Lazio

Rome

Rome, Italy's capital, rises on the banks of the Tevere about 25 kilometers from its main outlet in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is situated at the center of an undulating plain, the Campagna Romana, which is confined one side by the hills of Monte Mario, Gianicolo and Monteverde and on the other side by smaller hills of volcanic origin - the so-called "Seven Hills."
Two thousand years of history have made the artistic and architectural patrimony of Rome so rich that the tourist feels overwhelmed. Thus it is preferable to outline a precise program and to fix determined objectives, according to one's taste and the amount of time available. A minimum of things to see would include the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Victor Emmanuel monument, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, St Peter’s cathedral and the Vatican Museums.

Roman cooking is generally identified with that of Lazio. It is not excessively sophisticated but is among the most flavored of Italy.
The most authentic dishes are prepared with simple ingredients: pasta, tripe, chicken giblets, baccalà (salted fish), beans, artichokes, brain, beef tail ("coda di manzo") - although there is no lack of richer dishes like lamb, goat's meat, pork, and various types of seafood.
The meal usually begins with an antipasto: cold meats, raw vegetables soaked in olive oil or vinegar, olives, "bruschetta" (toasted bread with olive oil and garlic and various toppings such as tomatoes), and seafood.
The real main dish is the first: spaghetti carbonara style, bucatini (a type of pasta) alla matriciana (tomato, bacon and onion), penna all'arrabbiata (tomato, parsley, and peppers), gnocchi alla romana, spaghetti with garlic and oil, fettucini with butter or tomato sauce.
Also traditional are country soups like pasta with beans, or with chickpeas or lentils, or potato gnocchi with tomato sauce.
The second dish can be meat or fish: beef stew, oven-baked lamb or goat, chicken with peppers, lamb alla cacciatora (hunter's style, with rosemary, garlic, peppers, white wine, sage), tripe with tomato and mentuccia romana (a local herb), beef tail "alla vaccinara","baccalà in guazzetto" (white wine, garlic, and parsley) or with "pastella" (fine pasta of water and flour, fried), "ciriole" (bread) "alla fiumarola" and cuttlefish with peas.
Among the fresh cheeses, ricottas and mozzarellas.
As dessert, fruit in season or fruit cocktail, ice cream, "maritozzi" (horn-shaped pastry filled with cream), "mostaccioli," "pangiallo" (a type of fruitcake that contains peanuts above all), "cavallucci" (cookies) and ricotta cake.
Among the wines the Castelli Romani whites are outstanding: Frascati, Monteporzio, Marino, Albano, Lanuvio, Genzano, Velletri. Of particular esteem is the Malvasia of Grottaferrata. Among the reds, the Cesanese of Olevano produced in the Castelli region, the Baccanale of Campagnano, Torre Ercolana, Colle Picchioni and Velletri rosso Riserva.
Besides the Roman shops, the Open Markets are also worth visiting. The following are some of the most typical:
Campo de' Fiori Situated in the heart of the old city, in Piazza Campo de' Fiori, it is open from Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 13:30. Every morning the piazza fills up with varied stands that sell fruits and vegetables, meats, chicken and fish, dried beans, dried fruits, and flowers. Excellent specialty food and bread shops surround the piazza, rounding out the range of products offered.
Porta Portese, Via Portuense and Via Ippolito Nievo Open Sundays from 6:30 to 14:00. Here one can find anything: clothes, shoes, purses, suitcases, camping supplies, sheets, washclothes, pots and pans, kitchen supplies, plants, puppies, spare parts, cassettes and compact discs, old LPs and 78s.

Rome is a very lively city, celebrated not only for its monuments but also for being the center of "La Dolce Vita." Cafés and bars are open until one in the morning, while discotheques and clubs close late in the night.
Movie theatres are numerous and offer both new releases, just out on the film circuit, and films by little-known authors, projected in film clubs and in experimental theatres.
Programs of popular films take place under the stars in the summertime.
The theatre season is rather brief, from October to May, but more than one hundred companies offer all kinds of shows: comedies by Goldoni, Pirandello, De Filippo, French and English classics, reviews, cabarets, political theatre, experimental theatre, etc. Tickets can be acquired on the day of the show.