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** Travel Tips Rome: Honest User Reviews **
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Took my daughter on a graduation trip and we spent 3 days in Rome. What a beautiful city! Didn’t think the people were too friendly but I didn’t have any issues. Was looking forward to the highly rated food but didn’t like anything I had. I was shocked! There’s so much to do and see. LOTS OF WALKING! Was disgusted by the lavishness of the Vatican but quite an experience. Would definitely recommend a visit but I’m ONE AND DONE.
I had the pleasure to make pasta from scratch and drink wine on the country side of Rome. We got to see where they make the wine and learned how to make the pasta. It was such a fun glass and it was a great way to meet other travelers. It was in an inexpensive class and I found it on Viator. After wards we got to eat the dish over some glasses of wine.
Rome is a treasure trove of historical landmarks around every corner. The Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and St. Peter’s Basilica were my favorites.
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Rome will forever be one of the most memorable places that I’ve ever been to.
There is so much to do from museums to art galleries to checking out ancient Rome to roaming through the little alleyways with house is covered in ivy. An Instagramers dream location if you’re into floral backdrops, cobblestone streets cute houses and lovely locals who are more than willing to help take your photo (I travelled solo)
The city is filled with so much history and culture, it’s unbelievable, I was blown away. This was my first solo trip so that in itself was an adventure.
I spent around £400 is worth noting but I already had euros prior to going to Rome so I just took out and extra 100 and had my bank card. I’m not into Pasta so I mainly ate pizza which was to die for and other random things. The pizzas were between €16-€20, which is expensive when you think about it. At the time it was basically €1 to the pound so realistically I was spending on average £18/$21 for a pizza for one. Who cares though.. you’re in Rome!!!
I stayed in Monti, I didn’t go clubbing or anything like that but I was lucky where I stayed there were bars around me that opened till late (1sh) A lot of the bars I found closed relatively early. There were lots of bars/lounges that I wanted to visit but unfortunately because of Covid they were closed which sucked. They looked top notch though and seemed like they’d be a blast.
Not once did I feel uncomfortable or felt as if I was being mistreated because I was black. I feel like Italians are generally overly friendly and very family orientated. So you could ask a local a question and They would be more than willing to help you, some even going out of their way to take you (if it was walking distance). Sounds crazy when you say the walked off with a stranger but I never felt I was in danger.
Would I recommend Rome as a black person – of course I would! If it isn’t on your to visit list already, I highly recommend that you put it on there. I definitely look into going back, it helps that it’s not too far away as it’s in Europe.
Ahhhhhh Rome!!! I’ve been twice and cant wait to go back again. There is so much to see if you love ancient architecture, ruins, and statues. If you are with a group or solo you will have fun. I received so much kindness as a black woman and felt safe walking alone at night in my airbnb area which had a diverse group of people from Italy, Nigeria, Bangladesh, etc (Pigneto, Rome). Definitely recommend doing the Rome Colosseum Pub Crawl, you get to try new bars while sightseeing at night and meet new people. There are plenty of historical sights and alluring shops just from doing a walking tour around Trevi, piazza navona, spanish steps, etc. If you can, get a pedi-cab tour so that you can quickly see what piques your interest, then make a plan to come back. If you need a spa day, Waldorf Astoria is great and relaxing with a nice walking trail and pool accessible to spa guest in the quieter side of rome. The massages are affordable and staff have great service.
I lived in Rome for almost a year in 2015. Rome is a big city, but easy to navigate on foot or public transit. However, strikes aren’t uncommon and buses aren’t always on time. When visiting, be sure to stay near a Metro stop; it will make your life much easier. Crowds and the heat are unbearable in the summer, so try visiting in the spring or fall.
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For first-timers, I always recommend the Big 4: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums. There’s a lot of history at all four sites, so you should book a tour; most of the tours will combine two spots in one. The city center is very easy to navigate. Pick up a tourist map and walk to the different piazzas like the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.
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If you’re spending more than a few days in Rome, get off the beaten path. Ostiense and Testaccio are two of my favorite neighborhoods. I highly recommend going a food tour in Testaccio with Eating Europe. You’ll visit a local market and multiple restaurants. Prepare to be stuffed by the end of the 4 hours. Ostiense is a hip and gritty neighborhood popular with young Romans. Get a huge spread for aperitivo (happy hour) at Doppiozero or dinner at Ristorante Porto Fluviale.
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Italian food is delicious, but each region has their own specialities. Avoid eating at places located directly on major piazzas and with menus translated into multiple languages. My favorite restaurants are Da Carlone (for spaghetti carbonara), Roma Sparita (for cacio e pepe and fried artichokes), Duecento Gradi (for paninis), and San Crispino (for gelato).
I absolutely loved Rome. My husband and I traveled for my birthday. The food was absolutely amazing. We visited the Spanish Steps and a few other monumental areas within Rome. Because it was near the holidays in December, they had lights and Christmas trees everywhere. It was beautiful. I’d definitely go back!
Italy is a beautiful, romantic, and a historic country to visit. However, traveling while black was not a great experience for me. While traveling I was mistaken to be a prostitute and was racially discriminated.
I do not plan to revisit Italy in the future.
If you have a love for history Rome is the spot. My advice is to plan ahead! Rome is a popular place so the lines are extremely long to the popular touristy areas. I viewed the Spanish steps, Vatican, and Colosseum. I purchased my tickets ahead of time which came with a tour guide.
(HERE is a helpful website with pricing to purchase the tickets and skip the line https://www.viator.com/Rome-tourism/Skip-the-Line-at-the-Colosseum/d511-t23424)
The guide was amazing very knowledgeable. Use as many resources like Yelp to help you decide with food options and the best places for dinner. I went during August which was extremely hot! The best time to go ideally would be around October/November during the cooler months. Overall great place just don’t go during the Summer!!
Overall, I had a great trip! In some instances, it was very annoying to keep getting stares from everyone because we were the only black people in every room! However, we owned it and created lasting. memories. Rome is full of history and adventure! Go!
Italy is definitely one of my most favorite places that I’ve visited. I loved everything from the food (specifically the gelato ad real pastas and pizza), to the people… just everything. If you like doing touristy things then Italy is the perfect place for you since there’s a lot of history there. You can visit Pompeii and walk through the streets and some of the building that were preserved. They also have some of the bodies in large cases. I did a scavenger hunt and while doing it I came across the infamous Trevi fountain. At the Trei fountain you are supposed to turn your back to it and throw in a coin. 1 coin means you will return to the Eternal City of Rome, 2 coins mean you will return, find love, and marry. Whether or not any of this is really true all of the coins tossed in go to a Catholic charity that supports the poor and homeless.
Rome is filled with rich history. There are so many historical sites to visit in Rome, the colliseum, cistern chapel, trevi fountain, spanish steps, roman forum, pantheon… so so many. You can tour the city using the hop on hop off bus or you can take a tour with one of the local guides. I took a walking tour with a local guide, it is a good opportunity to see quite a lot of places and to get the history of the place from a local. I am not too much of the history lover but I did enjoy my walking tour. I took another experience with Roma Eat Food team. I completely loved the experience. It was a day walking tour where we went to some archeological sites as well as some of the most authentic food and snack places in Rome. Our guide took us to the best gelato place and showed us how to spot a real gelato from a fake one. We had one of the best cannoli, the best tiramisu and we were taken to a cheese heaven (as i called it) ! It was amazing.
I also took a pasta and tiramisu making class with gianicoloterrace (you can check her out on instagram). It was perfect! She is an amazing teacher and has a great sense of humour. You also get to meet other travellers and it is truly an amazing experience.
I loved dinner at la fiorentina which was close to our hotel. I loved the weather in Rome as well. It was generally a good experience in Rome.
I only had one day in Rome. My best friend got married in San Quirico D’Orcia in Tuscany which is where I spent the majority of my trip. It was cheaper to stay an extra day and fly back on a Monday as opposed to a Sunday. I was alone in Rome. Which is something I never do. Which is also why I didn’t stay there longer. Anyway, with only one day in this amazing city I had to be strategic about what I did and where I went. I really wanted to see Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, and Vatican City. Welp Vatican City happened to be closed the day I was there. And the Colosseum unbeknownst to me required a prepaid ticket for a certain time slot. So I only got to see the fountain and the steps. But I went ahead and explored the surrounding area. I inadvertently saw Pantheon, Sant’Agnese in Agone, and Alter of the Fatherland which took my breath away. I saw some ancient Roman ruins. And I had some delectable gelato. I saw many columns, monuments, and sculptures. Lively and talented street performers everywhere. The locals were kind. The city overall, like pretty much anywhere in the EU, is expensive. For example, $10 for a little cup of gelato. Plenty of other black people around. Mostly trying to sell you selfie sticks and whatnot on the street. This was in the dead of that historical heatwave in June of 2019. So it was hot as hell. Which tires you out when you’re on foot all day. But I definitely think another 24 hours in the city would’ve been perfect. I had a steak and salad for dinner. Honestly I’m such an idiot, I should’ve ordered some pasta, which I didn’t have any of my entire trip. I was famished and exhausted so I had to forgive myself for that. Everyone I encountered spoke at least some English. If not they spoke/understood Spanish. Which was convenient for me. I can’t say enough good about this city. It was definitely aesthetically what I crave when I travel. You feel transported to a different time entirely. It was just beautiful to behold. Definitely going back at some point.
If you haven’t visited Rome, I highly recommend it! During the summer of 2015, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain for four weeks. While I was there, my classmates and I spent a long weekend in Rome. Within three days, you can cover a lot of ground. Here were my favorite spots:
1) The Colosseum – Definitely buy tickets in advance. We did not do this and had to wait almost two hours to get in. Once you’re in, you have the opportunity to join a group tour, purchase an audio tour, or explore yourself. It’s absolutely beautiful and breathtaking! Pricing: € 16,00 to € 22,00. Learn more >> https://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm
2) The Trevi Fountain – I love the Lizzie McGuire movie so this was on my bucket list. Great photo opportunities once you’re there.
3) The Vatican – Beautiful church! Make sure you have dressed appropriately. They won’t let you in if you’re wearing “revealing” clothing (low cut shirts, shorts, etc.)
As an African American, I felt comfortable spending time in Rome. I didn’t feel judged or stereotyped. So, book your tickets and enjoy! In addition, the shopping and food opportunities were phenomenal.
PS. If you’re going in the summer as I did, it will be extremely hot and have lots of tourists.
Rome is the capital city of Italy, as most of you know,and it is one of the most densely populated cities in the European Union. Its rich history spans over millennia and they had many emperors. A visit to Rome is synonymous with a visit to the past; ancient Rome. There, you will walk on some, or all the 7 hills of Rome.
If you love history, this is the perfect trip for you. This is also a great stop for families as well
Can you really say you’ve been to Rome without a visit to the largest amphitheater in the world?
In your tour, you will learn all there is to know about the history of this engineering wonder.
Tip# do book a tour with a guide because they enter through the gladiator entrance and there are no lines.
Tip# do book your ticket on the official Colosseum website at least 4 to 5 months in advance.
The Victor Monument is massive and has amazing views.It’s free to climb up the steps for a spectacular view of the Roman streets. There is also a free museum if you visit during the day.
The main reason for a visit to the Vatican Museums is the Sistine Chapel.
Tip# Do purchase tickets ahead of time. You will be asked to select visit time. You can walk to the front of the line and be let inside 15 minutes to the selected time.
Lastly, we felt pretty comfortable travelling to Rome while black. People were very nice and welcoming.
Yes, Rome is crowded. So what. Other people like to visit and it is Rome!!!! You can pretty much walk to all the places you want to visit or hop a train (Rome Termini!) and do very minimal walking.
Things to do: First, buy tickets to skip the line for the Colosseum and Sistine Chapel (Vatican City). These tickets often offer the Roman Forum too. It is an absolute must in my opinion (The Roman Forum that is). 2. Trevi Fountain is crowded, now what? Bring a GoPro for wide angle shot. Problem solved! 3. Spanish Steps. 4. The Parthenon. 5. Castel Sant’ Angelo
Nightlife: Other than partying at the club in the basement of my hostel. G Bar (@gbarrome) played hip hop and was a decent spot. Small but good.
Traveling while Black: I did not encounter any issues. The level of service was on par with everyone else.
I wish: I wish I did not get sick my last day and drove through the Tuscan region, stopped in Siena, and hit up Florence on my way to Milan. Instead I caught the train direct to my friend’s house in Milan. Insert crying emoji. My drone shed a tear too!
Cool story: Walking with my tour group and this women around 62 or so says, I visited Rome for the first time 44 years ago. Wooooowwwww!!!!
I would consider Rome the place you visit for a day or two on your way in or out of Italy. The cons are that are people everywhere and it is pretty expensive. We made the mistake of eating near one of the Trevi fountain, the food was a 0 out of 10 and we spent like 70 euro on a meal for 2. But it does have it’s pros. If you get off the beaten path the food is cheap and delicious. I will say the pizza isn’t what we’re used to but it is delicious. After visiting Rome went to Tropea, Italy which is in southern Italy. The beaches here are beyond beautiful and the food at every place we went to was on point. We booked an AirBnB experience tour where the guide took us to the lesser known beaches, it was perfect. They even prepared lunch for us, I would definitely recommend visiting. It is a really small town, where everybody knows everybody, so unless you’re a local or a frequent visitor, expect to get looks. We in the off season and it was perfect.
So for me personally I didn’t like rome it was veryyyyty crowded and reminded me too much of nyc. I still had a good time, i went in august so it wasn’t too hot. There are a lot of sites to see the popular ones i went to were the coliseum, trevi foundation and another one I can’t remember ugh. The night life is pretty strong honestly it’s like the city don’t sleep. I stayed at the vilion which is the best hotel in rome and on the pricer side. I am a fitness freak and it was a disappointment finding out a gym wasn’t on site womp womp womp. Europe overall is expensive tbh but if you Are savy saver I’m sure you can find ways to save a buck or two.
Rome was disappointing. It was too crowed. I suggest going during low season. Our hostel messed up on booking our tour to Naples and Pompeii. The food we had as amazing. To see the Colosseum in person…I can’t put it into words how much getting to see it and explore it meant to me. I will try going again during low season, but I wasn’t impressed.
Rome was definitely always on my travel bucket list but at the time it was not a top contender. I traveled to Italy for my mother’s birthday. Italy was always on her bucket list and this was her first time on a trip outside of the Caribbean and US. So I booked a trip for her along with my sister. We also traveled with one of my best friend’s her mom and sister and one of her mom’s friends. Rome by far exceeded my expectations. I was actually mad that I had not been to Rome sooner. I am very much into the historical aspect of my travels and there is so much to offer in Rome historically. Simply walking the streets is a beautiful historic landscape lesson. Most of the city is untouched architecturally which is what is so special and beautiful to me about Rome.
We stayed in an Airbnb in the Rome 10 minute walk from The Vatican which made it convenient to get to a lot of the other sites. Getting around town we used MyTaxi which is similar to our Uber and Lyft.
For visiting the main sites like the Colosseum, The Vatican, and St. Peter’s Basilica I would highly suggest you go earlier in the day and also buy tickets for these attractions. If you can get tickets for skip the line that’s even better. You will fine very long lines for these kind of attractions. And if you are the type that does not like guided tours like myself (I like to be in control of my time and see what I want rather than be stuck with a group of people) there are tour were you can do not guided and if you cannot get those just still opt for the guided tours and leave the group lol. We did that for Colosseum, got skip the line tickets with a guided group then left them and were just fine.
The Trevi Fountain you do not need a ticket for but it gets very crowded. Pantheon I do not think you need a guided tour for this. I was fine with just walking around and observing everything myself. The line was not too bad for this when I went and the days we walked pass it it was not a really horrible wait. Visit the Spanish Steps for a photo opt and the high end fashion store are also in the area if you are into shopping or just browsing.
Food in Italy is A1! A1 okay? I am very much into pasta so I was a happy camper on a daily basis. The gelato, man listen, I had it everyday sometimes multiple times a day. Traverse City has the best authentic restaurants. Stay away from the restaurants near all the sites those will not be as authentic. Still decent but I am a foodie so I liked looking for the better restaurants that had fresh pasta and things like that.
My group also hit Venice for a day which was a train ride away. I thought a day trip was good for us. We also went to Amalfi Coast for three days which was amazing. We took the train to Amalfi Coast asa well and stayed in a gorgeous Airbnb that was about 20 minutes from Grand Marina beach (most popular beach in Amalfi). We also took a yacht to Capri for a day which was also a great day trip.
Definitely plan on going back to Italy. There a few more spots I want to hit like Milan, Florence, Naples, and I’d definitely go back to Rome, Venice, and Amalfi Coast for sure.
Rome definitely overcome my expectations. I love History, but i never really wanted to go to Rome tho. However, I was planning an Eurotrip, so I got the opportunity and I enjoyed it. Then it became one of the highlights of my trips, maybe because I didnt expect anything from there. However, when you get to the historical center, is kind of magical. I was walking on the streets and each corner I could find a different historical peace, from the Roman Empire. I spent 3 days which was pretty good to go to mainly sightseen with no rush. I got a guided trip to the Coliseum, and it was one of the best things I did, and I highly recomend to be booked in advanced. The guide tell stories that noone could never wonder about the history of Coliseum and Palatinum Hill. Otherwise, it will be only a sightseen where you will be solo with no sort of information. If it is ever intended to go in Piazza Venezia to learn more about Italian army flags, should be consider wearing clothes above the knee lenght and then it is also possible to visit the tomb in the museum.
There is a tonne of authentic restaurants to visit that make amazing Italian food. If you love pasta, pizza, gelato and wine as much as i do then this feels like heaven!
There are a number of restaurants to visit in Trastevere. Great to dine and have an appretivo!
Rome was my fisrt girl trips years ago. I remember the excellent food very cheap (fisrt time i had a real pizza). They are so many things to see, the history is incredible. The sun set at the Coliseum is a must, simply gorgeous if you lije taking pictures. Trevis fountain of course (go early if you want to avoid the crowd. Shopping was great too, Italian leather is well known in fashion (bags and shoes). Italian women’s dress very well and classic, good inspiration for fashion lovers.
My ultimately souvenir is visiting the Vatican. It was impressive a must do if you go to Rome. Travelling while Black was ok.
I absolutely loved Rome !!
My boyfriend and I stayed at River Palace Hotel, which was nice and VERY small inside. But centrally located and literally walking distance to Spanish steps, Trevi fountain, pantheon and tons of bars and restaurants.
We booked our room the exact same day and got it for about $250/day The cost normally and in advance is more affordable , goes for about $150/day for a regular room. Not super expensive at all for 4star. Breakfast was included. And such a great breakfast it was, came with all the fixings, even champagne for mimosas. They only have breakfast in the restaurant, no other meals which you would rather eat out and enjoy the scenery anyways. The area was not sketchy at all. Super friendly and tourist friendly to walk around, even at night.
Front desk was super friendly. The taxi was cheap to the other sites too.Súper friendly guests and if you’re a romantic, most of the bigger hotels have nice rooftop view restaurants ! Worth the price ! Enjoy !
Rome is a must see city it fulfills all that it promises. History, paintings, sculptures and amazing food. You must see The Vatican, the Colosseum, the Trevi fountain, Roman forum, the Spanish steps and so much more. Ideally 4-7 days would be enough to savour all these places in some detail. The traffic is like all other major cities but the people are helpful. We were fortunate to have good weather except one evening when it rained.
The food in Rome is absolutely amazing if you love carbs looks I do. From pizza to pasta to gelato, it is literally a dream come true. Not to mention it is super affordable. There are a lot of tourist trap restaurants (i.e. the ones where they have greeters stand outside and try to get you to eat at that establishment) but the true roman eateries almost always offer pitchers of wine for around 10 euros, and the classic pasta dishes (cacio e pepe, amatriciana, carbonara). Also, if you can find a mom and pop cafe, you’ll find delicious coffee (not the watered down version like we serve in the states) and if your really lucky, fresh doughnuts! I spent quite a bit of time in Rome and never tired of the carbs!
I’m from Italy so I’ve been to Rome a couple of time already but I never fully appreciate it until last year when I decided to take my Portuguese best friends to am Italian trip! They loved it and for my was like seeing it for the first time and fell in love again Rome fulfils all that it promises. History, paintings, sculptures and food. Oooooh the food!! The Vatican, the Colosseum,the Trevi fountain and lots more. Ideally a month would be less to savour all these things in some detail. The traffic is like all other major cities but the people are helpful. We were fortunate to have good weather
Rome is definitely one of my favourite European destinations. Lots of history, architecture and monuments. If you like waking you can walk to most of the popular monuments. Transport is very easy to use also. I would recommend staying around Trevi fountain as it is easy to get to all of the most popular attractions from there.
I have been to other places in Italy and have experienced a bit of racism but Rome was different. I had no issues travelling as a black woman in Rome. People were very nice and friendly. The food was great and the weather was lovely in August( If you like the heat!).
Gelato is Italian ice cream and taste amazing!!! Be sure to try it if you haven’t already.
A 4 night stay in Rome is perfect if you do not want to feel rushed. It will give you time to take it all in. I stayed for 3 nights and definitely felt that 1 extra night was needed.
Overall beautiful city!!
I stayed at Relais Roma Centro. A small boutique style accommodation but perfect location. Literally walking distance from Trevi fountain and Spanish steps. I paid £275 for 3 nights and that was for 2 people.
I visited the Colosseum which was amazing! I purchased entry tickets on the day I visited and paid about 12 euros per person. Also visited Trevi fountain at day and night. The Pantheon, The Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel (purchased ticket on the day).
Rome is lovely for a romantic couples trip, girls trip or even a Solo trip. It is very easy to get around and public transport is very straightforward.
Rome was everything I’ve dreamed of and more: romantic (a dude proposed to his girlfriend at the Fontana du Trevi, I kid you not!!), the food (one of the best food I’ve ever had in my entire life!), and the history. We were just there for one day but even that was enough to visit a lot of places. But I’ll definitely go back!!!
Rome just has so much history and seeing and knowing what your looking at is amazing everything is close or a $10 taxi ride from each other if that if you have time i would suggest 2-3 days in Rome to really enjoy everything from the Vatican to the coliseum to the foods and night life it’s just a lot to do in this city
Rome is by far my favorite European city and the spectacular history, architecture and monuments that are waiting behind every corner just continue to take your breath away. If you’re in Rome I would hence really recommend to book a local guide if you can for a few hours to actually explain the significance of what you’re seeing (google can only do so much!!). If you’re booking a hotel I would recommend staying around Piazza Navona or the Trevi fountain to have walking distance to the most beautiful parts of town :)
You can really see Rome in a day! After coming back from Egypt I had a 42 hour layover in Rome, as soon as I landed I set out to explore using theromanguy.com I didn’t need a tour guide or anything this site provides an itinerary to all the main sites with lunch and transportation tips! This really helped me
I took my daughter to Rome to celebrate her senior year of college. We spent a week in January. The city is absolutely beautiful and rich in history. The weather felt more like NY fall temperatures. We walked and took the metro to most sites, the Trevi and Coliseum. You can buy 1-3 day passes. We also used Uber. The highlight of the trip was breakfast at the Vatican. You can book it directly from the Vatican site. This allows you to beat the crowds and get pics without a bunch of tourists in them. My daughter and I loved riding the bus. We would hop off and wander the streets. The Castel Sant’Angelo is reasonably priced with history and an amazing view of Rome. There’s a carousel outside to catch some IG worthy pics. Janiculum Hill has a lookout point that will take your breath away. Accessible by bus. There’s a stand that sells pastries, and quality hot chocolate. Perfect for lovers. Dress stylish and wear comfortable walking shoes. Stop and eat between sites. The food is amazing!
We absolutely loved Rome! The food and wine was AMAZING!
WE stayed in the PERFECT location, walking distance from the Colosseum.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/25886986
We did a mixology class as well as pasta making cooking class as well. All booked via airbnb:
Street Art and Roman Food
Pasta Making – Wine Tasting Dinner
We visited the beautiful trevi fountain and it was SUPER crowded. You have to get there early!
We also did a skip line tour of the Colosseum. It was well worth it. that place is CROWDED as well. Via trip advisor.
We have a very short visit but ate LOTS OF GOOD FOOD and drink LOTS OF great WINE!
Rome is great place to go if you love architecture/history and great gelato. I highly recommend doing a hop on/hop off bus tour to get around the city faster. You can really see most of the city within a day to a day and a half if you do this. Outside each landmark, there are people you can pay to guide you through so you can learn more about its’ rich history. In terms of food, we really enjoyed stopping by local pizzerias’. Nearly everywhere we went had amazing pasta and pizza. If you decide to take their public transportation/subway, I strongly encourage you to pay attention to your belongings. Rome has a serious pick-pocketing problem. We saw many unassuming thieves steal from tourists right before our eyes. They got away so fast the tourists didn’t even realize what had just happened.
One thing I must say is Rome is this city is very crowded however; it is a must visit city. Walking in Rome is excellent in view . Check out the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and Spanish Steps some of my favorites. The history, the culture, the food and the people make it a magical place. It’s a bit pricey so planning ahead and comparing deals for tours is highly recommended. Always negotiate prices and get perfect understanding of what you’re getting.
Roma is gorgeous! We traveled in from the states, so it is definitely a different feel. The food and people are great (recommend having food in the Vaticano area). The Colosseo, Sistine Chapel and the Fountain Di Trevi are all beautiful things to do. Be ready to walk as well and make sure to convert your cash in the city, not the airport. Enjoy!
Roma! It’s like one gigantic museum. Everything that you seen in history books and in the movies. There is graffiti in a lot of places do not let that deter you. It is a very busy place. We went in early March. I would suggest you have Euros on you. A lot of places want cash instead of cards. There are private car services that are about 50 Euros but I suggest using the transit system. A card is about 10 Euros per day. Please note, this card only works at for the subway and train system close to the center city. You will have to purchase a train ticket for about 7 Euros when traveling outside of this. Be mindful of this when traveling back to the airport. My main suggestion is book a hotel at the city center. Hotels charge a tax that you have to pay upon arrival in cash. It’s about 6-10 Euros. Make sure you read up on price increases before you leave on your trip. Be prepared to walk and take in the sites
Historical Sites:
Trevi Fountain – toss some Euros in for a wish
Pantheon
Fountain of the Four Rivers
Saint Peters Square
Sistine Chapel
St Peters Basilica – free – there will be a long line and security check outside
The Vantican – free on the last Sunday of the month
Spanish Steps – crowded
Colosseum
The Forum
Capitoline Hill
Arch of Septimius Severus
Trastevere – view the entire city
Tip: Mostly all the museums above are free in Rome the first Sunday of the month. I definitely wish I would have done a guided tour for Ancient Rome
Places to eat:
Everywhere! Seriously pick somewhere and dine in. Try some places away from the touristy spots. You can get a whole pizza and small bottle of wine for like 10 Euros. Don’t forget to grab Gelato!
Overall, Rome is very beautiful. Walk, read, see and eat! Order Euros before you travel. Please have cash!! Be a local! Stay closer to the city center. Please do attempt to speak Italian! Use Google Translate to learn basic phases and words.
Like many of you probably had in mind, when you went to Italy what you expected is probably what you had seen on movies and books particularly the city of Rome. And for me, it most definitely met my expectations. Italy as a whole is beautiful. Lots of things to go see/do. Overall the affordability is cheap but some places like Venice are very expensive. I will focus my review on Rome since it was my main reason to go to Italy. Rome is without doubt is one the most popular cities in the world. Every year millions of tourists come from all around the world to check out its beauty. So my travel was strictly for its history, the architecture, and its food. So I wasn’t really expecting anything else from my trip there if it happened that was a bonus for me. The city is very busy (I guess they have months when it’s like that). If you don’t like busy destinations then I suggest you look up months that are not as touristy/busy before you go.
So many things to do and see to fulfill your urge of Roman history. From the prodigious Roman Colosseum at the center of the city (which I feel like everyone should should go see and probably will see). After all it is one of the 7 wonders of the world. Other amazing things to see is the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon (Temple for all the Roman Gods), the Roman Forum, The beautiful St. Peter’s Basilica, Catacombs of Rome, Sistine Chapel and of course the Vatican City. Many ways you can go about this, whether it’s at your own pace or with a tour guide or the Rome Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus tour. You will see a lot of other statues and other things that are not as advertise/popular but they will have their own little part of Roman history. They are all truly incredible and jaw dropping in the sense of how much weight everything holds, in a historical context that is. If you do ever run out of things to see, I highly recommend shopping at the Porta Pórtese flea market on a lazy day or something.
The FOOD!! The food and wine are affordable and delicious. I literally ate whole boxes of pizza and wine/beer for like 5-7 euros in many mom and pop shops. I am not huge on ice but the Gelato In Italy just so worldly delicious. The pasta, they are on every corner and it’s authentic and cheap.
We stayed at an Airbnb that was pretty fair for what we got. It was located like a 7 minute walk to the Colosseum and very easy to find and access transportation. If you want cheap places to stay, it will be a little out of the center if the city but you will find value. The transportation system is very simple and easy as well. All through out Italy we traveled by train except coming in and leaving the country.
Overall my experience was filled with what I expected and it’s so cool with some of the history I read/learned about in school growing up to actually witness it. Definitely will return to this wonderful city that is bursting with things to do. So go and enjoy for yourself the very beautiful city of Rome and all it has to offer.
I was so ecstatic to visit Rome mainly because of what I saw in the movies especially “Gladiator “ and all the history . We were in Rome for about 4 days . And thankfully our hotel was right in the city center . Very affordable hotel which was a walking distance from the train station and all the historical places . We made sure to visit as many as we can . The colosseum which was first on our list and the others were pretty much close by . So we didn’t have to use much transport getting around .
The only place we had to use transport to get to was the Vatican City which was about 20-30 minutes by the public bus considering traffic as well.
I enjoyed every bit of the trip and use to eat at the local restaurants around the hotel . There was a bar also around the hotel which was usually packed and the vibe there was great .
Nothing was overly priced . Food was between 2-12 euros if you ate from the local restaurants , the transport fare within Europe is almost same everywhere so I didn’t see any much difference. 1-3euros. I will list Rome under my top 3 favorite trips. Will definitely love to go back and explore and probably visit other cities .
Rome was my favorite country to visit while in Europe. The weather was amazing and the scenery was spectacular. Only thing is that the people are extremely assertive there so what would be considered rude in America is normal in Rome. The food was amazing and priced decently.
I didn’t have any problems being a black traveler. Sometimes you get stares but Rome is pretty diverse.
Rome is my FAVORITE city!! If you ever get the chance to go, be sure to get on the Big Bus Tour. In any city that has a Big Bus Tour, I suggests to do that. Yes, it’s a tourist thing to do but it’s also hop on hop off and it is so worth! Depending on how long you’re there for, you can pretty much see the whole city in one day. Vatican city is dope, the Spanish stairs and everything else too. If you want good food, go to places that do not have pictures of foo don the menu, it’s more authentic. stop by the places on the small blocks, too. Sounds a little sketchy but it’s worth it. Lots of Zara’s all over the place! Be sure to stop by the Trevi Fountain too.
Rome is history.
You can take a whole day walking the whole city without getting tired and knowing so many beautiful things that Rome has. like the coliseum, the pantheon, roman forum, trevi fountain, piazza navona, spain steps, castel sant angelo, piazza venice, piazza do popolo, in general roma is spectacular.
I stayed a week in Rome but on the third day I took a bus to PISA after I went to see Cinque Terre and finally Florence, then I returned to Rome to take my flight and return home.
an unforgettable summer trip …
Rome was great. I bought the Turbo pass which includes transportation, admission into Vacitcan City including Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica, Colosseum Amphitheatre
Forum Romanum, Palatin and at most of these places you can skip the line. You also get to take the hop on hop off bus which we did the first day so that we could see all the sights first. Make sure to bring water. They were sold out of water on the day we went in July and it was extremely hot. The Trevi Fountain is gorgeous and is a must see at night! Also go to the Boca Della Verita (Mouth of Truth) during the day. As we tried to go and it was already closed. At night we went to the Aventine Keyhole at sunset and it was amazing.
Rome was a great place to travel to because of its amazing history and local foods. I enjoyed going to visit the colosseum where I got a tour inside and around the ancient stadium. Rome was also great because of its local cuisine such as their pasta and pizza. The night life was average; I went out around Trastevere. The people were very respectful to me when I was there.
Rome, Italy
I had my fair share of good, bad and worst experiences.
The Good:
* The history in Rome is so rich, with some of the most astounding architectural buildings dating back 13BC! Rome has definitely done a great job at keeping it’s history and culture in tact.
* We booked a cooking class with chef Andrea Consoli for about $80 per head for a half a day cooking clad session. We really enjoyed learning how to make authentic Italian dishes, my favourite being the beef carpaccio which has become a specialty in my house hold especially when hosting.
The Bad
* The first day we arrived, we got robbed. A man who wore a concierge shirt approached us and asked us to follow him to his Taxi and he would drop us at our desired destination. During the drive, the man was driving like a maniac and when we protested, he got very irritable and agitated, throwing hid hands all over the place (I actually think this is an Italian trait, they throw their hands around when expressing something, whether good or bad), and arguing with us. He actually drove us to a doggy alley and told us to hop off an get on a train instead. We had to plead with him to just take us to the hotel given all the lugguage we had. Once we got to the entrance of the hotel, the man removed all our bags save for the Louis Vuitton bags. He drove off with them and we never saw him again.
Luckily we managed to report the case to the POLIZIA (Italian for Police) and they found him via Instagram (how cool is social media?). He was arrested and the rest, well, is history.
* The hotel we booked, Rome Life Hotel, has these wonderful pictures online, however, when we arrived, it was nothing like what was online. We got a really tiny room (could hardly fit two), and our shower was not working so we literally had to use another room to shower in.
Insights:
Be careful of pickpockets, cons and card scammers while in Rome.
Definitely have authentic Italian pasta, especially from the smaller restaurants along streets. It’s to die for.
All in all, I enjoyed the good bit of Rome but I wouldn’t go back any time soon. I would instead prefer to visit Milan, Venice and Florence.
Rome wasn’t my favourite destination in Italy but it definitely is a MUST see. To get everything done and in a reasonable amount of time, I scheduled four days and even then it was tight. The colosseum is a must, the Vatican was by far my favourite and I’m definitely not religious, if you’re able to, take the extra time to climb up to the top of the dome. Bring water with you on the way up as the stairs get hot very quickly and although the stairs are straight, the ceiling is angled heavily and it can be very claustrophobic. The Trevi fountain was amazing and I would recommend going around 9:30am as they schedule cleaning of the fountain around that time and it’s easy to get great pictures without having anyone in them and having to edit the photo and removing them. If you have some time, check out the Spanish steps, they are super central and within walking distance from a number of hotels. I would recommend getting there as early as possible so that you’re able to get some good photos. The last thing I would recommend is if you’re comfortable, walk out of the city, approximately 10 min and you’ll get some great non-tourist oriented food. One of our favourite restaurants in all of Italy was Casa Prati. If you’re up for the 10 min walk I highly recommend.
If you like to travel, eventually you’ll have to go to Rome, as it serves as the centerpiece of what’s left of the Roman Empire. Traveling to Rome is fairly rather you’re flying directly into FCO, or taking a train from somewhere else in Italy. If you’re flying in and staying within Rome, take a bus from the airport to the Roma Termini train station. Tickets are about 8 euro one way, and will save you some money on cab or Uber fair. Roma Termini is the main train station in Rome, and you can easily walk, taxi/Uber, or metro to your lodging location. This is also the best place to depart from if you want to visit cities outside of Rome. Train tickets to and from Rome can easily be purchased on https://www.trenitalia.com/trenitalia.html. To save money, I stayed in a hostel while in Rome. The Generator Hostel (https://generatorhostels.com/destinations/rome?lang=en-GB) is a hostel franchise, and they have locations all across Europe. Since I was with friends, we rented out a six bed hostel room that came with two full bathrooms (shower only). The hostel was very clean, and provided all the necessities for our stay. It also included individual lockers for those who want an extra bit of security.
Rome is a busy city year-round, and a melting pot. You will find people from all across the world who live in Rome for a variety of reasons. The mixture of cultures in Rome makes it a little easier to blend in as a black traveler. So many tourist come through Rome that color doesn’t stand out as much. If you are not comfortable with large crowds, do not visit Rome in the summer. Especially, during August. With it’s ties to the Roman Empire, there is an abundance of historical sites to visit in Rome. Some of the most famous are the following: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Vatican City. Some of the sites require tickets like the Colosseum and Roman Forum, and some free like the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps. I recommend purchasing “skip line” tickets if you know that you will visit during the main tourist season. If you start at the Colosseum you can easily walk and see all the major sites listed above except the Vatican City. The Vatican City will require it’s own designated time to visit, as there are multiple sites within the independent country. The Hop-on Hop-off tour is also a great way to see all the sites in Rome with transportation included. Be aware that there are street vendors everywhere you go in Rome trying to sell touristy items. A lot of people feel that the African vendors tend to be a bit more aggressive towards people of ethnic decent. This is true, however, majority of the African vendors do not mean any harm or trouble. Remember that most of them are just migrants trying to eat and provide for their families, and street vending is the only opportunity they have at the moment.
If you love to eat or drink, Rome has plenty of bars and restaurants to offer. Just know, that a lot of the restaurants around the main sites are very touristy, and do not provide a great depiction of authentic Italian food. Move away from the tourist sites to find restaurants with a more authentic taste. At a decent restaurant main dishes will average between 9-16 euro depending on what you order. Overall, Rome is a great place to visit, and one of the must see cities of the world from a historical aspect.
I visited Capri in August and i must say it lived up to expectations. It is defiantly one of those locations that one most visit at least once in their lifetime. The island is simply magical from the electric blue waters to the natural landscaping is simply divine.
Pros
1. Beautiful scenery and landcaping
2. Delicious food options such as authentic Italian food ex: (Insalata Caprese which is a traditional cheese dish served with fresh diced tomatoes, olivies and olive oil is a must have)
3. Capri Rooftop Lounge is an amazing location that gives you a full view of the island . Great music and drinks .
4. Capri Perfume factory is also a great location to visit also known as Carthusia makes unique perfume . They have been in production since 1948.
5. in terms of historical sites Via Krupp is a historic switchback paved footpath on the island of Capri which is also close to the gardens. Amazing spot for photos .
Cons
1. It is extremely expensive !
2. As a black tourist it was awkward all eyes were on me. Some people actually thought i was a celebrity given the fact that black tourist are rare.
3. Capri can only be accessed by boat or ferry
4. i would not recomend visit in the month of august because it was very crowded and hot .
Overall it was a great experience !
I spent about 5 days in Rome during the month of November (2018). The word “busy” is an understatement when describing the city. As a result, I recommend waking up early to visit major attractions – this allows you to see it from the outside without the crowds and if a tour is required, you’ll be able to enter without waiting in line. Unfortunately, while visiting a lot of these monuments during the day (the Colosseum & Trevi Fountain to be more specific) I realized that I was haggled a lot more to buy souvenirs due to the fact that I was “black”. Many street vendors from Africa surround these major tourist attractions, trying to sell their crafts. Because I was black, they would often gravitate towards me, yelling things like: “Where are you from? Africa? You are my sister”. On some occasions, even after politely declining to engage, they would grab onto to my hand or chase after me when I started walking faster. Bare in mind, that there was a large group of them so when I walked away from one, I walked right into another. Please keep in mind that I have no problem supporting my people from the motherland, however, it was really unfortunate the manner in which they dealt with me versus any other tourist who was not black.
Apart from the viewing of historical monuments, there isn’t much to do in Rome other than eat gelato, dine at a restaurant or just “people watch”. If you are not a history fanatic, this isn’t a place I recommend spending more than just a few days to see the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and The Vatican. While you’re at it, be sure to try some authentic Italian food (pizza, pasta, etc.) and taste test the endless gelato flavors every corner of the city has to offer.
In addition, I recommend looking online for excursions: AirBnB, Viator, etc. I found a class on Viator called “Pasta and Tiramisu Lovers Workshop in the Heart of Rome”. I took the class by myself one afternoon and absolutely loved it even though I’ve never cooked a day in my life. There may be other fun activities like this so be sure to do a thorough search and always read reviews!
Rome was my third and final spot on my European tour. This city contains so much beautiful history that you must experience it in person to believe it! Some must-sees are the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. On Wednesdays when the Pope isn’t traveling, you can see him give the Angelus prayer from his window. The city is very crowded with tourists so keep that in mind when visiting. My favorite part of Rome was the food! I had the most amazing pizza one night and made sure to go back to the same restaurant the very next day for more! There were a couple cons to visiting Rome. The city in some parts is dirty with trash all over the streets and the stench of urine plus it feels unsafe to walk at night. Lastly, the people were not very friendly and at times, rude. Overall, I enjoyed my time in Rome and all the history I got to experience.
I loved the dichotomy of Rome, such a bustling city amidst the ruins of the past. The Coliseum rises up out of nowhere, alongside buses and stoplights. It seems as though these places should be in the countryside somehow, not in the middle of the city lol. Historically, Rome was simply amazing, all of the ruins, Vatican City, museums, it’s a cultural overload but a must see. I enjoyed every minute spent there.
Italy is one of the most amazing countries I’ve ever been to. Rome was the 1st city I visited not only in Italy, but in Europe and to this day it holds a special place in my heart. The history is overwhelming and what’s so amazing is the amount of monuments still standing to this day. The Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the old cathedrals, everything here is a sight to see. Every stone has a story. The food and wine were to die for. I’d highly recommend shopping at the Spanish Steps and visiting the Trevi Fountain after a long day. It is my favorite place in the entire world! I wandered away from my group several nights and would just sit here. If you don’t do anything else, take a trip there.
Be mindful of gypsies and tourists traps, they’re everywhere!
All in all, if you like history, Roma is the place for you. And while you’re here, shoot over to the smallest country in the world, Vatican City. ♥
My trip in Italy ?? was amazing ?.
Omg the food is so good, affordable and tasty in Italy.
Let’s back to Roma.
Roma is the capital of Italy.
There are so many things to visit there! The history is everywhere.
While your time in Roma you can go to
Colosseum
Trevi fountain
Roman forum
Panthéon
St Peter’s balisica
Piazza Venezia
Vatican
Museum
The city is very walkable and you can find nice restaurant everywhere.
I hope y’all will like it.
Rome was my favorite city in Italy. There is a beautiful view over the city at the Orange Garden. Be sure to check out the Aventine keyhole (unique view of St. Peter’s basilica), a flew blocks up the street. The Trevi fountain is beautiful. No eating or drinking allowed there. The Trevi police will blow their whistle at you for something. I took the metro to Vatican city. The sistine chapel was closed when I went. The mosaics inside St. Peter’s basilica and the views from the top were beautiful. The strawberry tiramisu at Pompii was sooo good. I purchased the audio guide for the Colosseum and walked around the Roman forum. Next time, I would go on a guided tour of the forum. There is an ice bar close to the Colosseum. They give you a jacket and 1 drink is included with the admission ticket.
Italy is by far one of the most beautiful countries, culture, food, and people I’ve ever come across.
We were a group of 5 and we stayed at an air bnb which was 10 minutes walk to the Colosseum. It cost us $180 each for this air bnb which was nicely traditionally decorated, and very convenient to get anywhere.
I’d recommend staying in Rome for a minimum of 5 days cause there is so much to see and experience. We did a hop hop off tour which is always a convenient way to view the city. You can also tour the main areas like the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain if you’re ready to do some walking.
I’d also recommend Ostia beach, which is about 45 minutes drive from the city.
We rented a car to drive from Rome to Florence, which worked out a lot cheaper than travelling by train for a group of 5. Had to do the wine tour in Tuscany which we found on groupon for $45 each.
Very friendly and warm people.
Rome was AMAZING! There is so much to see and experience I would really recommend spending around 2 weeks there. Few tips:
* Use the Hop on hop off buss service to get around. The get you to all the major tourist attractions but with the 24/48/72 hours passes you can use them to go around to almost every part of Rome.
* Walk the back streets. Its easy to stay along the path where you see the tourist, but you find hidden Gems along the Back streets that give more of an Authentic feel than the tourist shops.
* Pasta is a meal that is usually eaten around lunchtime or to start a meal. The proteins/ meats are eaten after.
If you are visiting the Colosseum ( which you Should) use the Hop on Hop Off bus tour combo to get the pass that allows you to skip the line. It can get really long during tourist season.
* Campo Dei Fiori is a nice place during the day, but livens up more at night.
Note: While Rome is a big tourist spot, it has an American feel or Familiarity. A lot of the people speak english. They are not the most polite when it comes to basic things like excuse me. There arent many black people in Rome. The few you many see are typically African refugee’s out peddling. You do get a lot of stares, but I didnt experience any negativity from anyone.
Unfortunately, I did not have a great time in Rome. I am excited to go back to Italy and explore it’s other cities though!
For history site seeing, Rome seems like an ideal destination. But compared to the romance I picture in Italy, it did not meet my expectation. Walking through Rome at night, I felt unsafe at most times. At night, the city was very quiet and being a tourist it was hard to navigate. At the time I went, the Colosseum was block off my construction happening in front of it and there were only a handful of people nearby, A man tried to aggressively sell us memorabilia outside of the Colosseum and wouldn’t take no for an answer. The Trevi Fountain had a lot more people around it and was a lot more attractive in my opinion, but overall each place was spread out.
Transportation into the city was difficult too. And felt slightly dangerous as well. However, I am open to giving Rome another try and eager to visit Italy again.
The history, architecture and art is UNMATCHED. Of course Europe/Europeans have a shady history, but you can’t front on their art. Every building wether it be an old ruin or a new bank, looks like it was chiseled by hand. It is called the eternal city for a good reason, there is history around every turn. It really is a great place to just walk around sight see, grab a glass of wine and do it again. (We did that about 3 times in a day and it was very enjoyable lol). YOU MUST VISIT THE VATICAN. If you are a history/art buff like myself, you MUST see the art that is in the Sistine Chapel, it is breath taking, and much more extensive than just the painting of God and Adam. I definitely recommend it.
Lastly I do want to include…. being a 6’ 2 Black man, with a curvaceous full figured black woman on my side, we got A LOTTT of stares, honestly a ridiculous amount. Nothing was ever said to us, but you just need to keep in mind this is a different enviornment and what is regular to you isn’t to them. Try and have thick skin. You know? Enjoy!
Being the traveler I am, I’d say do as much as you can while you’re there. Rome is a huge city & always busy, and if you get lax, you will leave having done not that much, due to tourist crowds. We stayed in a hotel due to using travel points, but Airbnb would be your best bet in Rome. Most of them are in the city center too. It was cool to walk through the plazas where many movies have filmed scenes.
-Take the train form the airport to Roma Termini station, then call your cab. Saves you hella money.
-Try the pizza & the pasta. It’s simplified but tastes better due to no processed foods in Italy.
-Be ready for constant stares because you don’t see that many Black people in Italy outside of Milan.
-Walk the city and see it by foot. You’ll find places you weren’t even looking for.
-Take the Metro, as it goes everywhere. Also take taxis here & there, as Uber is UBER EXPENSIVE lol.Just know traffic is crazy in Rome, especially in the mornings.
-Admire the architecture, but be expect crowds. The Trevi Fountan was literally crowded all day until around 1am. Colosseum is crowded all day, but once in you can navigate quicker.
-Have money for historical sights. Just about every point of interest has a charge, so make sure your budget allows for it. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill can be accessed off of one ticket. Buy it online in advance, and you can skip the line. It’s like 14 Euros. And it’s good for 2 days.
-Take 2/3 of a day and go do everything in Vatican City. Book it in advance online to save money & time. The line is literally wrapped around the Vatican for at least half the day with people who didn’t get advance tickets waiting to get in. When you get the ticket, get the audioguide with it, as it helps you navigate the vatican museums faster than the groups with the actual human tour guides.
-Other places to see are the Spanish steps, where all the high end shopping is nearby, the Pantheon, and Castel Sant’ Angelo.
Food
Man the food was good. Everything so fresh, and the gelato was better than anywhere else. For the gelato, find a place called Gelateria Della Palma. They have 150 flavors of gelato!! But there is a gelato shop everywhere in Italy, so no worries. As far as food, just find places off in the cut or by the historical sights, and enjoy. You almost can’t make a wrong pick at all.
ENJOY!
Recently returned from 3 days in Rome and I must say I was extremely disappointed especially while reading all other reviews. We visited the Coliseum, Vatican Museum, and Sistine Chapel. To be honest I feel like there has been a lack of maintenance at the sites. 1. the coliseum is large and a great site however there where people smoking on site and expect to sweat in the heat. 2. the vatican museum while having beautiful artifacts is hot, never ending and has no seating, oh and also no food or drink. Now I don’t care about the food but the museum has no A/C so not being able to sit or drink is not favorable in extreme temperature or just regular heat. 3. the sistine chapel was like a pit filled with zombies and a true fire hazard and make sure to dress appropriately. The entire tour felt like I was being herded like cattle. Overall I found Rome dirty with lots of trash, a regular scent of urine was ever present while roaming the city, and rude service personnel. Highlight of Rome was the train station and not just because there is a train that takes you straight to the airport. There is an amazing food section that was an unexpected highlight to this place.
My trip to Rome was my first and only (so far) solo trip. I had a great time, but there were a few moments that made me question if I wanted to come back to Rome again.
• Things to do: If you love touristy sites as much as immersing yourself in local culture, there’s no shortage of things to do in Rome. I spent a whole day walking the city, getting lost in different neighborhoods, trying the staple foods of Italy, and finding all of the famous sites that Rome is known for. Rome is an architectural gem, so if you have time, make sure to sure to find your way to the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Victor Emmanuel Monument, etc.
• Local food: Its cliché, yes.. but you really can’t leave Italy without tasting the pasta and pizza. For pasta, it’s hard to narrow down to one suggestion but the special of the day at Cantieri did leave a nice little impression on my taste buds. As for the pizza, I definitely finished a whole one from Pizzeria San Marco by myself (oops), so it’s safe to say they have my stamp of approval.
• Traveling while Black: I could have done without the side eyes and blatant ignoring I received when dining at some of the nicer restaurants in Rome.
• Safety: I didn’t feel the most comfortable traveling by cab at night. I had one nightmare of a ride from the airport to my hotel where a driver tried to up the price by $50, from what was agreed on, once we were already 25 minutes away from the airport. (Note: Rome is far as hell from the actual airport) When I refused to pay the additional charge, he tried to physically remove me from the van, but keep my luggage hostage. After breaking away from a physical struggle with a grown Italian man, I was down on cash, lost in the middle of nowhere, and still a good 25 minutes from my hotel. Of course, this was a one-off incident, but regardless, it didn’t leave me with the best first impression of Italy. Needless to say, if I ever do Rome solo again, I’m only taking Uber.
I had the best 48 hours in Rome. Through my work travel club, I bagged an offer for two to Rome, including flights, hotel, airport pick up and drop off and tour around the city for £199 pp, Friday to Sunday evening. We stayed at a lovely 4 star Principessa Isabella Hotel with breakfast included. The hotel staff were lovely. We asked the hotel concierge who seemed quite young, where to have dinner, he told us about a restaurant nearby where him and his friends frequent and would be going later. So we went, the food was lovely, later on him and his friend joined us, we had a lovely conversation over drinks. They shared their favourite spots we could visit and other touristic places. Our first night was so surreal, two young women from London in Rome, dining with two strangers and having a good time, stories and laughter. This themed of being carefree and open to experiences run through our entire time there, we didn’t think hard about it. The next day while looking for a place to eat we met a group of friends Italians in front of a restaurant. One was due to visit London soon so we stuck a deal that if they showed us around their city we will do the same for them. We left and went of to our Rome by night tour to the Colosseum, Capitoline Hill, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona and others. When we returned we met up with the guys we had seen earlier, a few more of their friends who had lived in London joined, so we had a little bit of familiarity, which was lovely. We went together with them to a bar/club in an area called the Peak, we had so much fun there. I don’t think it’s an area tourists will necessarily know. There was a line-up of bars/club playing different genre of music the scene there was very different compared to London, I would describe it as laid back but yet fun. I think when you are not travelling solo you can afford to do such things, while of course being cautious. In retrospective it was a risky adventure even though at the time we felt safe and got a positive vibe about the whole the thing. We kept in touch we a couple of the guys and still friendly now. On our last day the same driver dropped us to the airport. It was very short but lovely trips. Rome at night is so beautiful. Highly recommend it , at least a short stay like ours.
So I went to Rome during peak travel season, mid July. We spent the first 3 days in Rome and we hit the ground running so we didn’t miss anything. We stopped by the cat sanctuary which is actually where Julius Caesar was murdered and was later used to feed stray cats in the area. When then visited the Pantheon where they housed statues of the gods. There was so much detail in the museums from the walls to the top of the ceilings. The next day we grabbed some local foods and made our way to the Trevi fountain to make a wish. Rome has so much history to offer. Its best to hit up as much as you can (who needs sleep). Travel tip be sure to purchase tickets online ahead of time, it’ll save you from sweating in the heat and often times a cheaper rate.
Rome is so beautiful…I have always wanted to visit Italy. I am absolutely glad I did..A must see is the Trevi fountain especially at night.. the Colosseum and the Vatican.
So I’ve been dreaming about going to Italy for months and I was actually able to go literally a few days ago (June 2018). Rome was amazing! I got my flight go an unimaginable price of $498 round trip. We stayed in a hotel that was centrally located to all the popular tourist attractions. So, where do I begin because there’s some many things to do and see while in Rome. On one particular day we visited St. Peter’s Basilica and chose to climb up the 551 steps to see the city view from top. That was definitely a work out but it was worth the experience once you make it to the top! We then went to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel which were breathtaking! Don’t try and take a picture in the Sistine Chapel however because apparently it’s not acceptable! Then on another day we went to the infamous Colosseum and Roman Forum but beware the lines will be long and it was very hot that day! My favorite moment was definitely seeing the colosseum up close. We also visited the beautiful Trevi Fountain and threw a coin in I’m guessing it’s for “good luck “! Then there’s the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo which were all also nice for pictures. The food wasn’t that good in my opinion but I’m guessing it’s because I’m accustomed to the American version of Italian food so I just didn’t find their food enjoyable. Get maps on your first day there too because I suggest walking, taking the bus, and taking the subway as your means of transportation because taxis can get expensive. Also, Uber is not well developed there so if you even find an Uber available the price is a rip-off. One of the days we took a two hour train ride to Pisa, Italy which I recommend if you want to see the leaning Tower of Pisa. It’s like opening up a history book right in front of your eyes! Get creative with your pictures too because literally everyone does the same pose in front of the leaning tower (don’t worry you’ll know the pose when you get there)! Overall I loved my Italy experience and I definitely recommend visiting st least once in your lifetime!
Rome has become increasingly popular over the years. This was an adventurous trip, so much to do in Rome and so much history. Easy to get around via train and extremely affordable.
Rome is one of the best trips I have made. The people of the city are very hospitable but the city is really a breathtaking city. We stayed in an Airbnb in the center of Rome, the room was superb but there was too much noise. Indeed the building was at the turn of a famous roundabout named piazza del popolo. Rome is a city frozen in time, the infrastructure of the air very old, the proof of our building is very badly isolated from the noise. But the interest of staying in the city center that less on the trip easier to visit. Moreover all the good addresses are located in the center of the city of Rome. What can easily move from place to place without getting tired. Many places can be treated on foot.
The Italian food is so delicious, we made several restaurants to the Vatican. The dishes were delicious but quite expensive.
As black people, we felt something negative in Beinjing. Passersby in the street greeted us, once even children in a car with their parents greeted us, we made a lot of fun.
The love in Rome is so intense, everything seems ancient Rome;)
Roma my favorite city in the whole entire world. I fell in love with Rome the first time I visited in 2016. Wow what a beautiful city everything about it is perfect. From the city streets, to the beautiful people, to the incredible food. While visiting I stayed at the yellow hostel. Which has been the best hostel I’ve ever been to. Perfect location in walking distance to everything, no need to use public transportation. The yellow was amazing the staff was execellent, the rooms were stunning. Super clean and accommodating. If your ever in Rome make sure you check out the yellow hostel. While in Rome must sees are the colosseum, the Spanish steps, vatican city, and of course the trevi fountain.
Rome is such a beautiful city. The rich history and ruins that are left are an amazing thing to experience. Started at the Colosseum which is an amazing site to see. We took a tour (using a audio guide) and tour guide. This place is soooooo busy.. I mean there are people everywhere, if you want to do the tour on your own, go very very early to line up. If you use a guide they give you an speaker to listen to what they are saying. I suggest to go with a guide.. its a bit costly but worth it. they also take you with tour to another area that show cases ancient Rome.
Next up Vatican City. There are no words to describe this. I def suggest you take a guide. It is so very busy and you wont get in if you don’t have guide. Unfortunately, if the Pope is there you cant get to St Peters Basilica. It is closed. But the Sistine Chapel is an amazing site. Its def must see and DO NOT GET CAUGHT taking a pic.. security will yell at you..LMAOOO (I was able to sneak a pic of me and bae HAHAHA with me sweating bullets).
We also went to the Spanish Steps !! It WAS CLOSED for renovations!! GAHH! No eating sandwiches and people watching for me.. LOL but Trevi Fountain was amazing. I thru a coin over my shoulder so I know I will be back. It is really full there so be prepared to wait to get a great pic. We also went to the Pantheon and were able to take in a little of a sermon (but you couldn’t go inside because there was the ceremony happening). My most fav was sitting in the Piazza della Rontonda, drinking wine watch street performers singing opera. I spent many evenings there just taking in the culture and eating the most delicious food ever. The Food there is no joke.. get ready to eat.. It is THE BEST!
Take a Vespa tour (this was crazy and fun) with a guide. they take you all over, in the traffic weaving in and out of traffic as you go. Def not for the faint of heart but man it was fun.
Nightlife was good – lots of bars and areas to have a good time at. The area of Trastevere is amazing.. little restos and bars will keep you night going for hours and hours. It was lovely to sit on cobblestone patios and enjoy the night air with a glass of your fav vino or beer. Prices were not too horrible there
Overall, its such a love city. I was there 5 days and I didn’t feel it was enough so I will be back…. take your time enjoying the city.. you wont be disappointed.
I lived in Italy for 2 years and frequented Rome on occasion. I highly recommend Rome for a 5 to 6 day stay for people who enjoy tons of tourists, great food, and friendly people. There were lots of pub crawls for people who enjoy night life and mingling with people from around the world. If money is of concern I’d probably avoid Rome for more than a day or two because everything there is inflated to match the heavy tourism. The Colosseum, Spanish steps, Vatican, and Trevi fountain are some of the more known touristy parts that I recommend visiting at least once.
Rome is a gorgeous city rich with history and culture. It is heavily populated and very busy. I went in the off-season and their were still tons of tourists flocking to see all the attractions and monuments. I would definitely suggest taking at least 3 days to see everything as there is quite a lot of walking involved.
The city is a maze; the streets are narrow and full of cobblestone. There are plenty of stunning views with historical parks overlooking the city. And there’s so many sculptures and gorgeous architecture everywhere.
Rome was amazing. I always wanted to visit after learning so much about it in school and I was not disappointed. The colosseum was my favorite history site, it gave me chill. And the food was also delicious!
“When in Rome” there is no shortage of things to do and see. Be sure to wear your best walking shoes (although they may not look good on Instagram outfit picture) as your journey will take you to the plentiful historical sights. What worked for me was to have a few of the major landmarks(colosseum, Trevi fountain, etc) in mind to travel to. Along the way it’s almost guaranteed that you will run into another historical landmark that you didn’t plan
Rome also has some of the best shopping in the world. In between the historical sites, I ran into Gucci, Hermès and Louis Vuitton
Tip: Lines at the colosseum and Vatican museum can be long. There are a few places in the area that sell front of the line passes. Paid 10 euro for the colosseum and it got me into Palantine hill. Definitely a no brainer I could’ve waited 2 hours in line
Rome is a great city to freshen up your mind on history whike checking out ancient artifacts. The Roman Colosseum, Vatican City (Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel), Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps and Altare della Patria are all must see landmarks. I stayed at the FH Grand Hotel Palatino. This hotel was perfect as far as location is concerned. The hotel isn’t anything too special but it is clean, a 5 minute walk from the colosseum and 15 minute walk from Rome’s major train station which can take you to other cities. I wasn’t blown away by the food in Rome; however Florence and Venice took care of that. So, I would advise that you save your appetite for those two cities. Dress comfy and wear comfy shoes because you will do a lot of walking through those monumental structures that Rome has to offer.
Rome is amazing and is quite simply a living museum as you explore the city and it’s rich history. I actually was not very excited to visit before arriving and had the mindset that I’m no history buff so what does a place like Rome have to offer besides it’s History! Well with that said I ended up spending my birthday in a toga walking the streets of Rome with a huge group of new found friends in a pub crawl. The nightlife is a cherry on top of all the adventures to be had in the city. So many iconic monuments just walking distance apart from each other. The Vatican City which is considered the smallest country in the world is walking distance from several must see monuments like the Coliseum and Trevi fountain.
I love pub crawls aboard and I’ve done several now and I can say without a doubt http://www.pubcrawlrome.com “the ultimate pub crawl” is one you will never forget if you have the chance to join them. Its a very cool theme and concept which really embraces where you are at while having more than a few drinks with friends. When in Rome wear a toga!
Rome is amazing. There is so much to do and so much to see. I reccomend staying in an air bnb, they are way more affordable and you feel like a native living in Rome. Nightlife in Rome is very vibrant. There is a string of bars along the Tiber River that goes on for miles, my friends and I enjoyed hopping around from place to place doing hookah and interacting with new people. Rome is very affordable and for a good price you can get great food.
My partner and I went to Rome several years ago and to date, it is my favourite place in Europe. Rome is full of history and if you have the time, take the opportunity to learn about the city/country. It’s totally worth a visit. Not forgetting how AMAZING the food and people are. It is just picturesque!!
Definitely check out Rome if you are into history. It’s amazing seeing different culture and how other people live! It is well known about the landscapes and architect and you won’t be let down. I got a chance to check out the vatican and some other historic sites. It’s interesting to see how they commute and value sleep! I had locals help with food choices on many occasions. It’s a place you need to visit more than once to soak it all in.
You want to see history, well Rome is definitely the place to go, to see just that. Talking about thousands of years of history here, the first democracy was established in Rome! We went to the Vatican and wow!! Warning, the Vatican will take 1 full day period; Unless you rush through it and even then it will still take hours; not a place you want to rush through anyway. Take a cab to the coliseum and get the chills once it’s in your sights!! Nowhere near as time consuming as the Vatican, but so much history there, was amazing to be in that place, you could feel the energy while marveling at the ingenuity of the Romans.
Rome, Italy was outstanding! It your interest is history, then Rome is definitely a place to travel! The Roman Colosseum is only one of the many history attractions while visiting Rome. The food and wine tours are phenomenal! I would recommend booking tours when visiting the popular attractions. This way you’ll truly get the opportunity to understand the culture. I highly recommend combo tours (tours that go to several locations), and make sure your tour has the Skip The Line option. Just like Venice, Italy, bring very comfortable walking shoes. My favorite place was the Rome Gourmet Wine and Dinner Experience in a Private Cellar by the Pantheon. The food, wine, and people were impressive! Don’t forget to have a roof top experience! We visited this location during the warm season, which was the most recommended. And last but not least, you must go to Trevi Fountain and make a wish!
Plan more than a week to tour Rome; so much to do from dawn to dusk. Plan to spend a day at the Colosseum as well Vatican City. Make sure there is enough available space to load the 1000 pics you will want to take on whatever device you use. Spend your evening at the Trevi Fountain when it’s best lit.
I loveeee to roam rome :)
Probably one if the most romantic places ive ever been in my life but CAUTION..if you are close to giving birth..please dont go there lololol…most of the road are made out of cobble stone so the ride is extremelyyyyy bumpy..it made me nauseous after eating so pregggos…you get the picture..but besides that, the romans just live..happy people, very polite nd the foooooooood is amazingggg if you’re into pasta and pizza..there is so much history there as well..so much to see, so much to eat :(
Hotel are not that expensive I usually book everything from Expedia i think they have the best prices hands down..the colosseum is usually very crowded so your best bet is to get there early to get your winning photos and that goes for the trevi fountain as well…make a wish..throw your coin -*wink *wink
Amazing rich history! I felt like everywhere we went had an important story associated with it. The food was delicious and souvenir vendors along the road were elegant and cheap. Try to attend an apperitvo when you go. It’s the Italian version of happy hour :)
Just visited Rome for the Thanksgiving Holiday week, and spent 4 days in the amazing city. It was quite easy to get around on foot and without a doubt there is definitely things to do in this city. If you are interested in checking out the historic sites, some of the best include the Colessuem, Palatine Hill, Trevi fountain, Pantheon, Vatican City, and so much more. The ruins are by far the most impressive to see as it amazed me how far the back these date to. I would also recommend doing a day trip to another city. I did one to the island of Capri and this was by far my favorite trip! Food is the absolute best! Perfecto!!! I spent half of the trip bumping into places that caught my eye, and turned out to be really amazing, and the other half being so hungry from all the walking I would just walk into the nearest restaurant. I was not disappointed in either instances. Ciao!
Rome was such a beautiful city to visit. I stayed at a hotel walking distance from the Trevi fountain. The view of the fountain at night is mind blowing. I was also situated minutes from the stores which I was close to every designer store you could think of. The night life was pretty dope because the 2 clubs we did go to did not require an entry fee and they had a good selection of DJs playing the latest hip hop songs which we really enjoyed. Traffic in Italy is very complicated and the drivers are all very erratic from the scooters to the cars. Everything from the floors and walls in center of Rome to the parks have a lot of history or unique architecture behind it which all of the locals seem to know if you were to ask. All in all I would saying Rome is the perfect place for a romantic pizza date.
What can I say.. Rome was everything that’s in our history books plus much more! Food, night life, things to do. Everything was unbelievable !!