Angels and Demons Walking Tour

Tomorrow is the big day-Angels and Demons opens all over the U.S.! If you are headed to Rome, you can take a walking tour of the major sites. For $74 per person, Viator will take you to the famous and not so famous places mentioned in Dan Brown's book. They will even read some of the passages aloud at a few sites to truly bring the book to life. If a guided tour (that costs money!) is not your idea of chasing down Angels and Demons, talk a walking tour by yourself. MSNBC has created an Angels and Demons 48 Hour Itinerary that you can follow on your own. They even recommend restaurants and shopping, like TAD department store, along the way. Diverti te!

WalksInsideRome.com

Travel and Leisure recently featured a walking tour website that will customize a day of sightseeing and eating in Rome for you. WalksInsideRome.com will take you to the open-air markets, bakeries, pizzerias and wine bars to sample the culinary delights of Rome-and see how the Romans make them. WalksInsideRome has dozens of customizable private and semi-private tours for art and antiquities connoisseurs, fans of opera, Angels and Demons and La Dolce Vita, and special itineraries designed for kids. The tours are not cheap, but take it from me-having a guided tour of Rome is always worth it. You will never regret a penny spent on your own private Rome. If you like the tours of Rome, they also offer guided walks in Venice, Florence, Trieste and Friuli.

Run a Marathon in Rome

The annual Rome Marathon (Maratona di Roma) will take place on March 22. The entire city center is cordoned off for this event and entertainment abounds on every street. The course takes in every major site in Rome from the Basilica of San Paolo to St. Peter's and beyond. If you'd like to participate in the marathon, they are still taking registration for runners. The fee is 50 Euros and can be submitted on-line or via fax. If you'd like to run through Rome but aren't quite up for a marathon, there is a fun run of 4 kilometers that takes place at the same time. Diverti te!!!

Walking Tours of Rome Courtesy of National Geographic

As part of Traveler Magazine's Places of a Lifetime series, National Geographic has designed three detailed and fascinating walks in Rome. The walks are illustrated by maps and accompanied by pertinent information about what you will see and why it is important. The three walks are the Via Appia Antica, the Via Veneto district, and the historic sites in the heart of Rome. The website also includes what to wear in Rome, restaurant, hotel and shopping recommendations, and even books and music to get you started on your trip before you get there.

Take a Walk in Rome with the Washington Post

Giovanna dell'Orto, a former resident of Rome and well-known journalist, takes readers on a walk to her favorite (and mostly free) sights in Rome. She hits many of the Modern Traveler's favorite spots, like the Capitoline Hill, the Forum, the Pantheon, Tiber Island and Via del Governo Vecchio. Along the way she stops for pizza, gelato and pasta. She doesn't forget to stop at the Trevi Fountain to throw in her coins, ensuring that she will come back to Rome again.

Most Romantic Things to Do at Night in Rome

Nighttime is the most romantic time in Rome. The sounds of traffic are muted, the dusk hides any debris or graffiti that the harsh sunlight illuminates, the streetlights cast a warm glow over the cobblestones, and the busloads of tourists have gone back to their hotels. So what should you and your loved one do with yourselves? Well, after you have a romantic dinner there are a myriad of options. For music lovers, in summer you can head to the Baths of Caracalla for an outdoor opera performance. Aida is always a favorite! In other seasons, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma always has something spectacular going on. If opera is not your preference, head to the Theater of Marcellus for classical music in the ruins of the ancient theater (through the end of September). While you are in the vicinity of the theater, be sure to take a stroll through the Jewish Ghetto-at night it is so charming. Don't miss the Fontana della Tartarughe in Piazza Mattei. Also near the theater is the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) from where you can see the most beautiful view of the Roman Forum at night. Unfortunately the Forum is not open for evening tours. In general, walking around Rome is one of the most romantic evening activities. The Modern Traveler's favorite evening walk is from Trastevere (after a lovely dinner), across the Ponte Sisto, through Piazza Navona and to the Pantheon. Isola Tiberina (Tiber Island) is also a romantic spot for you and your honey to canoodle. And in summer there are cafes and a film festival to entertain you.
Readers: Do you have any suggestions for romantic nighttime activities out and about in Rome?

Most Romantic Walks in Rome

If you are on your honeymoon or you are just in the mood for romance, you will find unlimited opportunities for charming walks in Rome. The walk from the Galleria Borghese to the Pincio, one of the most famous strolls in Rome, should be done in time to watch the sun go down over St. Peter's (pictured). For you archaeology buffs, a walk on the Palatine Hill will take you out of the crowds and into shady paths with lovely views of the Forum (and some interesting ruins-like the house of the Emperor Augustus- as well). An evening passegiata in Trastevere will inspire you to move to Rome and become a starving artist. Don't miss the Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere and its namesake church, whose 12th century Byzantine mosaics are illuminated at night. If your legs are up to it, head up to Piazzale Garibaldi on the Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill) for the best view of Rome. Don't forget to linger by the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola. And last, if you need to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city for a day, take the train to Ostia Antica. Pack a picnic lunch and wander among the ruins for the afternoon. Be sure to visit the amphitheater, public baths and forum.
Readers: What's your favorite walk in Rome?