Rome
Rome
When you think of Italy, there is no city more iconic than Rome. The capital city is also the home to some of the country’s most famous historical sights, from the Colosseum to the Roman Forum. Vatican City, an independent country located entirely within the bounds of the city of Rome, is the seat of Catholicism and the pope. The Vatican museums and St. Peter’s Basilica are well worth their own day trip; you could spend hours wandering the vast collections of art and marveling at Michelangelo’s incredible frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But to truly appreciate this city, slow down and walk the streets—there is so much more to Rome than an endless list of sights to check off your to-do list.
Rome Highlight #1
Eat your way through Rome
It should go without saying, but you can’t miss out on the Italian food in Rome. One of my favorite meals was at Alfredo alla Scrofa, the birthplace of Fettuccine Alfredo. We stayed in the Trastevere neighborhood, a quaint area of Rome across the river from the major sights, which is still a highly regarded tourist area in its own right. Our favorite meals nearby were the pasta at Tonnarello (line up early—no reservations are accepted at this local hotspot and tables go fast!) and Pizza Trilussa, a casual, counter-service pizzeria where you tell them how big to cut your slice. Terrazza Les Étoiles Roma, a short walk from Vatican City, has a spectacular rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city.
Rome Highlight #2
Scooter around the sights
There’s no better way to explore a city than by foot. But with a city the size of Rome, it’s impossible to solely walk to the major sights—and that’s where an abundance of easy-to-rent scooters comes into play. I was initially skeptical to hit the ancient city’s infamously bumpy roads, but it was a surprisingly smooth ride navigating through Rome. There’s no shortage of history to stop and marvel at, allowing for plentiful breaks to take photos and double-check your maps. We spent over an hour fully crossing the city, navigating from Trastevere to the catacombs outside the city walls. We followed the flow of traffic, stopped at crosswalks, and traveled on the main, paved roads, providing a much more memorable adventure through the Italian capital than we would have gotten in a cab.
Rome Highlight #3
Explore the catacombs
There are endless historical sights you can visit when you arrive in Rome. There’s the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the list can go on and on. While there’s a reason why each of these sights remains firmly at the top of Rome’s must-visit list, there are plenty of reasons to add a trip to the Catacombs of Domitilla. One of the largest cemeteries in Rome, the catacombs are the burial site of Roman Christians, who were once forbidden from receiving burial under pagan law. The site spans 17 kilometers underground, so we booked an Airbnb Experience tour to fully understand the history through the help of an English-speaking guide. The guide was also essential in maneuvering the labyrinth of underground tombs—the passageways are endless, the lights are few and far between, and the underground location is eerily quiet, so I would highly recommend entering only with a group. This location also provides a close-up look at history that in other parts of Rome, you’d only be able to view from a distance. Our group was alone in the catacombs—a rare feat at any other tourist attraction in the city. In fact, our guide explained that one of the missing frescoes was removed only a few years earlier by a tourist, who was able to chisel off the entire wall and walk out of the site undetected. There are now cameras installed to prevent future theft, but you’ll truly feel like you’re alone in a world of untouched history, dating back to the second century AD.
Other Highlights
Antica Pesa (Via Garibaldi)
This old-school Roman restaurant has since opened a sister restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It features a classic Italian menu in a high-end environment, which is known to host celebrities including Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Lopez.
Alfredo alla Scrofa (Via della Scrofa)
The birthplace of Alfredo sauce, the highlight of this old-school ristorante is the tableside mixing and plating of its namesake dish.
What to Know Before You Go
Getting around:
Cabs and Ubers are plentiful, but don’t be afraid to explore the city by scooter!
Where to stay:
I stayed in Trastevere, a picturesque neighborhood with winding, cobbled streets and plentiful dining options. UNAHOTELS Trastevere Roma is a new hotel offering large rooms with Juliet balconies, just down the street from the central Trastevere nightlife area.
From this location, we were able to enjoy a quieter, but still central location, away from the tourist buses and large groups that plague the neighborhoods across the river. Trastevere’s location still provides walking accessibility to many major attractions; it was a 30-minute walk to both St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and the Roman Forum and a 25-minute walk to the Pantheon.
What to eat:
While I would advise not to eat close to the major sights, it’s hard to go wrong with an authentic-looking restaurant in central Rome. Most nights, we followed the crowds and double-checked reviews on Google Maps.
When to visit:
There is never a dull moment in Rome, both a blessing and a curse. Mild winter temperatures make this an appealing year-round destination, particularly because the winter months also equate to fewer tourists. As much as possible, avoid the summer months and the endless crowds and sweltering temperatures that accompany July and August in Italy. Holy Week (the week preceding Easter) is a special moment in this Catholic country, including passion pageants and audiences with the pope in St. Peter’s Square, but many attractions will also have shorter operating hours as a result.