Quotes of the Day

1.VALENTINO, fashion designer: I would admire the sunset from the neoclassical restaurant Casina Valadier on Pincio hill before going for a drink in nearby Piazza del Popolo, at the elegant Hotel de Russie. Then, after a dinner of Roman fare and seasonal produce at Al Moro I would stroll through the historical pageant of Piazza del Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Via Giulia. I can't get enough of the Baroque side of the city.

2. JEFF ISRAELY, Rome bureau chief, TIME: I'd begin with some culture. The Scuderie museum on the Quirinale hill accepts visitors until 7 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. and 9:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., and has good modern-art exhibits and arguably the best view of the city from its exiting stairway. With an appetite revved for Roman food, get a steaming plate of bucatini all'amatriciana, a classic pasta with bacon, at Matricianella on Campo Marzio. Plop down afterward in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina for a relaxed nightcap, or stroll over to the Spanish Steps, pictured, for a bit more buzz.

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3. FLAMINIA VITALE, psychologist: For an aperitivo, I'd recommend the homey Salotto 42 in Piazza di Pietra. Then go for dinner at Il Bacaro in Via degli Spagnoli—it's intimate and they serve a tasting portion of your dinner partner's pasta. Also, they have a great wine list. If it were a Saturday I'd go to the minimalist nightspot ReD, part of architect Renzo Piano's music venue Auditorium. It's full of fun people but never overcrowded, with either a DJ or live music.

• You have one evening to spend in the Eternal City. Three people in the know tell you how to do it right