First, I made a small list of things in Rome, then a few general Europe travel tips at the bottom.
If you have any questions, ask me!
If you have any questions, ask me!
Rome
Sites:
Obviously all of the big things: Coloseo, Roman Forum, Vittoriano Monument, Pantheon, The Vatican & St. Peter's, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps & Via del Corso. You can actually do all of them in a day excluding the Vatican, of course you'll be walking a lot!
The Vatican and the Basilica I would advise doing a separate day. For the Vatican, Wednesdays he arrives in the square in his pope-mobile and does a blessing outdoors (which is incredible!) but you won't be able to get into the church until the afternoon. Sundays he does the Papal Angelus, which is the blessing from his apartment window which is equally incredible. This day the church remains open through it. To get into the church, on any given day there is usually a line approx. 1 hour long but on Sundays and such obviously it will be longer. IMPORTANT:: Don't listen to what the people say about paying to skip the lines!!! My friends tried and it was a total scam!
If you haven't seen it yet, I would try to do both the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica (don't forget to climb to the top of the dome!) The view from the top of St. Peter's is absolutely stunning and you can see everything in Rome. Absolutely amazing.
I would definitely 100% recommend going to the Knights of Malta hidden keyhole on the Aventine hill. It's a tad hard to find but totally worth the great unobstructed view of St. Peter's. Not many people know about it and its right near the Forum and Vittoriano so you can hit it on the way to other things!
Basilica de San Paulo - This is the gorgeous Basilica of St. Paul. You can get here from the B line metro and it is definitely worth going to! It's beautiful and off the beaten path for tourists. It is built differently than other churches and I love it. Outside there is a cute cafe that has THE BEST cappuccino con Nutella. The cup is lined with Nutella.. it's actually life changing.
Basilica de San Paulo - This is the gorgeous Basilica of St. Paul. You can get here from the B line metro and it is definitely worth going to! It's beautiful and off the beaten path for tourists. It is built differently than other churches and I love it. Outside there is a cute cafe that has THE BEST cappuccino con Nutella. The cup is lined with Nutella.. it's actually life changing.
Villa Borghese is great for a beautiful sunny day. You can rent the 4 person bikes with the canopy and ride around all day, it's really big and a lot of people like to run and exercise there!
The Trastevere Area in general- if you have time to wander, this is the place to do it. I still haven't explored everything and I fall in love with Rome every time I turn a corner! Its beautiful and picturesque and an amazing area.
The Trastevere Area in general- if you have time to wander, this is the place to do it. I still haven't explored everything and I fall in love with Rome every time I turn a corner! Its beautiful and picturesque and an amazing area.
The Jewish Ghetto- If you have time, this is pretty cool to see. The museum inside the synagogue is cool and they give you a free tour. Also, outside there is a bakery that is known for the sweet pizza. Not really sure what it's called but if you Google jewish ghetto bakery, one should come up that talks about how rude the lady's who run it are... this isn't a joke. But the sweets are to die for!
PSA for the sites!
The first Sunday of every month is FREE to get into the Coloseo and Roman Forum and a few other cool things you usually have to pay for.
As for churches, you can literally stumble upon one walking down a back side street and it'll be gorgeous. Dress conservatively or carry a small cardigan with you to be respectful.
Restaurants::
Okay, I can't even remember how many great places I've been to at this point, but here is a list of my absolute favs in a few categories:
Breakfast:
They prefer a light, small breakfast. Usually a cornetto con nutella/marmalata and a cappuccino.
Once it is past 2 or 3 pm though, they frown upon ordering a cappuccino!! Stick with a latte or plain cafe (espresso).
Gusto - Has amazing drinks and a really fun atmosphere! It was 10 euro for all you can eat aperitivo buffet and a drink. We went and they had live music too!
Dinner - usually had between 7-9 pm.
Dar Poeta- This is a great little hole-in-the-wall place. Every.Single.'Za.Is.Great. You seriously can't go wrong with anything.
Pizzeria Da Buffeto- I think this is my favorite pizza place so far in Rome. Its so tiny and there is always a huge line, so get there early! The Buffeto pizza, the first thing on the menu was AMAZING. That's my personal recommendation, but again you can't really go wrong here.
Bar del Fico- This place is quirky and hip and I loved it. It has an open kitchen where you can watch them make your pizza! Loved the atmosphere here.
Bar del Fico- This place is quirky and hip and I loved it. It has an open kitchen where you can watch them make your pizza! Loved the atmosphere here.
La Cucaracha (Mexican) - if for some reason you're craving Mexican this is the place!
Gelato- ANY TIME OF DAY :)
Gelato is amazing. That is all.
Della Parma- this baby has 150 flavors of gelato goodness. Also, it has soy gelato for lactose intolerant people! (personally I suffer through and get the normal kind because gelato will change your life). Here, my fav is the Nutella gelato! Its the best nutella gelato I've had yet.
Giolitti- The atmosphere is so cool here, its very old and its got character. Great gelato all around! The fragola (strawberry) is amazing here!
Frigidarium - (right around the corner from Pizzeria Da Buffeto... perfect!) Our recent personal favorite!
PSA: Please please stay away from the restaurants surrounding any piazza, if it has pictures of the food on it's menus or if it has Christmas lights on it's patio umbrellas. TOURIST TRAP. The food is never as good and its so much more expensive. If you wander down a road away from a central piazza, you'll find where the Romans eat. Much better food, and way cheaper.
Also, they don't drink in excess. For college age Americans, this somewhat of a strange concept.
Camp di Fiori is infamous for being the spot for study abroad students to go out and get wasted on 1 euro shots and drinks. This isn't authentic Rome. Most Romans look down on this behavior. Instead take the time to search for other clubs if that's what you want for the night! They aren't hard to find and so much more fun than being around other annoying Americans! Scholar's lounge is also very American but it has karaoke on Tuesdays (and who doesn't love a good karaoke night).
Also, they don't drink in excess. For college age Americans, this somewhat of a strange concept.
Camp di Fiori is infamous for being the spot for study abroad students to go out and get wasted on 1 euro shots and drinks. This isn't authentic Rome. Most Romans look down on this behavior. Instead take the time to search for other clubs if that's what you want for the night! They aren't hard to find and so much more fun than being around other annoying Americans! Scholar's lounge is also very American but it has karaoke on Tuesdays (and who doesn't love a good karaoke night).
Fashion::
They're pretty conservative but they always look amazing. Black is their favorite color for clothes. They don't wear shorts really, but more sundresses and skirts. Obviously when it's hot in the summer wear whatever you're most comfortable in, especially if you're going to be walking a lot. Tennis shoes are a must. The cobblestone is hard to maneuver in anything else!
General awesomeness of Rome:
Technically you're supposed to pay for the buses, but no one checks and you can hop on and off for free! The metro is amazingly easy and pretty cheap (1.50) per ride and there are only 2 lines.
Terrevision is great for getting from both Fumicino and Ciampino airports to Termini for 4 euro.
Bring a water bottle with you everywhere!! They make you pay for water at the table, and I've found myself very very dehydrated a few times. A water bottle you can easily fill up at one of the many fontanellas (little fountains) on almost every street.
EUROPE TRAVELS IN GENERAL
I took my first solo European vacation a few weeks ago and I was terrified. I had never been to this place and I was alone. My friend gave me the best advice that was so simple.
ASK QUESTIONS
If they don't speak the language, usually they can direct you to someone who can. Authority, such as police, hospitals, churches might seem intimidating but if you need help they are there. Local shop owners or hotel staff know their towns and are usually more than willing to help you out as well with directions or advice.
ASK QUESTIONS
If they don't speak the language, usually they can direct you to someone who can. Authority, such as police, hospitals, churches might seem intimidating but if you need help they are there. Local shop owners or hotel staff know their towns and are usually more than willing to help you out as well with directions or advice.
Apps:
Skyscanner is a free app and it searches for the cheapest flights. A great place to start looking for flights. When you fly RyanAir, they ask you always print out your boarding pass. If you don't, you'll pay the at airport for them to do it for you..
Viber/WhatsApp- I would recommend downloading both before you get here because they require a text message confirmation. People use both and it's better to have them just in case.
Uber- Uber is huge here! Way way better than taxis and usually cheaper!
Hola- For your computer. This download allows you to search the web and use Netflix and YouTube as if you were still in the United States!
Translate- This one is obvious. If you don't speak the language, its a life saver.
CityWalk- I found this one in Greece. They have both free ones and ones you can buy premium for around 3 euro. Its an app with self guided tours in cities all over Europe that doesn't use data! Cool!
When you exchange your money, do it at the airport. Also try to exchange all of it at once. There is usually a fee and you'll get the best deal this way. Everyone mostly uses cash, and ATM's aren't hard to find. I would make sure you know what your bank's policy is for taking out cash overseas so you aren't hit with crazy fees! On that note, notify your bank you're traveling so they don't think your info has been stolen!
Try to figure out the metro/bus system wherever you are. So much cheaper and probably faster!
However, BE AWARE OF BEING PICKPOCKETED. It is a huge problem. I had my wallet stolen so I know first hand. Wear your backpacks on the front of you and make sure your wallet is in your front pockets as well. Also keep your phone in your hand or in your sight at all times.
Spain, Greece and Italy all use the same shaped plugs.
Phones & Data
I kept my smart phone and bought a SIM card from a phone store here called Wind. It's alright for within Italy but I haven't been able to activate it internationally. My friends have been able to though, so I'm not sure if it is just my phone with issues.. Vodafone has stores every country I've been to so that might be another option.
I know T-Mobile has a GREAT international plan so if you can, check into that.
Phones & Data
I kept my smart phone and bought a SIM card from a phone store here called Wind. It's alright for within Italy but I haven't been able to activate it internationally. My friends have been able to though, so I'm not sure if it is just my phone with issues.. Vodafone has stores every country I've been to so that might be another option.
I know T-Mobile has a GREAT international plan so if you can, check into that.
If you're only staying for a few weeks to a month, I think getting an international plan through your company on your existing phone would be the best and cheapest option, it's not fun to have 0 data in a foreign country...
If anyone wants recommendations in other countries, I've been to:
Italy (obviously)- Rome, Lake Como, Milan, Florence, Naples & Calabria
Great Britain- London
Spain- Barcelona, Valencia & Seville
Greece- Santorini
If anyone wants recommendations in other countries, I've been to:
Italy (obviously)- Rome, Lake Como, Milan, Florence, Naples & Calabria
Great Britain- London
Spain- Barcelona, Valencia & Seville
Greece- Santorini
Buy experiences not things!
Be smart. Think logically.Safe travels. Have fun!
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