Trastevere

Trastevere is one of Rome's most characteristic neighborhoods, divided among long-time local residents and foreigners who have purchased and restored apartments as a trendy "pied-a-terre".  The narrow streets lined with tiny shops revolve around the main piazza with the same name as the magnificent Basilica of SANTA MARIA IN TRASTEVERE, one of the city's most ancient churches, the summer nights come alive with music and ambience at the many outdoor cafés and restaurants.  It is also the home of the Festa de Noantri (Our Festival), which starts on the third Sunday in July, when the streets are transformed into the venue of a village fair with stalls, open-air taverns, band music, and theatrical shows throughout the entire neighborhood. The event is wrapped up with fireworks over the Tiber river.