One of the nicest thing about parks is their almost always for free. What does this mean? Well, you got to save more dimes without compromising the picturesque scenery you see in the city. Whatever angle you look at it, it’s a win, win situation.

To start this park hunt, let’s climb on a hill, and there we’ll find Monte Mario. It is located on the highest hill in Rome, just to the northwest of the city center. Not surprisingly it comes with some of the city’s best views. Since it’s outside of the city center, north of Vatican City, it’s also one of Rome’s most peaceful parks. And it’s got a perk for astronomy geeks: This is where the Rome Observatory is, as well as the Museo Astronomico Copernicano and this was the location used as the prime meridian, instead of Greenwich, for maps of Italy until the 1960s.

You don’t have to fly to New York to know what it’s like sitting on benches of the famous Central Park. Rome’s very own Villa Borghese can provide that. Rome’s answer to Central Park, Villa Borghese dates back to the early 17th century, when it was the playground for the noble (and pope-producing) Borghese family. Today, locals and tourists alike take advantage of its tree-lined paths and green spaces, jogging, picnicking, and even pedaling those funny 4- or 5-person contraptions. Here’s where to come to people-watch, admire the view of Piazza del Popolo from the Pincian hill, or to pop into one of the park’s several top-notch museums ─ the Galleria Borghese among them.

And finally, the biggest park in Rome the Villa Pamphili. Villa Pamphili is located just west of Trastevere, is also one of its richest with both flora and fauna. Here’s where to come to go for a long jog, admire the fountains, or sit and admire swans swimming across the pond.

Sunset from the Gianicolo Hills

People meet each other in a variety of ways – from the eHarmony dating agency to chance encounters on the bus. Cementing each of these relationships comes with time and shared experiences. Stunning sunsets are high on the list of bonding memories, and one of the world’s best can be found from the Gianicolo Hills.

Walking along the Tiber

Taking a stroll along the banks of the picturesque river Tiber is a wonderful way to spend a couple of intimate hours away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. For a place to pause, wait until the Ponte Sant’Angelo Bridge and admire the angels lining its stone railings while taking in the view.
The Ponte Rotta is another beautiful bridge worth stopping at. If walking seems like too much effort, take one of the evening boat rides and admire the twinkling lights of the city.

Wandering the Clivio dei Publici road

Whether you met your partner dating Glasgow singles or on a business trip in Newcastle, what could be more romantic than walking arm in arm down an ancient secluded road, peppered with secretive rose gardens and leading up Aventine hill to a breathtaking view of Rome.

Pampering at the Acquamadre Hammam

Enjoy some relaxation time with a loved one at the ancient Acquamadre Hammam spa. Situated on a quiet street a short walk from the Piazza Mattei, the spa features brick-vaulted rooms and stone-sided pools. The experience is based on the ancient Roman thermae and involves soapy massages on a heated marble table, a steam bath, a vigorous scrub and finally a dip in a large cooling pool.
Men and women are allowed to enter together on Tuesday between 2pm and 9pm and on Thursday and Saturday between 11am and 9pm.

Night on the Via Sacra

What was once the main street of ancient Rome is now one of the city’s most romantic walks. Take in the ancient temples, sculpture and the wonderful lighting of the Coliseum.

Pitcure by Leo Setä, http://www.flickr.com/people/uncle-leo/

So if you’re visiting the Eternal City during the hottest months, do take note of these heat quenching tips on beating the heat in the city.

As a general rule, the hottest hours in Rome tend to be from about high noon to 5pm. So instead of trudging around in the heat on those hours, shift your sightseeing at evening or early morning.

It’s always much cooler in the subterranean world, sometimes so much cooler, you’ll wish you brought another layer. The best part? Since 60 percent of the ancient city of Rome remains buried underground, some of the best sites in the city are down there! Consider the catacombs, ancient underground cemeteries where thousands of Christians were buried; booking a (super-cheap) visit to the Columbarium of Pomponio Hylas; or the underground of the Basilica of San Clemente (bonus: the church itself is naturally cool, too), among many other sites.

Another option is going to churches. Yes, churches. Rome’s churches aren’t just religious sites: They’re treasure troves of art, history, and architecture. Thanks to their thick stone walls and shaded spaces, they’re also naturally air-conditioned. Find cooler temperatures and get away from the crowd by heading to the ancient Basilica of Santa Sabina (complete with 5th-century door), the Gothic gem of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, right near the Pantheon, or the Basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati, with its 13th-century frescoes. And that’s just for starters.

But you don’t have to be indoors just to cool your mind, you can do it outdoors as well, more specifically, on hills. The famed “Seven Hills of Rome” are just a start. Rome has even more hills than that, and many boast leafy parks and lovely views of the city, making them the perfect escape spots for summer. Some of the favorites are: the Janiculum hill, famed for its views; the Villa Borghese, Rome’s answer to Central Park; the Villa Celimontana, next to the Colosseum; and the nature reserve of Monte Mario.

But if you can’t stand the heat anymore, then go and take a dip into to the pool. Although outdoor pools are few and far between in Rome’s center, one of the most convenient is the swimming pool in the Celimontana, just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum. It’s not cheap, costing €16 on weekdays (€10 for kids under 10) and more on weekends.

First on the list (probably the most important and meaningful one) is to see the Pope. The good thing is, you’ve got lots of opportunities to see the Pope over the course of the Christmas season, from midnight mass (although getting tickets can be tricky) to “Urbi et Orbi” on Christmas Day (no tickets needed). Like you, there are plenty other people who want to see the Pope, so be patient.

If you’re done visiting the Pope, or you just want an alternative, celebrate the Christmas at the Auditorium. Like any other Christmas year, Rome’s Auditorium hosts a number of Christmas-themed events, running from Dec. 8-Jan. 8 (with some events running later, too). Events include a Christmas fair, ice-skating rink, and lots of concerts, from Christmas Italian music to gospel.

For a more religious itinerary, worshipping (English) at the city’s churches is recommended. For Catholics, the American Catholic church of Santa Susanna has a children’s pageant mass, feast of the Holy Family, and lots of other services throughout Christmas (a great alternative if those Midnight Mass tickets for the Vatican remain just out of reach). And for non-Catholics, the Anglican Church of All Saints’ Church holds holiday services, including the Service of Nine Lessons with Carols, and the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church of Scotland has services throughout the Christmas season. Other churches with non-Catholic services in English during Christmas include the American Episcopal Church of St. Paul’s Within the Walls, the Methodist Church at Ponte Sant’Angelo, and the non-denominational Cavalry Chapel.

You can also delve into the tradition of Italian nativity scenes, as well as Christmas cribs popping up in churches all over town. Rome boasts both a museum of more than 3,000 of them and, over Christmas, a temporary exhibition of 200 presepi from artists across the globe. You’d surely be stunned with these exhibitions.

Wrap-up your Christmas stay in Rome with, what else but food, particularly Christmas sweets. Bakeries are brimming over with yummy holiday offerings like panettone, torrone and pandoro. Make sure to taste the goods. It’s the one time of year that even Italians over-indulge in the sweet stuff!

Do

• Do follow up to e-mails and reservation requests.  If you haven’t heard from the hotel staff, it doesn’t mean that they didn’t respond.  SPAM filters are a necessity, but a nuisance.
• Do let the hotel know if there are any problems.  Hotel staffs aren’t mind readers.  If you don’t tell them something is broken, more like they can’t fix it.
• Do turn off lights and fans/ac when not in the room. Multiply the high cost of utilities by a business that remains open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year and you’ll discover why many hotels have an array of waste-saving devices and measures in place, and yes, if your hotel provides AC they will justifiably turn it off while you are out. Do your share on saving the planet.
• Do give advance notice for changes. Don’t reserve 14 nights, 6 months in advance if there’s any chance that when you arrive you’ll actually only stay 2.
• Do ask questions.  Whether it’s where to have dinner or how to purchase train tickets, a hotel with good customer service will have the answers or be able or willing to help find out.
• Do write a review.  Do provide useful commentary with thorough, honest and factual details, give praise where praise is due and avoid backhanded compliments.

Don’t

• Don’t submit your credit card details without first reading the reservation/cancellation policies.  For all the concern about privacy and security, many people still input their information onto a form without reading the policies before sending it out into the abyss.
• Don’t haggle.  Contrary to some popular travel guides, we think trying to negotiate a lower rate if you’ve already been quoted a price is awkward.
• Don’t ask if you can come back to take a shower after you’ve already checked out.
• Don’t be a know it all.  Hotels appreciate constructive criticism (they really we do), but be sure to express it on a polite tone rather than in arrogant tone.
• Don’t equate good customer service with getting everything you want.  You’ve accepted the hotel policies so please respect them too.
• Strive to be the kind of guest you would want in your own home.  Kindness, graciousness and respect go both ways in the hospitality business.  If you treat your host in this manner, you will undoubtedly receive the same in kind.

Rome is only 20 minutes by train to the seaside, meaning the beaches and stabilimenti are competitive. Though Ostia is top-notch, for its affordability and distance – only 20 minutes and 1 euro by local train, there are still runner-ups that would not definitely disappoint.

Just a few miles north of Ostia are Fregene and Maccarese, the posh cousins of Ostia. Fregene and Maccarese are known for having some of the nicest stabilimenti in the area, think billowing tents, candle light and music which become evening (and often daytime) discoteche in the summer months.  The stabilimenti also have music and dance floors.  The restaurants that run up and down the area like La Baia and Scialuppa are beach gateways and known for their celebrity clientele so reservations must be made in advance.  Fregene and Maccarese are best reached by car.

Do you want to experience a white sand beach that sometimes whistles under your feet? If yes, then the beautiful beach community about ninety minutes south of Rome, halfway between Rome and Naples ─ Sperlonga is the beach to go to. The stabilimenti are simple and relaxed, with epicurean fish menus.  But make sure to try buffalo mozzarella if listed on the menu.  For those looking for more than just a tan, the gorgeous 1st century AD Villa di Tiberio (a summer palace of Emperor Tiberius) sits on the water just below the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. To get to Sperlonga from Rome Termini, you must take a local train to Fondi (approximately one hour) and then local bus.

Lastly, a small beach town about 45 -55 minutes from Rome that is an age-old secret is where Santa Marinella located, its favorite sun bathers have included ancient Phoenician settlers, medieval rival families, Renaissance popes, fin de siècle literati and Dolce Vita celebrities like Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini.  To get to Santa Marinella, take a local train (you can choose from Termini, Trastevere, and Ostiense stations) which depart every half hour and cost approximately 4.10 euro. Make sure to purchase roundtrip tickets, as smaller stations like Santa Marinella do not tend to have reliable ticket machines.