Best Viewpoints in Rome (Italy) & Surprise behind the Door: Notebook #10
Simona, who is Roman, asks me one day: have you ever been to ….? ? And I answer her? And I answer her? What? Where? My answer makes her take off her jaw and she tells me that I can’t leave Rome without going there. So, on a beautiful afternoon, Simona takes her car and takes me to see what she thinks are the must-see places.
Sorry for the poor quality photos. Not only was it ugly, but I only had my iPhone with me. This little travel notebook is more to remember this beautiful afternoon spent with Simona.
Part 1: Travel Diary
Part 2: Practical Tips
Part 1: Travel Diary
Vietnamese Restaurant
We start with the Vietnamese restaurant Phở 1 Merulana, because she doesn’t know much about Vietnamese food yet. This restaurant, tested and validated by me, is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Rome. I always opt for a huge bowl of Phở gà, but replaced by bún (another type of vermicelli). The chef comes from the north of Vietnam, the water of the soup is transparent, less fatty than the southern version, but still has a lot of flavor. The spring rolls are delicious and they had to get their hands on ingredients coming from Vietnam, to get that crunchy side that completely distinguishes them from industrial spring rolls or spring rolls sold all over France.
Pyramid of Cestius
A pyramid of Rome? We are no longer surprised by anything in Rome. There are so many obelisks that one pyramid more or less, what does it change lol. This pyramid, small in size but you still can’t miss it, is a funerary monument of antiquity located near the Porta San Paolo in Rome. I’m putting the picture from Wikipedia because I always pass in front of it by bus or car.
Circus Maximus
Next stop: Circus Maximus, the largest and oldest racecourse in Rome, which I noted to visit but by laziness, I did not. There is a kind of view point where you can observe the immense grounds from above. I sincerely think it’s enough for me, but those who like walking or jogging can go around the field without any problem. Sorry for the poor quality pictures, they were taken with my old iPhone.
The Orange Garden
It’s also an essential stop. It’s a little out of the way of Rome’s main tourist attractions, but it’s a must-see as well. In summer it’s crowded, but with the Covid and the cold, we are quiet today. There are some street musicians. It is one of the most beautiful view points of Rome. And Simona tells me that when the orange blossoms are there, it smells divine, it’s too romantic.
This garden is next to the Rose Garden of Rome as well. There are no roses at the moment, but if it is the season, don’t hesitate.
Knights of Malta Keyhole
We walk a little bit, then she tells me to close my eyes, before placing me in front of a door. When I open my eyes, I see a beautiful garden and the dome of the Vatican through a hole in a huge door. It’s incredible! This place is known too, but when you go there with someone who knows where it is and the surprise isn’t revealed in advance, the effect is incredible! Well I spoiled the surprise a little bit, but hey 😀
It seems to me that the garden is open once a year. There are always a lot of tourists in front, but if there aren’t as many as there are today, you have to look for the enormous door where it is marked: Sovrano Militare Ordine Ospedaliero di San Giovanne di Gerusalemme di Rodi e di Malta Villa Magistrale
Badia Primaziale Sant Anselmo
We continue towards a church with a very small cloister but which I like very much. There is an incredible energy in this church, because there are a lot of stones, the church is even supported by huge columns (of granite?).
Belvedere del Gianicolo
We end the day with this very satisfying viewpoint. By going on the left, on the side of the cars, we can clearly see the Vatican.
Every day at noon there is a cannon shot that reminds us of the importance of peace, and there are always many people and tourists who come to see.
Here is a better picture taken by JB who went there alone at the beginning of our Roman stay.
Not far away is the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
It is precisely by passing in front of this function that we see hundreds of birds from afar, forming a living aquarium in the sky, we remain open-mouthed, observing them for a good twenty minutes. The spectacle is extraordinary, between the movements of the birds, the shapes created in the sky, and the soft light of the sunset, we are immersed in an atmosphere so relaxed but so beautiful.
We park near the Jewish quarter and Simona beckons me to listen to the noise. There are hundreds of birds above the car and we start to hear “poof poof” as if there was hail. In fact no, it’s just bird poop ahahah we run away quickly before ruining the car and our hairstyles, to end up, on foot, in the hyper-center of Rome.
In short, a very beautiful afternoon with lots of laughter, discussions and visits not to be missed.
Our next article in Rome is here
Part 2: Practical Tips
- For excursions or guided tours in Rome, check out the activities offered by Civitatis or Viator (a Tripadvisor company)
- Consult our travel diaries in Italy & Rome here
You will find the addresses & places mentioned in this article on the personalized Google Maps I made with my sister for Italy here. To read more articles about Italy, click here
