Fountains, Food, and Fun: My Discoveries When in Rome
Ever since I watched The Lizzie McGuire Movie, it has been an absolute dream of mine to visit Rome, Italy. That dream finally came to fruition in February 2019. Much to my surprise, no popstar named Paolo Valisari let me ride on the back of his moped. Regardless, I enjoyed my time in Rome. I was doing as the Romans do for 48 hours, and here’s a list of what I was able to experience in that time frame.
Trevi Fountain + Gelato
The Trevi Fountain had to be one of my favorite locations in Rome. The soothing sound of the water fountain gave me peace and serenity amongst the touristy chaos. We stopped for bought some gelato nearby and brought it back to the largest fountain in the city.
This little excursion is free of charge unless your tossing in some Euros and making a wish, which you should totally do at least once in your life. When in Rome, right?
My sister and I learned that an average of 3,000 Euros is tossed in the fountain each day. We also learned the money from the fountain is donated to charity to help those in need.
Before my trip to Europe, a friend of mine told me about a hidden water fountain located to the back right of the fountain. If you take a drink out of it, you will become a virgin again.
Fill up!
Spanish Steps
When my sister first visited Rome a few years ago, the Spanish steps were under construction and she was unable to fully experience them. We decided to go back to visit them since construction was complete and it was a short walk from the Trevi Fountain.
And I know what you may be thinking. You went to Rome to see some stairs? Who cares, right? Well, I thought the same thing until we arrived. Leading up to this touristy spot, there were a ton of fancy shops and some of the most talented street performers I have ever seen.
After lounging on the stairs for a bit, we decided to climb to the top of the staircase. Once we reached the top, you were able to take in the breathtaking views of the entire city of Rome. We watched the sunset from the top of the stairs that evening. It was an unforgettable, vibrant sunset, and a moment I will cherish forever from my first day in Italy.
Vatican Museum + Sistine Chapel
Another must see in Rome is visiting the Vatican Museum. I am beyond thankful I bought early access tickets to go into the museum before the museum was opened to the public, and filled to the brim. I’d highly recommend to anyone to purchase an early-bird ticket.
The museum was so secluded at seven in the morning. I enjoyed walking around the hallways solo, walking at my leisure and admiring pieces from art that transported me to a different decade.
Another highlight of the museum was The Octagonal Courtyard filled with the most detail-oriented statues. It was outside and undisturbed. I sat here for a bit, soaking it all in.
Since I was at the museum bright and early, literally before I could even eat breakfast, I had the opportunity to look at the Sistine Chapel before any security guards were even in the room (don’t ask me how or why they guards weren’t there prior to people entering the museum. I’m still confused about it to this day). It was a surreal seeing this mural I’ve seen in pictures for years and studied in school.
Pro-tip: Bring a pair of binoculars when you visit the Sistine Chapel so you can see all the tiny details.
Roman Forum + Colosseum
Discover the largest amphitheatre ever built during your visit to Rome. In the past, this is where they held gladiator battles, chariot races, animal shows, even executions.
Don’t forget to purchase your entrance ticket online in advance to skip the long lines. You won’t want to wait in line when you could be inside marveling at the architecture! If you want to learn more about the colosseum, be sure to purchase a guided tour ticket. I used Headout throughout my entire trip for different experiences.
Right next to the colosseum you will find The Arch of Constantine, The Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
The Roman Forum has a ton of remains from what used to be the bustling market place. After several centuries, there were still some ancient pillars standing.
After walking through The Roman Forum, we climbed to the top of Palatine Hill. Palatine Hill overlooks the entire Forum. We snapped some pictures, guzzled down some water, and people watched.
Have you been to Rome? What are some of your favorite spots to visit?