Weekend in Rome
Description:
Rome has a feeling like no other city, with tiny scooters zipping around millenia-old buildings in an incredible melding of ancient and modern. It is a city made for walking, and with a stay in the Eden hotel in the middle of the historic center of the city, it's possible to explore many of the major landmarks on foot.
Author: JennyMM
Day 1 - Rome
With only a few days to see the city, stay in its center at the Eden hotel, within walking distance of many of Rome's most interesting sights. Eden is one of Rome's best hotels, and is impeccably clean, has great service and views, and fantastic restaurants. Begin with a walk down the Spanish Steps, one of Rome's iconic landmarks, down to the Piazza di Spagna, and find an espresso or some gelato in one of the square's many cafes. Walk to the nearby Fontana di Trevi, and throw a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain for good luck for an auspicious start to your vacation. Have dinner on top of the hotel, in the Terrazza dell'Hotel Eden, for insightful Italian fare and a beautiful city view.
1
Piazza di Spagna
Location:
view in google mapspiazza di Spagna
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 6 48 8991 (Tourist Information)2
Trevi Fountain (Fontana dei Trevi)
Location:
view in google mapspiazza di Trevi
Piazza di Trevi
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 06 060 608(Tourist Information)3
Terrazza dell'Hotel Eden (La)
Location:
view in google maps49 Via Ludovisi
Hotel Eden
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone:
39 6 47 81214
Hotel Eden
Location:
view in google mapsVia Ludovisi 49
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone:
06-478121Day 2 - Rome
In the morning, go see the Pantheon, incredibly well preserved and full of statues and other ancient artwork. You can't miss out on espresso from Sant'Eustachio, Rome's most famous coffee shop. Grab a snack here, too, to tide you over for the afternoon. Spend a few hours in the Capitoline Museum, which is full of medieval and Renaissance frescoes, statues, tapestries and paintings. Walk east to tour the Roman Forum, the former center of Roman life. One ticket covers entrance to the Forum, the Palatino Ruins, and the Colosseum. It's an open excavation site, so be prepared to walk around the dirt of the ruins to see them. Just near the Colosseum is the Arco di Constantino, a triumph arch. Built to commemorate Constantine's victorious return to the city, it is covered with friezes depicting his reign as emperor. Last, explore the Colosseum, probably Rome's most recognizable landmark. Avoid the guided tours and pictures with people in costume you'll be offered around the perimeter, and opt to wander the site yourself. Although nearly 2000 years old, it isn't hard to imagine what a gladiatorial show here must have felt like when you're walking around the interior. Wind down with some antipasto and an Italian wine tasting at Trimani. After, if you're still hungry, Trattoria Monti has great home-style hearty pastas to fill up on.
1
The Pantheon
Location:
view in google mapspiazza della Rotonda
Piazza della Rotonda
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 6 6830 02302
Caffè Sant'Eustachio
Location:
view in google mapsPiazza Sant'Eustachio 82
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone:
06-688020483
Capitoline Museum
Location:
view in google mapsPiazza del Campidoglio
186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
396820591274
Roman Forum
Location:
view in google mapsVia Romolo Artioli
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 06 3996 77005
Arco di Costantino
Location:
view in google mapsvia San Gregorio
Piazza del Colosseo
00184 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 6 48 8991 (Tourist Information)6
The Colosseum (Colosseo)
Location:
view in google mapsPiazza del Colosseo
Piazzale del Colosseo, Via dei Fori Imperiali
00184 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 6 700 4261 / +39 6 700 54697
Trimani Il Wine Bar
Location:
view in google mapsvia Cernaia 37b
00185 Rome, Italy
Phone:
39 6 446 96308
Trattoria Monti (La)
Location:
view in google mapsvia San Vito 13a
00185 Rome, Italy
Phone:
39 6 446 6573Day 3 - Rome
It definitely pays to get to the Vatican early, as waits can be as long as several hours in the afternoon. In the morning, you should be able to get in fairly quickly. Tour the grounds and beautiful gardens, as well as the museums, full of amazing ancient artifacts. The Apostolic Palace, the Pope's residence, is home to the Sistine Chapel, which of course houses some of the world's most famous frescoes. Michelangelo's "Last Judgment" is breathtaking, no matter how many times you've seen it in print. St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest Christian churches in the world, and houses some incredible art, including Michelangelo's Pieta, and the interior is also pretty awe-inspiring. The square outside, with the Egyptian obelisk, is a single massive sundial. Depending on how late it is, have a late lunch or early dinner at the unique and always fantastic Il Convivio Troiani.
1
The Vatican
Location:
view in google mapsviale Vaticano
Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 06 6982 (Switchboard)2
Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museums)
Location:
view in google mapsViale Vaticano
00165 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 (0)6 6988 30413
Sistine Chapel
Location:
view in google mapsviale Vaticano
Viale del Vaticano
Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 068 530 17584
Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter's Basilica)
Location:
view in google mapspiazza San Pietro
Piazza San Pietro
00193 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 (0)6 48 8991 (Tourist Information)5
Il Convivio Troiani
Location:
view in google mapsVicolo dei Soldati 31
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
06-6869432