Ciao! Can’t believe it’s almost been a month since I’ve been back from Rome! I explain a bit more of why the trip was such a surprise in this Instagram post. However, it was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had traveling! It was my first time in Italy, though not my first time in Europe. And I’m almost ready to pack up and move immediately to Italia! Plus, I may or may not have downloaded the Italian Duolingo because of my new-found obsession. From the fresh pasta and tasty cuisine to the iconic historic monuments, it was truly unforgettable.
The best time to visit Italy according to US News and World is October-April. The weather was a bit chillier than I would’ve liked in March, but I loved being able to walk everywhere and not break a sweat! I shared my packing list essentials for Europe/Italy in this post here, but it also has some gems for any 5+ hours airplane travel! We had a week to fit in everything in Rome so instead of hopping from city to city, I opted for staying in one place and truly soaking up every last bit of what the ancient town had to offer. Don’t forget to PIN this post for later (hover over the images to save to your Pinterest board).
Colosseum
I suggest booking the tours in advance to avoid lines and to get the time slot you want! Be careful with which one you choose, though. Each tour is different and can either include the Roman Forum, the gladiator underground and access to the arena floor, the top-level or just the basic Colosseum middle tier. We did the latter and I don’t feel like I missed out on anything!
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
The Spanish Steps (free)
Toss a Coin in The Trevi Fountain (free)
If not for the legendary scenes of Lizzie McGuire or Mary-Kate and Ashley, do it for good luck. It’s supposed to represent being fortunate enough to return to Rome in the future!
Shop Til You Drop in Rinascente
It’s a designer paradise. If you love luxury goods, Italy is definitely one of the best places to purchase them. While Milan is the fashion capital of the country, the Italian department store in Rome is still worth a visit. Rinascente’s 5 floors of stylishly offer a beautiful display of brands like Fendi, Prada, Armani, and Gucci all inside a restored Roman home with a working aqueduct! Visit the rooftop bar during sunset for great views of the city.
Vatican City & St. Peter’s Basilica (free)
Try and time it close to mass and hear the choir’s angelic voices fill the halls. I promise you there’s nothing like it. I’m not even Catholic and I was moved to tears.
Sistine Chapel
While St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican are free to visit, entering the Sistine Chapel will cost you about 20 euros. You’ll be able to see the infamous works of Michelangelo (including the Creation of Adam) painted gracefully on the ceiling. Definitely worth it in my book.
The Altar of the Fatherland (aka The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument)
If you’d like to view the monument from the outside, it’s free. However, you can pay 10 euros to take an elevator to the top and experience 180-degree views of Rome.
Largo di Torre Argentina (free)
The site where Julius Caesar was killed.
Pantheon
Take an Eccentric Tour of The City
We did a “spooky” walking tour of Rome and it was so cool! My professor mentioned that she’s done a ghost tour in every major European city. I wouldn’t recommend the tour we went on because the guide wasn’t the best, but it was interesting to learn more about the less talked about things.
Learn Italian cuisine from a professional chef! Andrea was fabulous and our group loved learning how to make fresh spaghetti, Roman-style artichokes, Carbonara sauce, Penne all’ Arrabbiata Sauce and Tiramisu.
Gelato
You can’t really go wrong with where to get it from, but the places right around tourist traps like the Trevi Fountain will probably lack the taste of more obscure spots.
Coffee
The experience of drinking coffee in Italy is completely different from American life. It mainly reflects their culture. You sit, sip, and enjoy the newspaper or conversation with friends. Taking coffee-to-go is frowned upon and will definitely make you stand out as someone from the states. Even though I don’t drink coffee, many of my friends said it wasn’t as strong as they’d like, so keep that in mind!
Main Course Dishes
I encourage you to try anything that you wouldn’t typically get in an American Italian food chain. Not only will you be trying something new, but I guarantee it’ll taste 10x better than what they’re offering anyway!
Ristorante La Pigna
I can honestly say I didn’t eat a single meal where I was unhappy with the quality of food. Everything was AMAZING! I’m only sharing this specific restaurant because this is where we visited the first evening we were there and they had great service.
Trastevere
This is a neighborhood in Rome that was originally an area for the lower class. It’s located across the River, but still in walking distance to major attractions in the city. It’ll definitely be cheaper to stay in the area, but I loved how I felt like I was amongst local residents instead of tourists. The squares always had restaurants lined up with outdoor seating which allowed for people watching while sipping your favorite Italian vino.
Fun fact. We learned a crazy statistic when we visited a financial center on my trip with the MBA program that Italy holds 50% of the cash in Europe?! It’s safe to say they love paper money. Make sure you have plenty of Euros on you when you visit as they prefer that over cards. They also prefer you to not split the bill. My group downloaded the app Splitwise to help keep a running tab throughout the week. It’s easier than venmo-ing after every meal and helps you keep track!
Which city should I visit next in Italy? I’m so excited to go back one day! Feel free to check out my Instagram highlights (@goodtomicha) to see more from my trip!
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Your trip looked AMAZING!!! I’m itching to get back to Italy and eat all that food haha!
http://www.mollyonthemoveblog.com
SAMEEEE. Hands down the best part of the trip!