Visiting Rome can be overwhelming: museums, galleries, archaeological sites, exhibitions, - so many things to see and do! How about slowing down and going for a picnic? You will be surprised how many beautiful and tranquil corners there are in Rome where you can stretch on the grass listening to birds and enjoying delicious local food from your picnic basket.
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| Villa Borghese |
Villa Borghese
Acres of green gardens, small ponds and lakes, - Villa Borghese provides a great setting for a picnic. It can get quite busy during weekends but you can always find a quiet corner. After finishing your picnic take a long stroll to admire the manicured gardens, elegant fountains and beautiful sculptures. Pop in to one of the museums on the grounds or rent a boat on the lake for a relaxing ride accompanied by resident ducks and swans. If you don’t feel like preparing your picnic basket yourself, leave it to the experts at the little green kiosk aptly named Pic Nic (Piazza delle Canestre, near the giardino del Pincio) in the heart of Villa Borghese. Order your prosciutto and melon, bruschetta, wine and cakes and relax under the trees.
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| View from the Janiculum Hill |
Monte Gianicolo
Head to the Janiculum Hill for a picnic with a view. Not your average picnic, Monte Gianicolo has some of the best spots in the city for admiring scenic vistas over Rome stretching into the horizon. Although you would have to take a bus or walk up there, it is certainly worth the effort. After your picnic, check out the stunning Villa Lante al Gianicolo and the church of San Pietro in Montorio.
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| Appia Antica |
Appia Antica Park
If you want to gaza at spectacular Roman ruins while chewing your panino, the Appia Antica Park is your place. Covering over 8,000 acres, Appia Antica feels like the Roman countryside: you will see flocks of sheep grazing, people cycling and playing football. Stretch on the grass under a pine tree or in the shade of an ancient aqueduct and forget about the noise and rush of the Eternal City.
Photos via Flickr by: Stephen Rees, Rene Cunningham, Avinash Kunnath.
