Rome wasn't built in a day...
And it shows. I spent two full days in Rome and barely scratched the surface of what it has to offer. Let's talk about it, shall we?
We embarked on our journey from NYC to Rome on September 30th, hopping on an easy red eye flight with no connections. If you know me, you know I love a good layover, as spending time in airports has always been one of my favorite pastimes. The opportunity to spend a few hours in a whole other country is quite appealing to me but I digress, that's a topic for another day. So anyway, we had a direct flight of 8 hours and it went rather smoothly. With the help of melatonin, noise canceling headphones and dreams of gelato and Italian men I was able to get a few zzz's, but not before absolutely chowing down on my in flight Italian Cuisine. Love me some airplane pasta. Now onto the real reason you're here, The Eternal City woooooo here we go.
There is no excitement quite like that of stepping off a plan into a new country. The sights, the smells, the people, the bathrooms. And we haven't even left the airport yet. OF COURSE, I had to snag my first cafe and cornetto of the trip at the airport. It started me off on the right foot. One of my friends got what was called a Cafe Ginseng, which became a staple in our lives for the entirety of our 24 days in Italy. If you're curious what Cafe Ginseng consists of or what it tastes like, figure it out yourself I'm not your mom. But it was good, you should try it.
So I don't really want to write out a detailed account of every site we saw and what-not, I'll just let the photos speak for themselves and tell you if you should or should not visit a particular place. I also don't hold myself to any of what I just said and might decide to tell you every detail. I guess we'll see, an diamo!!
day 1
Via Appia
The Appian Way
Old road. Important road in history. Biblically significant. Been around since 312 b.c.e, that's a hot minute! It starts here in Rome and ends in Brindisi, I went there! It was very cool to see, there was virtually no one there and it was a peaceful start to day 1 in Roma. Was already feeling the jet lag at this time, so it wasn't looking good for a full day of seeing everything possibly could.
Pros: Very cool and interesting
Cons: Easy to trip
day 1
Fontana Di Trevi
The Trevi Fountain
Very cool, very wow, very CROWDED. I was traveling with 6 other people and it was nearly impossible to stick together. Then again we made the decision to visit here at around 1pm, so I'd definitely recommend going in the early morning hours, or opting to see the fountain a night if you want less of a crowd.
Is it Grace approved? Yes, definitely worth a gander. Not all fountains are created equal and this proves that ya feel?
More Photos belowwww
Day 1
Piazza Di Spagna
The Spanish Steps
Cool steps, not as many as I thought there would be tbh. I'm not going to lie, I don't know much about these steps, didn't even give em a goog before this journey. But they were cool! Something I did know beforehand is that it is illegal to sit on them, why you might be wondering? No idea, if you figure it out let me know. But anyway to my absolute DISMAY, there were throes of peds(pedestrians) sitting on the forbidden steps!! So did I pop a squat or two? Yeah, I did. One thing about me is I will be popping a squat. But as we were exiting the steps in question the local authorities did swing by with their whistles and everyone had to scurry off their bums.
Pros: near Trevi Fountain so you can just pop by and there is a cool view at the top
Cons: Illegal to pop a squat
day 1
Il Colosseo
The Colosseum
Very pompous. Very Circumstantial. Very Impressive. Was built in 7 or 8 years almost 2,000 years ago?? Literally how??
We actually stayed in an apartment just a couple short blocks from the colosseum. It was wild just walking around an unassuming city block and boom, there's one of the most famous historical sights in existence. We wanted to do the night tour but alas it was no longer an option. It was packed, definitely get tickets in advance. We didn't do a guided tour and I don't think it's necessary unless you think it's necessary.
To each his own.
At this point in the day I was sleep deprived and delirious, so a guided tour wouldn't have been of any benefit to me or my counterparts anyway.
Pros: You can say you've been to the colosseum
Cons: Lots of people died there
Honorable Mentions
Aqueduct Park
Don't ask me where this was but it was a very pretty park situation.
First Coffee and Croissant
yum yum in my tum tum don't ask me what cafe this was but it was good! You really can't go wrong, most cafe's have great coffee and pastries. This croissant was particularly good though I must say.
This Cat
This was the first cat we made contact with in Italy. Subtle foreshadowing.
more photos for your eyes to devour of the aforementioned and other sights along the way
Moving right along. Here lies day 2.
Day 2
Il Foro Romano
The Roman Forum
Ruins, ruins and ruins oh my! This was cool to see, there's so much history, it is wild how old Rome is. I don't have much to say other than zoo wee mama.
If you're going to go definitely get tickets in advance online. If you love history and learning definitely get a guided tour.
Pros: really clean bathrooms and cool ancient sculptures
Cons: Unless you get a guided tour or actually read the signage you won't know what you're looking at(me).
Day 2
Pantheon
The pantheon
Very detailed, very circular, very cool. I think it has something to do withe the design, but it is very quiet, no echo. Even full of people it was quite peaceful.
Pros: Round, 5 euros to enter
Cons: Long Line, 5 euros to enter
Day 2
Galleria Doria Pamphilj
The Doria Pamphilj Gallery
This. This place was IT. If you like art in the slightest this is a must see. It is a private art collection in the home of the Doria's and the Pamphilj's. Pretty swanky if you ask me. I'll let the photos speak for themselves, but go see it in person if you ever find yourself in Rome.
Pros: Floor to ceiling art, audio tour included
Cons: Can't think of any
Day 2
L'Antico Forno di Piazza Trevi
The ancient oven of piazza trevi
I just translated that and learned forno means oven so that's fun. I found this place on TikTok because I'm gen z, ok? Anyway I wanted to go here specifically for a pistachio croissant and it was everything I could've wanted. It was quite busy, we would've liked to sit outside but there was only indoor seating available. We did find that in touristy areas the staff wasn't as friendly to foreigners. Or maybe we were just annoying. Overall good vibes, if you love croissants filled with creamy pistachio goodness, I recommend it. Pictured is me with said croissant. That face says it all, no?
Pros: pistachio
Cons: waiter didn't like us
Honorable Mentions
The Jewish Quarter
One of the oldest ghettos in the world that separated Jews from the rest of the population. Very quiet and peaceful, we walked there for dinner and had a great experience. Couldn't tell you the name of the place but the food was good and the people were kind.
Giardino Degli Aranci
Tried to catch the sunset here, but alas it ended up being closed. Was still able to get a shot through the gate of the beautiful view in this orange garden.
Me in Action
Constantly clicking away, how else would I have so many stunning, incredible, iconic photos? Laser-focused, one might say.
In Review
Rome is a treasure trove of art, history, and as many cappuccinos as you can stomach. Maybe after reading this you've added a new place to your Rome bucket list, maybe you didn't because most of these places are major landmarks that are probably already on your radar. Maybe you've been to Rome already and this was nothing new. Maybe, just maybe, you had a good time and you'll stop by for the next installment.
Until then, follow me on instagram please and thanks it is linked all over my site.
Ciao Ciao for now,
Grace
