Rome's Via Vittorio Veneto Quarter

My favourite time to walk Via Vittorio Veneto is just after sunset when on a balmy summer’s evening the sky is a mix of shocking pink and orange. The flaming trees that line the street stretch out like a natural, green pergola. Their crisp, brown leaves carpet the footpath creating a symphony of crunching as stiletto heels prance over them.

I love peeping into the little restaurants that are like glass dolls houses on the footpath gleaming with candlelight. Bow tie wearing waiters guard glass display cabinets protecting the dolce (cakes and desserts) and fresh slices of pineapple.

Via Vittorio Veneto was once the most glamorous street in Italy, originally home to the noblemen of the Roman Empire who built their grand villas along the street. It became famous 50 years ago in the era of Federico Fellini’s Dolce Vita, when its reputation as the place to 'be seen' attracted the film stars and celebrities of the era. In fact, there is a plaque dedicated to the Italian director on the wall of a building halfway along the street.

The black and white photos that hang in the windows of hotels and shops lining the street are a reminder of its fame of years gone by. Unfortunately today you are more likely to see ambassadors than film stars but the street is still worth strolling along for a peek into the reception areas of the luxurious hotels.

The street winds its way up from Piazza Barberini where you can see Bernini's Triton Fountain, passing the armed guards that stand outside the American Embassy, the hotels, restaurants and street cafès, and ending at the gates of the Villa Borghese park.

It is also near to the Quirinale, the official seat of the President of the Italian Republic, the National Gallery of Ancient Rome in the Palazzo Barberini, and the National Museum of Rome. For those who like the macabre, visit the Church of the Immaculate Conception and see the underground cemetery featuring the remains of 4000 monks and its sculptures and decorations made out of their bones.

Just a short stroll from Via Vittorio Veneto, across Piazza Barberini, you’ll find Via delle Quattro Fontane, or 'The Street of the Four Fountains'. Representing four Italian rivers, the Arno, Diana, Giunone and Tevere, the fountains were sculpted between 1588 and 1593. Three of them were designed by famous Italian artist Domenico Fontana, the fourth by Pietro da Cortona.

How to Get There
Via Vittorio Veneto is a street in the centre of Rome not far from the main shopping area of Via Del Corso. Once in Rome it can be easily reached by car or public transport.
By Plane: Rome and the Via Vittorio Veneto can be reached from either Leonardo Da Vinci Airport - Fiumicino or Ciampino Airport.
By Car: Once in Rome follow the directions for Villa Borghese.
Metro: Take the Metro line A from Termini Railway Station direction Battistini to the stop Piazza Barberini. Via Vittorio Veneto runs just off the Piazza.
On Foot: You could walk to Via Vittorio Veneto from Termini Railway Station, Piazza di Spagna, the Trevi Fountain or Villa Borghese.