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Strolling

Traditionally, Romans entertain themselves with an early evening stroll (known as a passegiatta) and a long dinner. There are plenty of beautiful settings for a promenade: One of the best routes starts in Campo dei Fiori and wends to Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and Fontana di Trevi, ending at the Spanish Steps. At a leisurely pace, it takes about an hour (not counting any stops) and includes some of the city's best-known monuments.

Wine Bars

Over the last few years, wine bars have started appearing all over the city, offering the finest Italian wines by the glass in quiet, reflective settings. Two of the oldest and best are Cavour 313 (Via Cavour 313; 06 67 85496) and Cul de Sac (Piazza Pasquino 73; 06 68 80 10 94).

Music & Entertainment

For entertainment, the best one-stop option is the Auditorium Parco della Musica (Viale Pietro de Coubertin SN; 06 80 24 12 81), which comprises several complexes in one location and features top-notch dance, concerts, symphonies and theatrical performances. Call to see what's on tap.One of the most stunning entertainment options during the summer months is the summer jazz series at Villa Celimontana (Via Alessandro Poerio 99/A; 06 58 97 807), which features nighttime jazz concerts, drinks and light meals in a forested villa that's reportedly the actual place where Emperor Nero played his fiddle as Rome burned.

-- Eric J. Lyman