ROME
Visited May 2016
TRAVEL
R
O
M
E
Visited May 2016
TRAVEL
this page: St. Peter’s Basilica
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View from the Spanish Steps
travel tips
Rome needs no introduction! It’s an epic city and one I had been meaning to visit for a long time. However, some 4+ million tourists visit Rome every year, so here are some travel tips to make to make your stay more enjoyable:
- Queues, queues, and more queues. Try to book all tickets in advance if possible. Most sights have online booking systems.
- Budget extra time for transport delays.
- Rome is famed for pickpocket issues, keep an eye on your surroundings and valuables.
- Pack your umbrella, and walking shoes as the easiest way to get around the city centre is by walking.
- Read up on the sights before you go, there isn’t much descriptive info and with all the tourists around it can get chaotic and difficult to find context for what you’re looking at.
- If you stay a few days, try to plan to eat at a variety of restaurants as the main fare can be pretty carb-heavy.
travel tips
Rome needs no introduction! It’s an epic city and one I had been meaning to visit for a long time. However, some 4+ million tourists visit Rome every year, so here are some travel tips to make to make your stay more enjoyable:
- Rome is famed for pickpocket issues, keep an eye on your surroundings and valuables.
- Queues, queues, and more queues. Try to book all tickets in advance if possible. Most sights have online booking systems.
- Pack your umbrella, and walking shoes as the easiest way to get around the city centre is by walking.
- Budget extra time for transport delays.
- Read up on the sights before you go, there isn’t much descriptive info and with all the tourists around it can get chaotic and difficult to find context for what you’re looking at.
- If you stay a few days, try to plan to eat at a variety of restaurants as the main fare can be pretty carb-heavy.
this page: View from the Spanish Steps
where to stay
I would advise booking your hotel early. I booked around four months before my trip and there was not much choice left. However, we really liked the hotel we ended up at: Princeps Boutique Hotel. It’s a small boutique hotel, only a few years old so clean and new, and really central. When booking, I would definitely consider location first and foremost – get close to transport links and within walking distance of the main attractions you want to visit. It’ll really make your life easier!
below: Terrazza del Gianicolo
right: Pantheon
restaurants
So many great food options in Rome, but the choice can be overwhelming when trying to plan. These are a few of the restaurants we tried:
Osteria Barberini: truffles! Truffle lasagna especially.
Cantina e Cucina: very popular eatery with upbeat staff.
Via Urbana is full of lovely shops and cafes like Urbana 47.
Pinsere is a little pizza takeaway place.
La Prosciutteria Trastevere serves plates deli style
gelato
One of the best things about being in Italy is the abundance of amazing gelato. I think I had on average two to three servings of gelato per day! There are usually several gelaterias on every street. Noteable ones are:
Come il Latte: my favourite gelato in Rome. Only downside is there’s not really any seating.
Gelateria La Romana: comes a close second. Plenty of seating and serves cakes!
Hedera: perfect for when you’re near Vatican City.
Giolitti: more touristy but has a huge array of flavours.
central rome
On day 1 it was pouring with rain so we visited Castel Sant’Angelo. This building has been repurposed throughout history – mausoleum, fortress, castle and now a museum. Expect a queue to buy a ticket. In the afternoon, the rain had ceased and we went to the iconic Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Next was Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, which was relatively quiet. Still feeling energetic, we climbed up the Spanish Steps and then to the top of the Pincian Hill and caught the sunset over Rome.
below: central Rome
right: view from the Pincian Hill
top: Sant’Agnese in Agone
above: Trevi Fountain
left: Sant’Agnese in Agone
right: Trevi Fountain
Colosseum
On day 2, it was time to visit the Colosseum. Buy a ticket online in advance for an underground tour – you will access areas not available with a normal ticket. The queues are chaotic so don’t expect to get in quickly! After the Colosseum tour, we headed on to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Again, expect queues even if you have a ticket. After this we went to check out the view from the National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II.
above: scenes from the Roman Forum
above: scenes from the Roman Forum
Trastevere
By day 3 we were pretty exhausted from all the walking we’d done the previous days. We decided to take it easy by starting at Borghese Gallery and Gardens – we skipped the gallery and strolled around the gardens with pizza in hand. Then we walked over to the neighbourhood of Trastevere, which is residential and slightly less touristic, and picked up some snacks and gelato. The sun had come out so we climbed up to Passeggiata del Gianicolo. There is a view of most of Rome from the top of the hill, so it’s definitely worth climbing up.
vatican city
On day 4 we went to Vatican City, which is actually a separate country located within Rome. The only public areas are the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica and square. Definitely buy a ticket for the museums online in advance, and here’s a tip: this will enable you to enter St Peter’s too (follow the groups when leaving the Sistine Chapel). Don’t forget the dress code – covered shoulders/knees.
this page: Vatican Museums
Be warned, Vatican city will be packed so you don’t have a lot of time to enjoy yourself, and you do get the feeling of being on a conveyor belt. The highlight of the museums is of course Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, but the Maps room is also stunning. In St. Peter’s climb the Cupola di San Pietro to get a view over Vatican City and Rome.
this page: St. Peter’s Basilica
Found you through Trip Advisor. I just have to say that you have a beautiful magazine and blog. Very classy and stylish. The pictures are wonderful. Planning my trip to Italy and your blog helps me a lot. Glad I found you.
Thank you for your comment! I’m glad you enjoy the site and find it useful 🙂
What a lovely blog – loved it! Found you through Trip Advisor and so glad that I did. I’m planning a trip with my son in September. Lovely photographs too!
Thank you for your kind comment! Have a great trip to Rome!
Fantastic blog and magazine. I Love love love your layout! That timeline was to die for! You have done a fantastic jobs with these photos. I’m excited for my trip to Italy with my family in 2018, glad you commented on Facebook so I could see your blog!
Thank you! So happy you enjoyed the post and that it was helpful to you! Enjoy your trip next year ?