Roma
Bonjourno Roma! Veni, vidi, vici...I came, I saw, I conquered. Rome is truly a captivating city with so much history. It is a city that is a must visit at least once for anyone visiting Italy. However, be warned of the tourists and crowds! I ate like a queen and jam packed as many sights as possible in the two days I was in Rome. Join me for all the beautiful sights and eats on my adventure in Roma!
Sights
1. Colosseum Tour
Piazza del Colosseo | Via dei Fori Imperiali, Rome, Italy
Since it was my first time to Rome, we did a Skip the Line Ancient Rome Colosseum Half Day Walking Day tour through Viator seeing The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. I recommend the tour mainly to cut the long lines during tourist seasons, it'll save you hours waiting in line.
Arch of Septimius Severus
Visit the Colosseum during the day and night...both times are spectacular sights!
Piazza del Colosseo | Via dei Fori Imperiali, Rome, Italy
Since it was my first time to Rome, we did a Skip the Line Ancient Rome Colosseum Half Day Walking Day tour through Viator seeing The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. I recommend the tour mainly to cut the long lines during tourist seasons, it'll save you hours waiting in line.
The Colosseum was used for gladiator contests, animal hunts, executions, and entertainment.
The Colosseum has about 80 entrances and can hold up to 50,000 spectators.
So much history to soak in.
The sky clearing up from the rain creating a beautiful sunset.
Vatican City
Inside the Sistine Chapel with so much details to each painting telling a different story including Michaelangelo's famous painting: The Last Judgment
There's a Vatican Post Office right outside where you can send a postcard! Unfortunately, mine never made it back to LA.
A visit to the Vatican City is a must for anyone touring Rome with its endless history, art, and architecture. Roma is the world's smallest independent state in size. We did the Skip the Line Vatican Museum walking tour through Viator to see the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. I recommend booking tickets in advance through a tour, there were long lines going around the building. Reserve at least a half day for the Vatican City.
Museum's incredible ceilings.
Vittorio Emmanuel II Monument
Piazza Venezia | 00186 Rome, Italy
Piazza Venezia | 00186 Rome, Italy
Vittorio Emmanuel II Monumet is located in the center of Piazza Venezia, this monument was built in honor of the first King of Italy and is walking distance to the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum.
Trevi Fountain | Piazza Fontana de Trevi
Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome, Italy
Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome, Italy
One of the most famous fountains in the world. A huge tourist attraction that everyone must visit at least once. It was much larger in person than it was in pictures and movies. Throw a coin into the water for goodluck!
Spanish Steps | Piazza di Spagna
Great historic area to just lounge and people watch. Right down the street there are many designer stores to window shop.
Pantheon | Piazza del Pantheon
Pantheon | Piazza del Pantheon
Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Rome, Italy
The Pantheon Dome with an opening out to the sky. Best time to see it? When it rains!
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona
A famous square of the Baroque period with a lot of little shops and restaurants to eat nearby. It is also walking distance to the Pantheon.
Eats
I ate pasta, pizza, Florentine steak, and more pasta. I spent hours researching on Tripadvisor narrowing down to restaurants that received 4.5 stars and here are my reviews.
Restaurant Tips
A few tips I wished I knew before eating out in Italy...
1. When you want water, they'll bring you out bottled water, they don't serve tap.
2. Restaurants will charge for bread "pane e coperto" around 2-3 euros per person.
3. Make sure to always check your bill. I got fooled once, shame on you! Tried to fool me twice? Ain't happening!
1. La Fontana di Venere
I ate pasta, pizza, Florentine steak, and more pasta. I spent hours researching on Tripadvisor narrowing down to restaurants that received 4.5 stars and here are my reviews.
Restaurant Tips
A few tips I wished I knew before eating out in Italy...
1. When you want water, they'll bring you out bottled water, they don't serve tap.
2. Restaurants will charge for bread "pane e coperto" around 2-3 euros per person.
3. Make sure to always check your bill. I got fooled once, shame on you! Tried to fool me twice? Ain't happening!
1. La Fontana di Venere
Where: Vicolo De' Modelli 56, 00187 Rome, Italy
Hours: Mon-Sun | 11am-2:30pm | 7pm - 11pm
Bruschetta with garlic olive oil, chopped tomatoes and fresh basil. The bruschetta caprese had chunks of fresh mozzarella toppled on top of the grilled bread with tomatoes and olive oil. (5 euros each).
Bruschetta with garlic olive oil, chopped tomatoes and fresh basil. The bruschetta caprese had chunks of fresh mozzarella toppled on top of the grilled bread with tomatoes and olive oil. (5 euros each).
Their special homemade Lasagna Della Casa with meat sauce. They claim it's the "best lasagna." Definitely delicious, but not the best I've ever had. (10 euros)
My new favorite dish: Bucatini all' amatriciana. A tomato-based sauce that contains cherry tomatoes, bacon, and Pecorino cheese. The pasta was perfectly cooked al dente. One of the most well-known pasta dishes in Rome. (10 euros)
Seafood Platter: mix of mussels, clams, shrimp in a very tasty broth.
Stars: 4 out of 5
+ Quick and solid service
+ The Bucatini all' amatriciana, absolutely delicious!
Tip: They are right in the heart of the Trevi Fountain but tucked away from the tourists off the side street.
Overall, a solid meal in Roma with very reasonable prices in a convenient location.
2. La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
Where: Madonna dei Monti, 9 00184 Rome Italy
Hours: Mon, Wed-Sun | 12:30pm-3:0pm | 7:30pm - 12am
From top left to right: Tonnarelli cacio e pepe (noodles with pepper and pecorino cheese), artichoke appetizer, spaghetti, and carbonara with bacon.
+ The Bucatini all' amatriciana, absolutely delicious!
Tip: They are right in the heart of the Trevi Fountain but tucked away from the tourists off the side street.
Overall, a solid meal in Roma with very reasonable prices in a convenient location.
2. La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
Where: Madonna dei Monti, 9 00184 Rome Italy
Hours: Mon, Wed-Sun | 12:30pm-3:0pm | 7:30pm - 12am
Stars: 3.5 out of 5
+ Spaghetti dish was the best, simple and tasty.
- All the dishes were a little too salty.
Tip: You will need to make a reservation if you come, have your hotel call ahead for you.
Overall, definitely disappointed based on the strong reviews from Tripadvisor. Still a solid meal but a little too much salt for my taste.
- All the dishes were a little too salty.
Tip: You will need to make a reservation if you come, have your hotel call ahead for you.
Overall, definitely disappointed based on the strong reviews from Tripadvisor. Still a solid meal but a little too much salt for my taste.
Sweets
Don't forget gelato! Gelato all day everyday, sometimes twice a day. Everywhere you go you will see mounds of gelato in so many different flavors and colors. It has that delicious creamy taste with a velvety soft not quite frozen texture.
Don't forget gelato! Gelato all day everyday, sometimes twice a day. Everywhere you go you will see mounds of gelato in so many different flavors and colors. It has that delicious creamy taste with a velvety soft not quite frozen texture.
Where: Via Del Lavatore, 96, Rome, Italy
Stars: 3.5 out of 5
Gelateria Valentino is a small little ice cream shop with solid basic flavors at a reasonable price (2.5 euros). The ice cream was great but had a little bit more of a melted texture. Overall, a great ice cream place if you are in the area but nothing amazing stuck out to me.
Tip: Near the La Fontana di Venere restaurant and the Trevi Fountain. Convenient location
2. La Gelateria Frigidarium
Where: Via del Governo Vecchio, 112, 00186 Rome, Italy
Stars: 5 out of 5
Literally heaven in a cone. After trying 1-2 gelato places everyday in Italy, this was my absolute favorite. I still dream about this place.
+ Great value for portions and location, it's right by Piazza Navona.
+ The texture of the ice ream was thick, creamy, and had fresh ingredients.
+ They have their own flavor called Frigidarium flavor that's absolutely delicious.
Other flavors they had were biscotti, crema florentina, tiramisu.
+They put a cookie or a wafer, fresh crema on top, and the option to dip in white or dark chocolate. All for FREE. Must try.
Stars: 3.5 out of 5
Gelateria Valentino is a small little ice cream shop with solid basic flavors at a reasonable price (2.5 euros). The ice cream was great but had a little bit more of a melted texture. Overall, a great ice cream place if you are in the area but nothing amazing stuck out to me.
Tip: Near the La Fontana di Venere restaurant and the Trevi Fountain. Convenient location
2. La Gelateria Frigidarium
Where: Via del Governo Vecchio, 112, 00186 Rome, Italy
Stars: 5 out of 5
Literally heaven in a cone. After trying 1-2 gelato places everyday in Italy, this was my absolute favorite. I still dream about this place.
+ Great value for portions and location, it's right by Piazza Navona.
+ The texture of the ice ream was thick, creamy, and had fresh ingredients.
+ They have their own flavor called Frigidarium flavor that's absolutely delicious.
Other flavors they had were biscotti, crema florentina, tiramisu.
+They put a cookie or a wafer, fresh crema on top, and the option to dip in white or dark chocolate. All for FREE. Must try.
Next stop: Florence, Italy!
