Rome Itinerary

Rome is basically a massive outdoor museum, with a plethora of sites to see and ancient ruins popping up all over the city, so here are just a few tips/must-sees from our time in the Eternal City...

Where to Stay:

We stayed in Hotel Quattro Fontane (after Hotel La Fenice didn't have our reservation and called and made us another at their sister hotel!) near the Barberini/Fontana di Trevi Metro Stop. This was a good area - only a few minutes walk from Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, about 15-20 minutes from the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Termini train station. I would this suggest staying in that area, near Piazza Navona / Pantheon, or in Trastevere (Trastevere is a little farther away, but a cool neighborhood and, in my opinion, a must-see while in Rome).

Getting Around:

I would advise that, as with many Europeans cities, it would be best not to drive in Rome. The most convenient and cheapest way to get around would be the public transit system, not to mention that I'd personally be nervous to drive in Italy after our taxi driver told us that a "red light is just a suggestion." 

Metro tickets can be purchased at any Tabacchi (tobacco shop) and from vending machines at the train and metro stations. I'd recommend the BTI, a tourist ticket for €11 that is valid for unlimited bus and metro travel for 3 days.

**Also, even though Rome is more spread out than some cities, it is still very walkable and we did most travel on foot. So, transit tickets aren't essential if you like to walk! 

What to See:

Vatican City: Open 9 am - 6 pm, closed on Sunday - buy tickets in advance to avoid line - €15. Plan to spend at least a half day there. Highlights = 

• Sistine Chapel
• St. Peter's Square and Basilica - one of the largest churches in the world, spectacular interior, and contains tombs, relics, and Michelangelo's La Pieta statue (just make sure you cover your shoulders and legs to your knees - as you see in my pics, I had to use my husband's clothes to cover up! oops)
• Vatican Gardens
• Castel Sant Angelo (has underground passageway to Vatican)
• Raphael Rooms

 

Colosseum / Roman Forum / Palatine Hill:  MUST see - €12 admission for all 3 - spend a half day here - bypass long lines at the Colosseum by going to Palatine Hill first - go there, then the Forum, then the Colosseum and you'll wait in virtually no lines! 

Trevi Fountain: one of the most famous fountains in the world - there are lots of rules on how many coins to throw in for different outcomes, but toss in a coin to ensure your return to Rome!

 Pantheon: free admission, closes at 7:00 pm

Piazzas (not to be confused with pizza!): One of my favorite parts of Rome is relaxing in the Piazzas, having a glass of prosecco or enjoying a gelato, viewing the art and street performers, people-watching, etc. Most popular piazzas/squares in Rome (first 4 are my fav):

Piazza Navona                                                 Campo di'Fiori
Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps)                     Piazza del Popolo


Piazza Venezia                                                Piazza del Campidoglio
Piazza del Pantheon                                        Piazza Santa Maria (Trastevere)

Piazza Navona

Cuisine:

Well, Italian food is incredible.. plain and simple! Some Roman pasta specialties include Carbonara, Amatriciana, Cacio e pepe, and Gricia. There are loads of amazing restaurants (just do your research to avoid tourist traps!), so I'll just share one suggestion. As I mentioned in Part 2 of our Rome trip, I had the best pasta of my life at Hostaria La Botticella a Trastevere and would absolutely insist on going here!


Enjoy :)