Come along with me this weekend on a trip in Rome! Where I stayed, best restaurants, and MUST SEE sights and activities during my trip in Rome.
Tuesday
On Tuesday I had cooking class and made spaghetti al pomodoro “in bianco”, which is essentially a spaghetti with a white tomato sauce. It was very good coming from someone who does not like tomato sauce.
Wednesday
On Wednesday I went to Todo Modo for my biweekly cappuccino and cornetto. This is one of the only places I have continuously gone to for pastries I know I can eat. Then I went to Giunti Odean, a movie theater, library, and social space in Florence to get some work done. This is a MUST SEE if you visit Florence for a couple days. This is also a great study spot for students (when the wifi works). After some studying I headed to I Frattellini, my favroite sandwich shop in Florence, and got my go to: the #27 with arugula. These sandwiches are a great and quick lunch option and are only €6.
Thursday
On Thursday I explored Florence and tried my first Italian affogato, vanilla gelato with a shot of espresso. Then I went back to I Frattelinni again for the same sandwich as the day before. Afterwards, I met up with some friends and we walked around the Ponte Vecchio and ate our sandwiches. Later in the day I went home, did laundry, and packed for my trip to Rome!
Friday – Rome!
ROME!! This weekend was my included program trip in Rome. I am studying abroad in Florence through the program, API: Academic Programs International, and as part of the cost of the program we get 3 included excursions. This weekend’s was 3 days in Rome. We took a 4 hour bus to Rome Friday morning which was super quick and convenient.
Spanish Steps and Trevvi Fountain
To start my trip in Rome we went to the Spanish Steps where is started raining so we bought umbrellas. Then we walked to the Spanish Steps for the viewpoint. It started pouring at this point which was a little disappointing, but still enjoyable. After the Spanish Steps, a short walk away, we saw the Trevvi Fountain. If you plan on visiting the Trevvi fountain make sure to look up what days and times the cleanings are at as to not go when it is empty. Also watch out for pickpocketers; they are all over the Trevvi Fountain and will “bump into you” and take your stuff. Always have your stuff zipped away and be aware of your surroundings.
When at the Trevvi Fountain, be sure to toss a coin in the fountain over your left shoulder and make a wish for good luck.
Book your Rome, Italy tours here.
Lunch
After seeing the Trevvi Fountain, we went to Pinsitaly for lunch where we got pizza multiple times during our trip here. It’s a great deal for lunch and is close to the Trevvi Fountain without being an expensive tourist trap.
Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Column of Marcus Aurelius, Lateran Obelisk, Berini’s Four River Fountains, and more
After lunch we had a guided tour of the city, which was included in our program where we saw many historical buildings and statues. The coolest thing about Rome, in my opinion, is seeing a historic monument that was part of the Roman Empire on almost every street you’re on. You turn the corner and then, bam, another monument. Book your Rome, Italy tours here.
We saw many monuments along our walk (see pictures below). My favorite part of the walk was seeing the Pantheon. It is HUGE. We didn’t go inside the Pantheon, but when we went it was €6 to get in and you didn’t need tickets in advance. Then we headed to Piazza Navona which was a very lively area with lots of food and drinks options. My favorite part of this area is Berini’s Four River Fountain or the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. It is a fountain showcasing the four major rivers of the four continents through which papal authority had spread: the Nile representing Africa, the Danube representing Europe, the Ganges representing Asia, and the Río de la Plata representing the Americas. Definitely a MUST SEE in Rome. This is my favorite fountain in Rome. There are also live street performers and farmers markets in this area.
Trastevere
After our walking tour of Rome we headed across The Tiber River to Trastevere where we stayed. We stayed at Hotel Ripa which was a nice hotel, but far from a lot of the main attractions. I would recommend staying closer if this is your first time in Rome.
Dinner and Ice Club
For dinner on Friday my friend and I went to her favorite restaurant in Rome called ” Da Francesco”. Here we had bread, wine, and Rome’s famous carbonara. She says it’s the best carbonara she’s ever had. I would reccommend this place if you are looking for a quieter dinner. After dinner, we went back to the Trevvi Fountain and took a walk where we ran into the Roman Forum and Colosseum at night which is breathtaking. I highly recommend seeing everything in Rome during the day and at night if you can. At night the Colosseum is lit up. After our walk we went to Rome’s famous “ICE CLUB” which is a unique experience. The Ice Club is more of a bar than a club where they give you thermal coats and everything is made out of ice including the drinks. Admission includes one free drink.
Saturday
Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, and Colosseum
On Saturday during this trip in Rome, we started our day with an included tour of the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum. I recommend booking a tour of these three in advance as they fill up quickly and are worth it to know more of the history behind it. Here’s the one I did and I highly recommend.
In terms of transportation in Rome, it is easiest to stay in a central location and walk everywhere but if needed there is a metro you can take. It’s not the most reliable but it is an option and you can use apple pay.
After our tour we went to lunch near the Vatican at Pastasciutta which has delicious cheap pasta to go.
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peters Basilica
After lunch we headed to Vatican City. FUN FACT: Vatican City is actually its own country. If you are someone who loves the history of museums, it might be worth it to book a tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel; however, be aware that you might not have as much time to look at certain things because the tour moves fast and the time spent is up to the guides.
For the Vatican you need around 3 hours. Start with the Vatican Museums then the Sistine Chapel and end with the St. Peters Basilica.
My biggest piece of advice when visiting Rome is to BOOK EVERYTHING IN ADVANCE. Book your Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica tours here.
BEST DINNER IN ROME
For Dinner Saturday night we went to my favorite restaurant in Rome called Il Ciociaro. Be sure to try their wine blends and cheese wheel pasta. Cheese wheel pasta is something you MUST TRY in Italy. I’ve had it a couple times so far and Il Ciociaro’s is the best. I get the cacio e pepe and it is amazing. They also make tiramisu in front of you. The waiters here are super friendly and really make the dinner a good experience. It is a small restaurant with a very Italian feel perfect for everyone. If you can, make a reservation in advance.
Sunday
On Sunday we went and saw the Pope. If you want to see the Pope, you should go on a Sunday at 12 noon. He will appear from the second window on the right in the apartment buildings in the Vatican where he gives a short speech. He may also greet the crowds in various languages and the whole event usually lasts around 15-20mins.
After seeing the Pope we went and got lunch at Pinsitaly near Trevvi. After lunch we checked out the Castel Sant’Angelo and picked up some postcards at the vendors nearby.
Then we packed up and headed home from our trip to Rome.
