Trevi Fountain at Night and Visitor Tips

The Trevi fountain is a gorgeous beast. It's Baroque style is breathtaking, I dare say there is no other fountain more gorgeous, it is even more beautiful at night. The Trevi fountain is open 24/7 and it is absolutely free. You can sit and gaze at it for as long as you wish, though it's usually most crowded from around mid morning through the evening hours. The best time to view the fountain if you'd like to have it more to yourself is either after Midnight or in the very early morning hours. There are lots of vendors selling stuff, guys handing you roses (they're not free so just say, "No grazie", unless you wish to purchase one.) and photographers selling photos. As with any heavily populated tourist ridden area in any city in the world, be sure to guard your belongings and be smart. Have your coins ready to be tossed before you get to the fountain to avoid having to dig through your wallet.If you're a fan of the film Roman Holiday staring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck or Three Coins in the Fountain,then you're familiar with the legend surrounding the fountain. I've heard of a couple of legends the first being that if you toss a coin with your back to the fountain using your right hand over your left shoulder then you will return to Rome one day. A newer legend says the first coin you toss into the fountain will ensure you're return, a second coin will mean a new romance, and the third that your romance will lead to marriage. Both legends stipulate having your back turned, and tossing the coin over your left shoulder using your right hand; however if you take a moment to watch other tourists they seem to use both hands... I'm not sure if this is an unfamiliarity with the legend, or if I'm the one who is mistaken.The best part of the coin toss is how the money is used. Nightly about €3,000, is collected and given to a local supermarket which serves the poor, and other local charities like the Italian Red Cross. There are lots of gelato places and restaurants around the fountain, but they can be pricey and sometimes the quality of food isn't the greatest. Be sure to check reviews if possible before making a decision to dine.The Trevi Fountain is easy to get to, if you're traveling by the metro use the Baberini stop on line A.