Rome, often referred to as the “Eternal City,” is a destination filled with history, art, culture, and culinary delights. We spend 4-days exploring throughout Rome and visiting the iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Aside from visiting landmarks, we ventured through Roman streets and had some amazing adventures.
Day 1: Arrival, welcome dinner, and evening stroll around Trevi Fountain
Day 2: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, & Pantheon
Day 3: St. Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, & Spanish Steps
Day 4: Testaccio market food tour & evening bike tour
Suggestions:
- Book your entrance tickets ahead of time. I used both Viator and Get your Guide tours as I have used them run the past and had positive experiences with them. I also used Viator to book the food & bike tour.
- To avoid heavy crowds, start your day early, for example we visited St. Peter’s Basilica early in the am.
day 1
Arrival dinner & leisure time
Many of the travelers arrived early morning/afternoon which gave us some time to eat, nap, and energize for the welcome dinner and to start our 10-day adventure through Italy. Most arrived and we headed for our first lunch and Aperol Spritz.
day 2
Vatican museum & pantheon
The Vatican Museums, located in Vatican City, are one of the most famous museum structure in the world. Established in the early 16th century by Pope Julius II, the museums holds an extensive collection of art and historical artifacts accumulated by the Roman Catholic Church over centuries and has millions of visitors per year. The Sistine Chapel Known for its stunning frescoes by Michelangelo, including the famous The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment.
The Pantheon in Rome is one of the most iconic and well-preserved architectural masterpieces from ancient Rome. Originally built as a temple to all Roman gods, it now functions as a Catholic Church. The architecture consists of the dome, portico, columns and exterior. The detail in each piece is magnificent. Take the audio tour at your leisure to learn about the history and significance of The Pantheon.
We had a free early evening and decided to go to an Ice bar, which turned out to be super fun with tasty drinks. Ice Club Roma
day 3
Today we will visit the most important archaeological sites in Rome, The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. A few of us visited St. Peter’s Basilica early in the morning to beat the crowds.
St. Peter’s Basilica, located in Vatican City, is one of the most famous and significant religious sites in the world. The basilica was designed by some of the greatest artists and architects of the Renaissance, including Michelangelo, Bramante, Raphael, and Bernini.
The Colosseum is the most iconic landmarks of ancient Rome and a masterpiece of Roman engineering and architecture. Located in the heart of Rome, Italy, it is the largest amphitheater ever built and a testament to the beauty of the Roman Empire. In 1980 the Colosseum was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The Roman Forum/Palatine Hill is one of the most ancient significant sites in Rome, Italy. It is one of the “Seven Hills of Rome” and is historically known as the birthplace of the city, was the central public square in ancient Rome and one of the most significant gathering locations of the Roman Empire. Known for serving as the political, legal, economic, religious, and social heart of the city.
The Spanish Steps connect the Piazza di Spagna (at the bottom) with the Trinità dei Monti church (at the top).It’s located in a popular area surrounded by luxury boutiques, restaurants, and cultural landmarks.
The Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is one of the most famous fountains in the world and a landmark in Rome, Italy. It is popular for its grand Baroque design and complex sculptures. This is a popular tourist spot and is constantly busy and many are making their wishes while tossing a coin in. Many restaurants surround the fountain which makes it quite walkable.
day 4
Our final full day in Rome was quite relaxing with a twist of action. Today we ventured out to the neighborhood of Testaccio where we participated in a walking, food tour. Aside from the interesting neighborhood full of art and bold colors, the Testacccio market had quite the selection of delicious bites.
After lunch some went back to rest while others ventured out while enjoying their last day in the Roman City. In the evening we connected and went on our night bike tour. This was a hit among the travelers, riding bike through the streets of Rome and seeing the monuments all lit up was quite beautiful.
