Campo de' Fiori is not just about flowers. Campo de' Fiori translates as field of flowers in English and though the flowers are beautiful and plentiful it is really the fruits and vegetables that are fun to see and sample.

The colors and smells make this one the many sites in Rome that will put all of your senses on high alert. The market is surrounded by cheese stores, wine stores and deli's selling salami and prosciutto. It is the perfect place to pick up everything you need for a picnic. If a picnic is not in your plans then choose from one of the many trattorias and bars in the area.

As safe and beautiful as this market is today, it wasn't always so. In medieval times and during the Renaissance this was one of the liveliest and roughest areas of Rome. Wealthy Roman nobles and Cardinals from the Vatican mingled with fishmongers and farmers at Campo de' Fiori.

Rome, Italy can be expensive but if you need to give your pocketbook a vacation while you are on vacation there are plenty of things to do that won't cost you a thing.

1.Fountains! Fountains are everywhere in Italy. Two of the best are in Rome, the Fontana di Quattro Fiumi in Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain.

2. The Borghese Gardens and the Via Veneto. Wander up the Via Veneto to the Borghese Gardens. The Via Veneto is home to cafés, bars, stores and one really nice book store.  At the top of the Via Veneto you can see a section of the old walls that surrounded Rome. On the other side of the wall are the Borghese Gardens, a large public park with its own fountains and statues.

3.Piazze. The Piazze are considered the centers of life in Italy. The Piazza Navona is my favorite. You can sit in the Piazza and enjoy the fountain (Fontana di Quattro Fiumi) and the architecture of the surrounding buildings.

4.The Pantheon. Built between AD 118-125 the Pantheon is a marvel of ancient Rome.