WHY GO: Sexy Italiano lifestyle: Laid back vibes, local music and local wine
FOR HOW LONG: In 3-4 days you can tick boxes, but you'll leave wanting more
WHAT'S MY BUDGET: Cheaper than expected!
WHERE TO STAY: Trastevere. It's a super cool neighbourhood with a buzz at all hours. Our studio was AMAZING
GETTING AROUND: definitely walking - it's a big city but you don't want to miss a thing
LANGUAGE: ITALIANO. It's worth trying to learn some. But as per, you'll be fine without.
Italy has it all, pizza, pasta, wine, buskers, gelato, view points, nightlife, shopping, coffee. And that's only in its capital city.
I cannot believe it has taken me so long to visit. Rome is an awesome city, and perfect for a weekend break - although you will want to stay!
LANDMARKS
If you're an art lover, or a history buff, or even art history. (Yeah, that just happened.). Then you're going to want longer the a weekend as you'll want to lap up these landmarks, and trust me, that takes time. I am a fan of stunning architecture, and can appreciate art, but not to the point I want to queue for it.
In a weekend I wouldn't recommend rushing to fit them all in - as meandering around the streets and stopping for coffee is a landmark experience in itself. Be realistic. I would advise picking one main attraction, possibly two. And taking your time finding the free ones. If you've got a week, go for more and pick up a Roma Pass, or even book a tour through your hotel.
THE PAID ONES
I chose the Colosseum. (Mainly, because how sick is Gladiator?!). Now the system for going to see it, well, it's an absolute bitch. So if you're going to take away any of this post, it should be this. Buy. Your. Tickets. In. Advance. I mean that cuts out one of the queues you're about to encounter. Cut to the chase and buy them from the official site. They also come entrance to..... All good right?!
When you get there you have two options. You bite the bullet and get to the back, or what is probably the longest queue. (Can you tell I was slightly bitter Or, you admit defeat and sign up to one of the group tours. They're about an extra €15, and you'll skip the worst of the queue, and have some information for when you're inside. There's so information in there, and it's super overcrowded so if you want to learn what it's all about I'd consider this option. If you're not to fussed, to be honest I'd leave it. It is absolutely stunning from the outside, and that's what I wanted to see. So choice is yours!
Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
You get access to this on the same Colosseum ticket. So if you've got time, then totally go. But be warned, the queues aren't much quicker.
Vatican City
This would have been my next choice; you can buy tickets on the official site. Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. The place is stunning. You can grasp that a bit from the outside, as St Peter's Square is free, but if you have an extra day, I would get here early. But make sure you dress for it.
THE FREE ONES
Trevi Fountain
I LOVE IT. So much bigger than I expected! Totally stuffed too. But you can still have your minute or two at the front to throw a coin in. I could have stuck around for hours.
Spanish Steps
Great pitstop. I recommend walking to the top, and then taking a left and taking an beautiful 15 minute walk over to Piazza del Popolo. Follow the Viale Gabriele D'Annunzio and you'll feel so high above the city. Half way there's a lovely restaurant stop off called Caffe Ciampini.
Pantheon
Just go and look - if you're in a hurry, don't worry about getting inside. The best bit is outside.
Monumento Vittorio Emanuele II
We came across this by mistake - didn't know it was a thing, but you can't miss it when you see it! It's incredible, and you're allowed to wonder around inside and take in the surroundings - free of charge!
Janiculum Hill
Head up this hill in the western part of the city. It's a bit of a incline, but nothing too strenuous (just maybe avoid prime sun hours like we did...) It's an awesome panoramic view, worth the climb.
FOOD & WINE
When it comes to cuisine I've never experienced anything like it. I mean really.
Carbonara. Pizza. Cured meats. Gelato. Local wine. Coffee. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE.
And, it's cheap... My mind was blown. I've always told myself it would be pricey for some reason. I was wrong. The key is to find local family restaurants, not tourist traps. So avoid places near the landmarks, the ones with pictures on the menu, and check out the clientele before you go in... spot how many bumbags and selfie sticks.
Coffee
After giving you those rules, I did break one for coffee and it paid off. Round the corner from the Colosseum is a coffee shop, where you can sit outside, it's quiet, see the beauty, and have the best coffee I've ever had. A Mochaccino. Nowhere else made one just as beautiful as head to Colosseum Bar.
Wine
We went to Vineria on a recommendation and it was lovely. It's tucked behind Piazza dei Fiori, amazing wine, reasonable prices, and they kept bringing up dishes to go with the grape juice, can't go wrong.
Food
The opportunities are endless but I think my favourites were tucked away in Trastevere; all near our amazing studio. There's so many around here, and you know what you're getting just when you peer in, so choose wisely. There's a friendly hustle and laid back approach to everything in this neighbourhood. And the food was divine too, especially antipasti starters. If you are struggling to find something though, drop me a message on the contact us page cause I've got a long list that will help you out!
If you're brave enough, you should go for it somewhere and have the traditional 5 courses. The roof garden at Hotel Valadier do an amazing taster menu version (Daniella tested it out for us, and it's got her approval!) We weren't actually able to handle it on this trip, but I think for next time I'll put myself in training for it!
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