The problem: Traipsing around Rome's main tourist attractions leaves visitors needing cool refreshments, in all senses of the world.

The solution: Gelateria (ice cream shops) conveniently near the city's main tourist attractions. Sure, my husband and I have fond memories of all we saw in Rome, but the city's inspired gelaterias surpassed the expectations of two ice cream addicts. Our discoveries during a recent visit:

* Cornetteria, Viale di Trastevere. Our first find. Escaping the press of body-to-body bargain hunters at the Porta Portese flea market--Rome's largest, stretching from Via Porta Portese to the Stazione Trastevere--we spy Cornetteria nearby. There we order coppas (cups) of cioccolata (chocolate) and caffe (duh) gelati and dig in. A slow smile pans over my husband's face. My smile mirrors his.

* Gelateria Pellacchia, 103/107 Via Cola di Rienzo. After a five-hour tour of the Vatican and a climb to the top of the Castel Sant'Angelo for a panorama of the Tiber and the city, we spot this neighborhood cafe. A sign assures us that the gelati is homemade. I stick with caffe and cioccolata. My husband ignores his arteries and tries a new flavor, amaretto.