Hi, my dearest readers,
If you already saw my other post, you would’ve known that I traveled to Italy just before summer.
Here, you can read my full Italy trip, Milan, Florence, Venice, Naples, Amalfi Coast, and Rome.
The final main city we stopped at was Rome and we were here in the heart of Italy, its beautiful capital.
The objective of the trip was to visit as many places as possible and admire its architecture. It’s less of a trip whereby we visited each individual cathedral and museum (there are way too many of them!). So you’ll need to cater more time than we have if you’re planning on visiting the inside of these landmarks.
GETTING AROUND ROME
Car: We had the car towards the end of our Milan trip. We then drove to Florence on the second day and took day trips out to the Firenze Mall, Siena, Venice, and Pisa.
Regional trains: Both the regional and local trains are very convenient for us to navigate. On the regional trains, there were two types that we came across. The first is the kind where you either fit your luggage in the overhead railings (my big luggage fit) as the train came with built-in tables. I felt safer but it took so much to get it up. You can fit your luggage at the back of your seats if it’s small enough as well. My friends placed theirs in a luggage compartment instead. On the second train we boarded, I managed to fit our luggage in front of the seats as there isn’t a table. There also isn’t a luggage compartment (not that we know of, after asking a local). However, this was a tight squeeze as we didn’t have much space to place our feet and opted to curl up in the seat. But I felt safer knowing that our luggage was in our sight.
Local trains and trams: On the local trains, I’ll suggest being more vigilant of your surroundings. There are lots of petty pickpockets around and you can read about my experience with one here.
Walk (a lot): Predominately, be it after a train journey or a car ride, we walked around the cities. Their cities are very walkable and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you’ll see in each corner. There’s no better way to explore the city!
Tours: I know this doesn’t really count as transportation but some of the tours do come with a pickup point and they’ll drive you around the area.
Taxi: This was a lifesaver for us when we were moving in between the cities and had to lug our hefty luggage to the main train stations. We got an app called Freenow (which works like Uber or Grab). Within minutes, I was able to get a taxi. But a trip from my hotel/ Airbnb (less than 5 minutes away), costs at least €15 so this is a pricy option. For taxis to the airports, there is a flat rate of €40 to €50, depending on the location of each airport.
Airport Transfers: Airports in Italy were pretty far away from their main cities. While there was the option of taking the trains, the comfort of the Airport Transfer buses outweighed the pros on cons. I got mine off Klook under Terravision which cost me €6 instead of the €10 that I saw people paying on the spot. So, if you don’t want to miss the bus to the airport and you want a cheaper yet affordable alternative, this will be it!
Day 1: Travelling to Rome – Spanish Steps | Trevis Fountain | Doppio Malto | Il Maesro Del Gelato | Colosseum
Prior to our trip to Rome, we were in Naples. The first thing we did after arriving in Rome, was we headed for our hotel, and we were then off exploring once more.
We wanted to head into one of the stops near the Spanish Steps for some shopping. But shops closed around 7:30 pm and some of them stop customers from entering way before that. So we only walked around the famous sites near the area.
The Spanish Step was honestly not as grand nor amazing as we had thought because we had seen so many beautiful architectures by now and these were just steps. There were many police around this area, keeping people from sitting on the steps and just patrolling around.
Address: Spanish Steps Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Trevi fountain was nearby but was filled with so many people. If you wanted to get to the front and centre of the fountain, you got to wait patiently on the side and seize the opportunity immediately once they were vacant. Do take note of your surroundings and belongings as it is very very crowded. Even after coming back after dinner around 9:30 pm, there were still the same amount of people there. I can see why this is so because this is one of the grandest and most majestic fountains that I’ve seen. The details in the sculptures were amazing. Don’t forget to face the fountain backward and toss a coin over your left shoulder to guarantee a return trip to Rome!
Address: Trevi Fountain Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Dinner was at the nearby restaurant, Doppio Malto, where we had a grilled platter after the long day.
Address: Doppio Malto Via Poli, 50-52, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Of course, we couldn’t end the night without some dessert. Instead of gelato, I opted for an ice popsicle shaped like the Colosseum, it was so cute and the perfect way to end the night.
Address: Il Maestro del Gelato Via delle Muratte, 75, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
On our way back, we went past the Colosseum at night which was pretty amazing. The lights and clear skies illuminated the Colosseum to its glory.
Address: Colosseum Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Day 2: Vatican City + Shopping
Bring your stamina today because this was frankly one of the most tiring days for us. We took the train to Ottaviano and walked from there.
We booked our entrance tickets to the Vatican Museum beforehand and entered very quickly. We exchanged the QR codes for physical tickets and we were in!
Tip: Always get the tickets online if you want to skip the queue but buy the tickets earlier on their official website for a cheaper one. Since we went through a third-party site, Tiquets, the prices were really marked up very high.
Upon entering the museum, you can choose to walk up their notable spiral stairs or take the escalator. Afterward, I’d suggest starting on the right side – mainly Pinacoteca and the rest of the rooms there. Then, grab your lunch before heading towards the left – towards the direction of the Pio Clementine Museum.
You’ll even get to see the most expensive bathtub in the world in the Pio Clementino Museum which is estimated to be worth 2 billion!
Don’t forget to head towards the Chiaramonte Museum and Braccio Nuovo Museums before going through the Tapestry Gallery, Gallery of Maps, and finally the Sistine Chapel.
There was so much walking and so many things to see. So you should schedule a full day here if you wanted to see the nook and cranny of this place. Otherwise, you can skim through the paintings, sculptures, and tapestries and follow the direction of the crowd. There were a lot of people when we were entering the Galleries. We seized the opportunity when the crowd thinned for just a bit and took some photos.
Tip: We weren’t allowed to take photos at the Sistine Chapels and we were recommended to cover our shoulders and if you’re wearing very short shorts or skirts. I saw a box that collected the used coverups but I didn’t see someone distributing them. So Bring a shawl/ scarf ready for these special situations.
Address: Vatican Museum 00120 Vatican City
The exit of the Sistine Chapel leads to the entrance of the Basilica which is free to enter but often has snakes of queue entering. The Basilica did have a few artifacts which you can see as well as St Peter’s tomb.
Address: Basilica di San Pietro Piazza San Pietro 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
On the exit towards the right, I spotted a Vatican post office. Having gotten one postcard already, I got some Vatican stamps to mail them back to Singapore as a memento. There were also stamps for collections at the booth in the middle. For international mail, you can post them via the orange postbox located just outside of the post office, likewise for many of the other postcards mailed across Italy.
After walking out, you’ll end up at St Peter’s Square with the Obelisk in the middle as well as the two fountains – Maderno and Bernini Fountain.
After a few photos, we went near Spanish Steps again to buy some luxury goods, which included, Longchamp, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Dior, etc. Here’s a guide to buying luxury goods in Italy and tips on how to bring them back with you safely which you can read about it here.
If you have some time, I’d recommend heading toward Castel Sant Angelo
Address: Castel Sant’Angelo Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Day 3: Pantheon | Colosseo | Roman Forum | Palatine Hill (in the background cause we lazy to walk up) | Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II | Piazza Navona – Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
We took the train from Manzione to Colosseum. It was also at Mazione train station that I got pickpocketed. You can read all about my experience here.
The day started in Colosseum which we had the tickets which were bought beforehand. Similarly, book on their official website for a cheaper ticket. Our ticket only encompasses the normal entry and skips the underground tour. It would have been nice to see the underground of the Colosseum but the top was equally breathtaking. You can enter the Colosseum about 10 to 15 minutes before the time you reserved.
The Colosseum was filled with so much history and there are informative explanations on the walls and models which you can view before entering the platforms.
Address: Colosseum Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Just outside the Colosseum, you should see these water coolers which can provide you with both Still and Sparkling water.
After walking level by level, we headed back out and walked across to enter the Roman Forum and Capitoline Hills. We actually skipped out of the Capitoline Hills and chose to see it from afar (we were pretty tired under the scorching heat) while we spent the time exploring the grounds of the Roman Forums.
Address: Roman Forum Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
After leaving the area, we continued walking until we saw the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II, yet another grand building that you’ll walk past. We got our lunch in a local restaurant around the area and continued sightseeing.
Address: Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II Piazza Venezia, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
We headed towards The Pantheon, to which admission is free. However, we went on the weekend and needed to book in advance so we skipped going in.
Address: Pantheon Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
This time, our destination was the Piazza Navona and the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.
Address: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi Piazza Navona, 90, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
I couldn’t miss another gelato in Italy so I got myself one at Buccianti. We spent the rest of the day hunting for chocolates and other souvenirs to bring back to Singapore.
Address: Buchianti Gelateria Via Giustiniani, 18A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Our final dinner for the night was at this delicious restaurant near our hotel — Ristorante Trattoria Da Michele. We were so stuffed by the end of the night but we didn’t forget to bring back their signature tiramisu.
Address: Ristorante Trattoria Da Michele Via Merulana, 236/237/238, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Day 4: Flight back home
My final meal in Italy was lunch at a local restaurant, le caveau ristorante where I had the Roman tasting menu. The one lesson that I learned in Italy is that I have to eat their Pasta while it is hot otherwise, it will get very dry.
The Roman Tasting Menu included an appetiser (Deep Fried Traditional Roman Rice Ball with Ragu stuffed with Mozzarella Cheese), Main (Carbonara Spaghetti), and Second Course (Turkey Meat Slices with Parma Ham and Sage in a White Wine Sauce and roasted Potatoes.) Yum.
Address: Le Caveau Ristorante Via Conte Verde, 6, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
I chilled for the rest of the day and headed back to Singapore the next day. The same way as I’ve traveled around Italy to and fro the airport. I booked an Airport Transfer from their main station and took the bus ride there for just 6 Euros by the same company Terravision.
TIPS WHEN NAVIGATING ITALY
- No COVID regulations as of 17 May 2023. Although you should constantly check on travel advisories as the governments are changing as and when the situation develops.
- If it’s a takeaway, pay for your food first before you collect them.
- Italians bring their dogs everywhere. This was so different everywhere else because, in Singapore, you can’t do that unless they are guide dogs.
- They smoke everywhere, although most don’t smoke while they are indoors.
- If there’s no traffic light, just walk across the road confidently. Don’t hesitate, the cars will stop naturally. If you’re afraid, then walk with the locals there.
- Italians eat one pizza each. We were quite shocked to see this, seeing that all of us can barely finish one, let alone one each. To save some cost, we often ordered two mains as we also didn’t have a big appetite.
- Toilets are hard to find and if you do need one, pop by the hotel or ask the restaurants. They are typically okay with it. If you’re near a hotel, just walk in confidently, they never stopped us
There you have it, the final part of the itinerary for my wonderful Italian trip. Do keep a look out for the next as I navigate Milan, Florence, Naples and the day trips out of these cities to Siena, Venice, Pisa, Amalfi, and Pompeii.
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