15 WAYS TO ENJOY THE SWEET LIFE IN ROME LIKE IN THE MOVIES

15 WAYS TO ENJOY THE SWEET LIFE IN ROME LIKE IN THE MOVIES

It may sound cliché, but if I could give you some advice on how to enjoy the “Eternal City”, there is no better advice than this old saying: “When in Rome, act like a Roman.” You will understand on your first day why Rome is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Stylishly dressed Italians, baroque churches, villas turned into museums, pleasant sunny weather, decadent pasta and huge scoops of ice cream. This amazing place has become the backdrop for many famous films, and many of them are among my favorites. And I must admit, Rome looks great in them. So what to do in Rome? You can follow in the footsteps of your favorite film, like me.


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1♦ TRAVEL CHEAPLY FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE

First, a tip that has nothing to do with any movie, but it will be useful for you to save some money on transportation at the beginning. After landing at Fiumicino Airport, when you pass through the arrivals hall, you can get to the center of Rome in several ways. I chose the cheapest one, which is by bus. There are not many bus companies here. Buses leave near the arrivals of Terminal 3 and continue to the main train station Termini. You can buy a one-way ticket for 7 Euros. The journey takes about 45 minutes and the buses run at 30-minute intervals. From there, you can continue to your final destination. I didn’t continue any further and chose a hotel nearby for convenience.

It is close to the metro and trains, but also to the airport. However, if you decide to continue further, you can use the metro, as the cheapest way to get around the city. The Rome metro has only two lines, so you definitely won’t get lost. A ticket costs 1.5 euros and is valid for 100 minutes. You can easily buy it from a machine. However, I recommend that you walk through this beautiful city. But so as not to deprive you of a movie right at the beginning, if you believe in fate, you simply have to go to Rome. Marisa Tomei thought so in the movie “Only you“. She flew to Rome to find Damon Bradley, who was destined for her by the spirits as her husband. And what do you think, did she find true love here?

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Italské námluvy


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2♦ DON’T FORGET TO THROW A COIN INTO THE FOUNTAIN

And now for the cinematic part. I don’t know of a more representative film scene from “La Dolce Vita“. than the one in which Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni bathe in the Trevi Fountain in the film.

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 Sladký život.

The fountain was designed by Nicola Salvi and is located in the very center of Rome. In its center stands a statue of the god Neptune. It is almost impossible to take a photo without tourists here.


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MY TIP:

Get up early in the morning and if you manage to get here before 8 am, you can take a photo even without the crowds. And that is worth it, right? There are several customs and superstitions associated with the fountain, and who knows which ones are true. People throw coins here to return to the eternal city.


Another superstition says that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will find true love in Rome, and if you throw another one, you will have a happy wedding in Rome. Or you can do it like the young American New Yorker played by Kristen Bell in the movie “When in Rome“. Disappointed in love, while walking through the ancient metropolis, she steals a few coins from the fountain of her lovers. If I may advise you, you better not do it, because stealing coins from fountains is strictly prohibited and you could end up getting a pretty hefty fine.

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rande v říme

There are many fountains in Rome, and the most beautiful ones can be found in the famous Piazza Navona, which is lined with Baroque palaces, shops, cafes, and lavish fountains.


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3♦ TASTE ITALIAN ICE CREAM AT THE SPANISH STEPS

Who doesn’t know the American romantic comedy Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck? Who wouldn’t want to fall asleep by the Trevi Fountain, ride a Vespa through the streets of Rome or enjoy an ice cream on the Spanish Steps? The quality of the film is also evidenced by the fact that it was nominated for 10 Oscars and Audrey Hepburn won the Oscar for Best Actress.

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prázdniny v říme

Below the Spanish Steps is the Fontana della Barcaccia by the famous Bernini. The square was once a destination for aristocrats and famous artists – Liszt, Byron, Stendhal and Wagner. Piazza di Spagna was lined with small cafes, hotels and studios.


ÚSTA PRAVDY

4♦ PUT YOUR HAND IN THE MOUTH OF TRUTH ONLY IF YOU HAVE A CLEAR CONSCIENCE 🙂

If you have a clear conscience, do not forget to visit the Mouth of Truth, La Bocca della Varitá in Italian, which is located under the arch of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. The church is famous for keeping precious relics, the remains of St. Valentine. Yes, it is the monk who started celebrating the holiday of all lovers. The Mouth of Truth represents one of the pagan gods. The mask is made of marble, weighs 1.2 tons and has a diameter of 175 cm. So if you are brave and have a clear conscience, do not be afraid to put your hand in its open mouth, just like Audrey and Gregory did in the aforementioned film Roman Holiday.

There is a much shorter waiting line than at other monuments, there is no entrance fee and all you have to do is contribute any amount to the money box.


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5♦ VISIT THE SYMBOL OF THE CITY – THE COLOSSEUM, ONE OF THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Take a walk through ancient Rome and visit the symbol of the city – the Colosseum. This is where I always remember history lessons, and since it seems to me that we devoted more space to Roman history in school than to Czech history, I have a pretty colorful idea of ​​what it might have looked like here back then. I have to admit that it is a place that must amaze almost everyone. It could accommodate up to 50 thousand visitors and served to entertain the inhabitants of Rome. Several types of games were held here, such as gladiator fights, hunts and simulations of naval battles. During the morning, there were performances with animals, which sometimes even fought each other. Slaves, prisoners of war, criminals or volunteers fought with the animals.

At noon, executions of criminals and slaves took place in the arena, which were interspersed with comic acts to make it more entertaining for the audience. The execution was set in the plot of a play that ended with the death of the main character. In the afternoon, gladiator fights were on the program. Gladiators were prisoners of war, criminals, and slaves who were trained for combat in gladiatorial schools. Thanks to the ability to flood the arena with water almost instantly, naval battles could also take place here.

Admission to the games was free, which ordinary citizens took advantage of with pleasure, exactly according to the popular motto – bread and games. Members of the upper classes, including the emperor, who sponsored everything, also took part in the somewhat rough entertainment with the same pleasure. It is incredible when you realize all this. To this day, the Colosseum has a unique and mysterious atmosphere, and it is really worth standing in line for tickets (1 ticket costs 12 euros and is valid for 2 days. It also gets you to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill). I always remember the saying of a monk here: “As long as the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand, but when the Colosseum falls, Rome falls – and with the fall of Rome the whole world will end.” And also the movie Gladiator with Russell Crown.

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Gladiátor


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6♦ TAKE PLENTY OF WATER WITH YOU AND GO TO THE VIBRANT CENTER OF ANCIENT ROME – FORUM ROMANUM

The Roman Forum is the oldest site in Rome and was already the natural center of the city in the 5th century, serving as a market and a place where citizens gathered for religious and other celebrations. During the time of Emperor Augustus, the area gradually began to be filled with marble temples, basilicas, commercial spaces, and courts.

The Forum was also the site of speeches by many important orators – for example, Cicero or Marc Antony, who delivered a eulogy here after the assassination of Caesar. He appears in many films, but the most famous is the film Julius Caesar starring Marlon Brando.

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 Julius Caesar


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7♦ PRAY IN THE SMALLEST STATE IN THE WORLD – THE VATICAN

The American thriller Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks aka Robert Langdon, based on the book of the same name by Dan Brown, will take you to Rome’s secret passages, catacombs, crypts and cathedrals. And especially to the Vatican!

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Andělé a démoni

On the right bank of the Tiber River lies the smallest state in the world, Vatican City, the main seat of the popes. Since 1929, Vatican City has been a sovereign state independent of Italy. The supreme head of state is the Pope, who is protected by the elite Swiss Guard. Vatican City has its own newspaper and radio station that broadcasts all over the world. This tiny state has shops, banks, a small railway station and a post office. Vatican City’s post office is even faster than the Italian one. 🙂

VATIKÁN

You can spend one or even two days in the Vatican. You really can’t get over the amazement here. Just arriving at St. Peter’s Square is an experience. Gianlorenzo Bernini created a magnificent Baroque architectural work here. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest Catholic church, built by masters including Raphael and Michelangelo. Be careful! You won’t be allowed into the church with bare shoulders and you must wear long trousers. It’s better to take at least a scarf with you when walking around Rome, otherwise you will miss many church monuments. If you have enough time, be sure to visit the Vatican Museums and Galleries. The Vatican is home to one of the largest art collections in the world. The famous Sistine Chapel is also located here. This private papal chapel is where the conclave of cardinals takes place when electing a new pope.


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8♦ BE AMAZED BY THE MONUMENTALITY OF THE CASTLE OF ANGELES AND THE PANTHEON

You can end your visit to the Vatican with a walk to Castel Sant’Angelo. It was a refuge for the popes in times of unrest and the church also used it as a prison and torture chamber. Giordano Bruno, for example, was imprisoned here. A secret escape passage was also built here, connecting Castel Sant’Angelo with St. Peter’s Basilica. The walls include four towers, named after St. Matthew, John, Mark and Luke. The bridge to Castel Sant’Angelo (Ponte S. Angelo) is lined with statues of angels, designed by Bernini, symbolizing the suffering of Christ.

The movie Angels and Demons takes you to the Pantheon. An almost mandatory film for any visitor to Rome. Even if you don’t want to be among the other pilgrims to the places from this book, you still won’t be able to help yourself and say to yourself: “Here, Langdon didn’t save that cardinal because he was too late.”


řím

9♦ DISCOVER THE JEWELS OF THE PRIVATE COLLECTION AT VILLA BORGHESE

If you decide to visit the Vatican, be prepared for insanely long lines that can easily take up to 4 hours. And if you’re like me, and you don’t like lines but you love galleries, head to Villa Borghese, where the gallery is located.

This palace belonged to Cardinal Scipio Borghese and served as a place to store the Cardinal’s private art collection. The greatest gems of the collection include works by Bernini, Raphael, Titian, Botticelli, Rubens, Cranach and Caravaggio. Tickets must be booked in advance (13 euros), as they may not let you in without a reservation. However, I was lucky and they let me in without a reservation.

Pauline Bonaparte jako Venus Victrix

Caravaggio – Boy with a Basket of Fruit


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10♦ WALKING THROUGH ROMAN ALLEYS

Or you can just wander the streets of Rome like Woody Allen did in the movie To Rome with Love.

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Do Říma s láskou.

During your wanderings, you can reach the Capitoline Hill, which rises above the Roman Forum. It also offers its visitors unforgettable views of Rome. The most beautiful way to get up is via Michelangelo’s Cordonata staircase.


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11♦ SHOP WHERE THE ROMANS SHOP

The streets of Rome are noisy and busy. You feel like you are always in the center of the action. You will find many brick-and-mortar shops with a large selection and believe me, it will be difficult to resist this temptation. You even have a choice. You can shop in beautiful luxury boutiques on the pedestrian zone of Via dei Condotti, which starts at the Spanish Steps. You will find brands mainly from world designers, where of course the Italian ones play the leading role, such as Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Armani or Valentino. It is a kind of Italian “Paris”. You can dress up like the American family Griswald did, starring Chevy Chase in the movie European Vacation.

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Bláznivá dovolená v Evrop

But if you’re like me and have a bit more money, don’t despair. In Rome you can find goods at reasonable prices. There are shops almost everywhere. Via Vittorio Veneto and Via del Corso are well-known shopping streets. What I find quite funny is that Italians spend a lot on clothes, but they don’t take much care of their cars. The streets here are very narrow, so even new cars have a lot of scratches and scuffs.


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12♦ BUY A FLOWER AT THE FLOWER SQUARE

If you decide to buy food, you can buy it fresh directly at the markets or marketplaces. The most famous such market, which is located right in the city center, is the Campo de’Fiori market, or Flower Square. This market began operating in the 19th century. The market is open every day. Not only flowers are sold here, but also fruit, vegetables, pasta, syrups, coffee and olive oil.


káva

13♦ HAVE A COFFEE STANDING UP

You might remember the scene from the movie Eat, Meditate, Love, where Julia Roberts tries to order a coffee in one of the bars and she doesn’t quite succeed. When it comes to Italian gastronomy, there are a lot of unwritten rules that are more or less followed. Even if you break them, no one will tear your head off, but you will feel a little embarrassed.

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Jíst, meditovat, milovat

So what to watch out for? Let’s start with my beloved coffee. Italians drink it on the way to work at their favourite bar. They don’t sit down to coffee, but drink it exclusively standing up at the counter. A small cup of espresso with a hazelnut-colored foam and a soft and light texture will cheer you up, warm you up, give you energy, it’s very quick and cheap. The bartender will offer you the coffee in a heated miniature cup. The price of the coffee varies depending on whether you order it at the bar or sit at a table and have someone serve you. At the bar, you’ll pay around 1 euro. I find this very sympathetic because you can pay this price in the city centre. If you get a coffee at a table, you pay double. What is still allowed, have a cappuccino with a sweet pastry. And that’s only for breakfast. If you order this drink after lunch, you’ll be looked at like a fool. If you order a latte, you get milk, not coffee with milk. Be careful of that, so you won’t be surprised. What you should never do, however, is buy take away coffee. That really is considered barbaric.

And don’t forget to have something good with your coffee.


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14♦ VISIT THE MOST FAMOUS COFFEE HOUSE ANTICO CAFFÉ GRECO, WHERE CASANOVA DRINKED COFFEE

Visit Antico Caffé Greco, located in one of Rome’s best addresses on Via Dei Condotti, near the Spanish Steps. It is said that Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol wrote several chapters of Dead Souls here, and that visitors included Byron, Goethe, Mickiewicz, Stendhal, Wagner and the passionate lover Casanova.


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15♦ DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE THIRSTY

Rome boasts an elaborate system of public waterworks and associated fountains. On every corner you’ll find hundreds of other small fountains or “nasoni”, as the fountains are called because of the shape of their metal spigots. Water flows continuously from them, brought to the city from the hills 80 kilometres away. It is cool, refreshing and tastes delicious!

There are, of course, hundreds of film images and footage from Rome. You can be inspired by them or remember your experiences through films after your return. And how about you? Which of the films shot in Rome did you like the most?


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