City break Rome
Rich history, magnificent architecture and grand beauty – it is almost impossible to visit Rome and not to fall in love with this Eternal City! It is true that all roads lead to Rome. Feel like a Roman strolling down the cobblestone roads and meet the city. There is so much to see but so few vacation days, we created this guide in order to help you cover major city highlights and spend the best Italian weekend ever.
Andiamo!
Day 1
Wake up early and seize the day, but also take it easy and have a traditional Italian breakfast with espresso and some pastry; usually, the pastry is cornetto, Italian variation of croissant. When you are ready, it is time to start the sightseeing at the symbol of ancient, but also modern Rome, the Colosseum. The Colosseum is an ancient amphitheatre used for gladiator contests and other public spectacles for up to 80,000 people; to compare, Stadio Olimpico, the main sports facility in Rome today, holds little less than 73,000 people. Since Colosseum is one of the busiest sights, you should consider buying the ticket online. A ticket includes also the Palatine and Roman Forum. In case you find yourself in Rome on the first Sunday of the month, the entrance is free of charge.
Roman Forum is situated right next to Colosseum. Forum was a city centre with tall buildings, arches, pillars and columns; it represented the greatness of this marvellous town. It used to be a beating heart of the city for centuries. Even today, when it is in ruins, it still shows the remarkable architecture of the past time.
After exploring the Ancient Rome, visit the place where the city was born, Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. In the place full of history, you will probably hear some of the city legends; the most interesting one is about two brothers nursed by a wolf , Romulus and Remus. Romulus founded Rome after killing his brother. He chose Palatine Hill for his place of settlement, built a wall, established the government and of course, named the city after himself.
Your next station are Baths of Caracalla, vast complex used for bathing, accommodating up to 1600 bathers back in time.
Head to lively Trastevere neighbourhood but on your way, don’t forget to stop at the Mouth of Truth. It is said that if you put an arm inside the mouth of this massive stone figure, it will bite your hand off in case you are a liar, so watch your fingers!
Trastevere neighborhood is teh best place to be after a whole day of sightseeing and busy attractions. Located a bit away from all the noise, it is less touristy and crowded. It is familiar for its narrow streets lined by age-old houses. Family owned restaurants can be found in every corner; food here is delicious, probably the best in Rome. Food in Italy means so much more than simply having a meal, it is the passion and tradition and they are really proud of it. Respect the tradition and enjoy a proper three-course meal.
Day 2
Wake up early because Vatican City is your plan for the second day . No visit to Rome is complete without visiting the main attractions such as Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. It is recommended to buy tickets online, in order to save both money and time. Skip the line and enjoy all the artworks in peace. You will need hours to admire almost 20,000 pieces of art, but the paintings and sculptures by Raphael, Caravaggio, Bernini, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci really deserve it. Sistine Chapel is magnificent; it is Michelangelo’s masterpiece and frescoes on the ceiling and altar depicting scenes from the Bible are the most famous paintings inside. Note: It is not allowed to take any pictures inside and Museums are closed on Sundays.
Your next stop is St. Peter’s Basilica, the biggest church in the world and the one recognisable in the city’s skyline. If you want to climb the Dome, good idea would be to climb it before entering the church for a shorter wait. After 551 steps, you will get a spectacular view of the town. There is an option of paying a little extra for an elevator covering the first 320 steps. The Basilica itself is designed by Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini. An interesting fact is that all the popes were buried here, including the first pope himself – St. Peter! Make sure you respect dress code when visiting the Vatican, which means no shorts, miniskirts or bare shoulders.
Early afternoon is the right time for a coffee; we recommend to have some espresso; don’t even try to order a cappuccino after 11 a.m. if you don’t want to hear a lecture from Italians. Another tip about ordering a coffee in Italy: never ask for a coffee-to-go because Italians drink it al banco or at the bar. Also, have your coffee first and then pay at the register.
After a short coffee break, pay a visit to Castel Sant’Angelo. The castle is quite unique because of its structure and an angel sitting on top of it. It is one of the oldest buildings in Rome that has lived several different lives until it got its final purpose, a museum.
It is time for some shopping! The most popular shopping streets in Rome are Via del Corso and Via Condotti. Via del Corso is a massive boulevard filled with stores, both superstores and small family-run shops. Via Condotti is the street with all high-end shops.
After a long day of sightseeing, find yourself a bar, have a drink and enjoy that special atmosphere of dolce far niente.
Day 3
It is the last day of your stay and you still have a lot of things to see and do in this ancient town!
Start your final day at Piazza Navona, one of the Rome’s most treasured squares. The square is known for its three fountains – Fontana del Moro, Fontana di Nettuno and Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi; the last one is the masterpiece made by Bernini. Piazza is beautiful and historic place with lively atmosphere; there are artists, musicians and magicians offering all sorts of entertainment. In piazza you can also try two Italian specialities; gelato and Aperol Spritz. Gelato, creamy and tasteful ice-cream, comes in different flavors but to Italians, pistachio ice cream is the most important flavor; it is said that if gelateria sells good pistachio ice cream, all other flavors must be great. Try it in Gelateria dei Gracchi. Aperol Spritz is light and sparkling cocktail and Rome is definitely best enjoyed with a glass of Aperol in your hand.
Continue your tour and head towards Pantheon, the best-preserved monument of ancient times. It was built 2000 years ago as a temple but later, it was converted into church. Entry is free of charge.
Trevi Fountain, probably the most famous fountain in the world, is one of total 1,352 fountains in Rome and it is outstanding. Make sure you respect the tradition: toss a coin into the fountain in order to return to Rome for, at least, one more time. Stand with your back to the Trevi and toss a coin over your left shoulder. A coin or two, just to make sure…
Spanish Steps were built in 1725 to connect the Spanish Embassy with a church Trinita dei Monti. The stairway is famous for the scene from the Roman Holiday movie with Audrey Hepburn and ever since people come here to have their Audrey moment.
Behind the steps, you can find the third largest park in Rome and probably the most picturesque one. Villa Borghese is a historic park with several museums and a Zoo. Borghese Gallery ismade by the architect Ponzio and houses one of the world’s largest private collection of Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, Rubens and many more. When you are done admiring the art, enjoy the green in many open areas and even artifical lake. In case you get hungry, say yes to the world’s best pizza in several pizzerias in the area.
