Rome Travel Guide and Tips

 

A Long Weekend in Rome – With a Plan, and a Little Space to Wander.

There’s something about arriving in a city you’ve never been to that feels like the opening scene of a film. You’ve read the reviews, scrolled the photos, maybe pinned a few must-sees but until you’re stood there, cobblestones underfoot and the sound of a Vespa somewhere nearby, it’s all just imagination.

That’s how it felt as we stepped into Rome. This was a trip to celebrate my birthday and 20 years together with my husband – some would say a bit of a milestone, and a perfect excuse to pause real life and step into something a little more romantic, a little more golden-hued.

 

 

Rome Travel Guide and Tips

 

We visited for three nights, staying in a small but perfectly placed rooftop Airbnb in Trastevere. The colourful Trastevere is a funky, bohemian area that is known for its centuries-old cobbled streets and working-class roots. We chose it as it’s known for it’s traditional trattorias, craft beer pubs and artisan shops. It had a ‘local’ feel about it which we loved. It was roughly a 30 minute walk to most sights but for us that meant we got to explore the streets and take in the atmosphere.

 

Planning the Must-Sees

 

 

We knew we wanted to soak up the history, Rome demands it. So we made a rough plan. Not a military itinerary, but a gentle guide to help us make the most of our time without rushing from one sight to the next.

We booked tickets in advance for the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, as well as The Vatican and I’m so glad we did. The queues for non ticket holders looked long and miserable, especially in the 38 degree heat we experienced in June. The history in Rome is overwhelming, in the best way – and having time slots gave the days a bit of shape without feeling over planned.

We visited the Pantheon, stood quietly outside at 8 am marvelling at its perfect symmetry and scale, and the next day tossed coins into the Trevi Fountain at 7 am, just like everyone else around us, all hoping to return someday. The small fountain next to the Trevi Fountain, known as the “Fountain of the Lovers” has a romantic legend attached to it which we indulged in. According to the legend, couples who drink from it together will remain in love and faithful to each other forever.

Letting the City Lead

 

 

But as much as I love a plan, it was the slower moments in between that really stayed with me.

Wandering the streets with no agenda. Stopping for a second espresso because the café looked too charming to pass by. Sharing pasta in a tiny family-run restaurant tucked down a quiet street, where the owner welcomed us like regulars.

One of my favourite parts of staying in Trastevere was the pace. It’s buzzy but not frantic, with plenty of leafy corners and trattorias that feel like secrets you stumbled upon. It gave us a real sense of local life beyond the crowds.

A Few Tips for Fellow Explorers

 

 

1. Footwear matters. We walked 35k steps each day and Rome’s streets are not kind to flimsy shoes. Comfort wins here.

2. Book major sights in advance to save time and stress, and standing in the sunshine – especially in peak season.

3. Leave space to wander. Some of our favourite memories weren’t on the itinerary.

4. Look beyond the main roads for food, there’s magic in the side streets.

5. Travel light if you’re staying central. Trastevere’s charm includes a few steep lanes and cobbles, and dragging heavy cases isn’t the best start.

 

Rome Travel Guide and Tips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rome Travel Guide and Tips

 

 

A Trip to Remember. Rome was everything I hoped it would be and more. A celebration of where we are now, and a reminder that while planning has its place, so does letting go.

Sometimes, the best stories aren’t on the map.