Rome

Rome is our favourite destination in the world, even though there are many cities that we love. We love the piazzas and the lifestyle of sitting at small cafes watching the world go by, it has some of the most iconic buildings and sites in the world, and it is just a lovely city to wander around. I think one of the most endearing things about Rome is that around every corner you will come across another ancient building, or site.

We have been to Rome several times and on our most recent trip we stayed at the Splendor Suite Roma, a hotel situated right on a lovely piazza with a good choice of eating places. The room we had was quite large, as was the bathroom, as you will find in Rome that many hotel rooms are small and tight. It was also centrally located to Rome’s main shopping street, which is the Via del Corso.

One other option for your stay is to book a Monastery stay. We did this on our first trip, and we were just down the road from the Colosseum. It is pretty basic accommodation, but if you are on a budget then this is a good option. What we loved about the monastery we stayed in was that it was placed in amongst a more family type area, so the piazzas were not full of tourists, but families having dinner together and children playing games. The food was more authentic also and somewhat cheaper than the main tourist areas.

Leave plenty of time to explore this city, and where possible pre-purchase tickets to all the major attractions. They are well worth it and you will enjoy the history, the people and the food.

Let’s see what Rome has to offer.

Vatican City – a visit to the Vatican City is an absolute must for any tourist, and the best way to do this is to book with an organised tour group. We chose a group called Dark Rome. The real trick though, is to book the tour that is a VIP Early Access tour. They commence at 7:30am, but you will miss most of the crowds inside the Vatican and your entry is quick and easy. I need to warn travellers that any tour to the Vatican involves enormous numbers of tourists, and on one of our visits the room we were in was so full of tourists that the only view we had was of the ceiling. This not only makes it extremely uncomfortable because of the huge numbers, but you miss most of the treasures on view because you simply can’t see past the tourists. Please ensure you look carefully at the tour you wish to take, and ensure it not only starts early before the real crowds arrives, but it allows you quick access as well.
The Sistine Chapel – one of the benefits of taking the early tour of the Vatican is that when you reach the Sistine Chapel it will almost be empty of tourists. This is absolutely the best time to see the Chapel and marvel in its beauty and the amazing talent of Michelangelo. Please note though that no photos are allowed inside the Chapel.
St Peter’s Basilica – the Basilica and Square require no introduction and are almost the main tourist destinations in Rome. Combine your visit to the Vatican with the Basilica as it will take you a number of hours to do both.
Colosseum – in its day it held between 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, so the Colosseum is well worth a visit. Its sheer size alone is impressive, but there is nothing quite like walking through such an historical site. It is also one of the ‘must see’ sites of Rome, and we guarantee you will not be disappointed. Again, a tour group is the best way to go, and you will appreciate the historical lesson along the way.
Palatine Hill – The Palatine is the most famous of Rome’s seven hills. In Ancient Rome it was considered one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city, and was the home of aristocrats and emperors. You can do a combined tour which takes in the Colosseum, Palatine, the Roman Forum and other significant sites, or you can easily walk through the latter ones at your own pace.
Roman Forum – a large tract of land leading from the Colosseum which included buildings, basilicas and monuments. Again you can include the Forum in a tour, or you can easily wander through it at your own pace.
Spanish Steps – you would have probably seen the Spanish Steps in any number of movies over the years, so it’s always nice when you can actually visit and see something in person. People used to sit all over the steps so it was a bit of a task getting up and down them, but in more recent years we believe that you can no longer sit on the steps thereby allowing easy movement of foot traffic. The view from the top is worth the walk if you are feeling fit.
Trevi Fountain – probably the most famous fountain in the world, the Trevi Fountain is just spectacular. Literally hidden around a corner the fountain is placed in a busy, but small, piazza. Again, don’t be surprised if you turn up and there are so many tourists that you cannot see anything. The best time to go is very early morning, and then you can wander to one of the small cafes nearby and enjoy breakfast.
Pantheon – originally built as a Roman temple it is one of the best preserved historical buildings in Rome. It is a beautiful building and you will appreciate the historical value of it when you go inside.
Altare della Patria – (more commonly called Altar of the Fatherland) built in honour of Victor Emmanuel II this is not only a significantly impressive building, but it is full of interesting exhibits. The focal point is the statue of a horseman at the front, which is a representation of Victor Emmanuel II.
Castel Sant’Angelo – a towering cylindrical building it was originally commissioned by the Roman Emporer Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The central circle is a lofty cylinder containing halls, chapels, apartments, courtyard and prison cells.
Trajan Forum – known as one of the most spectacular of the Imperial Forums, it is located just across the road from the Altar of the Fatherland. On show are displays of original fragments of decorative features and sculpture, which were found in the Forums.
Arch of Titus – a triumphal arch erected at the foot of the Palantine Hill, it was built in 81 AD by the emperor Domitian in memory of his brother Tito to celebrate his victories against the Jews. Covered in Greek marble, the monument has a single opening flanked by four semi-columns with capitals. It is one of only two arches remaining in Rome.
Piazza Navona – a visit to the piazza will not disappoint as it is full of local artists selling their wares, and lovely cafes, restaurants and churches nearby to explore. The Ancient Romans used the square to watch games and hence it was known as ‘Circus Argonalis’ or competition arena.

Travel Tips

Most of the tourist attractions in Rome have audio guides, so if you don’t wish to join the multitude of tourists in tour groups, then this is probably a better option for you.
Ensure you have a hat for those hot summer days, as the temperature can hit the mid-thirties quite easily.
Rome is relatively easy to walk around and you will find a wonderful array of shops and restaurants to explore. Because there is so much to do we would suggest a week in Rome to really get a taste of this wonderful city.

Travel Alerts

Rome is a busy city at any time of the year, so you will probably find it difficult to avoid the crowds. It can get blistering hot in summer too, so if you are travelling in the peak tourist season you will find it challenging. We have never felt unsafe in Rome, and certainly have not noticed any real crime, but that’s not to say it doesn’t happen, so you should always be aware of your belongings.
Do not particularly trust cabs in Rome, especially if you are arriving by train. On our first visit we were taken on a 30 minute drive to our accommodation, and when we got our bearings a little later on, we found we were literally only 10 minutes from the station! We were well and truly caught out.