Rome in a Weekend

When we were planning our trips through Greece & Italy, we knew we were obligated to stop in Rome, but weren’t all that excited about it. We knew we had to go to see all of the history, but thought it would be very touristy & crowded. We lucked out. I don’t know if it is the time of year we went (end of August) or what, but it was amazing to see Rome in a weekend! There were some long lines & heat (but I have tips to avoid them at the bottom), but overall it was one of our favorite trips. Plus, it had our best meals OF OUR LIVES!

Where to stay

I cannot say enough good things about the hotel we stayed in – Elizabeth Unique Hotels. Not only is the hotel AMAZING inside (literally everything, can’t narrow it down), but it’s in the perfect location. You can walk a couple blocks & reach the Trevi Fountain, & just behind that is the subway which you can take to every other major venue like the Vatican or the Colosseum. If you can’t stay at this hotel, definitely stay around it because this location was perfect.

Where to eat

OK HERE WE GOOO. Finally, I get to tell you about my favorite meals I’ve EVER had.

So first, my favorite pasta was from Il Falchetto. Honestly, everything about this restaurant was amazing. The ambiance, decor, staff and food. We loved how it felt like we were in this little cafe with super high quality food. GO HERE. Trust me.

And while I absolutely loved that meal, it will never compare to the best meal I’ve ever had in my entire life. Which was pizza. I know how insane that sounds and I feel a bit disappointed in myself, but it was THE BEST THING I’VE EVER EATEN. My husband looked at me while I scarfed an entire pizza down and said “I have never seen you so happy before” LOL. So if you decide to ignore every piece of advice I’ve given, do not ignore this: GO TO Ristorante Dillà.

What to do

There is a wholeee lot you can do in Rome in a weekend. The entire city has a piece of history at every turn. But here are the highlights I would recommend you stick to:

• Trevi Fountain
• The Vatican – Make sure you go in the morning right when it opens. I highly recommend spending the extra money & getting a tour from one of the many groups that offer them. I normally don’t go for these kinds of things, but the Vatican is so huge that it would be nearly impossible to get through everything & learn the highlights in a good amount of time.
• St. Peter’s Basilica – This is usually where your tour of the Vatican ends & WOW is it beautiful… I don’t think I’ve ever stepped foot in a more beautiful church. An absolute must-see.
• The Pantheon – This is a small, but beautiful building with a ton of history. I recommend download Rick Steve’s audioguide & start it before you enter. It will walk you through all of the highlights!
• The Colosseum – Another great opportunity to use Rick Steve’s audiotours! I really loved his when it came to The Colosseum because he really helps you imagine what it was like back then. It’s like he is weaving a story for you, & I love it. This is a truly amazing place to explore.

Random tips

• GET ALL TICKETS ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME!! Do not wait in the long lines for tickets. You can skip all that & walk right in if you have a ticket already!
• Get a pass that covers multiple sites & you will save money.
• Use the subway! It takes you to all of the major sites & is cheap.