“Rome is like a lasagna; there are many layers.” – Paolo, Walks of Italy.

The Eternal City will eternally be in your mind as a spectacular, bustling city filled with history that shaped the foundations of the modern world. In September 2021, my fiancรฉ and I took the trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait to share our adventures with you! He actually proposed in Rome at the BEST restaurant that we have ever been to – read below to find out where!


Things to Do in Rome:

Self Walking Tour (1.5): One of my favorite things to do in an unfamiliar city is to go on a walking tour of the area to take in the sites and surroundings. I feel like this helps ground me immediately and gets me excited for the trip ahead! Our walking tour was about 1 hour roundtrip walking, and of course you need to leave time for photos! Suggested route: (1*) Spanish Steps, (2)* Trevi Fountain, (3)* Galleria Sciarra, (4)* the Pantheon, (5) Piazza Navona, (6) Via Margutta, (7)* Stravinskij bar at the Hotel de Russie, (8) Piazza del Popolo. If you’re short on time, asterisks indicate the ones that I wouldn’t miss!


St. Peter’s Basilica Tour, including Dome Climb & Crypt (2.5 hours): Did you know that it took 120 years to build the Vatican!?! For me, this tour was one of my favorite activities in Rome and one of the highlights of the trip. We booked the St. Peterโ€™s Basilica from Top to Bottom with Dome Climb & Crypt with Walks of Italy and our guide was fantastic and very informative and well worth the 8:15am arrival (I am not an early riser on vacation!). Our guided tour meandered through St. Peter’s Square, climbed the dome, and visited the basilica and crypt. St. Peter’s Basilica is already incredible, and to climb to the top and see a bird’s eye view of the Vatican was spectacular.


Vatican Museum (2 hours): The Vatican Museum is one of the most recognized museums in the world; the Pope is elected in the Sistine Chapel (part of the Vatican) and the museum is a solid visit for first timers to Rome. If you enjoy museum tours, you should definitely commit to a guided or self-tour to take in theย vastย history and art. If you are short on time, or if you don’t typically enjoy museums, I’d strongly recommend opting to visit St. Peterโ€™s Basilica or the Colosseum instead!


Colosseum & Palatine Hill (4h): Another must-do while in Rome is a visit to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. Again, we booked our tour through Walks of Italy and did the VIP Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill and it was fascinating! Our tour began at Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, and then continued to the Colosseum. In June 2021, the undergrounds of the Colosseum opened for the first time, allowing visitors to see the underground passageways used by ancient gladiators. I would definitely recommend seeing this area on your tour!


Julius Caesar Walking Tour (2.5 hours): Admittedly, I did went on this tour because of my fiancรฉ, but I have to say that the tour was fantastic for history buffs like him and explorers alike! We walked through areas off the beaten path and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the different squares and neighborhoods of Rome, particularly the Jewish Quarter!


Trastevere (2h): Although we didn’t spend a lot of time here at all (walked down the street for 15 minutes), this is a favorite of many travelers to Rome. In fact, and as I’m sure you have seen in your research, it appears on multiple blogs; my coworkers also recommended the area! If you have time, be sure to wander through the neighborhood and grab a drink or bite to eat!


Where to Eat in Rome:

La Pergola (3h): La Pergola in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel was the best meal that I have had in my life (I’m not kidding). Although I got engaged here (YAY!), the view, food, and service was as incredible as you would expect from a 3 Michelin Star restaurant. Make sure to book way in advance and book an outside table closest to the edge of the balcony. You will have an amazing view overseeing Rome and the hotel’s gorgeous grounds. If you’re a foodie and not afraid to drop money on a meal, this is it!

We went to a few other spots that were alright (Armando al Pantheon, Rimessa Roscioli, and Singer Palace), but the standout was definitely La Pergola. When we go back to Rome, we would also want to try Roscioli Salumeria which seems to be a popular pick amongst travelers!


Where to Drink in Rome:

La Pergola: Arrive early to your dinner to enjoy the beautiful outdoor seating area where we ordered drinks and had complementary bites prepared by the chef while we waited for our table.


Jim’s Rooftop Bar at the Singer Palace Hotel: This bar is a hip and relaxing rooftop bar with urban views in the heart of Rome. The music is modern and the cocktails are strong and delicious. They have the best aperitivo (drink + food combination). I still think about the couscous (pictured below)!


Vinaietto: You will be mingling with locals here in this small establishment (you know it’s good when they don’t have a website!). The party spills onto the streets where cars become tabletops and the cobblestones becomes seating. The wine is delicious and affordable. To me, this is a must do in Rome to get the feel of the city!


Roof Garden Bar at the Bio Hotel Raphael: This little rooftop bar is quaint and multi-level right near Piazza Navona. It was the perfect spot for aperitivo before dinner! They served little “italian hamburgers” aka cheese and tomato sandwich!


Hotel Minerva Rooftop Bar: This rooftop is another urban oasis with a view of the Pantheon. The pigeons are pesky, but it’s definitely a fun spot! Unfortunately, it appears that the rooftop is closed for the Summer 2022 season, but check back when you’re booking your trip!


Where to Stay in Rome:

We had an absolutely FABULOUS stay at the Singer Palace Hotel in Rome. The location, customer service, accommodations, rooftop bar, and breakfast were excellent and efficient. The front desk never hesitated to request taxis, book reservations, or assist us in any way that they could. I would definitely stay here in Rome again!


Other Travel tips:

For social media exclusive photos and tips, see my Rome Instagram highlight!


Suggested Itineraries:

1 Day: St. Peterโ€™s Basilica full tour, The Colosseum, self walking tour for city highlights,ย rooftop aperitivo at Bio Hotel Raphael, dinner at La Pergola

2 Days:

  • Day 1: Same as above!
  • Day 2: Colosseum and Roman Forum/Palatine Hill walking tour, rooftop aperitivo, dinner at Roscioli Salumeria, night cap at Vinaietto

Happy Travels! Check out my Dubrovnik and Hvar blogs for more exciting travel info!

~Meredith


Disclaimer: Within my blogs such as this one, I selectively share the experiences that I loved and/or would recommend. The experiences, food, etc. I choose not to share are because others may enjoy them, but they wouldnโ€™t personally be my recommendations. As such, know that these posts are selectively curated for you, my friends and family, and myself ๐Ÿ™‚