President Bush visits Trastevere

This Saturday in Rome, President Bush will be making a short walking tour of the Trastevere quarter of the Eternal City.

Unfortunately, he will only have time to meet the humanitarian Association of Sant'Egidio and view the fabulous Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere in the square of the same name, one of Rome's finest piazze.

Which is a shame as Trastevere is one of Rome's most interesting zones and incredibly popular with the American and British comunity living in the city.

The President will be a little early for the July Noantri Festival,  but he might be tempted to make any number of unscheduled detours.

He can't fail to miss the many pizza restaurants in Trastevere, and can always return for the always busy Dar Poeta.

The Gianicolo boasts the best panoramic view of Rome, not necessarily by the Spanish Ambassador's residence (as viewed in the film Roman Holiday) or from the Statue of Garibaldi, but by the Finnish Embassy where the midday gun is fired. 

Viale Trastevere has one of Rome's finest 'gelateria' as well Frantoni, offering full quick lunches.

But he won't be able to see a movie at the once mythical Pasquino Cinema. Its days were numbered when the owners had the bright idea of turning it, in our view, into the world's smallest and most dismal multiplex.

The roof which opened to the stars and the 1930's style ticket entrance disappeared and so did the faithful.