The Spanish Steps, in Rome’s city centre, are quite possibly the most famous stairs in the world and certainly one of Rome’s most treasured landmarks. The impressive sight of 138-step passage joining Piazza di Spagna and the Trinita’ dei Monti Church makes for one of the city’s best photographic opportunities; the views of Rome from the ground of the church are simply breathtaking. But the Spanish Steps represent more than just a stairway to heaven. Beautifully maintained, and adorned with colourful fresh flowers, the Spanish Steps are the city’s best lunch spot! Grabbing a tasty panino nearby and spending some time doing what locals do best (see and be seen) makes for a splendid afternoon indeed. Book your holiday rental apartment near the Spanish Steps and come be in the heart of Roman action. Trinita’ dei Monti Church In case you need a reason to climb up the seemingly endless Spanish Steps, the Trinita’ dei Monti Church would have to be it! This intricately adorned church offers a lot more than just stunning views of Rome, and represents the area’s multi-national history in beautiful form. This land used to be owned by the Kingdom of France, and it was donated to a group of ...

Around the Spanish Steps of Rome there are some excellent restaurants and these include options for all budgets whether you are looking for high-end Rome restaurants or budget ones. The great thing about food in Italy is that even if you go for budget restaurants, you can still expect very decent quality food and this is especially true for restaurants around the Spanish Steps area. Da Gino Trattoria (Vicolo Rosini, 4) – is a traditional trattoria which is a great option if you are looking for a budget restaurant near the Spanish steps. Be sure to try the pasta e ceci in brodo di arzilla or the home-made fettuccine. Order the house wine and you will get to sample a quality wine and a budget price. Situated near to the Piazza del Parlamento, this restaurant comes highly recommended. Naturist Club L'Isola - despite its name, the Naturist Club L'Isola has nothing to do with nudists and is in fact a macrobiotic restaurant. Both well priced and known for using fresh, seasonal, organically grown vegetables in their cooking, this is a wonderful place to eat. Although the menu is largely vegetarian and features many vegan dishes, fish is available here as well. The ...

Looking for an art gallery in Rome with an amazing history and a rich collection of artwork? Then head to the Galleria Doria Pamphilj located near the Spanish Steps in Rome. This gallery is home to a wealth of seventeenth century art, collected by the Italian Doria-Pamphilj family. The family, whose umbrella name of Doria-Pamphilj embraces the families of Doria, Pamphilj, Aldobrandini and Landi, is an illustrious and wealthy one, with Popes and Princes among its members. The Galleria Doria Pamphilj was once the home of Pope Innocent X, who belonged to the Pamphilj family. An English heritage line runs in the family and the quarter-English Princess Orietta Pogson Doria Pamphilj and her English husband were responsible for the restoration of the family’s art collection. The collection was opened to the public soon after the collection was restored. Some of the seventeenth century artists represented here includes Annibale Carracci, Jan Bruegel, Caravaggio, Gaspard Dughet, Guido Reni, Claude Lorrain and Guercino. In addition to paintings, the Galleria Doria Pamphilj also houses fine sculptures by Bernini and Algardi. Some of the sculptures in the Galleria Doria Pamphilj collection date from ancient times; the gallery also boasts interesting antique furniture and furnishings on display. The gem ...

Once a year in the summer, the 100 Painters exhibition in Via Margutta (near the Spanish Steps) displays the works of one hundred local and international artists. There is also a 100 Painters exhibition in Piazza Indipendenza Pomezia in the spring.The one hundred painters’ exhibition was first held in the 1950s in the Via Margutta, which is a small Roman street renowned for inspiring the works of sculptors, painters, poets and musicians. The Via Margutta is in the ancient quarter of Campo Marzio, and it has many fashionable restaurants and art galleries located in former stables and artisan workshops.In the early 1950s, Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck made a film called ‘Roman Holiday’ and the Via Margutta, which features in the film, became the haunt of artists such as Frederico Fellini and is now an exclusive residential street. Every year since 1953 there has been a one hundred painters’ exhibition except in 1969, when everyone was too busy thinking about the first moon landing to put on an exhibition. To find the Via Margutta it is necessary to go via Via Cassia to Piazzale Flaminio and then to walk through the entrance in the wall that leads to Piazza del Popolo. From ...

Did you that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lived 2 years in Rome between 1786 and 1788? The German poet wrote a book about his experiences during that time; the book is called "Italienische Reise" (Italian Journey). After a visit to the Pantheon and St Peters he writes "The Pantheon, so great within and without, has overwhelmed me with admiration. St Peter's has made me realize that Art, like Nature, can abolish all standards of measurement. "The apartment where Goethe used to live on Via del Corso, in the Spanish Steps area, is today a lesser known museum in Rome dedicated to his Italian journey. La Casa di Goethe is well worth a visit - it contains Goethe's sketches, precious first editions of Goethe's books and Andy Warhol's Goethe portrait (1982). Casa di GoetheVia del Corso, 18, 00186 Rome (map location). Open daily from 10.00-18.00. Admission until 17.30. Closed on Mondays. A statue of the poet can be found in the Villa Borghese. It was given to the city by the German emperor William II to symbolise the deep bonds between Rome and Germany. Recommended Rome Tour: Rome Angels & Demons Half-Day Tour

$$$ Restaurant of Hotel de Russie: [Via del Babuino 9, Rome tel: +39 06 328881] Le Jardin de Russie Restaurant is in one of the most romantic settings in Rome and that's really saying something. You can experience some of the best Italian food among the cypresses, umbrella pines, rose bushes, magnolia and orange trees on the terrace within sight of the Borgese Gardens. $$$ Restaurant Otello alla Concordia: [via delle croce 81, Rome tel:+39 06 6791178] Old established Roman restaurant, great atmosphere, excellent service and consistently good food - served in an ancient Roman courtyard. $$ Restaurant Gusto: [Piazza Augusto Imperatore 9, Rome, tel: 06 3226273] Large and modern with contemporary cuisine. Gusto's is an excellent to eat with great atmosphere. The pizza is the thicker neopolitan style that won't leave you hungry. Try the restaurant and bar around the back, here you can get a glass of the house Chianti for only 1 Euro. $$ L'Enoteca Antica: [via delle Croce 76B, Rome] A great place to sit and people watch while sampling many of the excellent wines on offer. During the winter it's warm and inviting and a great place to meet up with friends and treat yourself to the selection ...