Rome
Where we stayed: Airbnb close to Campo di Fiori
Transporation: Fly into FCA (Leonardo Da Vinci Intl)
Take train out of airport straight to Roma Termini (about a half hour ride). Can buy tickets at the airport (kiosks outside the tracks) or use the airport website to buy tickets online. (Omio, Leonardo express tickets, trenitalia, etc.)
Train runs every 30 mins, tickets are 14 euros for one way
Other option is taking the bus (anywhere from 1 euro to 23 euros) and takes about 45 mins, or a taxi (FREENOW) which will be about 27 mins and cost anywhere from 65 euros to 85 euros.
There are taxis waiting outside Roma Termini - make sure you have euros. My taxi driver stopped at an atm for me.
Google Maps List: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FT56ELRYmqki5CZz6
Useful Tips:
you can refill your water bottle at fountains around Rome (Nasoni)
bring a bag that zips and you can keep it in front of you
have euros on you, taxis are typically cash only
save room in your luggage for a leather bag
Day 1
We arrived on a Friday afternoon at Roma Termini and took a taxi. It was cash only.
After getting settled at our Airbnb, we walked around Campo di Fiori and across the river to Trastevere. We ate dinner at Mimi & Coco; we ordered Lasagna (10/10) and Cacio e Pepe (also fab but lasagna was crowd favorite). They gave us complimentary limoncello.
After dinner, we went to a bar nearby. Trastevere is full of options to eat and drink. We made our way to Scholars Pub. Ended the night with VIP (Very Italian Pizza) to soak up all the wine we’d drank.
Day 2
In the morning, we took a stroll from to check out some of the sites. We passed by the pantheon (10 minute walk) first and ended at the Trevi Fountain (10 minute walk). We got pastries at a cafe just across the way from the Trevi at L’Antico Forno di Piazza Trevi. You must try the decadent pistachio croissant from here!
We got lunch at Osteria da Fortunata - the location by the Pantheon. We ordered the Fettucine Al Ragu and Fiori di Zucca e Guanciale. There are multiple locations and this place is designed for tourists. We weren’t blown away by the food here.
After lunch, we walked 15 minutes to the Spanish Steps. Be sure to walk the route along Via di Campo Marzio - it is one of the poshest shopping streets in Rome.
On our way back to our Airbnb, we stumbled upon the cutest purse shop: Da Simo. The owner’s name was ____. We all got matching purses. She names each type of purse and our style was called the BB (Bridget Bardot).
We found a Vespa tour through Airbnb Experiences and it was amazing. We walked over to the tour meeting point (about 30 minutes) which was right by the Colosseum. The tour was great - they took us to Giardino degli Aranci and to Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi which is the highest point in the city. The Vatican used to hold the title of highest point in Rome, but they took it over and even put the horse’s ass facing the vatican to say God is not above everything.
Then they took us to Two Sizes for Tiramisu - we got to skip the line and our guide told us how tiramisu means “pick me up.”
The tour typically ends here but our guides were kind enough to drop us off by the neighborhood: Testaccio. We wanted to go a bit off-the-beaten path and try somewhere that felt a little more local. We got dinner at Ristorante Pizzeria Ai Cocci - we ordered Carbonara and got pizza Diavola (spicy salami pizza).
Then we walked right down the street to a wine bar called Palombi.
We ended up walking home (40 mins) through Trastevere hoping to stumble across something fun and we did encounter the Cinema Troisi which was having an event. It looked very cool and would recommend checking out. We would add the note that it probably would’ve been best to just uber home.
Day 3
We started our day at the market at Campo di Fiori. It is a daily outdoor market lined with Italian goods. Try the red pesto.
Then we got a pastry and a slice of pizza at Antico Forno Roscioli.
We walked all the way to Prati and went to Mercato Trionfale (32 minute walk from airbnb). We got the market a little late so some things were closing, but we stumbled across this stall owned by this woman named Laura. She let us try everything and was so wonderful. Her stall was called Amarice de Laura (?) - she was in Box 211. Highly recommend checking out her stall if she is still there.
After that, we got a slice of pizza at Forno Feliziani which was nearby to the market.
This would be a great time to see the Vatican - buy your tickets in advance. We had already seen it before so didn’t go. We ended up making our way back to our neighboorhood and we stopped at Bar Nino to get spritzes. We made a pitstop at the Zara on Campo di Marizo. We stopped at Mr. 100 Tiramisu.
Then we went to dinner nearby our Airbnb at Cantina e Cucina - very mid. Don’t need to go.
Afterwards, we went to Club Derriere for a nightcap.