Quick Trip Girl Rome – Quick Trip Girl

When you visit Italy, the most important thing you need to know is that it is essential to eat gelato every day, maybe even three times a day. So good! My favorite gelato place in Rome is 150 gusti DI Gelato, but you will find a gelato store on every corner. 150 gusti DI Gelato has 150 flavors on display and is close to the Pantheon. So, if you plan to visit the Pantheon, stop and grab a gelato on the way. I have tried several flavors, but pistachio and avocado were my favorite.

Your itinerary will look different based on the number of days you spend in this beautiful city. There is so much to do and see. I’ve been twice and I still haven’t seen everything. This list is what I would suggest not missing out on.

Colosseum and Roman Forums

Vatican City (Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel)

The Pantheon

Trevi Fountain (walk around city and see sites)

COLOSSEUM

I would recommend a guided tour for the Colosseum if you have the time and money. It isn’t necessary as you can just get an entrance ticket and go at your own pace. I have done both and I liked the guided tour better because there is so much history attached to the Colosseum and it is so fascinating to learn about. The tour I purchased included the Colosseum Underground and Roman Forums. I booked our guided tour through Viator (Colosseum Underground Small-Group Tour) and it was a great experience. I woud highly recommend purchasing your tickets prior to arriving at the Colosseum. If you want to purchase a guided tour you will need to purchase those a few weeks/months out so they don’t sell out. I believe the entrance tickets will also allow access to the Roman Forums, so don’t miss out on that.

VATICAN CITY

Vatican City is a holy city for Catholics and one of Rome’s most famous destinations. Home to the Pope and the smallest country in the world. Yes, Vatican City is its own country with a 2 mile border within the city of Rome. It receives over 5 million visitors each year and is usually pretty busy, depending on the time of year you visit. I would suggest you visit the Vatican in the earlier hours of the day. You can take a private tour before it opens to the public, but I didn’t find that necessary. I booked our tour with Viator, “Faster Than Skip-the-Line: Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica Tour”. You definitely want to book your tickets before you arrive in Rome. The tour will include the Vatican Museums, which contains a huge collection of art from the Catholic Church. It will include the Sistine Chapel, which is where the Pope’s official residence is located. It will include St. Peter’s Basilica, which houses the Madonna della Pietà by Michelangelo, the famous statue of Mary holding the body of Jesus. The Basilica also houses the St. Peter’s baldachin, by Bernini, which is located directly above the alleged tomb of St. Peter. You can actually go beneath the chapel to view Peter’s tomb.

THE PANTHEON

Pantheon, Rome

The Pantheon was built between 25 and 27 BC, so over 2,000 years ago. It is tied to the Eternal City and was a Roman temple dedicated to twelve Gods and to the living Sovran. It was reconstructed by Hadrian, a Roman Empire, between 118 and 125 AD. It is the only ancient Roman building that has remained intact through the centuries. It became a Catholic church in 609 AD. The Pantheon is considered one of the greatest architectural achievements of all time and you will see why when you go inside this beautiful building. The line can get a little long in the afternoon, so I would recommend going earlier if possible. You will need a ticket to go inside, it is free but you will need to get it prior to visiting. There is a QR code that you can scan at the front entrance while you wait in line. If you visit the Pantheon, don’t forget to stop by my favorite gelato store, 150 gusti DI Gelato.

WALK AROUND THE CITY

I had so much fun walking around Rome. I did have a few issues with my GPS in this city, so you may want to print off a basic map prior to going. I used a map the hotel gave me, with all the historical sites, and it worked great. The more you walk through this beautiful city, the more you will see. Don’t forget to visit the Trevi Fountain as it is the most famous fountain in the capital of Italy. Make sure you throw a coin into the fountain. It has been a tradition for centuries and ensures a safe return back to Rome. I do have to admit, I forgot to throw a coin in on my first visit. Luckily, I found my way back to Rome four years later.

ADDITIONAL SITES

If you have additional time in Rome, I would suggest you map out the things you want and create a list in order of importance.