Post by @annick.lemay
Rome is definitely one of the most romantic and talked about cities in the world. From rich history to incredible culture, to amazing food, this Italian city has it all! My job has taken me to Rome twice so far and I am already eager to go back. Although it is a big city, I would say you don't need more than a day or two to see and appreciate all the main attractions. Here is what I managed to do within my short 24-hour layover in August.
We landed in Rome around 11:00 a.m. By the time we deplaned, cleared customs, and took our shuttle bus to the hotel it was about 1:00 pm. Usually, after working a long flight to Europe, the first thing I do is nap. But this time my crew convinced me to go out right away. When we got to the hotel we all went to our rooms, showered, changed, and got ready for a day of adventure.
1. Trevi Fountain
The first place we visited was the Trevi Fountain. From our hotel, it was a nice 10-minute walk to Piazza di Trevi; the weather was perfect!. When we got to the fountain, there were so many people. We had to wait forever just to get a picture and to throw a coin in; it was amazing nonetheless. The belief is that if you throw a coin in the fountain (with your back to the fountain throwing the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder) it will ensure a return to Rome. Believe it or not, I did end up flying back to Rome a few months later.
Coincidence? After throwing our coins, we walked around for a little while. Piazza di Trevi is full of souvenir shops, restaurants, and kiosks selling delicious gelato. Although, you should buy your gelato on your way to (or from) the fountain because sellers at the piazza jack up their prices). Trevi Fountain is definitely a must-see when visiting Rome.
2. The Majestic Colosseum
The next thing on our list was the famous Colosseum. We could've walked from Trevi Fountain (20 mins approximately) but we decided to take a taxi because we were very short on time. When we arrived at the Colosseum the sun was about to set; the lighting was breathtaking! It is such a special piece of architecture. It makes you feel like you are going back in history.
A Few Fun Facts About The Colosseum:
The construction of the Colosseum started in 72 A.D. Ten years later, in 80 A.D. it finally opened its doors. That means the amphitheater is almost 2000 years old!
It is said that it could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. It is the largest amphitheater in the world!
There were many rooms and underground passages below the Colosseum where they kept animals and gladiators.
The Colosseum is also known as Flavian Amphitheatre (Amphitheatrum Flavium in Italian).
If you want to visit the inside make sure you go during opening hours: between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
3. Pantheon
After spending some time at the Colosseum, we decided to go for a nice dinner. We walked back towards our hotel and stumbled upon the Pantheon. There are many restaurants facing this gorgeous building; we ate at Da Claudia Ristorante. There was a man playing guitar, vendors in the street, and candles on all the tables. I felt like I was in a movie! We each ordered pasta, a full pizza, and a full bottle of wine (when in Rome, haha). The food was better than I ever could have imagined. If you go to Rome you need to try pasta, pizza, wine, and gelato. Talking about gelato, we had some for dessert on our way back to the hotel. It was the best gelato I've had in my life, by far!
It was an amazing day full of adventures. By the time I went to bed, I had been up for about 24-hours straight. As you can imagine I slept like a baby that night; cabin crew life is not always glamorous (haha).
4. Vatican City
The next morning one of my colleagues and I decided to wake up early to visit Vatican City before our flight back to Canada. We had breakfast in a cute little cafe next to the hotel then walked over to Vatican City; it was about 5 minutes from our hotel. We did not have enough time to go inside the Sistine Chapel but we walked around, took pictures, and talked to people. The best part was meeting locals and learning about the history of the Vatican City.
Things to know about Vatican City
Ladies! If you want to go inside the Sistine Chapel, make sure you are wearing appropriate clothes. If your shoulders and knees are not covered you will not be able to go in! Make sure you follow the dress code.
The line to get inside the Sistine Chapel is always extremely long. Pro-tip: allow enough time in your itinerary, be patient, and book everything online to save time.
St Peter's Basilica as well as St Peter's Square are free. You have to pay to get into the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Dome but it costs less than 20 Euros.
The last thing we had on our list was to go check out the Spanish Steps. Unfortunately for us, they were under renovations at the time and most of it was closed; we did not get to experience the full thing. Hopefully, I will be able to see the famous steps one day.
If you are planning a trip to Rome, my best advice would be to wake up early. It is always a good idea to visit popular places early in the morning or late at night.
Doing so allows you to avoid the crowds as Rome gets extremely congested. My favorite thing about Rome was the food, I am a big foodie. I think every traveler should go visit this Italian city at least once in their life. Go learn about history, religion, and indulge in some world-famous gelato while walking through one of the most romantic cities in the world!
Annick xxx
