Monti Walking Tour (Self Guided), Rome

Monti is one of Rome's oldest neighborhoods, an oft-ignored enclave of bohemian cool that is hiding in plain sight. Tourists rush between the city's main sights, but tend to miss out on some of the streets and districts that lie between them. Monti is close to the Colosseum, right in the center of the Centro Storico. But many visitors don’t even know it is there, which is a pity. It is named after one of the seven hills of Rome where according to legend, the settlements that gave rise to the metropolis were located. The cobblestone lanes and the houses that line the neighborhood have attracted many architects, artists and other creative types to live in the area.

In Monti, you can sit and have a delicious cup of alfresco cappuccino while watching young and not so young members of the intelligentsia discuss philosophy and issues of the day. The café culture is second to none here. Wander through this artsy part of the Italian capital and discover bookstores, delightful piazzas and stores selling vintage clothes. A visit to Monti is also a treat for the taste buds for the gourmet street foods and clutch of fabulous ethnic eateries. Come for lunch and for dinner in an area that has become something of a foodie hub to those who are in the know.