Packing tips for traveling abroad.
Rome's Secrets
Insider Tips
- Rome uses the Euro and it is often worth more than the US $1
- Don't travel with a lot of $$ in your pocket, 50 Euros is enough if you have a credit card
- The easiest / cost efficient way to get around is to use the metro and/or walk
- The most central place to stay is near the Colosseum
- Rome is not known for their party scene but there are fun bars near the Colosseum
- You can visit all of the locations above in a total of 3 days
Top Things to Do
1. Colosseum
The most popular destination in Rome is the Roman Colosseum which is an amphitheater that was built in 70 A.D. You can buy tickets to go inside like in my picture or you can view it from outside. There is a bar to the left of the Colosseum which gets pretty wild at night.
2. The Pantheon
The Pantheon is a former Roman Temple but now a Catholic Church. Don’t forget to walk through the inside to see the art on the ceiling and sit in the pews. The architecture in Rome is spectacular, and you can find little gems as you walk around the area and explore.
3. Trevi Fountain
According to Lizzie McGuire, this is what dreams are made of! It’s actuallly one of the oldest water sources in all of Rome. Huge tip, go during the day and a night! They are both different experiences and both a ton of fun. This is one location where hundreds of people gather, so watch out for your purses and belongings!
4. Piazza Navona
We stumbled upon this little surprise, a plaza with this water fountain which I’m sure is famous but I have no idea what it is! We fell in love with this plaza because of all the outdoor cafes surrounding it. You spend a lot of time walking around Rome, so this is a great place to take a break and grab a drink.
5. Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are almost 300 years old, and not the most exciting on their own but they are one of those "just to say I've been there" locations. The area surrounding the steps is although an amazing place to go shopping and eat Gelato! You can find all the best European brands in this area, which are typically more expensive in the US, so stock up on the goods!
When in Rome...Take a MINI TRIP!
Vatican City / Sistine Chapel
Vatican city is the smallest country in the world & you can easily take a trip to visit the Vatican from Rome. We took the metro from the Spanish Steps. The Vatican is the home of the Pope & some pretty amazing biblical history. Don’t forget to walk through St. Peter’s Basilica where Peter the apostle, was buried.They do have specific rules to cover up, so I would suggest wearing pants and a top that covers your shoulders, for both men and women. I didn’t visit the Sistine Chapel because the line was so long but it’s also a very popular place to stop. Quick tip- send a postcard from the Vatican so you can say you sent a postcard from the smallest country in the world!
Top Places to Take Cute Pictures
Colosseum
The two best views for pictures can be taken on the steps across the street from the Colosseum or toward the back of the Colosseum.
Trevi Fountain
It’s extremely crowded day & night so it makes it hard to take pictures, but you don't want to miss out on this picture perfect location!
Alley Ways
The alley ways in Italy are breathtaking & you can snap the cutest pictures almost anywhere.
Top Dining & Drinks
Pasta
You can’t go wrong with literally any type of pasta in Rome! Carbonara & spaghetti and meatballs were my favorites but all of the pasta is almost guaranteed to melt in your mouth.
Pizza
Pizza is amazing and a must in Rome but not the best pizza in Italy. (See Naples for that) I would still not miss out on your very own margarita pizza with a glass of wine of course.
Gelato
You can never go wrong with gelato, but Italy serves it up like a silky smooth dollop of perfection. Any flavor, any place.
Wine
Drink the wine people! Drink it all! If you’re on a budget, try the house reds, they are all usually pretty inexpensive and still amazing
