On an Evening In Roma

Rome was one of the main cities on my bucket list since moving to Italy, and it was so exciting finally getting to explore the eternal city. You read about Rome in your history textbook, but it truly doesn’t register how amazing the ancient ruins are until you’re walking around, taking in the sites. I was able to spend a little over 2 days here, and it was a sufficient amount of time to see and do all of the classic Rome site-seeing! I've created this itinerary to be an aid while planning a trip!

Day 1

Roman Food Tour with Foodies in Rome

The first to-do on our list was a Roman food tour. This was one of my favorite aspects of our weekend because we truly got to experience the delicious cuisine of Rome in a relaxed setting. It’s especially enjoyable because it’s a private tour. Dominique was a wonderful guide! She explained the history and significance of every restaurant and bite you take! I cannot recommend this tour enough. To book the same tour go here: foodiesinrome.com/tours-page/

Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel

When you take a trip to Rome, Vatican City is obviously a must. Vatican City is an independent city-state and a short bus ride from the main attractions of Rome. It’s home to the Pope and is the headquarters to the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican museums house ancient art and sculptures that millions of tourists visit every year. You can walk around the museum on your own, or purchase the audio guide. Many tourists were in small groups with in-person guides as well. However, it all depends on your taste and what you want to get out of your visit. Personally, audio guides are my favorite! If I could give you one tip, try to visit the museum during the week, or early in the morning. We went on a Saturday afternoon and there were times where we were shoulder to shoulder with other visitors. It was obviously still amazing, but if you can beat the crowd, that's what I recommend! You can buy tickets online to secure a spot, but I recommend buying tickets once you're there because there is an online booking fee. But for peace of mind you can buy tickets online here: www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/scegli-la-visita/musei-e-collezioni/musei-vaticani-e-cappella-sistina/visita-libera-musei-vaticani-e-cappella-sistina.html

Gelato in Ponte

After our walk through the museum, Stefani and I wanted to explore and stumble upon whatever came our way. We ended up in Ponte, which is an amazing area of Rome. It has beautiful cafe’s, boutiques, and of course gelato shops! Just about any gelato shop you walk into will be delicious, so don’t hesitate on choosing one at random!

Trevi Fountain

Oh, the iconic Trevi Fountain. If you’re anywhere around my age, you grew up watching Lizzie McGuire. And that means you’ve dreamt of seeing the spot Lizzie Met Paolo in the Lizzie McGuire movie. (Lol) It’s just as magical in person, so be sure to close your eyes, make a wish, and throw a penny into the fountain! Make sure to hold the coin in your right hand and toss it over your left shoulder! (I’m still waiting on mine to come true, but I’m hopeful)!

Spanish Steps

As we were wandering around we stumbled onto the Spanish Steps. We were wanting to see them at some point, but were worried we would run out of time, so this was a pleasant surprise! The view is unreal, and since the sun had set the lights of the city were sparkling and we could hear a woman singing opera at a restaurant nearby. It was such a picturesque moment, so we sat, turned on some music, and were able to soak in this incredible moment!

Gregory’s Jazz Club

If you love jazz music, Gregory’s Jazz Club is the perfect place for you to unwind and have an amazing cocktail after a long day of sightseeing! The staff is incredibly friendly, and the drinks are seriously delicious. To sit upstairs and listen/watch the band, you have to purchase tickets. However, we stayed downstairs at the bar and could hear the music perfectly. Plus, they have a television screening the band while they perform! If you ever find yourself in Rome, this jazz club is a must. Take a look at their website here: www.gregorysjazz.com/en/

This was definitely the fanciest vodka sour I’ve ever had, lol!

The bartender was so extremely friendly that he wanted to make us our own signature cocktails! He made these up on the spot and they were absolutely delicious. So, if you like a nice cocktail, this is your place!

Day 2

Tour the Coliseum

When in Rome, touring the Coliseum is an absolute must. I mean come on, it’s the Coliseum! We had seen it a few times the day prior, but we were so excited to get a peek at the inside of this historical monument. So I’m not going to lie, I knew very little Roman history before this trip, so I was going into this tour practically blind. The tour guide was extremely helpful and informative; walking us through every aspect of the Coliseum's history. Tourists are able to walk through the Coliseum without a guide, however for your first time especially I recommend going with a tour guide, you learn so much more!

Roman Forum

For centuries, the Roman forum was a center for every day Roman life. Today, it is a sprawling ruin of Roman architectural buildings and fragments. It’s a short 3-5 minute walk from the Coliseum, so you can scratch both of these sites off your list in one day! Visiting the Coliseum and the Roman Forum takes a good chunk of time, so make sure to allow a whole morning/afternoon to visit these. I found priority entrance tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, that also comes with an audio guide for only 18 EUR! colosseum.tickets-rome.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-9_jx-u-4QIVC853Ch0-dQmZEAAYAiAAEgIcuvD_BwE

Basilica of The Holy Cross in Jerusalem

This church is often overlooked by tourists, but definitely should be at the top of everyone’s to-do list. This church houses what is believed to be the relics, one of the nails, and a fragment of the cross from Jesus’s crucifixion. It is said that St. Helen brought these to Rome after her pilgrimage. Seeing these historical pieces was something I can’t put into words!

Photos of the relics, nail, and cross, wasn’t allowed, so you will have to take a trip to Rome to see it for yourself!

Rome in two days is hectic and super busy, but believe me it is doable! I hope this itinerary was helpful, and if you ever have any questions about accommodations, activities, tickets, etc, don't hesitate to ask! Happy traveling!

Xoxo,
Emma Kay