You’ll know from past posts that Italy is one of my favourite destinations, with Rome being my pick of the best place to settle in and pretend you’re a local. The food is amazing, the streets are cobbled and bathed in a crazy romantic terracotta light, and you are allowed, nay, required, to find yourself a quaint piazza, take a seat and watch the world go by (with an Aperol in hand). What more could you possibly want out of a holiday? Oh yeah, there’s also loads of attractions (like the Vatican), but after doing all these over and over on past trips, Ben and I decided to embrace possible Italian-hood, and just relaxxxxx.
A Quick Guide To Rome
Stay
When we first visited Rome we stayed in an apartment along the Via Del Corso, which was a fantastic location. This time around we stayed in a hotel near the Trevi Fountain, which I felt was a little more out of the way. Next time I’ll be finding myself an airbnb in the Trastevere area!
See & Do
Take a whole day to explore the Trastavere area.
Visit the beautiful Pantheon and Colosseum.
Spot by the Campo Di Fiori early morning to experience some local Italian markets (you’ll want to sample some fresh peaches).
Stop in at the beautiful Federico Polidori leather shop, you can see the master craftsman create all the bags from scratch.
Walk to the top of Giancolo Hill
Visit the Villa Borghese park and the gallery inside it.
People watch at the Trevi Fountain.
Drop into sprawling warehouse restaurant Porto Fluviale for drinks or dinner.
Eat & drink
Check out the winebar Gusto for aperatif and pizza – I like sitting on the piazza and taking a load off.
Eat a mountain of salumi and cardio pepe at Roscioli.
Enjoy a casual afternoon beverage in the twilight at Barnum Cafe.
Visit Testaccio Market, and stop in to amazing delicatessen Volpetti.
Grab a bite at Armando al Pantheon for a traditional trattoria vibe.
Drop in to Gelateria del Teatro, pick a few flavours and eat them on stairs.
Good to know
If you can, avoid August when it’s hot, things are closed and it’s super busy
Look for small family run restaurants – the big ones that everyone recommends usually disappoint.
Make sure to try to Roman specialities of Carcio e Pepe (simple parmesan pasta with cracked pepper) and Bucatini all’amatriciana (pasta with tomato, chilli and bacon – relish!).
#trattorialife
Pick your poison.
My favourite place – the Pantheon
All the pretty corners of Trastevere.
Outside our little apartment
We simply walked everywhere – got to know so many corners of the city!
It wouldn’t be a trip to Italy without two very strong Aperpol Spritz
Simple travel outfits are the way to go in Rome. It was super hot!
Ben hanging out at Cafe Barnum
Saaaahhhh ca-utteeee.
Just your average neighbourhood convenience store… *crying*
Enjoying quiet streets (but not for long!)
The view from San Giancolo Hill
Eat, walk, repeat.
errrday.
Can’t wait to go back!
Read my Cinque Terre guide here.
