza Barberini

Upon your arrival in Rome, at the Centrale Roma Termini (Train station), step outside, facing the Piazza Del Cinquecento, to begin your journey to the Piazza Barberini. Go straight on Vialle Einaudi, until you reach the circle, around the Piazza Della Repubblica, where you will veer to the right. Continue on to the V. Vitt. E. Orlando, where you will reach an intersection, crossing Via XX Settembre. As you look to the right, you will pass the Santa Susanna Church, along with the Santa Maria della Vittoria Church, on the left. After seeing the churches, continue on the same road and you will come to Via Barberini, slightly turning left. Keep going straight, until you come to the Tritone Fountain, successfully making it to your final destination!

The Piazza is home of the Tritone Fountain, which was one of Bernini's magnificent work. The design of the fountain consists of four dolphins, supporting an open clam, where a Triton sits and blows flowing water from his horn. Until the end of the 18th century, the dead bodies of the unknown were placed on display in front of the fountain, so people would be able to identify the bodies. Since the piazza is in the city center of Rome, do not be surprised by the chaotic and busy traffic.

Information obtained from:

http://www.romaviva.com/Via-Veneto/piazza_barberini_eng.htm

Floating Musicians

Ever since I first began observing the street performers around Rome, I wondered if the musicians pick a certain spot to perform, and continually go there each day. The other day, I found myself strolling around the Piazza della Rotanda, where the Pantheon is located. I saw a young boy dressed in a proper, white, button up shirt that looked like it had just been nicely ironed. I noticed that he was carrying a violin case, and stopped in front of a crowded restaurant that was outside. As I got closer, I realized it was the same boy I had seen last week, playing the violin in Campo de' Firori. It was around the same time in the afternoon that I saw him play. Interestingly, both times he stood directly in front of a crowded restaurant, mesmerizing the guests with his talent. Ironically, on my walk home from the Piazza, I ran into the older man I saw last week, who played the Hava Nagila song on his violin. Just as the same boy, he was in a completely different place than I had first seen him. I have made a conclusion that the street performers are never consistent with the location that they play, but it's never too hard to stumble upon some entertainment in Rome.

Sticking to Italian Panini's

I never could imagine the day when I was actually sick of seeing, smelling or tasting Italian food. But, when we arrived in Amsterdam for our weekend trip, we avoided every restaurant that advertised anything that had to do with red sauce, pasta or pizza, knowing it would not satisfy our hunger. My eyes immediately widened as I saw the extensive selection of American food with a wide selection of chicken and steak. I had an excellent, juicy all-American cheeseburger with fries. I was completely satisfied with my meal and predicted it to be the common theme throughout the weekend. Surprisingly, the next day, I found myself, along with two other people searching for a cheap and easy "Snack Bar" that offered a panini selection for just two 2 euros. It became obvious that we would not find a lunch that was conveniently cheap, but my watchful eyes spotted a sign for panini's. Without hesitation we proceeded into the "Holland" themed restaurant and ordered a tomato, mozzarella and pesto panini. I might have set my standards too high, because I was thoroughly disappointed with my 5 euro panini. Not only did it take long, but the tasteless tomatoes and rock hard toasted bread did not sit well in my stomach. After this experience, I am now a firm believer that Italy is the only place for panini's.