Rome, Italy vacations…Where to start?
Ah….the eternal city of Rome. So much history, culture, Vatican City, religious treasures and yes, lots of mopeds, compact cars and LOTS of people, of course. But look beyond the people and the bustle, and allow yourself to be awed as you travel back in time when the Roman Forum was the center of governmental and social activity. Across stands the Colosseum where brave gladiators fought for their lives and lions terrorized early Christians. Close your eyes and you can picture and almost hear the sounds of horses running along the cobblestone streets during the chariot races at Circus Maximus.
Almost everywhere you look, your eyes can feast on beautiful sculptures, Bernini fountains — don’t miss the Trevi fountain and throwing the coins over your shoulder so you’ll be guaranteed a return trip, since you couldn’t see all of Rome in one visit.
And how about the independent country of the Vatican City and St Peter’s, designed by Michelangelo— but let’s stop for some espresso or a gelato— then the Sistine Chapel with all its treasures and papal history.
So much to see and experience! Rome should be on everyone’s bucket list. At the end of the day, don’t forget to make time to find a cozy restaurant, off the beaten path, you know, the one where the locals go and you hear no English.
Learn more about escorted Italy tours that include a visit to Rome.
Rome Must See Sites:
If you only have a day in Rome, we divided the most popular sites by interest. We suggest the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum to all visitors if you have the time. The Vatican is also worth a visit, however if you only have a day in Rome you may want to leave it for another time as you easily need 3 hours to go through just parts of it.
Imperial Rome: Roman Forum, Senate, Basilica of Constatntine, Reggia, Arch of Tito, Colosseum, Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, Vittoriano, Circus Maximus, Aventino hill and Palatino hill.
Jewish Rome: Visit the Jewish Ghetto to learn how they lived thoughout the centuries and the many changes that took place as well as visiting the imposing Synagogue which stands on the Lungotevere that was built back in 1874. Medieval streets and stores selling typical Roman kosher food, the area still retains much of its old character.
Christian Rome: St. Peters (at 450 ft. high Michelangelo’s dome is the tallest int he world); St. Mary Major (of all the great Roman Basilicas, Santa Maria has the most successful blend of different architectural styles;) St. John in Lateran (original Church built by Constantine, the first Christian emperor) and St. Paul outside the walls (Today’s church is a faithful reconstruction of the great 4th century basilica destroyed by fire on the night of 15th July 1823. A few fragments of the original church survived. The one part of this Basilica spared completely by the fire was the cloister with its pairs of colorful inlaid columns, some octagonal, some spiral, supporting the arcade. Built largely by the Vassalletto family and completed around 1214, it is considered one of the most beautiful in Rome)
Rome for Foodies: Visit the neighborhood of Testaccio which is said to be where roman cuisine was born. Visit Volpetti which is one of the top gourmet food stores in Rome. Try Rome street food including suppli which is a fried risotto ball, pizza, gelato and cannoli’s. Barberini is the most popular pastry shop in this neighborhood. Another option is to take a walk along the Trastevere district along the Tiber river. It was once the bohemian quarter of Rome and still retains its arty edge. Go to the local outdoor market and walk the ancient maze of streets while discovering the essence of Italy’s best loved food with tasting of gelato, homemade ravioli, Jewish delicacies, cheese, meats and wine. We can also arrange hands on cooking classes including classes as simple as how to make pizza and bruschetta to more complicated dishes with executive chefs from major restaurants in Italy.
Rome for the Repeat Visitor: If you have been to Rome and seen a lot of the sites, we recommend that you take a journey back in time at the church of San Clemente as you descend down 3 levels and through 2000 years of history. The medieval church was built over the remains of a 4th-century basilica which, in its turn, covers older buildings from the time of the emperor Nero and a sanctuary dedicated to the oriental divinity Mithras. Then discover how Rome evolved through the 18th-century and visit the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, a majestic royal residence of one of Rome’s most illustrious families. Believed to be the largest privately owned Palace in Rome, the Doria Pamphilj’s vast private art collection is still held here.
Also if you have been to Rome, instead of staying in the city center, consider the La Posta Vecchia along Rome’s seashore, which is 35 minutes drive to Rome’s city center. This spectacular villa was the former home of Jean-Paul Getty, the oil magnate. The hotel has only 19 rooms, and normally closes in the late fall and winter months. Scoop: If you have a group or a family that wants to buy out the hotel, you can take over the property for as little as 1 night at a very attractive rate. This is a fantastic venue for families, groups, or friends traveling together who want an ultimate experience, right on the Mediterranean. The hotel is only open from mid-April through the end of October.
Following the Footsteps of Angles and Demons: Take a fascinating tour created upon Dan Brown’s best selling book “Angels & Demons”. A unique opportunity to experience the true Roman sites, streets and people cited in this amazing thriller and to finally see with your own eyes what could only be figured in your imagination. The tour will focus on the sites where the bodies of 4 cardinals’ are found each one linked to a natural element – Wind, Earth, Water & Fire. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, Hadrian’s mausoleum, Angels’ Bridge, Santa maria della Vittoria Church, Piazza del Popolo and Navona Square.
Food in Rome:
Classic dishes in Rome include spaghetti carbonara, bucatini all’amatriciana (straw-shaped noodles in a tomato and bacon sauce), l’abbacchio (roast lamb), carciofi alla giudia (deep-fried artichokes,) suppli (deep-fried rice balls with tomato sauce and a molten mozzarella core) and the most Roman of all: trippa (tripe). Gelato is creamy and delicious and can be found all over Rome. We recommend trying the Nutella.
Memorable Meals: Linguine with lobster sauce followed by baked turbot at Ristorante da Vincenzo; fried fillet of codfish with zucchini flowers and artichokes guida at Piperno; sliced, aged beef with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese at Da Tullio; brusque service and celebrities in the spartan Pizzeria Panattoni “Ai Marmi”; nouvelle cuisine at L’Antico Arco, atop the Gianicolo Hill; wandering the ancient streets with slices from any pizzeria al taglio (takeaway); a picnic from the gourmet deli Volpetti.
Drinking in Rome:
The region is popular for dry white wines including Frascati, Genzano, Marino and Velletri. You can order house wines (vino della casa,) by the carafe in many restaurants which will usually be from the Roman countryside if it’s white wine or the Abruzzo region if its a house red wine. The local beers are Peroni, Moretti and Azurro. When ordering bottled water for “flat” if you want natural water (also called acqua naturale) or frizzante if you want sparkling water. To order and espresso ask for un caffe not un espresso. Cappuccino is usually only served at breakfast and not at other times of the day in restaurants.
