Antico Arco on the Gianicolo

Just across from the Porta San Pancrazio on the Gianicolo is Antico Arco, a little jewel of a restaurant. Four unique dining rooms in an historical building offer Roman cuisine with a little bit of Calabria, Sicily and Le Marche thrown in. One of their Roman specialties is pasta all'Amatriciana with pancetta from the Marche region. The restaurant is frequented by members of the American Academy in Rome, which is just around the corner. Antico Arco's wine bar is a lovely place to wait for your table, but be sure to make a reservation as it does get crowded. The restaurant is closed on Sundays. Piazzale Aurelio 7, Tel.065815274.

American Academy in Rome Events

The American Academy in Rome, perched high atop the Gianicolo hill, is an institution devoted to the study of the art, architecture, literature, archaeology and music of ancient and modern Rome. To study there is a great honor and often unattainable by those of us who haven't determined to devote our lives to academia. But when you are in Rome, you are invited to attend events at the Academy. Films, lectures, concerts and exhibits are constantly happening at the Academy-and the good news is they are very likely to be in English! See their events calendar for more details.

Piazzale Garibaldi-The Best Views of Rome?

There are two spectacular parks in Rome which offer panoramic views. The Pincio (near Piazza del Popolo) and Piazzale Garibaldi, on the Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill). From Piazzale Garibaldi not only can you see all of the historic center of Rome to the east-the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Forum, etc-but to the west you have an incomparable view of the dome of St. Peter's. The piazza, which contains a playground for children and hosts live puppet shows ala Punch and Judy, is dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian military and political leader who helped unify and liberate Italy in the 19th century. From the piazza it is an easy walk to the Fontanone (the fountain dedicated by Pope Paul V), the American Academy in Rome, and down into Trastevere for food and drink!

Where to Cool Off on a Hot Day in Rome

Let's face it-the heat in Rome can be unbearable at the height of summer. The sun is blinding, the streets are crowded, and your shoes were not made for cobblestones. You are dying for a quiet hour next to the pool. Unfortunately, swimming pools are hard to come by. It's pretty much impossible to find a hotel with a pool in the historic center of Rome. The Cavalieri Hilton hotel has a pool and lovely wooded acres, but it's 3 miles from the center of town-not exactly convenient if you want to stay in the Centro Storico. There is good news, however! For 25 Euros (not cheap-but desperate times call for desperate measures) you can buy your way into a pool in the city for the whole day. The Grand Hotel del Gianicolo, located atop the Gianicolo hill at Viale delle Mura Gianicolense #107, has a lovely pool that is within a short walk from Trastevere. After your swim, have a coffee at one of the nearby cafes, take a stroll past the American Academy, the Aqua Paola and on to Garibaldi Park for a top-notch view of the city! Don't forget your bathing cap-a requirement at Italian pools (and available at the hotel for 5 Euros).