Rome, Rome, Rome. What to say about this city! This metropolitan is a heady mix of history, culture, art, music and everything good. No matter how much I spent here, it didn’t feel enough. I was here for a good three and a half days, yet I was left asking for more. I would love to go back and roam the streets, just listen to the musicians playing on the roadside and sip a coffee along the way just to get the big city feel.
During my stay I covered most of the top spots in the city; the Vatican Museums, Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Roman Forum and Castel Sant’Angelo.
How To Reach Rome
Rome is well connected by flight from all major cities. You can also fly to any of the neighbouring cities like Venice or Florence and take a train or a bus from there. The journey along the Italian countryside is green and beautiful.
Since I was already touring Italy, and Rome was my third stop after Venice and Florence, I took a bullet train from Florence. It is also connected by bus, if you are looking for a slightly cheaper option. The journey is a bit long, and takes about 3 hours.
Where To Stay
Rome is a city full of eager travellers and hence, hostels. You have plenty of good options in hostels at very reasonable prices. Look for a place near a metro or a tram station, preferably near the city centre, to minimise travel time and hassle.
Rome is cheaper than Venice or Florence in terms of accommodation, travel and food.
Getting Around In Rome
Rome is well connected by buses, trams and trains. You can buy a common transport pass valid from 24 upto 72 hours, cost varying according to the duration of the pass.
Quick Tip: Buy a common transport pass, available at any metro station, applicable to most modes of public transport.
The pass will make your travel very smooth as you go swiping away at every station without worrying about loose change and long queues.
Must See In Rome
Day 1: I started my tour of Rome with a visit to the Vatican Museums.
Quick Tip: Book your pass for the Vatican Museums online before you go as the queue for the tickets can be pretty long.
The Museums are sprawling spaces of artwork and history. It will take you an entire day to properly go through each and every exhibition and display. The walk is long, so be prepared with good walking shoes and water. But that said, the sights are spectacular and elaborate. The Sistine Chapel is the ultimate destination, which is the masterpiece of Michelangelo’s laborious and long work.
Quick Tip: Pictures are allowed everywhere inside the Museums except inside the Sistine Chapel.
After the tour, it was almost evening and I sat down at an open bistro to gorge on some delicious pasta.
Day 2: The second day I planned to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.
St. Peter’s is the historic and iconic religious centre of the Vatican, one of the most recognisable architectures from Renaissance. Here again the wait in the queues may be long. The day I visited was a hot and sunny one and wait was very long, so be prepared with good covered clothes and water. But the inside of the Basilica is worth the wait, it is of astounding scale and beauty. You will be left marvelling at the grandness of it all.
Quick Tip: It is mandatory to cover your knees and shoulders inside the Basilica, be adequately prepared.
From St. Peter’s, Piazza Navona is a walking distance of around a km and a half. Piazza Navona was designed as an open stadium and houses several fountains, one of them being the Fountain of Four Rivers. A short walk from the Piazza is the Trevi Fountain, which is among the largest and most famous fountains in the world. It is a popular coin throwing spot where people make a wish and throw a coin.
Quick Tip: Historically coins are supposed to be thrown with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain. Over 3,000 euros are thrown in everyday.
Another short walk from the Trevi Fountain is Piazza della Rotonda, where the Pantheon stands. The Pantheon was earlier a Roman temple but is now a church. The front columned porch leads into a large circular structure called the Rotunda. The Rotunda has has the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. The dome has an oculus (opening) at the top, which is a source of natural light. The Rotunda is of veritable size, and is truly grand from inside.
Day 3: Colosseum and the Roman Forum were the two things on my list for this day.
The Colosseum is one of Rome’s most recognisable monuments and among the top attractions in the world. Located right in the middle of the city, it is largest amphitheatre ever built. In its glory times, it could seat more than 50,000 spectators who came to see the gladiatorial events.
Located right beside the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, ruins of the erstwhile central Plaza where some of the most important buildings were located and was the centre of day to day life. It’s quite a long walk inside the Forum ruins.
What Not To Miss
On my last day in Rome, I had to catch a flight from the Fiumicino airport (Rome has two, Fiumicino and Ciampino). Luckily, Fiumicino is located very close to the beach town of Ostia-Lido. So, having half a day extra in hand, I packed my swimwear and headed to the beach. It a quite little Italian town, very different from the commercialised Rome. If you have the time, find a spot in the sand and enjoy the waves!
That’s all from Rome, folks!
TrippyGoLucky 
Leave a comment