Rome

My first impression of the eternal city was not the best one. I found it noisy, too much traffic and overcrowded with tourists at all the key sightseeing spots. However falling in love with Rome is a bit like appreciating a bottle of fine old wine. Older you grow, the better it tastes, the more you appreciate its ageing gnarled beauty. One way I grew to love Rome is to get up early and explore the city by foot. There’s something ethereal, almost illicit about the beauty of walking the empty streets of Rome bathed in the light of dawn. All the key sights like Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps are pretty much devoid of tourists. Beside the practical reason of avoiding Rome’s chaotic transportation system, with all the delicious gelatos and pizza you may savour, walking helps not also to reduce the guilt but possibly your waistline. Plus if you get up early, on your way back to your hostel or hotel, you’ll be in time to pick up freshly baked bread at one of the century old bakeries. Just like Romans do. My preference is Antico Forno Roscioli. They also do great pizza al taglio-by the slice. Despite being almost 2800 years, Rome has many hidden secrets like this. Below I’ve revealed the 20 best things to do in Rome on a budget, with the help of some passionate locals.