ROME- MY TOP 3...
- Nicola Daly
- Dec 12, 2014
- 6 min read
I spent 2 nights in the beautiful Italian capital with my partner and although we were not there for long, I could write about this stunning city for hours. So instead of me waffling on, here are my top 3 must sees/dos and things to bear in mind and stay safe in Rome!
MY TOP 3 THINGS TO SEE IN ROME: 3- Colosseum: What is the point of visiting Rome if you are not going to see one of the seven wonders of the world? You simply have to visit! It is so easy to find, (you can't really miss it) and it is easily accessible as there is a metro station entirely for the Colosseum. Please allow half a day though as sometimes the queues can be extremely long! I visited in December and still had to wait around half an hour to get in, so i would imagine you could be waiting for a couple of hours in the height of the season. When you enter the Colosseum, you can either walk around on your own or you can take a guided tour. Personally I think it is more fun to explore it for yourself, you can't really go wrong or get lost! However if you are really in to the history behind the Colosseum then there are plenty of guided tours to choose from. The Colosseum has many different levels to it and it is very uneven so make sure you where decent shoes! However do not let this put you off as it really is a must see!
2- Vatican City: There are not many people who can say that they have visited somewhere and been in 2 countries at once, or that they have visited the smallest country in the world! I'd say the Vatican is worth a visit just for that. However there is so much more to this beautiful place than that. Both me and my partner are not religious in the slightest, but we found this place so moving! It really is lovely to see a religious community coming together. The Vatican has museums which cost 16 euros per person to enter (prices correct as of December 2014), but they are definitely worth entering! There are so many lovely artefacts and they also lead to the Sistine Chapel. St Peter's Basilica is also situated in the Vatican City which is absolutely beautiful both looking from the outside and when you enter the building. When you go inside you have the opportunity to climb the dome. You can either take the steps or take an elevator which takes you so high then you have to climb the steps to the top. The elevator costs 2 Euros per person, but I would personally recommend that you take this option as I completely underestimated the huge amount of steps! It is definitely worth making your way to the top as it is beautiful to see and the views are breathtaking! To get to the Vatican from Rome City Centre, make your way to Termini station which is accessible by bus, train and metro; and then take the 64 bus which takes you right to the edge of the Vatican City. I would recommend that you allow a full day to visit the Vatican City as there is so much to see and you may find that you are in queues for quite a while, especially in the summer months. 1- Sistine Chapel: The Sistine Chapel is reached by going through the Vatican museums. You have to pay a fair bit to get to it, but trust me it was definitely worth every penny. When inside there are guards everywhere and you must speak very quietly or they will put you in your place. You are also forbidden from taking any photos, so make sure you stay in there long enough to memorise its amazing beauty and appreciate the workmanship of one artist. I would definitely return to the Sistine Chapel over and over again. It is very busy inside even during the winter months, but do not let this distract you from it's beauty.
MY TOP 3 THINGS TO DO IN ROME:
3- Walk the streets with a traditional Italian ice cream: Everywhere you look in Rome, there are amazingly beautiful buildings, statues, monuments and fountains. It's a lovely city to just walk around taking it all in and taking some lovely photos. I would also advise anyone who visits anywhere in Italy to sample some of their famous gelato (ice cream). It can be quite expensive but when in Rome... 2- Climb the Spanish steps: In all honesty, I wouldn't really say that the steps themselves are anything special. However they are world famous and definitely worth a visit. It is worth climbing the 135 steps as the view at the top is lovely. They are very easy to find and are accessible via public transport. Take the underground metro on line A and get off at Spagna metro stop, from there follow the crowed, you cannot go wrong. 1- Throw a coin or 2 in to the Trevi fountain: Unfortunately when I visited Rome, the Trevi fountain was covered over as there was repair works going on, however despite this it was still so obvious how beautiful it is. I did not get to throw the famous coins in to the fountain, and I would love to return to Rome just to do this. The Trevi fountain is a very romantic place so visit with your partner and ensure you make a wish as you throw your coins. I would recommend visiting at night as it is less busy and you can really take in its beauty without having to share your personal experience with hundreds of other people. Also the Trevi fountain looks beautiful when it is lit up at night. it is within walking distance of both Spagna and Barberini metro stops.
MY TOP 3 THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND: 3- The way of life: The Italian way of life is completely different to that of the people of the UK. The Italians are very loud, they are always in a rush and can sometimes come across as a bit rude, (they have no concept of queuing). Everywhere you go you will hear constant car horns, there are people everywhere as Rome is a very busy city, and you will constantly see people rushing around, but you need to remember that this is just the Italian way of life and you need to just embrace it. 2- Pick pockets: Rome is known for having many pick pockets, especially at the main tourist areas and on main public transport lines. The number 64 bus and many metro lines are notorious for pick pockets. I witnessed someone attempt to pick pocket a middle aged woman on a bus, and it was at a very busy time. I would urge anyone visiting Rome to be very cautious. Ladies ensure you take a bag with a zip and ensure that it is kept in front of you at all times. Gentleman ensure you do not keep your wallet in your back pocket, either keep it in a front pocket, or give it to someone with a zip up bag. However be careful with this, as if the bag gets stolen, you have then both lost everything. Please ensure you only take the money out with you that you need for that day and do not carry valuables around with you if you can help it. 1- The cost: Rome can be a very expensive city and you can end up spending a small fortune. However there are cheap ways of getting around, I would suggest purchasing a 24 hour transport ticket which you can use on all buses, metros and certain trains. These tickets cost 6 Euros per person (prices correct as of December 2014). Personally I would plan my trip as far in advance as possible, look in to the costs of things and ensure I have saved more than enough. If you do not do this, you run the risk of running out of money and not getting to see all the amazing things that Rome has to offer.