Visiting Rome? Need some travel inspo? See what I got up to in 48 hours on my solo trip in the European city of classical architecture and good food!
Drink Coffee With The Locals
Coffee in Italy is a cultural mainstay, and the coffee shops are local meeting places. Mingle among the locals as a first stop and enjoy a morning coffee kick and a sweet or savory treat. You can choose from various locations, as cafes and coffee shops are on every corner.
Visit The Colosseum
The Colosseum was the most prominent Roman world arena, providing entertainment. It was primarily gory entertainment for legions of ancient Romans. Due to its size and architectural and structural sophistication, it became one of the world’s new wonders in 2007. For this reason alone, it is a must-see. To get an authentic feel for the history of what happened here hundreds of years ago, I decided to opt for a tour including the Underground, Arena and Gladiator Gate with Roman Forum.
I booked this experience through LivTours, and I couldn’t recommend it anymore. They offer small private tours, and the guide was very knowledgeable and offered to take many photos of me as I was traveling solo. It is on the pricier side, but it was definitely worth the money. I even felt like a VIP with the added access where you can walk down the tunnels that cross the length of the arena where wild animals were kept ready for theatrical performances. This area only opened up in June 2021, so I felt fortunate to have been able to see it while on the map!
Make a Wish at The Trevi Fountain
Famous for its intricate artwork the Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s biggest attractions.
It is a great hang out spot and a good place to make a wish.
The lore goes that for your wish to come true, you must turn around, facing away from the fountain, and toss your coin over your shoulder! So here it goes!
Cycle Around Rome on a Bike, Food & Wine Tour
Fancy doing something different at night? Opt for a bike food and wine tour. Rome is gorgeous at night, with lit-up buildings and a relaxed ambiance. I booked an e-bike food and wine tour through TripAdvisor.
During this experience, I met the most fantastic group of people and had the funniest guide, who was also very knowledgeable about all the sites and monuments. Two tour guides came along with the group. One at the front and one at the back. This was so no one got lost or pressured to keep up a fast pace.
I rode along side city traffic, side streets, and lively cafes. The tour also included stop-offs and photo opportunities at the Trevi fountain, Colosseum, Roman forum, and more. It was a different vibe than the day and ended up being one of the highlights of my trip.
After exploring the city on wheels, we stopped at a local restaurant, where we enjoyed a selection of local cheeses, cured meats, bread, and a few glasses of Italian wine. It was a fantastic experience. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
Indulge In Good Food & Wine
Italy is renowned for its food and wine scene, and with so much choice, you’ll always have places to eat! For centuries Italians have enjoyed aperitivo (drinks and appetizers) in the early evening before dinner, so be sure to find an aperitivo bar to enjoy this tradition.
Have a Gelato
Italians invented the Gelato and introduced it worldwide, which qualifies it as the best place to have it!
I had many helpings of Gelato while in the city, but Gelateria S.M Maggiore was my favourite because they offer Gelato with espresso, baileys and whipped cream, making it a nightcap and dessert all in one.
Take Photos on Spanish Steps
Suppose you are like me and heard of the Spanish steps but needed to learn their history or what they represented. The Spanish Steps is a staircase designed in 1723 by Francesco De Sanctis. It was funded by a French diplomat Stefano Gueffier and was used to link the Bourbon Spanish Embassy and the Trinità Dei Monti church.
The area is buzzing with tourists trying to take their photos and street vendors trying to sell you roses. If you are hoping to get a photo sitting on the steps like I tried, please note you cannot sit on the steps as of 2019 so I got told off pretty quick and had to stand up.
Visit Vatican City
Vatican City is an independent city-state and is the smallest county in the world. I went on a guided tour but didn’t need it. I recommend you go yourself without a guide. While in Vatican City, I explored the grounds, climbed up the Dome for a city view, and went inside the Saint Peters Basilica. It was the most stunning cathedral I had ever been to, and the detail in everything was incredible. You can also purchase tickets to enter the Sistine Chapel and Vatican museums.
Enjoy a Coffee With a View
Enjoy a coffee with amazing views of the Colosseum at the OPPIO CAFE to end your trip and watch everyday life pass you by. They also have the tastiest croissants. I ended up ordering two; they tasted so good.
Conclusion
Rome is a great choice for a city break. The city is full of intricate artwork and classical architectural design, good food and wine, museums, and more, making it the perfect weekend getaway.
TRIP DETAILS
Flights Ryanair £50 UK-Rome Return.
Accommodation Details: Hotel Centro Cavour Roma £166 for two nights. (very close to the Colosseum)
Arena, underground and restricted area access Colosseum Tickets & Tour £107
Vatican City: Free to enter
Dome Climb £12
Rome: St Peter’s Basilica, Dome Climb, and underground Tour £33.42 (Personally I would skip this just do it on your own unless you require in depth information)
Getting Around: 3 day metro pass including bus and trams.
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
Country Entry Requirements: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
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